Explore Mexico City, an incredibly interesting and fascinating city that is sure to pleasantly surprise you. You'll explore Mexican history, discover some of the oldest and most beautiful parks in Latin America, walk the longest avenue in Mexico, taste the delicacies of Mexican cuisine, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, see where the painter Frida Kahlo lived, and much more.
🇲🇽 BIENVENIDO A MÉXICO! 🇲🇽 Welcome to Mexico! In its capital city, which you will now spend the next seven days exploring.
After arriving at Benito Juárez Airport (Mexico's first president), you must first go through immigration, where you will be given a tourist visa.It takes almost no time at all, but if the number of days for which you get a visa is less than the number of days until departure, contact the Mexican embassy, which will be happy to advise you. Tourist visas in Mexico are given for a maximum of 180 days.
There are four ways to get from the airport to the centre (Colonía Juarez), from cheapest to most expensive:
Metro
➤ The cheapest option (5 pesos), but not recommended for beginners or people who have trouble finding their way around.
➤ Route: Terminal Aérea (line 5, direction Politécnico) → transfer to La Raza (line 3, direction Universidad) → exit Juarez → walk according to Google Maps.
Metrobús
➤ Station between PUERTA 6 and 7, line 4 (orange) → change at San Lázaro → follow line 4 (Buenavista Sur) → exit Vocacional → walk about 700 m.
Uber - Recommended
➤ The easiest and safest option without transfers.
➤ Price from about 123 pesos (depending on time and traffic).
Authorized taxi
➤ Stands at PUERTA 9 and 10, marked "Taxi Autorizado".
➤ Price according to distance - you report "Colonía Juarez, delegación Cuauhtémoc", pay (usually by card) and get a ticket.
➤ Look for the car with the name of your taxi company.
What to arrange at the airport
Public Transport Card - Tarjeta de Movilidad
I recommend you get a public transport card right at the airport. The card machine is located in the arrivals hall on the ground floor. The card costs 15 pesos and you can use it for several types of public transport:
metro
Metrobús
Ecobici (bicycles)
Trolebús (trolleybus)
RTP buses
Cablebús (something like a cable car that serves as a means of public transport)
You can charge your card at metro or Metrobús stations.
Money exchange
In Mexico, you'll need some cash. Exchanging at the airport is recommended, it's safe, no one can rob you here. Only exchange in the arrivals hall by the gates. There are plenty of exchange offices, you can find the one with the best exchange rate.
Water and refreshments
If you're thirsty or hungry, try one of the Oxxo or 7Eleven shops in the arrivals hall on the ground floor.
Worldee tip: Mexicans from the outskirts of the city, or those who live in neighboring states (mainly Estado de México) often go to Mexico City for the weekend. Therefore, I recommend exploring the city on weekdays if possible.
Today you'll tour the Centro Histórico (historic center), a UNESCO-listed part of Mexico City. It was here that the city of Tenochtitlan was founded more than 500 years ago on a small island in the lake, and it was here that the battle between the kingdom of Tenochtitlan (led by Vlad Cuauhtémoc) and the Spanish army (led by Hernán Cortés) took place in 1521.
The historic center is home to the oldest buildings in Mexico City, the oldest park on the American continent, and many museums, restaurants, cafes, and plazas. It is also one of the busiest parts of Mexico City and, compared to European city centres, is still dominated by locals compared to tourists.
Worldee tip: Mexicans from the outer parts of the city, or those who live in neighboring states (mainly Estado de México) often come to Mexico City for the weekend. Therefore, I recommend exploring the city on weekdays if possible.
FOOD
Mexico City is a culinary paradise and there are plenty of places to eat well and cheaply.
Comida callejera (street food) - you have to try it at least once! Comida callejera is one of the most authentic expressions of Mexican culture and gastronomy. The most famous comida callejera includes tacos, tamales, quesadillas, esquites, huaraches, birria, tortas, tlayudas, tlacoyos,...it depends on the region. The best street food is where the locals go. I generally advise against buying it next to busy roads and watch how much the food is selling - this guarantees that the seller has a large turnover and you get fresh food.
Taquerías - a popular place where the holy grail of Mexican cuisine is sold - taco. There are several types of tacos, most of them are made of meat or offal, but they also differ by region. The most popular tacos among Mexicans are tacos al pastor, which come from Mexico City. Spicy and less spicy salsas are served with tacos. If you are not used to spicy food, I recommend not playing the hero and starting with a salsa that is not very spicy (salsa menos picante) because very spicy salsas (muy picante) are REALLY spicy.
Fondas - fondas are traditional family businesses that cook homemade food. Every weekday they offer a menu that consists of soup, Mexican rice or spaghetti (something like an appetizer), a main course (there is both a meat and a vegetarian option) and a dessert, most often gelatin, fruit or sponge cake. Some fondas also offer aqua fresca - flavored water with fruit. The food at Fonda is tasty and relatively cheap, the whole menu costs around 90 CZK.
Pozolería - a restaurant specializing in pozole, a soup with meat, corn, chili, which you decorate to your taste. Pozole is very filling and is enough as a main course. Pozole is also prepared by some fondas.
Mercados (markets) - there is usually a dining area in the markets, where they usually prepare food in the style of fondas, and most mercados also have street food, such as huaraches, quesadillas, barbacoa tacos.
Restaurants - the most expensive place to go for food are restaurants, whether classic or gourmet, of which there are many in Mexico City.
TIPS WHERE TO EAT:
* La Vasconía Lonchería - they have excellent grilled chicken, but also burgers and some Mexican dishes.
* Cocina El Buen Tono - a small fonda, mainly frequented by locals. They make excellent pozole here (Buen Tono 26-A street).
Tacos El Güero - one of the best tacos.
La Tonina - they have great chiles rellenos (stuffed peppers with cheese and tomato sauce)
* Casa de Toño - a restaurant specializing in pozole. They also offer other Mexican dishes, but they are rather average in taste.
* La Esperanza - a popular bakery that offers Mexican and European pastries.
