Jan
10
Mexico City Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Mexico
A trip to Mexico City
Mexico’s sprawling capital is home to one of the largest urban populations in the world. Aside from the massive amount of people living here, there are an equal number of things to keep visitors occupied. The city is at the same time cosmopolitan and historical, with aspects of its lengthy history, from the ancient Aztec to the colonials, on display. The city also boasts a great number of green spaces at which to escape the concrete jungle.
Flights to Mexico City
Passengers arriving by air will land at Benito Juarez International Airport, which is six kilometres east of the city centre. The airport is well linked with many international destinations, not only in Central and Latin America, but in North America, Asia and Europe as well. There are no less than 25 direct flights from North America with Mexico’s two largest airlines, AeroMexico and Mexicana. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Mexico try Ebookers.
Once on the ground, transport will not match the efficient experience you’ve had getting through the airport. There are taxis to take you to the city centre and around the city. There are two main rail companies that seem to be in competition as to who can go out of business quicker than the other, meaning the trains here aren’t worth the bother most of the time. For getting out of town, taking the bus is the best option.
Mexico City
Sightseeing in Mexico City
Mexico City is far too old and important not to be filled with historical sights chronicling the evolution of a city on the rise. The focal point is the Cento Historico, which was constructed on the ruins of the original Aztec city. The main square is the Plaza de la Constitucion, where politics and religion share the attention of the people crossing the square.
The Palacio de Bellas Artes is where some of Mexico’s finest art can be found, from national icons like Frida Kahlo to more contemporary works. Alameda Central is a great park in which to get out of the traffic and into nature.
Fun by night –eating, drinking and partying
Put aside any preconceived notions you may have about finding nothing but tacos and enchiladas in Mexico (though there is no shortage of those dishes). The capital is like any other world capital, with every kind of international cuisine available, including Japanese and Chinese, French and Italian.
There are many places to drink and party in Mexico City. The clubs and bars could be anywhere in the world, but for a truly Mexican experience head to a cantina. Here you pay for the drinks and in true Spanish style there is free food to munch on while you crown your tequila or cerveza. The cantinas stay open until midnight; after that options include hitting the clubs. Rock, pop and electronic figure most prominently around the city, and while most clubs close around 03:00, some stay open until 07:00.
Fun by day –shopping and activities
A credit card smashing shopping spree is certainly possible in Mexico City. Pretty much everything you’d find in any other capital city is here in some form or another. The big question will be if you can resist buying an oversized sombrero or not.
Aside from the many sights and attractions in the city, there are some excellent historical sights within striking distance of the capital, like the ruins of Xochimilco and Teotihuacan.
Daytrips
Although Mexico City is a sprawling metropolis with enough sites and activities to intimidate the most adventurous of city trekkers, there are still a number of sites worth venturing to on a daytrip. The easiest way to access surrounding cities and towns is by car, as there are a number of venues that can be reached in less than two hours.
Tlaxcala is roughly a two-hour drive, or 75 miles east, of Mexico City. Considered by many to be an undiscovered city, Tlaxcala is rich with colonial architecture and remnants of Spanish conquests. The ancient ruins of the Palacio de Gobierno have been around since 1550 and should not be missed. The Monastery of San Francisco is another historical site which has been standing since 1536.
The holy and ancient city of Cholula is roughly an 80-mile drive from Mexico City. Here tourists can experience the many churches and cathedrals left behind by the Spaniards. For those willing to travel a few miles away from the centre of Cholula, the Santa Maria Tonantzintla is a must-see, as it is considered one of the strangest cathedrals in Mexico.
Must-see attractions
Art lovers and those that are interested in Mesoamerican artefacts will find that Mexico City is full of culture, history and art. The Museo de Rufino Tamayo offers a glimpse of modern works by Los Angeles artists along with pieces from Tamayo. The Frida Kahlo Museum and the Diego Rivera Museum are also quite popular among visitors to Mexico City while the Museum of Modern Art holds a number of contemporary works by local Mexican artists.
Mexico City is a suitable destination for travelling families, as there are a number of child-friendly venues spread throughout the city. The Zoologico Park of Chapultepec is considered to be the best zoo in Mexico with plenty of entertainment for both little ones and adults. The El Museo del Nino, or Children’s Museum, is interactive, educational and has an onsite IMAX movie theatre.
A trip to Mexico City is not complete without sampling some of the most delicious tacos in the city. El Califa is a taqueria which allows guests to dine outside and sample a large variety of local salsas. El Gnomo is another popular and local must-try, as it offers cheap local delacies like enchiladas and fried chicken.
Best time to go
While Mexico City enjoys mild and temperate weather throughout the year, the winter (November to February) is much cooler and drier than the other seasons. This is an ideal time to visit for sightseeing with temperatures hovering between 6 and 18°C.
To avoid rainy days, travel to the city during October to May, as this is the dry season which experiences little to no rain. If travelling to Mexico City during June to September, be aware that this is the rainy season in which it rains for a few hours almost every day.
Rainy day suggestions
For those that find themselves in Mexico City during the rainy season (June to September), take the opportunity to explore the city’s performing arts scene. Most cafés and restaurants have live music at different times during the day.
The Ballet Folklorico deserves at least one visit, as it offers visitors the opportunity to experience native Mexican song and dance brought to life through folk songs and costumes. Even if you don’t plan to attend a show, the El Palacio de las Bellas Artes opera house is worth stepping inside if only to get a glimpse of its tall stage and Tiffany glass stage curtain.
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