January 2023
We really enjoyed living in Mexico City with our two dogs, Olivia and Sofia.
Due to COVID we decided to return back to the U.S. for the time being.
The information below is still something to keep in mind once quarantining is over and we can all get back to doing what we love… tra
Jump Ahead To:
(A) Chapultepec Park
If you are visiting or moving to Mexico City with your dog, check out these 5 pet friendly places to go with your dog.
I found Mexico City (CDMX) to be one of the most pet friendly cities we have lived in. Our dogs – Olivia and Sofia – have been to all the places listed below.
Bosque de Chapultepec– Pet Friendly Sunday Funday
Right in the heart of CDMX, away from the hustle-n-bustle of the city, Bosque de Chapultepec is the place to go with your dog on Sundays.
This is an amazing place to go with your best friend and be among the beautiful trees, plants and grass. Your dog will thank you for taking him/her there!
Dog are allowed off leash in certain areas of Chapultepec on Sundays.
The park is divided into 3 sections. Section #1 – will allow dogs on Sunday’s from 9 am to 3 pm.
Section #1 is where Parque Tomayo is located.
In this section you can bring your dog to play in the park, swim in the fountains and run off leash.
The best way to find this area in Section #1 is to navigate to the Museum of Anthropology, (which is in section #1) next to Parque Tomayo.
The museum is located by the main road Avenida Paseo de Reforma. Refer to the red arrow on the map below:
One of the charming things about Mexico City is that every Sunday Avenida Paseo de Reforma is blocked off to traffic.
This is done on one side to allow for walkers, joggers, bicycles, skateboards and scooters to use the road instead of car.
Many families are out walking with their dogs on Sunday in Bosque Chapultepec.
Caution: If your dog loves water and wants to visit the ponds in Chapultepec, please make sure it is vaccinated against the Leptospirosis disease. Learn more about the Leptospirosis disease here.
Chapultepec is twice as big as Central Park in New York City. It is considered the lungs Mexico City because the tree replenishes the oxygen in the Mexico valley.
The park area has been inhabited and considered a landmark since the Pre-Columbian era, when it was a retreat for Aztec rulers.
Chapultepec means “at the grasshopper hill” in the Aztec language Nahuatl.
Across the street from Museum of Anthropology (Museo National de Antropología) on Avenida Paseo de Reforma, is a Starbucks and another small restaurant. From here it is easy to catch an UBER or cab.
The neighborhood of Polanco is north of Chapultepec and Condesa is to the east, which is a very pet friendly area to live or to visit.
(B) Frida Kahlo Museum – Pet Friendly
Believe it or not, the Frida Kahlo Museum is Pet Friendly.
This museum does allow well-behaved Emotional Support Animals (ESA) to enter the compound.
There are a few steps you must take in order to enter with your ESA dog.
Contact the museum ahead of time by email to let them you know you want your ESA dog to accompany you to the museum
Email: actividadesculturales@museofridakahlo.org.mx
Present a license proving the dog is an Emotional Support Animal.
Once you get the permission from the museum, purchase your tickets ahead of time here.
Purchasing your tickets ahead of time guarantees you will get in plus saves time from having to wait in line.
Note: when facing the museum, the line to the left is for those who have not purchase tickets ahead of time.
Spend the extra pesos to use the headphones for the audio tour. Well worth it!
The museum is the original house Frida grew up in and lived with Diego Rivera.
Many of the rooms are small and can get over crowded. You may have to hold your dog while visiting some of the rooms.
There are plenty of pet friendly spaces outside in the garden areas and by the restaurant.
TIP: Go in the afternoon when all the tour buses have gone. It normally takes about 2.5 hours to see everything (at a leisurely pace).
(c) Xochimilco – Pet Friendly
Xochimilco has been on my “bucket list” to visit for a few years.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage site which dates back to before the Spanish Conquistadors came to Mexico.
Xochimilco is what’s left of the old network of waterway canals from which Mexico City was built.
When our niece came to visit us in Mexico City, we wanted to take her to Xochimilco.
I was not sure if Xochimilco was Pet Friendly or not. I decided to take a chance and bring the dogs (Olivia & Sofia) with us to Xochimilco.
I figured it was a safe bet because most locals go to Xochimilco as part of a celebration with their family and friends. Dogs are part of the family too!
Xochimilco was about one-hour south of the Condesa / Roma area by car.
I recommend this entrance because it is less crowded and easy to park.
Once we entered the town of Xochimilco we encountered several motorcycles trying to steer us to their pier. Note: there are several piers you can rent boats from.
We ignored motorcycles and drove straight to the entrance called Embarcadero Nuevo Nativitas; which is where I wanted to rent a trajinera (boat) from.
I selected Embarcadero Nuevo Nativitas because I was told it was less crowded and no vendors pressuring you to take their boat. They were right!
When we first walked to the pier area there was a big sign stating the price per hour for all boats. 500 pesos per hour (no matter how many people). Transparency! I like that.
Yes, Xochimilco is Pet Friendly!