* Café Tacuba - a traditional Mexican restaurant where famous people used to go for food. It is better to avoid it on weekends, when Mexican families queue here.
* Café El Popular - also a traditional Mexican restaurant, popular among locals
* Chocolatería La Rifa - a chocolate shop where they prepare chocolate as the Aztecs prepared it, they also offer coffee.
* El Pendulo - a cafe and restaurant located in a bookstore. It offers traditional Mexican cuisine and breakfasts.
* Peltre - a business popular among locals who come here for brunch. They make excellent chilaqulies here (breakfast dish, made of crispy tortillas topped with chili and tomato sauce, with egg and onion).
* Churrería El Moro - a business that sells churros and hot chocolate.
* Pro Siempre Vegana - great vegan tacos
* Cielito Querido - something like a Mexican version of Starbucks. The coffee here is excellent and cheaper than at Starbucks.
TRANSPORT
Mexico City has a very good public transport system. There are several types of transport, starting with taxis, through the metro, metrobus, trolleybus, specially adapted train, bicycles, buses, minibuses,...Part of the city can be explored comfortably on foot.
TIP: If you are going to use the metro, but also another type of public transport, I recommend avoiding rush hour (approx. 7:30-9:30 and 17:00-20:00). I recommend women to travel in metro cars reserved for women and children (the first two cars, you can recognize them by the markings on the metro platform). Eco-bici or uber are also a great choice - sometimes it's really cheap if you order a last minute ride.
SAFETY
A topic that we cannot avoid when talking about Mexico. Safety in Mexico City has improved significantly in recent years.
In general, I recommend what is recommended in all major cities of the world:
- Don't leave your things unattended, don't wear e.g. an expensive camera around your neck all the time, but rather in a case.
- Don't carry a large amount of money with you.
- Don't unnecessarily draw attention to yourself by wearing expensive jewelry, expensive designer clothes, etc.
- Avoid streets where there is no one at all and something doesn't seem right to you there. Use common sense and intuition.
- Overall, pay more attention to your surroundings. In Europe, we are used to walking quickly and minding our own business, not looking left and right. In Mexico, I advise you to pay attention to what is happening around you.
- For women: if you don't want to attract unnecessary attention and want to avoid being shouted at by locals, don't wear revealing clothes, very short skirts and shorts, etc. Many Mexicans perceive this as an invitation to be approached.
The Plaza de La Constitución, which locals call Zócalo, is the largest square in Mexico City. It hosts concerts, exhibitions and, during Mexican souls, a large altar. There used to be Aztec buildings and pyramids here.
At the head of the Zócalo stands the oldest cathedral in Latin America with a very long name - La Catedral Metropolitana de la Asunción de la Santísima Virgen María a los Cielos de la Ciudad de México. Mexicans call it Catedral Metropolitana for short. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is partly built with stone that was used to build the local pyramids (which the Spanish dismantled). It is one of the most important buildings in the city.
FREE ENTRY.
Museum Templo Mayor is next to the archaeological site where the ruins of the main temple of Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlán were found. The museum has a total of 8 halls, also focusing on Aztec culture.
A picturesque square where altars are held for the dead on Día de Muertos.
Square Garibaldi is famous for the mariachis who often play here. You can see a statue of a mariachi musician here and there is also a Tequila and Mezcal Museum.
And this is what a post office building can look like. The Palacio de Correos de México (Palace of the Mexican Post Office) is the main post office building, built in 1907 in a combination of different architectural styles, of which the Neo-Platesque style predominates. Entrance to the ground floor of the post office is free, and I recommend a tour. You will notice the stairs made of Mexican marble and Florentine bronze. On the second floor is an exhibition dedicated to postal culture and a library of up to 8,500 historical volumes.
The Tile House, Casa de los Azulejos, is a Baroque palace from the 18th century. The façade is made of Puebla tiles. The building is currently owned by Sanborns, which runs a restaurant inside (don't go there for the food, it's overpriced and the food is mediocre) and a store. I definitely recommend looking inside - the restaurant space is gorgeous and you can see the floor rippling in the store - proof that the city is slowly caving in some places due to unstable bedrock.
St. Francis Church is right across from Casa de los Azulejos, sort of hidden among the other buildings below pavement level. Supposedly it was built where the Aztec ruler Moctezuma's zoological garden used to be.
Torre Latinoamericana is Mexico's oldest skyscraper, built in 1956. It is no longer one of the tallest buildings in Mexico City, but it is still one of the city's main landmarks. It's the kind of tourist classic and "must see" that locals will recommend. The tower survived intact the devastating earthquake in 1975 and the subsequent ones in 1985 and 2017.
You can take the elevator up to the 38th floor of the Torre Latino by paying an entrance fee, which also includes access to the museum, which focuses on the history of the site and the construction of the tower. There is also a restaurant and bar in the tower called Miralto.
Locals call this street Madero for short. It is named after the important Mexican revolutionary and president Francisco I. Madero. There are also other important buildings on Madero Street, such as the San Felipe Neri Church, Palacio del Iturbide, Museo de Estanquillo, Casa borda.
Palacio de Bellas Artes, the Palace of Arts, is one of the main landmarks of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. It is the most important cultural centre in Mexico and one of the main opera houses in the world. Inside are murals (called murales) by Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros. In addition to the opera houses, there are also the Museum of Architecture and the Palace of Arts Museum. I recommend visiting at least one of them to see the inside of the building with the murals.
Alameda is a public park that was founded in 1592, based on the park in Seville, making it the oldest park not only in Mexico, but in the whole of the Americas (as a continent). The park has several statues and fountains depicting Greek and Roman gods. In March, the park is beautifully decorated with the purple flowers of the jacarandas tree.
It is advisable not to stay too long in the park, as beggars and street vendors sometimes wander around and can be a nuisance.
Museo de Arte Popular is a museum dedicated to Mexican folk crafts and the cultures of various Mexican ethnicities.
