MEXICO CITY

Mexico’s capital and the oldest city in North America, Mexico City is bursting at the seams with rich pre-Hispanic and colonial history and a metropolitan area population of more than 21.2 million. Sitting on the ruins of the old Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán, the city offers visitors the chance to learn about the conquest of the Americas with its 75 museums, 10 archaeological zones and a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring more than 1,400 historic structures. After getting your fill of history, shop in the boutique and antiques stores in Zona Rosa, enjoy regional and international cuisine in Polanco and relax in Chapultepec Park.

GETTING THERE

Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) is located approximately eight miles from the city center. For taxi service, head to an authorized taxi booth marked “Taxi” before exiting the airport. Only accept service from staff members wearing bright yellow jackets or bibs labeled “Taxi Autorizado.” Boletos (tickets) are sold on a zone basis.

GETTING AROUND

Opt to take public transportation rather than attempt to drive in this hectic, densely populated city. Good options include the Metro, the city’s subway system (about 24 cents a ticket); RTP bus system (fare of approximately 16 cents no matter the destination); electric trolley buses (about 32 cents per trip); and Ecobici, a bike-sharing service offering more than 1,800 bikes at 85 stations throughout the city (users register with the program and pay $32 for unlimited 45-minute journeys within a year).

TOP ATTRACTIONS

Chapultepec Park
The lungs of the city, Chapultepec Park is the oldest natural park in North America and the largest city park in the world, occupying 2,100 acres of Mexico City. Named for the chapulines (grasshoppers) that used to populate the area, the park is a green refuge from the chaotic city center. Highlights include the National Museum of History inside the grand Chapultepec Castle, the National Museum of Anthropology and the Zoo, home to nearly 2,000 animals.

Coyoacán
Explore the city’s artistic and literary heritage in the trendy and historically rich neighborhood of Coyoacán, former home to artists and cultural icons such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Salvador Novo. Check out the Frida Kahlo Museum (the Blue House), the artist’s childhood home featuring some of her paintings, and then stroll through the stalls of the Mercado Coyoacán and sample some tostadas.

Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco
Stroll, ride a tram or take a tour bus through the Centro Histórico, or the Historic Centre, of Mexico City around the Zócalo (main square). A UNESCO-designated World Heritage site, this area of the city covers 668 blocks lined with historic buildings constructed between the 16th and 20th centuries. The UNESCO site also includes the zone of Xochimilco, the former Aztec capital’s lakeside landscape featuring a network of canals and artificial islands located approximately 30 minutes south of Mexico City.

EVENTS AND FESTIVALS

Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) has been celebrated in Mexico in some variation for more than 3,000 years. Today it is a two-day festive and colorful holiday held on Nov. 1 and 2 honoring deceased loved ones. Snack on pan de muerto (a sweet roll) while admiring the creative ofrendas (offerings or altars) residents in neighborhoods such as Coyoacán construct and display in public venues and outside their homes.

Festival de México en el Centro Histórico
Held annually in April, this festival features visual arts exhibits and music, dance and opera programs performed by both local and international artists in 90 venues throughout the historic district, including the Teátro de la Ciudad, Belles Artes, Catédral Metropolitana and the Palacio Postal.

Mexico Fashion Week
A platform for designers based in Mexico and Latin America, Mexico Fashion Week draws stylists, editors and buyers from around the globe with its fashion shows, jewelry expositions and seminars each year in April.

RESOURCES

For more information, visit visitmexico.com