One of Mexico's most famous athletes, Red Bull driver Sergio Pérez talks us through the must-see places in the capital ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix.
In 2015, the Mexican Grand Prix made a triumphant return to Formula 1 after a 23-year absence.
For Sergio "Checo" Pérez, victory was particularly sweet. While born and raised in Guadalajara, Pérez's status as the most successful Grand Prix driver in Mexican history has made him a beloved figure across the country.
Growing up, though, Pérez tells BBC Travel that Formula 1 was not very popular in Mexico: "Normal people had no idea what Formula 1 was. Even finding it on television was really difficult." Since his father, Antonio Pérez Garibay, was a stock car racing driver who competed in the Nascar Mexico series, Pérez was exposed to motor racing from a young age. "I grew up with motorsport in my blood," he says. "My target was actually IndyCar when I was growing up. Formula 1 seemed too far away. It was never clear if I'd get the opportunity."
Formula 1 driver Sergio Pérez began his career at Sauber in 2011. He has since driven for McLaren, Force India, and – most famously – Red Bull. Over the course of his 279 Grands Prix, he's won six races, the most of any Mexican racer, recorded 39 podiums, and finished second in the 2023 world championship.
Pérez's karting performances in Mexico and then the United States took his burgeoning career to Europe, and after excelling in Formula 3 and GP2 he became sought after by Formula 1 teams. Since making his debut, he's helped to grow Formula 1 exponentially around Mexico. "The atmosphere in Mexico now is incredible," he says. "People follow it a lot. The interest is just massive around Mexico."
But while his Formula 1 travels mean that he doesn't get to spend as much time as he'd like in Mexico City, when he returns every year for the Grand Prix (27 October 2024), he knows exactly where to visit. "It's such a unique and cosmopolitan city," he says, who is based in Puerto Vallarta between races. "There are so many nationalities, the quality of food is incredible, there are good clubs, nice people, nice museums, there's a lot of sport to watch. It is a city that has everything."
Here are Pérez's recommendations for enjoying Mexico City – during F1 weekend and beyond.
Alamy1. Best tacos: El Fogoncito
The most iconic Mexican dish is undoubtedly the taco; a hand-sized tortilla filled with beef, pork, chicken, seafood or vegetables that's eaten in just a few bites. Linked to the country from centuries back, tacos exploded in popularity among Mexican miners in the 18th Century because they were so easy to make and sell. Whenever Pérez is in Mexico City, his favourite taco spot to visit is El Fogoncito, a casual and stylish taqueria with two locations close to Chapultepec Park, the biggest and oldest urban space in Latin America.
Insider Tip
Pérez insists that visitors to Mexico City shouldn't be scared of getting tacos from a street cart. "That's a really nice experience. You will be shocked how little money you will spend." Pérez also says the best time of year to visit Mexico City is December, when it's much more relaxed.
"El Fogoncito is a really nice taco place that I used to go to a lot," says Pérez. "I will order the gringa (pork shoulder and cheese) and el pastor (marinated pork) tacos. Their quesadillas are really nice, too. All of it is really good."
If you're looking for other dishes to devour in the city, Pérez recommends enchiladas (large rolled tortillas filled with saucy meat and topped with melted cheese) and pollo con mole, chicken simmered in cacao-rich mole sauce.
Website: https://www.fogoncito.com/
Instagram: @elfogoncitooficial
Alamy2. Must-see for first-time visitors: Chapultepec Castle
Built in 1785, Chapultepec Castle served as a military academy, observatory, imperial residence and the home of each president until February 1939, when it became the National Museum of History. Pérez always feels transported whenever he visits the structure, located in the heart of Chapultepec Park, overlooking majestic greenery. "It's like jumping back in time," he says. "It's really nice to be surrounded by so much history. First time visitors to Mexico City definitely have to go to Chapultepec Castle."
Visitors who want to take a deep dive into the history of the castle can pay for a guided tour of the park and the castle. Pass through the grand 18th-Century carriage hall to the Art Nouveau Introductory room and further on to the royal Games Room and luxurious red velvet-lined Smoking Room for a window into Mexico's noble past.