Worldee tip: Next to the entrance of the museum is a shop selling crafts made "fair trad" by local artists and artisans. If you want to bring back a quallity souvenir from Mexico, you can buy one here.
Chinese neighborhoods emerged here in the 1930s, when the larger Chinese community emigrated to Mexico. From a local perspective, it is more of a tourist attraction, the Chinese-style gate that is the main entrance to Chinatown was not here until recently (until about 2019).
The Ciudadela market is very popular among tourists. There are many stalls selling souvenirs, silver, kitchen utensils, textiles, etc. Most of the products are made by machine, so don't look for much originality.
The official name is Mercado Ernesto Pugibet. This market is known for selling food specialties and delicacies, especially European and imported goods. But you can also find local fruits, vegetables, sweets, fish and meat.
Today you will walk the longest and most famous avenue in Mexico City, adorned with the golden Angel of Independence. Then you'll walk through the Polanco district, where the better-off Mexicans live.
We start at Monumento a La Revolución, the Monument to the Mexican Revolution and the Mausoleum. Located in the Plaza of the Republic, it is basically an unfinished part of the building that was supposed to serve as the Federal Palace. Inside is the Museum of the Revolution, and you can go up into the dome for a nice view of the surrounding colonías and Avenida Juarez.
Paseo de La Reforma is a 15-kilometre-long avenue that is home to the Mexican stock exchange, world-famous clothing brands, restaurants, cafes, banks and offices. In the middle of the avenue are statues (such as that of the Aztec ruler Cuauhtémoc or the Roman goddess Diana).
On Sundays, the avenue closes to cars and other vehicles and opens to pedestrians, joggers and cyclists. You can see many people gathering here to play sports or just walk and talk.There is always something going on at Paseo de La Reforma. I recommend taking a leisurely stroll down the avenue and stopping at one of the cafes for a coffee (such as Cielito Querido).
El Ángel de La Independencía is a statue of an angel erected for the centenary of Mexican independence.
Polanco is sometimes called the Mexican Beverly Hills. It is a neighborhood known for its upscale shops, restaurants (e.g., Pujol restaurant is repeatedly ranked among the 50 best restaurants in the world), hotels, and the most expensive real estate in Latin America.
There are also cultural institutions, most notably the Museo Soumaya and the Museo Jumex.
Probably the most interesting for Czechs is Avenida Masaryk, a street named after T. G. Masaryk (the first Czechoslovak president) since 1936, and his statue, which was donated by Mexico City Prague in 2000. It is the identical statue that stands in front of Prague Castle (the statues were cast on the same day).
Today, you'll relax in the largest park in Latin America, see a castle strikingly similar to European castles, and walk down the longest and most important street in Mexico City, built by Habsburg Maximilian I. You will finish the day at one of Mexico's most important museums.
To get to the park, take Metrobus No. 7 (green line) from Reforma station (about a 2-minute walk from your hotel). Get off at the Chapultepec station.
To return, take the same Metrobus line from Museo Nacional de Antropología station to Reforma station.
Chapultepec (the name comes from the Nahuatl language and means "mountain of grasshoppers") is a park located on a hill and is the largest park in Latin America. It represents 52% of all green space in Mexico City.
It's worth setting aside at least half a day to visit Chapultepec.
The park is divided into three sections - Primera Sección, Segunda Sección and Tercera Sección, between the second and third sections is the Panteón Civil Dolores Cemetery, the largest cemetery in Latin America.
In the first and second sections there are small lakes, open areas for relaxation and holding parties and picnics, museums, galleries, a zoo, a botanical garden, a castle, fountains and much more.
The third part of the park is not very visited, there is a horse riding track, a viewpoint and resting areas.
It's up to you if you decide to check out all of the places listed or skip some. The places I highly recommend you visit are marked as places or top places. The ideal is to wander through the park and absorb the atmosphere of the place. The park is really expansive, though, and most visitors want to come back when they are in Mexico City. The itinerary is planned so that you can do so especially on the 6th or 7th day.
Lago Mayor (Great Lake), is a man-made lake. You can rent a boat or pedal boat and take a ride on the lake.
Chapultepec Castle was the official residence of Emperor Maximilian I. Mexico and his wife Carlota from 1864 to 1867. Subsequently, presidents of Mexico lived in the castle until 1939, when it was converted into a museum. I especially recommend a visit if you are interested in history and/or if you like views - the castle courtyard has a beautiful view of Chapultepec Park and Paseo de la Reforma.
A well-known Mexican bookstore with a cafe nestled right in the park by the lake. I recommend a visit in the morning, when it is not so crowded.
The pedestrian bridge connecting the first and second sections of the park was completed in 2023, greatly simplifying the transition between the two sections of the park.
Cárcamo de Dolores is essentially a hydraulic system that is made up of a building designed by architect Ricardo Rivas, a mural by Diego Rivera called "Agua, el origen de la Vida" (Water, the source of life), which is located inside the building and is the only underwater mural in the world, an art installation and a fountain by Tlaloca (the Aztec god of rain).
Cárcamo was built in 1951 to commemorate the completion of work on the Lerma water system in 1943, which supplies water to the city.
National Museum of Anthropology, specialized in archaeology and ethnography, containing valuable collections and excavations of important cultures of Mexico, the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán and artifacts of the Mayan culture.
Worldee tip: Among other interesting artifacts, you can see the Aztec sun stone (La Piedra del Sol), mistakenly called the Aztec calendar.
Today you will take a look at Coyoacán, one of the sixteen administrative districts of Mexico City. In Nahuatl, Coyoacán means "place of the coyotes." It was here that Hernán Cortés settled in 1521 after he conquered Mexico `City. Until the 19th century, Coyoacán was a city independent of the rest of Mexico City, to which it was administratively annexed in 1857. Among other things, Coyoacán is famous for being the home of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera at Casa Azul (Blue House).
So today you'll try riding the much-maligned Mexican metro for the first time, but don't worry, you'll definitely make it, just avoid the rush hour. If you don't dare, I recommend Uber.
