The Travel Agent’s Ultimate Guide to Mexico City

Coastal cities aren’t the only places worth visiting in Mexico. Mexico City is jam-packed with adventure, food and history aplenty, making it a fantastic destination for travelers around the world.

Mexico City Basics

• Getting there – Visitors traveling by plane will arrive at the Mexico City International Airport located just 20 minutes from the heart of the city. After arriving at the airport, travelers can make their way to their final destination via taxi, shuttle or rental car.
• Location – Mexico City is the capitol of Mexico and is located in the south-central region of the continent near the cities of Michoacán and Puebla.
• Climate – Different from Mexico’s mild coastal cities of Cancun and Playa Del Carmen, the temperature in Mexico City can range anywhere between 40-85 degrees Fahrenheit at any point in the year. Rain is common between the months of May and September.
• Currency – When it comes to dinero, travelers have a variety of options. The peso is the official currency of Mexico, however, a majority of tourist establishments are happy to accept U.S. dollars and most major credit cards.
• Language – Nosotros hablamos español, Spanish is the official language of Mexico and Mexico City. Forgot to brush up on your speaking skills? No worries, English is commonly spoken in the city and at tourist hot spots.

Lodging

Hotels and hostels are the two most common lodging options and the choices are seemingly endless as Mexico City is quite large, covering more than 500 square miles. Many travelers like to make their lodging decision based on the four major neighborhoods: Polcano, Centro Historico, Zona Rosa and Condesa/Roma. Each of the four neighborhoods is safe, within walking distance of great restaurants, close to major attractions and near public transportation for additional traveling.

Food

Mezcal, tortas and fresh salsa, Mexico City is home to an abundance of drool-inducing authentic Mexican food. Looking for something you’ve never tried before? Visitors can try an avocado pizza and ginger margarita at the Mexico City St. Regis. Feeling especially daring? Popular restaurant Los Danzantes is famous for their addition of bugs, yes, bugs, in a variety of dishes including guacamole and as taco filling. While many modern travelers might flinch at the thought of dining on giant ant eggs, this insect caviar was considered a delicacy by the Aztecs. For something a little more familiar, travelers can visit El Moro for crispy churros served with a side of dipping chocolate or Roldan 37 for amazing rajas con crema.

Fun

• Entertainment – Mexico City has plenty to offer travelers when it comes to entertainment. Home to an abundance of museums such as the Museo Nacional de Antropologia, the Frida Kahlo Museum and Museo Soumaya, it’s easy to spend an afternoon soaking up some culture. Exploring can get tiring, but travelers can rest their weary feet and see the city with a ride on the ever-popular Turibus. The Turibus is an open-topped bus offering guided city tours day and night so travelers can experience all the places on their bucket list with ease. As one of the world’s largest metropolises, Mexico City doesn’t sleep once the sun goes down. For safe and fun nightlife, locals recommend visiting El Departamento, Patrick Miller and La Invencible.
• Adventure – Adventure is Mexico City’s middle name. Travelers can take their vacation to the great outdoors by exploring the many hiking and walking trails in the area one of which leads to Iztaccihuatl, a massive dormant volcano between the state of Mexico and Puebla. One adventure travelers should be sure not to miss is a visit to Xochimilco, aka the Mexico City Floating Gardens. Xochimilco is a colorful and cultural experience where travelers board a large and festive flat-bottom boat and embark on a journey where they’ll encounter local legends, mariachi bands, delicious food and locally sold trinkets and goods. History buffs should be sure to check out Bosque de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Forest), a site that once acted as the temporary home of the Aztec empire after they migrated to where modern-day Mexico City is. Today, Bosque de Chapultepec is the city’s largest park and is home to many cultural interests such as the former presidential palace, the presidential residence, several museums and a zoo. In addition to these sights, the park also hosts effigies of Aztec kinds, military monuments, an amusement park, local restaurants and lots of green space.
• Shopping – The Polanco district is a fantastic area for high-end shopping at designer boutiques, one of the most popular attractions being the ultra-modern Antara Fashion Hall. Travelers can also visit Mexico’s largest shopping center, Centro Santa Fe, located just 35-40 minutes southwest of the city center, depending on traffic. For a more local feel, visit Genova Street in the Zona Rosa neighborhood for a nice walk on the recently remodeled cobblestone streets.

History and Culture

No trip to Mexico City would be complete without a little history. Here are the most fascinating historical finds the area has to offer.

• Tenochtitlan – The ancient Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan was at its peak in the late 15th century and was home to about 400,000 people before it was destroyed by Spanish conquistadores in 1521. Today, travelers can visit the original archeological site and visit a small museum that houses some of the findings.
• Teotihuacan – Teotihuacan was one of the first great cities of the Western Hemisphere and its origins remain unknown. The city predates the ancient Aztecs by at least one thousand years and was in its prime between 100 B.C. and A.D. 650. However, the Aztecs did make the site their home after finding it abandoned and gave it its current name: Teotihuacan. It’s easily one of the area’s most popular archeological sites and travelers are encouraged to enjoy the magnificence of the Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramid of the Moon, Avenue of the Dead and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl.
• Chapultepec Castle – With its history of colonies and democracies, North America isn’t exactly known for its castles, making Chapultepec Castle something truly special. Constructed in 1725, the castle was intended to house the commander-in-chief of the Spanish colony but was abandoned during the Mexican War of Independence. The castle eventually became the official residence of Emperor Maximilian I and his wife Empress Carlota where it took on its current floor plan and neo-classical style. Today, the castle is part of the National Museum of Cultures and is open to visitors who can tour the castle itself and the collections it houses.
• Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe – One of the best-known holy sites to the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is an impressive sight. The shrine is housed in an open-air, circular basilica complete with its own square. In addition to the basilica, there’s also an older church dedicated to prayer and devotion.