There was no extra charge to take the dogs. They did not even question us about bringing the dogs on the boat.
We were led to our boat by passing through several other boats.
All the boats were low profile. It was easy to walk from one boat to the other with the dogs.
The boats are brightly colored and configured the same – a large table in the middle and chairs around the table.
You will see many boats with their tables full of coolers of beer and soft drinks, trays of food and pastries.
The boats do not have a motor. It is all done manually. The boats are steered by pushing the boat by hand. Similar to the boats in Venice Italy.
On the canals there are other boats with vendors selling food, such as elote.
Elote is corn on the cob with a stick, topped with mayonnaise, sprinkle of Cotija cheese, Ancho chile powder and served piping hot. Delicious!
We went during a weekday. It was very peaceful. Nice and relaxing to float by the houses, plant and vegetable nurseries scattered along the edges of the canals.
To me, the best view is from the front of the boat.
We saw and heard the boats with mariachi and marimba musicians playing music for some of the other boats.
It was a pleasant break from all the walking and other sightseeing we had done with our niece.
I think Olivia and Sofia enjoyed their time in Xochimilco also.
(D) Parque México
This is a charming pet friendly park located in the neighborhood of Condesa, in CDMX.
The park has wide paved sidewalks which are surrounded by beautiful Jacaranda trees and lush green plants.
There are also fountains and ponds throughout, which many dogs love to cool off in.
The Official and Unofficial “dog park” areas
The Official Dog Park In Parque Mexico
There is an official fenced-in dog park in Parque Mexico.
It is about 1000 square meters (10,763 square feet). It is covered in wood chips and shaded by many jacaranda trees.
In June of 2022 this park added a separate section just for small dogs.
Lots of room for your dog to run and play.
On weekends there are pet adoption events.
They feature many dogs and cats looking for good homes.
The Unofficial dog park area
Parque Mexico has a large concrete area which is ringed with beautiful bougainvillea trees.
It’s a multipurpose area. It is also known as an UN-official dog play area.
This area is used for many activities such as exercise classes, cheer-leading practice, dance practices, official events and celebrations.
Often times on the weekends you will see small toddlers riding tricycles or scooters around on the smooth concrete.
The smaller dogs and well-behaved dogs tend to go here to play catch with a ball or Frisbee.
Training classes for dogs in Parque Mexico
We used to live in southern California where dogs are never allowed off leash.
When we first arrived in Mexico City, we were so impressed with how obedient the dogs are, while off leash. Especially here in the Condesa neighborhood.
It’s very common to see people walking with their dog off leash.
The dogs are very well-trained and walk right next to their owner. No running off or going into traffic.
It is common to see dogs seated outside a store (some not even tied up) waiting for their owner to return.
Within our first week of living in Condesa we came across an unusual sight after playing Frisbee.
It was a row of 8 – 10 dogs laying down, not tied up, attentive, and just chil’in.
When we walked by with our dogs, the dog-pack seemed unfazed.
We soon realized it was a training class for dogs. We stood and watched as the trainers (dog whisperers) worked with each dog.
They were so gentle and used positive reinforcement with each dog.
It was at that moment we decided we wanted to enroll Sofia into this school. Perhaps the dog whisperers could help with Sofia’s leash aggression.
Sofia’s training classes in Parque Mexico
Backstory: When Sofia was about 6 months old, she was traumatized by another dog at a dog park in Southern California.
The other dog lunged at her and nipped her in the face. Ever since then Sofia has had the mindset of “I will lunge and nip you before you nip me!” attitude.
We wanted to stop this bad habit of leash aggression but did not know how.
We decided to ask one of the dog trainers at Parque Mexico for help.
We enrolled Sofia in school. Since Sofia had this particular issue, we had private lessons with Pedro – the lead dog trainer.
Pedro taught us how to behave when Sofia lunges at other dogs. He taught us how to correct her when she lunges and how to reward her when she does not lunge.
We had two lessons and then we were on our own to practice with Sofia.
To practice what we learned with Sofia, we went to coffee shops and sat outside, waiting for other dogs to walk by.
When another dog walked by and she started to lunge we said “no” very sternly. When a dog walked by and she did not lunge – we praised her and gave her a treat.
It did not take long for Sofia to catch on.
I am happy to report that Sofia no longer has leash-aggression and is calm around other dogs.
We continue to reinforce and praise her good behavior, especially when meeting new dogs.
We are so happy we found the dog whisperers’ in Parque Mexico! We can breathe easier now.
Update 2021: Have been back in the U.S. since 2020. I am happy to report that we still use the training techniques we learned in Parque Mexico. Sofia is doing a great job of not lunging at other dogs when we are out and about.
(E) Free Walking Tour In The Historical Center - El Zócalo
Whenever we travel to a new city, I look for a walking tour. This is the best way to get an overview of the new place.
Most big cities have companies that offer free walking tours. At the end of the tour you tip the guide depending on how much you enjoyed the tour.
Walking tours generally are outside and therefore it is easy to bring dogs along.