To get to Coyoacán, take the metro from Balderas station (which you can walk to) on line 3 (brown-yellow color) towards Universidad. Get off at Viveros y Derechos Humanos station. To return, take the same line from Coyoacán station towards Indios Verdes and get off at Balderas as well.
Worldee tips:
This part of the city is relatively quiet during the week; if you want to experience more hustle and bustle and perhaps some celebrations, visit Coyoacán on the weekend.
Taquería Aguayo makes excellent tortas (sandwiches).
From the Viveros y Derechos Humanos metro stop, follow Google maps to Viveros Coyoacán Park.
A huge park where locals like to exercise and run. There are also lots of native trees (jacarandas, white cedars, white pines, etc.) and the Magdalena river flows through the park, making it important from a botanical and ecological point of view as well.
The centre of Coyacán is located in a place where the indigenous inhabitants settled 3,000 years ago. It consists of a square and two parks - Jardín Hidalgo and Jardín Centenario. The centre of Coyacán was for many years a meeting place for artists, writers and aristocrats. To this day, exhibitions, festivals and fairs are still held here.
The Frida Kahlo Museum is located in the Blue House (Casa azul), where Frida spent a large part of her life and where she died. Here you can see not only her work, but also the work of her husband Diego Rivera and many artifacts of Mexican folk culture and pre-Columbian cultures that she and Diego collected. The museum also includes a café and gift shop.
WARNING: You must buy tickets in advance online, preferably at https://www.boletosfridakahlo.org/ where there is also information regarding opening times for the month. Admission prices have gone up a lot in recent years, as this is one of the most popular tourist sites in Mexico City. I therefore recommend going to the museum in the morning (from 10am).
Panteón Xoco is a picturesque cemetery more than 100 years old with interesting tombstones.
Today, you'll take a look at another place where Mexican history was made - the Tlatelolco district. Back in the 16th century, this was the centre of Tlatelolco culture. Today, this is a place where you literally live the history of Mexico. Along one side of the concrete plaza is an archaeological site with the remains of the pyramids and buildings of the Tlatelolco culture, a church built after the Spanish conquista towers above them, and a 13-story apartment building built in the 1960s lines the opposite side of the plaza for its entire length.
The Tlatelolco culture is a large, sprawling, and beautiful city.
Tourists don't flock here because Tlatelolco is outside the historic centre.
You can reach Tlatelolco by metro from Juarez station (which you walk to) on line 3 (brownish yellow) towards Indios Verdes. Get off at Tlatelolco station and follow Google maps. Return from Tlatelolco station again on the same line in the direction of Universidad and get off at Juarez.
Alternatively, you can also take Uber.
I don't recommend walking to or from Tlatelolco - you'd be walking through the Guerrero neighborhood, which is best avoided (not necessarily a danger, but they don't recommend tourists walk here). The Tlatelolco area is safe.
Worldee tip: Opposite the Tlatelolco metro station is the Puerta Tlatelolco shopping centre, where there is a Mexican cafe called Cielito Querido on the ground floor. If you're in the mood, drop in for a coffee and something sweet (or salty)
In 1968, a massacre of students and civilians took place in the Square of Three Cultures. The massacre was the result of a peaceful student demonstration in which government and military forces intervened drastically. During this demonstration, the students were reacting to the political regime established by the ruling PRI party and the resulting unsatisfactory economic state of the country. The exact number of victims of this massacre is still unknown. In memory of the victims, a memorial plaque with the names of some of the victims has been placed in the square.
Spend your last day in the quiet neighbourhoods of Roma and Condesa, which have become popular in recent years, especially among expats, for their cosmopolitan atmosphere and beautiful architecture. Most of the buildings here were built in the French style during the Porfirio Díaz dictatorship in the 19th century. Both districts are characterised by wide tree-lined streets, best explored on foot or by bicycle (Ecobici). There are interesting art galleries, bookstores and parks (especially Parque México, which has a section reserved for dogs).
If you don't rent bikes, you can get to Roma Norte by taking Metrobus 1 (red line) from Reforma station (about a 2-minute walk from your hotel), direction Dr. Galvez. Get off at the Metrobus Durango station.
You will return on the same Metrobus line from Metrobus Durango
All good things come to an end, and unfortunately today you are flying home. You're surely full of excitement and enthusiasm and it's quite possible that Mexico City has got under your skin and you'll want to come back. If so, Mexico City will welcome you with open arms.
I wish you a safe flight and look forward to seeing you on your next trip
Explore Mexico City, an incredibly interesting and fascinating city that is sure to pleasantly surprise you. You'll explore Mexican history, discover some of the oldest and most beautiful parks in Latin America, walk the longest avenue in Mexico, taste the delicacies of Mexican cuisine, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, see where the painter Frida Kahlo lived, and much more.
🇲🇽 BIENVENIDO A MÉXICO! 🇲🇽 Welcome to Mexico! In its capital city, which you will now spend the next seven days exploring.
After arriving at Benito Juárez Airport (Mexico's first president), you must first go through immigration, where you will be given a tourist visa.It takes almost no time at all, but if the number of days for which you get a visa is less than the number of days until departure, contact the Mexican embassy, which will be happy to advise you. Tourist visas in Mexico are given for a maximum of 180 days.
There are four ways to get from the airport to the centre (Colonía Juarez), from cheapest to most expensive:
Metro
➤ The cheapest option (5 pesos), but not recommended for beginners or people who have trouble finding their way around.
➤ Route: Terminal Aérea (line 5, direction Politécnico) → transfer to La Raza (line 3, direction Universidad) → exit Juarez → walk according to Google Maps.
Metrobús
➤ Station between PUERTA 6 and 7, line 4 (orange) → change at San Lázaro → follow line 4 (Buenavista Sur) → exit Vocacional → walk about 700 m.
Uber - Recommended
➤ The easiest and safest option without transfers.
➤ Price from about 123 pesos (depending on time and traffic).
