Best Day Trips and Tours from Mexico City, Lisbon, and Chiang Mai (Canadian Expat Picks)

You live here now. Time to explore like it.

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One of the best things about living abroad — instead of just visiting — is that you don’t have to cram everything into a one-week vacation. That archaeological site two hours outside the city? You can go on a Tuesday. That coastal town everyone raves about? Save it for a quiet weekend.

Here are the day trips and tours worth your time in all three of our cities — whether you want a guided experience or prefer to figure it out yourself.

Mexico City

CDMX is surrounded by history, mountains, and small towns that feel like different worlds from the capital. Most are reachable in 1-3 hours by bus or tour van.

Teotihuacán (Pyramids of the Sun and Moon)

Distance: ~50 km northeast, about 1 hour by car or bus

The most popular day trip from Mexico City, and for good reason. The Pyramid of the Sun is the third-largest pyramid in the world. Walk the Avenue of the Dead, climb the pyramids (yes, you can still climb them), and spend 3-4 hours exploring the site.

Go guided if: You want historical context. A good guide transforms this from “big pyramids” to a genuinely fascinating story about a civilization that peaked around 450 AD — centuries before the Aztecs found it already abandoned.

Go independent if: You’ve done your research and want to explore at your own pace. Take the bus from Terminal del Norte (about $7 CAD round trip). Arrive early — by 10 AM the tour buses descend.

Budget: $15-25 CAD independent (bus + entrance) | $50-90 CAD guided tour with transport. Browse Teotihuacán tours.

Xochimilco (Floating Gardens)

Distance: Within CDMX, south side, about 1 hour by metro + light rail

The colourful trajineras (flat-bottomed boats) floating through ancient Aztec canals are iconic for a reason. Go on a weekday for a peaceful, almost meditative experience. Go on a weekend for the full party — mariachi boats, food boats, and families celebrating everything.

Tip: The “ecological” area of Xochimilco is quieter and more nature-focused than the main embarcadero. Ask for it specifically if you want calm over carnival.

Budget: $20-40 CAD for a private boat (split between your group, fits 10-15 people) | $40-70 CAD guided with transport from city centre. Browse Xochimilco tours.

Puebla and Cholula

Distance: ~130 km southeast, about 2 hours by bus

Puebla is a UNESCO city with arguably the best food in Mexico — mole poblano originated here. Cholula, 15 minutes away, has the Great Pyramid — the largest pyramid by volume in the world (bigger than Giza), with a Spanish church built on top. You can explore the tunnels inside.

Best as: A long day trip or an overnight. The ADO bus from CDMX is comfortable and costs about $20 CAD each way.

Budget: $40-60 CAD independent (bus + food + entrance) | $70-110 CAD guided. Browse Puebla tours.

Valle de Bravo

Distance: ~155 km west, about 2.5 hours by car

A lakeside town in the mountains that feels nothing like Mexico City. Paragliding, kayaking, cobblestone streets, and a weekend market. This is where wealthy Chilangos escape on weekends — it’s beautiful, calm, and very different from the capital.

Best as: An overnight weekend trip. Harder to reach by public transit — consider renting a car or joining a group tour.

Budget: $50-80 CAD independent (transport + activities) | $80-130 CAD guided.

More CDMX Day Trips Worth Considering

• Taxco: Silver mining town, 2.5 hours south. Stunning colonial architecture. Buy silver jewelry at source prices.
• Cuernavaca: “City of Eternal Spring,” 1.5 hours south. Cortés’ palace, botanical gardens, perfect weather year-round.
• Desierto de los Leones: National park within CDMX. Hiking through cloud forest, 30 minutes from Santa Fe. Free.

Read more: Best Neighbourhoods in Mexico City | Mexico City Cost of Living

Lisbon

Portugal is a small country. From Lisbon, you can reach beaches, palaces, medieval towns, and wine country — all within 1-2 hours.

Sintra

Distance: ~30 km northwest, 40 minutes by train

A UNESCO World Heritage town in the misty hills above Lisbon. The Pena Palace looks like a fairy tale painted in yellow and red. The Moorish Castle offers panoramic views. The town itself is charming, if tourist-heavy.

Go guided if: You want skip-the-line access. In summer, queues at Pena Palace can exceed 90 minutes. A guided tour handles timing and logistics.

Go independent if: You go on a weekday in the off-season. Train from Rossio station is about $5 CAD return. Budget half a day minimum — there’s more here than you think.

Budget: $25-40 CAD independent (train + entrance fees) | $60-100 CAD guided with transport. Browse Sintra tours.

Cascais and the Coast

Distance: ~33 km west, 40 minutes by train

A seaside town that feels like the Portuguese Riviera. Walk along the coastal path from Cascais to Guincho Beach (about 3 km, mostly flat, ocean views the entire way). The Boca do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth) sea cave is dramatic and free to visit.

Combine with: Stop at Estoril on the way — casino town, James Bond vibes, a different energy from Cascais.

Budget: $10-20 CAD independent (train + food). This is one of the cheapest and best day trips from Lisbon. Browse coastal tours.

Arrábida and Setúbal

Distance: ~40 km south, about 1 hour by car

Arrábida Natural Park has some of the best beaches in the Lisbon region — turquoise water, limestone cliffs, and far fewer tourists than the Algarve. Setúbal is a working fishing town known for fresh grilled fish and choco frito (fried cuttlefish).

Go guided: Public transport to Arrábida is limited. A guided tour or rental car is the practical choice.

Budget: $50-80 CAD independent with rental car | $70-110 CAD guided with transport and sometimes a boat trip. Browse Arrábida tours.

