Those of you who have been, what can you tell me about visiting Mexico City?

Question

DON"T click on the first answer, it's a mild embarassing virus.

Answer 1

I just spent the last ten minutes answering almost the same question elsewhere, so if that's okay with you, I'll just cut and paste the same answer (tired fingers :=):


I've lived here for thirteen years, and have had mostly good experiences. You do have to be careful though, like in any big city. Walking alone at night is not advisable. During the day, it's fine but be careful.

The metro (subway) can get really crowded, like sardine can crowded, which makes it easy for pickpockets and guys who just want to cop a feel. I yelled at guy on the metro once for doing just that, and all the other women on the subway car laughed, and he looked really embarrassed. But be careful about doing that too because it can blow up in your face.

On the metro or in a crowded place, don't carry your wallet in your back pocket. Also hang on to your bag. If I have to carry large amounts of money I put it in my front pockets and keep my hands there, or for women a good trick is to wear kneehigh boots and shove it down into your boot.

When you take a taxi, make sure it's an official one. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors---lime green volkswagens, newer red and white compact or sedan models, and then the private taxis which can come in different colors---but every taxi driver must have a laminated identification as a taxi driver in plain sight.

But if you're nervous, rather than hailing cabs on the street, you can call a company. The one I usually use is Taximex. They have taxi stands all over the city so can usuallyl get to you in about 10 minutes. Don't know if it's okay to give you the number here but it is (dial all eight digits---phone numbers in Mexico City are that long): 5516-6020, 5516-6021, 5516-6022 all the way up to 5516-6034.

But you know, Mexico City is a lot more than just people scurrying around being careful... It is a beautiful dynamic city with lots going on. Buy a newspaper on Friday for weekend listings. Make sure to find out if there will be free concerts in the Zócalo, because those are really fun. I saw Rubén Blades there, and Compay Segundo twice. Lots of great groups play there on the weekends. Even if you don't know who it is, swing by and check it out.

Do not miss the Anthropology Museum, especially the Mayan and Aztec rooms. Impressive.

I like to take visitors to a football (soccer) game at the Estadio Azteca in the south end of town. Biggest stadium in the world. Don't know exactly when the soccer season is starting, but once it does, the América team plays there every Sunday. If you're into it, there's lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) Friday nights at the Arena Mexico, and bullfights Sunday afternoons at the Plaza México. (see previous question about bullfighting)

THe pyramids in Teotihuacán are a must. But it's a full day trip, and don't plan anything for that evening because it's exhausting.

Just south of Mexico City is Xochimilco, with canals between floating gardens. You can hire a trajinera (long boat) for a little trip, and other boats with Mariachis or food will go by to offer you their wares. How cool is that? riding along in a boat, drinking beer and listening to mariachis who are on another boat.

Speaking of Mariachis, Garibaldi is a frequent tourist destination, but you want to be careful about some of the clubs. I was ripped off there (they overcharged and I had no way of proving otherwise). So you might want to avoid running a tab. When you're going to or coming from Garibaldi, watch for running mariachis! Some groups will line the streets hoping to be hired for a party, and they will actually run after the cars in their attempt to get hired!

Everyone generally visits the Zona Rosa, but as someone who lives 2 blocks from there, I say that there's not much to it. Restaurants and stores. There is more character in Coyoacán, or the younger hipper commercial district of La Condesa--lots of restaurants and cool stores.

Wow, it's hard to pack thirteen years of experiences into a few paragraphs but there you have it.

P.S. Buy the Lonely Planet guide to Mexico. Tons of useful stuff in there. I still use it even after living here all this time.

P.P.S. Just remembered, the best place to stay at the most reasonable price in my view is the Hotel Isabel, on Isabel la Católica right downtown. Check out the 6-inch thick doors on your way in. There is a bullet lodged in one of those doors (long story) because even bullets can't penetrate it. Check out the really old painting in the lobby: some important European museum tried to buy this painting of Queen Isabel of Spain for an insane amount of money and the hotel refused because it's part of the hotel's history. This hotel is also rumoured to be haunted---I know the manager and he told me that guests have told some strange stories. But the plus side for a lot of guys, apparently the European chicks sunbathe topless on the roof. And the restaurant is pretty decent, and clean.

P.P.S. If you need to take gifts back home, go to La Ciudadela on Balderas, also downtown. Tons of stuff and you can barter if you want. For high-end Mexican crafts, pricy but worth it, go to Fonart, different locations in the city.

Answer 2

Important to remember that DF is at 7500 feet, and you will feel it for the first couple of days. Pace yourself, or you will be exhausted. Best to work yourself up in altitude if possible.

Cheapest area to stay is along the Cinco de Mayo, just west of the Zocalo. My favorite place is the Hotel Juarez, but there are several other nice budget hotels in the Monte de Piedad area.
Another plus for that area is the Cafe Popular, which as the name suggests is a popular morning hangout for natives.
Coffee strong enough to melt steel (you cut it with gallons of milk).

The biggest must see is the Anthropology Museum, which is Chapultepec Park. The park has several other museums and the monument to the boy martyrs of the War of 1847.

USE THE METRO. It is dirt cheap, very efficient, goes everywhere. It's somewhat crowded, and you should keep an eye on your valuables, but otherwise very safe.

Answer 3

Ok, you have to do the following when visiting Mexico City:
1. Floating Gardens at Xochimilco. Dont follow stupid kids on bikes. Go to the main entrance. You will get better service, and start it off with a bucket of Coronas. Weekdays are better.
2. Pyramids at Teotihuacán.
3. Take a 2 hour drive to Queretaro and/or visit Guanajuato, Guanajuato (city, state)
4. Obviously, go to the city! Buenas Artes is pretty cool to catch a show.
5. Take a bus ride to Cuernavaca

Answer 4

do not rent a car driving there would be suicide, also be prepared for thin air that is full of car exhaust, otherwise very interesting check out the zona rosa area very nice and the streets are safe even at night good clubs and great food

Answer 5

It would take days to explain what you can do in the biggest city on Earth ( mexico city)

Answer 6

The air is thin and polluted..Hard to breathe

Traffic is wild..Don't try driving

Cops are crooked

It is one huge city

Women are beautiful

Everyone is trying to sell you something

Answer 7

its full of color a lot of mountains surrounding and a lot of loyal people and great food oh and souvenir shops