Be sure to contact the company ahead of time to ask them if it would be OK to bring a dog on the tour.
Olivia & Sofia have been on many walking tours with us throughout Mexico.
Summary
Mexico City has a lot to see and things to do. Bringing your dog along to some of these places makes the time more enjoyable. I hope you are able to check out these 5 places to visit with your dog.
If you know of any other pet friendly places in Mexico City, please leave a comment so others may know as well.
Map Showing All Five Places to Visit with Your Dog
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Just got back from M city. Was blown away by how well behaved the dogs are. What a great great city! Would go back tomorrow if I could.
Hola Carl!
Thank you so much for dropping this comment! I totally agree with you. Maybe the dogs are so well behaved because there are so many dog trainers (dog whisperers) around town.It’s very easy and convenient to send your dog to one of the trainers while you at work.
=8-)
Hope you make it back to CDMX one day soon!
Love all this info. As of June 2022, Parque Mexico now has a separate fenced section for small and large dogs. They continue to make this spot even more incredibly for dogs!
Hola Robert!
Thank you so much for letting us know about the updated dog park in Parque Mexico! Yes.. such an incredible pet-friendly place that keeps getting better. =8-)
Many thanks for this post, very helpful and interesting! I am looking for one advice, not knowing Mexico City personally: what would be a recommendable neighborhood at the outskirts to rent a house? I have a midsize dog (bordercollie mixture) and would prefer to live a bit outside “in the nature”, even though traffic is a nightmare (my future office would be in Polanco). Grateful for any suggestions, regards, Peter
Hola Peter! Congratulations on moving to CDMX! With regards to your question… first let me say this is only my opinion. =8-) Trust me when I say to you – do not try and commute into Polanco from the outskirts! Depending on your definition of “the outskirts” that could be 1 hour or more away. I used to think traffic in Los Angeles was horrible until we came to CDMX! Look for a place that is close to a subway/metro stop. Their public transportation systems are easy and very efficient. I like the subway in particular. Less stressful. =8-) When… Read more »
Hi, does anyone know if pet dogs are allowed in Teotihuacan? Thanks
Hola Dan!
Unfortunately, no pets are allowed at any of the archaeological sites. (Although I have seen some local street dogs inside Teotihuacan grounds).
It was mentioned to me that you can ask the security guards at the entrance to watch you dog for a nice tip – $20/$30 USD.
Let us know if you decide to try it and how it worked out. I am sure other readers will be curious to find how it went for you and your dog. =8-)
Hello!
Thank you for creating this article, it is been helpful for my husband and I. I born and grew up in Mexico City, but I’ve been living in California for five years already. My husband is American and he has never been in Mexico, so this trip is special for us as we’re going to visit my hometown with our beloved dog.
Do you have more suggestions about places to visit, restaurants, etc. in CDMX dog friendly?
Hola Esther!
How wonderful that you are from my favorite city… CDMX! Your husband is lucky to have a personal tour guide to show him around, =8-)
At the moment I cannot think of any other tourist attractions that are dog friendly. Pretty much anywhere you go in Condesa, Roma Norte, and parts of Chapultepec (on Sundays) you can take your dog with you. If you do find other pet-friendly attractions, please write back to help inform other readers. Gracias!
Ustedes disfruten su viaje a la CDMX!
Hello! Thank you for this article! Can I ask what school Pedro is with? I just left Mexico City in admiration of the trainers in parque Mexico. I am heading back to live in CDMX for a few months this summer with my little dachshund and would love to enroll him!
Hola Mallory!
Honestly, I do not know if Pedro is associated with any formal dog training school (like what we are used to in the US and Canada). He is just one of the many informal dog trainers in Parque Mexico. Once you are back in CDMX feel free to walk up and ask any of the trainers about enrolling your little dachshund. They will most likely want to know what you want to accomplish and then customize training classes accordingly. Have fun!
Safe Travels! =8-)
Hello! Thank you for this post. We are excited to visit Mexico City soon with our doggo. Wondering, were your dogs allowed to come into and dine in restaurants with you?
Hola Michelle! Thank you for the question! The most pet friendly area in CDMX is the Condesa neighborhood. In fact, many restaurants in Condesa have a doggie menu. Those places will let you bring your dog inside. Outside of the Condesa area is a bit different. Restaurants that have a patio will allow dogs. There are a ton of great restaurants in CDMX and many of them have patios. I suspect that the restaurants (w/o patios) and the stores around the Zócalo are not pet friendly. We have never tried taking our dogs there. Too many people and I am… Read more »
Lovely article. I am moving to Mexico in 6 weeks. I am debating between living in Mexico City and the Lake Chapala area. I will be spending time in both areas to explore and make my final decision.
I am happy to read you liked the article on Mexico City. Thank you!
How exciting to be moving to Mexico! We spent time in Ajijic Lake Chapala area. It is a nice town as well. CDMX and Lake Chapala offer different experiences. It all depends on what experiences you are looking for in life at the moment. =8-)
Have fun exploring!