Óbidos

Distance: ~85 km north, about 1 hour by bus

A walled medieval town that looks like it hasn’t changed in 500 years. Walk the town walls, sample ginjinha (sour cherry liqueur, served in chocolate cups), and browse the bookshops — the entire town has been declared a Literary City by UNESCO.

Budget: $20-35 CAD independent (bus + food + ginjinha) | $50-80 CAD guided.

More Lisbon Day Trips Worth Considering

• Évora: Roman temple, bone chapel, UNESCO city. 1.5 hours by bus. Portugal’s Alentejo region at its best.
• Mafra: Enormous baroque palace-monastery. Less crowded than Sintra, equally impressive. 45 minutes by bus.
• Nazaré: Home of the biggest waves in the world. 1.5 hours north. Even if you don’t surf, watching from the cliff is unforgettable.

Read more: Best Neighbourhoods in Lisbon | Lisbon Cost of Living

Chiang Mai

Northern Thailand is mountains, temples, and small towns that move at a different speed from Bangkok. Chiang Mai is the perfect base for exploring all of it.

Doi Inthanon National Park

Distance: ~100 km southwest, about 1.5 hours by car

Thailand’s highest peak (2,565 metres). The twin pagodas near the summit are surrounded by flower gardens and cloud forest. The temperature drops noticeably — bring a layer. Several waterfalls along the route are worth stopping at.

Go guided: A full-day tour includes transport, lunch, and stops at hill tribe villages and waterfalls. Much easier than renting a motorbike for the winding mountain roads.

Budget: $30-50 CAD guided tour | $15-25 CAD independent with motorbike rental (experienced riders only — the roads are steep and winding). Browse Doi Inthanon tours.

Doi Suthep Temple

Distance: ~15 km from Chiang Mai old city, 30 minutes by songthaew

The golden temple overlooking Chiang Mai from the mountainside. 306 steps up (or a funicular if your knees disagree). The views of the city and valley below are worth the climb. Go early morning for the best light and fewer crowds.

Combine with: The Hmong village of Doi Pui, 5 km past the temple. A quieter, more authentic experience than the temple itself.

Budget: $5-10 CAD independent (songthaew + entrance fee). One of the cheapest worthwhile trips you’ll take. Browse Doi Suthep tours.

Chiang Rai and the White Temple

Distance: ~200 km northeast, about 3 hours by bus

Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple) is unlike anything else in Thailand — a contemporary Buddhist temple covered in mirrors and surreal sculptures. The Blue Temple and Black House (Baan Dam) nearby are equally striking. Chiang Rai city itself is calmer and smaller than Chiang Mai.

Best as: A long day trip (leave early, return late) or an overnight. The Green Bus from Chiang Mai’s Arcade station costs about $7 CAD each way.

Budget: $20-35 CAD independent (bus + entrance fees + food) | $50-80 CAD guided with transport. Browse Chiang Rai tours.

Elephant Nature Park

Distance: ~60 km north, about 1.5 hours by van

An ethical elephant sanctuary — no riding, no performances, no chains. You feed, walk with, and observe rescued elephants in a natural setting. This is one of the most popular experiences in northern Thailand, and for good reason.

Book early: This sells out weeks in advance, especially in high season (November-February). Full-day visits include transport, lunch, and time with the elephants.

Budget: $80-120 CAD for a full day (book directly through the park or via tour platforms). Browse elephant sanctuary experiences.

More Chiang Mai Day Trips Worth Considering

• Pai: Mountain town, 3 hours through 762 curves (literally). Backpacker vibe, hot springs, canyons. Better as an overnight or 2-night trip.
• Sticky Waterfall (Bua Tong): A waterfall you can climb up — the limestone is naturally grippy. Free, 1.5 hours north. Unique experience.
• San Kamphaeng Hot Springs: Natural hot springs, egg-boiling pools, 45 minutes east. Relaxing half-day trip.
• Lampang: Horse-drawn carriages, fewer tourists than Chiang Mai, beautiful temples. 1.5 hours by train.

Read more: Best Neighbourhoods in Chiang Mai | Chiang Mai Cost of Living

Tips for Day Trips as an Expat (Not a Tourist)

Go on weekdays. You live here — use the advantage. Every destination listed above is dramatically better on a Tuesday than a Saturday.

Learn the local transport. Tour buses are convenient but expensive. The ADO bus in Mexico, the CP train in Portugal, and the Green Bus in Thailand are cheap, comfortable, and part of the experience. Ask your local friends or neighbours how they’d get there.

Budget for food, not just transport. Half the joy of a day trip is eating somewhere new. Budget $15-30 CAD per person for food — eat where locals eat, not at the tourist restaurant next to the entrance. For detailed food budgets, see our cost of living guides for Mexico, Portugal, and Thailand.

Don’t try to do everything in one trip. You live here. You can come back. One temple, one ruin, one beach per day trip is plenty. Rushing through three sites turns exploration into a checklist.

Book guided tours for logistics, not information. Make sure you have travel insurance that covers adventure activities if you’re doing anything active. The best reason to book a tour isn’t the guide’s commentary — it’s the transport, the skip-the-line access, and not having to figure out how to get to a remote national park on your own. For city tours, walking tours (often tip-based, $10-20 CAD) are the best value.

Planning your first few weeks abroad? See our scouting trip planning guide and weekend getaway guide for longer trips from these cities.

Tour prices, transport schedules, and entrance fees change regularly. Costs shown are approximate and in CAD based on early 2026 rates. Always verify current pricing before booking. Your experience may vary based on season, availability, and group size.