Authorized taxi
➤ Stands at PUERTA 9 and 10, marked "Taxi Autorizado".
➤ Price according to distance - you report "Colonía Juarez, delegación Cuauhtémoc", pay (usually by card) and get a ticket.
➤ Look for the car with the name of your taxi company.
What to arrange at the airport
Public Transport Card - Tarjeta de Movilidad
I recommend you get a public transport card right at the airport. The card machine is located in the arrivals hall on the ground floor. The card costs 15 pesos and you can use it for several types of public transport:
metro
Metrobús
Ecobici (bicycles)
Trolebús (trolleybus)
RTP buses
Cablebús (something like a cable car that serves as a means of public transport)
You can charge your card at metro or Metrobús stations.
Money exchange
In Mexico, you'll need some cash. Exchanging at the airport is recommended, it's safe, no one can rob you here. Only exchange in the arrivals hall by the gates. There are plenty of exchange offices, you can find the one with the best exchange rate.
Water and refreshments
If you're thirsty or hungry, try one of the Oxxo or 7Eleven shops in the arrivals hall on the ground floor.
Worldee tip: Mexicans from the outskirts of the city, or those who live in neighboring states (mainly Estado de México) often go to Mexico City for the weekend. Therefore, I recommend exploring the city on weekdays if possible.
Today you'll tour the Centro Histórico (historic center), a UNESCO-listed part of Mexico City. It was here that the city of Tenochtitlan was founded more than 500 years ago on a small island in the lake, and it was here that the battle between the kingdom of Tenochtitlan (led by Vlad Cuauhtémoc) and the Spanish army (led by Hernán Cortés) took place in 1521.
The historic center is home to the oldest buildings in Mexico City, the oldest park on the American continent, and many museums, restaurants, cafes, and plazas. It is also one of the busiest parts of Mexico City and, compared to European city centres, is still dominated by locals compared to tourists.
Worldee tip: Mexicans from the outer parts of the city, or those who live in neighboring states (mainly Estado de México) often come to Mexico City for the weekend. Therefore, I recommend exploring the city on weekdays if possible.
FOOD
Mexico City is a culinary paradise and there are plenty of places to eat well and cheaply.
Comida callejera (street food) - you have to try it at least once! Comida callejera is one of the most authentic expressions of Mexican culture and gastronomy. The most famous comida callejera includes tacos, tamales, quesadillas, esquites, huaraches, birria, tortas, tlayudas, tlacoyos,...it depends on the region. The best street food is where the locals go. I generally advise against buying it next to busy roads and watch how much the food is selling - this guarantees that the seller has a large turnover and you get fresh food.
Taquerías - a popular place where the holy grail of Mexican cuisine is sold - taco. There are several types of tacos, most of them are made of meat or offal, but they also differ by region. The most popular tacos among Mexicans are tacos al pastor, which come from Mexico City. Spicy and less spicy salsas are served with tacos. If you are not used to spicy food, I recommend not playing the hero and starting with a salsa that is not very spicy (salsa menos picante) because very spicy salsas (muy picante) are REALLY spicy.
Fondas - fondas are traditional family businesses that cook homemade food. Every weekday they offer a menu that consists of soup, Mexican rice or spaghetti (something like an appetizer), a main course (there is both a meat and a vegetarian option) and a dessert, most often gelatin, fruit or sponge cake. Some fondas also offer aqua fresca - flavored water with fruit. The food at Fonda is tasty and relatively cheap, the whole menu costs around 90 CZK.
Pozolería - a restaurant specializing in pozole, a soup with meat, corn, chili, which you decorate to your taste. Pozole is very filling and is enough as a main course. Pozole is also prepared by some fondas.
Mercados (markets) - there is usually a dining area in the markets, where they usually prepare food in the style of fondas, and most mercados also have street food, such as huaraches, quesadillas, barbacoa tacos.
Restaurants - the most expensive place to go for food are restaurants, whether classic or gourmet, of which there are many in Mexico City.
TIPS WHERE TO EAT:
* La Vasconía Lonchería - they have excellent grilled chicken, but also burgers and some Mexican dishes.
* Cocina El Buen Tono - a small fonda, mainly frequented by locals. They make excellent pozole here (Buen Tono 26-A street).
Tacos El Güero - one of the best tacos.
La Tonina - they have great chiles rellenos (stuffed peppers with cheese and tomato sauce)
* Casa de Toño - a restaurant specializing in pozole. They also offer other Mexican dishes, but they are rather average in taste.
* La Esperanza - a popular bakery that offers Mexican and European pastries.
* Café Tacuba - a traditional Mexican restaurant where famous people used to go for food. It is better to avoid it on weekends, when Mexican families queue here.
* Café El Popular - also a traditional Mexican restaurant, popular among locals
* Chocolatería La Rifa - a chocolate shop where they prepare chocolate as the Aztecs prepared it, they also offer coffee.
* El Pendulo - a cafe and restaurant located in a bookstore. It offers traditional Mexican cuisine and breakfasts.
* Peltre - a business popular among locals who come here for brunch. They make excellent chilaqulies here (breakfast dish, made of crispy tortillas topped with chili and tomato sauce, with egg and onion).
* Churrería El Moro - a business that sells churros and hot chocolate.
* Pro Siempre Vegana - great vegan tacos
* Cielito Querido - something like a Mexican version of Starbucks. The coffee here is excellent and cheaper than at Starbucks.
TRANSPORT
Mexico City has a very good public transport system. There are several types of transport, starting with taxis, through the metro, metrobus, trolleybus, specially adapted train, bicycles, buses, minibuses,...Part of the city can be explored comfortably on foot.
TIP: If you are going to use the metro, but also another type of public transport, I recommend avoiding rush hour (approx. 7:30-9:30 and 17:00-20:00). I recommend women to travel in metro cars reserved for women and children (the first two cars, you can recognize them by the markings on the metro platform). Eco-bici or uber are also a great choice - sometimes it's really cheap if you order a last minute ride.