Website: https://mnh.inah.gob.mx/
Address: Chapultepec Forest I Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11580 Mexico City
Phone number: +52 55 7601 9811
Instagram: @museodehistoria
Alamy3. Best Mexican football (fútbol) experience: Estadio Azteca
Whenever Pérez is in Mexico, one of his go-to activities is watching his beloved Club America. Pérez believes that every football fan should pay a visit to Estadio Azteca, where Club America play their home games.
One of the most famous football stadiums in the world, Estadio Azteca has hosted two World Cup finals, which were won by Brazil and Argentina, respectively. It’s also where Italy's 1970 semi-final defeat of Germany, known as the "Game of the Century", took place, and where Diego Maradona scored both the Hand of God and Goal of the Century against England in 1986.
"Estadio Azteca is one of the biggest stadiums in the world," says Pérez. "Its atmosphere is unbelievable. I also take my son with me when I'm back for a Club America game. It's just a great experience. You can have tacos while you're watching the game. A nice tequila. Plus people are so friendly in Mexico. It's such a great stadium to go to."
While Pérez admits it's harder to get to games because of his Formula 1 career, he usually gets back each November or December, especially when the team "reach a final". Football is also a great icebreaker between Formula 1 teams, too: "A lot of people in the paddock are involved in football. It's very rare that people don't like it. We are always chatting about what's going on with it."
Website: www.estadioazteca.com.mx/
Address: Calz. de Tlalpan 3465, Sta. Úrsula Coapa, Coyoacán, 04650 Ciudad de México, CDMX
Phone number: +52 55 5487 3215
Instagram: @estadioaztecaoficial
AlamyPérez's favourite area to explore in Mexico City is Polanco, where he often gets an ice cream with his family or heads for shopping. The neighbourhood, found directly north of Chapultepec Park, is one of the most upscale sections of the city; Pérez points out there are numerous luxury shopping malls packed with many high-end shops. "There are so many places around there that are within walking distance of each other."
Polanco is also home to the Museo Soumaya, Pérez's go-to Mexico City museum: "It's one of the biggest and most important museums in Mexico and has all the art of the Slim family." This includes sculptures from pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica, Mexican art from the last 250 years, and the works of Auguste Rodin, Salvador Dalí and Bartolomé Esteban Murillo.
After taking in the culture and soaking up Polanco's unique blend of Californian, wooden, and contemporary architectural styles, there are also a number of fine-dining restaurants, bars and clubs to enjoy. Pérez's go-to drink is Patron Silver tequila, but he's also a fan of paloma margaritas.
"There are so many clubs in Polanco to recommend," he says. "Red Bull always do really nice afterparties", with last year's soiree held at the Auditorio Blackberry in the heart of Roma, a neighbourhood just west of the city’s historic centre. When it comes to deciding where to celebrate after the Mexican Grand Prix, Pérez annually faces the same dilemma: "The problem is there are too many parties on Sunday night in Mexico City."
Website: http://www.museosoumaya.org/
Address: Blvd. Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Granada, Miguel Hidalgo, 11529 Ciudad de México, CDMX
Phone number: +52 55 1103 9800
Instagram: @elmuseoumaya
5. Best day trip out of Mexico City: Valle de Bravo
Mexico City may be one of the most vibrant and captivating cities in the world, but Pérez says there are also a number of "really nice places to go and visit that are just outside of the city". His favourite is Valle de Bravo, located two hours south-west of Mexico City on the shore of Lake Avandaro. "That's a really, really nice place. It's full of trees, on the water, but also in the middle of nowhere." Valle de Bravo is a 16th-Century Spanish Colonial town with cobblestone streets full of modern boutiques, galleries and restaurants – also dubbed the "Switzerland of Mexico" for its idyllic pine tree and lake backdrop.
An avid golfer, Pérez usually combines his downtime by visiting one of Mexico's many acclaimed golf courses. "I love golf. I haven't played in Mexico City. But I know they have some great courses. I would recommend golfing by the beach. There are some really cool places, like Nuevo Nayarit , Punta Mita and even in Cabo. There are endless great golf courses around Mexico."
BBC Travel's The SpeciaList is a series of guides to popular and emerging destinations around the world, as seen through the eyes of local experts and tastemakers.
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