Under $100: Mexico City

If you enjoy the bustle and chaos of a metropolis, you will fall in love with Mexico City. Start the day with some concha and café de olla at one of the many wonderful patisseries in the historic city. Particularly good is the Pasteleria Ideal ($5–10). The process of buying pastries is a wonder, let alone the delight of actually eating them. Grab a tray and stack it full of goodness.

Get around the city using the metro. It is the most affordable option — multiple trips for less than $5 — and is in some ways safer than cabs on the street. Keep an eye on your belongings in the metro since cars are usually tightly packed and pickpocketing is not unusual.

If you are going to spend your time at two major historical sites in one day, then Chapultepec Castle ($4) and Templo Mayor are your best options. The castle is an 18^th-century palace and history museum and offers beautiful views of the city, while Templo Mayor ($4) allows you to travel even further back in time and see the city’s rich indigenous culture through its museum and archaeological site.

End the day with a walk through the historic and Art Nouveau-packed La Condesa neighborhood. This neighborhood has a lot of history as the Jewish quarter of the 1920s and an artistic enclave.

Since you are already in the area, end the day with dinner at Fonda Fina. Appetizers, entrée, dessert and drinks will run you about $40–50 per person, and every bite is worth it. The margaritas are fresh and full of real flavor and the water of the day will be delicious, so just order it. Try the pork belly, mole or the squash blossom tacos. Food is made seasonally, so go and enjoy!