SAFETY
A topic that we cannot avoid when talking about Mexico. Safety in Mexico City has improved significantly in recent years.
In general, I recommend what is recommended in all major cities of the world:
- Don't leave your things unattended, don't wear e.g. an expensive camera around your neck all the time, but rather in a case.
- Don't carry a large amount of money with you.
- Don't unnecessarily draw attention to yourself by wearing expensive jewelry, expensive designer clothes, etc.
- Avoid streets where there is no one at all and something doesn't seem right to you there. Use common sense and intuition.
- Overall, pay more attention to your surroundings. In Europe, we are used to walking quickly and minding our own business, not looking left and right. In Mexico, I advise you to pay attention to what is happening around you.
- For women: if you don't want to attract unnecessary attention and want to avoid being shouted at by locals, don't wear revealing clothes, very short skirts and shorts, etc. Many Mexicans perceive this as an invitation to be approached.
The Plaza de La Constitución, which locals call Zócalo, is the largest square in Mexico City. It hosts concerts, exhibitions and, during Mexican souls, a large altar. There used to be Aztec buildings and pyramids here.
At the head of the Zócalo stands the oldest cathedral in Latin America with a very long name - La Catedral Metropolitana de la Asunción de la Santísima Virgen María a los Cielos de la Ciudad de México. Mexicans call it Catedral Metropolitana for short. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is partly built with stone that was used to build the local pyramids (which the Spanish dismantled). It is one of the most important buildings in the city.
FREE ENTRY.
Museum Templo Mayor is next to the archaeological site where the ruins of the main temple of Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlán were found. The museum has a total of 8 halls, also focusing on Aztec culture.
A picturesque square where altars are held for the dead on Día de Muertos.
Square Garibaldi is famous for the mariachis who often play here. You can see a statue of a mariachi musician here and there is also a Tequila and Mezcal Museum.
And this is what a post office building can look like. The Palacio de Correos de México (Palace of the Mexican Post Office) is the main post office building, built in 1907 in a combination of different architectural styles, of which the Neo-Platesque style predominates. Entrance to the ground floor of the post office is free, and I recommend a tour. You will notice the stairs made of Mexican marble and Florentine bronze. On the second floor is an exhibition dedicated to postal culture and a library of up to 8,500 historical volumes.
The Tile House, Casa de los Azulejos, is a Baroque palace from the 18th century. The façade is made of Puebla tiles. The building is currently owned by Sanborns, which runs a restaurant inside (don't go there for the food, it's overpriced and the food is mediocre) and a store. I definitely recommend looking inside - the restaurant space is gorgeous and you can see the floor rippling in the store - proof that the city is slowly caving in some places due to unstable bedrock.
St. Francis Church is right across from Casa de los Azulejos, sort of hidden among the other buildings below pavement level. Supposedly it was built where the Aztec ruler Moctezuma's zoological garden used to be.
Torre Latinoamericana is Mexico's oldest skyscraper, built in 1956. It is no longer one of the tallest buildings in Mexico City, but it is still one of the city's main landmarks. It's the kind of tourist classic and "must see" that locals will recommend. The tower survived intact the devastating earthquake in 1975 and the subsequent ones in 1985 and 2017.
You can take the elevator up to the 38th floor of the Torre Latino by paying an entrance fee, which also includes access to the museum, which focuses on the history of the site and the construction of the tower. There is also a restaurant and bar in the tower called Miralto.
Locals call this street Madero for short. It is named after the important Mexican revolutionary and president Francisco I. Madero. There are also other important buildings on Madero Street, such as the San Felipe Neri Church, Palacio del Iturbide, Museo de Estanquillo, Casa borda.
Palacio de Bellas Artes, the Palace of Arts, is one of the main landmarks of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. It is the most important cultural centre in Mexico and one of the main opera houses in the world. Inside are murals (called murales) by Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros. In addition to the opera houses, there are also the Museum of Architecture and the Palace of Arts Museum. I recommend visiting at least one of them to see the inside of the building with the murals.
Alameda is a public park that was founded in 1592, based on the park in Seville, making it the oldest park not only in Mexico, but in the whole of the Americas (as a continent). The park has several statues and fountains depicting Greek and Roman gods. In March, the park is beautifully decorated with the purple flowers of the jacarandas tree.
It is advisable not to stay too long in the park, as beggars and street vendors sometimes wander around and can be a nuisance.
Museo de Arte Popular is a museum dedicated to Mexican folk crafts and the cultures of various Mexican ethnicities.
Worldee tip: Next to the entrance of the museum is a shop selling crafts made "fair trad" by local artists and artisans. If you want to bring back a quallity souvenir from Mexico, you can buy one here.
Chinese neighborhoods emerged here in the 1930s, when the larger Chinese community emigrated to Mexico. From a local perspective, it is more of a tourist attraction, the Chinese-style gate that is the main entrance to Chinatown was not here until recently (until about 2019).
The Ciudadela market is very popular among tourists. There are many stalls selling souvenirs, silver, kitchen utensils, textiles, etc. Most of the products are made by machine, so don't look for much originality.
The official name is Mercado Ernesto Pugibet. This market is known for selling food specialties and delicacies, especially European and imported goods. But you can also find local fruits, vegetables, sweets, fish and meat.
Today you will walk the longest and most famous avenue in Mexico City, adorned with the golden Angel of Independence. Then you'll walk through the Polanco district, where the better-off Mexicans live.
We start at Monumento a La Revolución, the Monument to the Mexican Revolution and the Mausoleum. Located in the Plaza of the Republic, it is basically an unfinished part of the building that was supposed to serve as the Federal Palace. Inside is the Museum of the Revolution, and you can go up into the dome for a nice view of the surrounding colonías and Avenida Juarez.
Paseo de La Reforma is a 15-kilometre-long avenue that is home to the Mexican stock exchange, world-famous clothing brands, restaurants, cafes, banks and offices. In the middle of the avenue are statues (such as that of the Aztec ruler Cuauhtémoc or the Roman goddess Diana).
On Sundays, the avenue closes to cars and other vehicles and opens to pedestrians, joggers and cyclists. You can see many people gathering here to play sports or just walk and talk.There is always something going on at Paseo de La Reforma. I recommend taking a leisurely stroll down the avenue and stopping at one of the cafes for a coffee (such as Cielito Querido).
El Ángel de La Independencía is a statue of an angel erected for the centenary of Mexican independence.
Polanco is sometimes called the Mexican Beverly Hills. It is a neighborhood known for its upscale shops, restaurants (e.g., Pujol restaurant is repeatedly ranked among the 50 best restaurants in the world), hotels, and the most expensive real estate in Latin America.
There are also cultural institutions, most notably the Museo Soumaya and the Museo Jumex.
Probably the most interesting for Czechs is Avenida Masaryk, a street named after T. G. Masaryk (the first Czechoslovak president) since 1936, and his statue, which was donated by Mexico City Prague in 2000. It is the identical statue that stands in front of Prague Castle (the statues were cast on the same day).
Today, you'll relax in the largest park in Latin America, see a castle strikingly similar to European castles, and walk down the longest and most important street in Mexico City, built by Habsburg Maximilian I. You will finish the day at one of Mexico's most important museums.
To get to the park, take Metrobus No. 7 (green line) from Reforma station (about a 2-minute walk from your hotel). Get off at the Chapultepec station.
To return, take the same Metrobus line from Museo Nacional de Antropología station to Reforma station.
Chapultepec (the name comes from the Nahuatl language and means "mountain of grasshoppers") is a park located on a hill and is the largest park in Latin America. It represents 52% of all green space in Mexico City.
It's worth setting aside at least half a day to visit Chapultepec.
The park is divided into three sections - Primera Sección, Segunda Sección and Tercera Sección, between the second and third sections is the Panteón Civil Dolores Cemetery, the largest cemetery in Latin America.
In the first and second sections there are small lakes, open areas for relaxation and holding parties and picnics, museums, galleries, a zoo, a botanical garden, a castle, fountains and much more.
The third part of the park is not very visited, there is a horse riding track, a viewpoint and resting areas.
It's up to you if you decide to check out all of the places listed or skip some. The places I highly recommend you visit are marked as places or top places. The ideal is to wander through the park and absorb the atmosphere of the place. The park is really expansive, though, and most visitors want to come back when they are in Mexico City. The itinerary is planned so that you can do so especially on the 6th or 7th day.
Lago Mayor (Great Lake), is a man-made lake. You can rent a boat or pedal boat and take a ride on the lake.
Chapultepec Castle was the official residence of Emperor Maximilian I. Mexico and his wife Carlota from 1864 to 1867. Subsequently, presidents of Mexico lived in the castle until 1939, when it was converted into a museum. I especially recommend a visit if you are interested in history and/or if you like views - the castle courtyard has a beautiful view of Chapultepec Park and Paseo de la Reforma.
A well-known Mexican bookstore with a cafe nestled right in the park by the lake. I recommend a visit in the morning, when it is not so crowded.
The pedestrian bridge connecting the first and second sections of the park was completed in 2023, greatly simplifying the transition between the two sections of the park.
Cárcamo de Dolores is essentially a hydraulic system that is made up of a building designed by architect Ricardo Rivas, a mural by Diego Rivera called "Agua, el origen de la Vida" (Water, the source of life), which is located inside the building and is the only underwater mural in the world, an art installation and a fountain by Tlaloca (the Aztec god of rain).
Cárcamo was built in 1951 to commemorate the completion of work on the Lerma water system in 1943, which supplies water to the city.
National Museum of Anthropology, specialized in archaeology and ethnography, containing valuable collections and excavations of important cultures of Mexico, the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán and artifacts of the Mayan culture.
Worldee tip: Among other interesting artifacts, you can see the Aztec sun stone (La Piedra del Sol), mistakenly called the Aztec calendar.
Today you will take a look at Coyoacán, one of the sixteen administrative districts of Mexico City. In Nahuatl, Coyoacán means "place of the coyotes." It was here that Hernán Cortés settled in 1521 after he conquered Mexico `City. Until the 19th century, Coyoacán was a city independent of the rest of Mexico City, to which it was administratively annexed in 1857. Among other things, Coyoacán is famous for being the home of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera at Casa Azul (Blue House).
So today you'll try riding the much-maligned Mexican metro for the first time, but don't worry, you'll definitely make it, just avoid the rush hour. If you don't dare, I recommend Uber.
To get to Coyoacán, take the metro from Balderas station (which you can walk to) on line 3 (brown-yellow color) towards Universidad. Get off at Viveros y Derechos Humanos station. To return, take the same line from Coyoacán station towards Indios Verdes and get off at Balderas as well.
Worldee tips:
This part of the city is relatively quiet during the week; if you want to experience more hustle and bustle and perhaps some celebrations, visit Coyoacán on the weekend.
Taquería Aguayo makes excellent tortas (sandwiches).
From the Viveros y Derechos Humanos metro stop, follow Google maps to Viveros Coyoacán Park.
A huge park where locals like to exercise and run. There are also lots of native trees (jacarandas, white cedars, white pines, etc.) and the Magdalena river flows through the park, making it important from a botanical and ecological point of view as well.
The centre of Coyacán is located in a place where the indigenous inhabitants settled 3,000 years ago. It consists of a square and two parks - Jardín Hidalgo and Jardín Centenario. The centre of Coyacán was for many years a meeting place for artists, writers and aristocrats. To this day, exhibitions, festivals and fairs are still held here.
The Frida Kahlo Museum is located in the Blue House (Casa azul), where Frida spent a large part of her life and where she died. Here you can see not only her work, but also the work of her husband Diego Rivera and many artifacts of Mexican folk culture and pre-Columbian cultures that she and Diego collected. The museum also includes a café and gift shop.
WARNING: You must buy tickets in advance online, preferably at https://www.boletosfridakahlo.org/ where there is also information regarding opening times for the month. Admission prices have gone up a lot in recent years, as this is one of the most popular tourist sites in Mexico City. I therefore recommend going to the museum in the morning (from 10am).
Panteón Xoco is a picturesque cemetery more than 100 years old with interesting tombstones.
Today, you'll take a look at another place where Mexican history was made - the Tlatelolco district. Back in the 16th century, this was the centre of Tlatelolco culture. Today, this is a place where you literally live the history of Mexico. Along one side of the concrete plaza is an archaeological site with the remains of the pyramids and buildings of the Tlatelolco culture, a church built after the Spanish conquista towers above them, and a 13-story apartment building built in the 1960s lines the opposite side of the plaza for its entire length.
The Tlatelolco culture is a large, sprawling, and beautiful city.
Tourists don't flock here because Tlatelolco is outside the historic centre.
You can reach Tlatelolco by metro from Juarez station (which you walk to) on line 3 (brownish yellow) towards Indios Verdes. Get off at Tlatelolco station and follow Google maps. Return from Tlatelolco station again on the same line in the direction of Universidad and get off at Juarez.
Alternatively, you can also take Uber.
I don't recommend walking to or from Tlatelolco - you'd be walking through the Guerrero neighborhood, which is best avoided (not necessarily a danger, but they don't recommend tourists walk here). The Tlatelolco area is safe.
Worldee tip: Opposite the Tlatelolco metro station is the Puerta Tlatelolco shopping centre, where there is a Mexican cafe called Cielito Querido on the ground floor. If you're in the mood, drop in for a coffee and something sweet (or salty)
In 1968, a massacre of students and civilians took place in the Square of Three Cultures. The massacre was the result of a peaceful student demonstration in which government and military forces intervened drastically. During this demonstration, the students were reacting to the political regime established by the ruling PRI party and the resulting unsatisfactory economic state of the country. The exact number of victims of this massacre is still unknown. In memory of the victims, a memorial plaque with the names of some of the victims has been placed in the square.
Spend your last day in the quiet neighbourhoods of Roma and Condesa, which have become popular in recent years, especially among expats, for their cosmopolitan atmosphere and beautiful architecture. Most of the buildings here were built in the French style during the Porfirio Díaz dictatorship in the 19th century. Both districts are characterised by wide tree-lined streets, best explored on foot or by bicycle (Ecobici). There are interesting art galleries, bookstores and parks (especially Parque México, which has a section reserved for dogs).
If you don't rent bikes, you can get to Roma Norte by taking Metrobus 1 (red line) from Reforma station (about a 2-minute walk from your hotel), direction Dr. Galvez. Get off at the Metrobus Durango station.
You will return on the same Metrobus line from Metrobus Durango
All good things come to an end, and unfortunately today you are flying home. You're surely full of excitement and enthusiasm and it's quite possible that Mexico City has got under your skin and you'll want to come back. If so, Mexico City will welcome you with open arms.
I wish you a safe flight and look forward to seeing you on your next trip
itinerary by Petra
Explore Mexico City, an incredibly interesting and fascinating city that is sure to pleasantly surprise you. You'll explore Mexican history, discover some of the oldest and most beautiful parks in Latin America, walk the longest avenue in Mexico, taste the delicacies of Mexican cuisine, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, see where the painter Frida Kahlo lived, and much more.
🇲🇽 BIENVENIDO A MÉXICO! 🇲🇽 Welcome to Mexico! In its capital city, which you will now spend the next seven days exploring.
After arriving at Benito Juárez Airport (Mexico's first president), you must first go through immigration, where you will be given a tourist visa.It takes almost no time at all, but if the number of days for which you get a visa is less than the number of days until departure, contact the Mexican embassy, which will be happy to advise you. Tourist visas in Mexico are given for a maximum of 180 days.
There are four ways to get from the airport to the centre (Colonía Juarez), from cheapest to most expensive:
Metro
➤ The cheapest option (5 pesos), but not recommended for beginners or people who have trouble finding their way around.
➤ Route: Terminal Aérea (line 5, direction Politécnico) → transfer to La Raza (line 3, direction Universidad) → exit Juarez → walk according to Google Maps.
Metrobús
➤ Station between PUERTA 6 and 7, line 4 (orange) → change at San Lázaro → follow line 4 (Buenavista Sur) → exit Vocacional → walk about 700 m.
Uber - Recommended
➤ The easiest and safest option without transfers.
➤ Price from about 123 pesos (depending on time and traffic).
Authorized taxi
➤ Stands at PUERTA 9 and 10, marked "Taxi Autorizado".
➤ Price according to distance - you report "Colonía Juarez, delegación Cuauhtémoc", pay (usually by card) and get a ticket.
➤ Look for the car with the name of your taxi company.
What to arrange at the airport
Public Transport Card - Tarjeta de Movilidad
I recommend you get a public transport card right at the airport. The card machine is located in the arrivals hall on the ground floor. The card costs 15 pesos and you can use it for several types of public transport:
metro
Metrobús
Ecobici (bicycles)
Trolebús (trolleybus)
RTP buses
Cablebús (something like a cable car that serves as a means of public transport)
You can charge your card at metro or Metrobús stations.
Money exchange
In Mexico, you'll need some cash. Exchanging at the airport is recommended, it's safe, no one can rob you here. Only exchange in the arrivals hall by the gates. There are plenty of exchange offices, you can find the one with the best exchange rate.
Water and refreshments
If you're thirsty or hungry, try one of the Oxxo or 7Eleven shops in the arrivals hall on the ground floor.
Worldee tip: Mexicans from the outskirts of the city, or those who live in neighboring states (mainly Estado de México) often go to Mexico City for the weekend. Therefore, I recommend exploring the city on weekdays if possible.
Today you'll tour the Centro Histórico (historic center), a UNESCO-listed part of Mexico City. It was here that the city of Tenochtitlan was founded more than 500 years ago on a small island in the lake, and it was here that the battle between the kingdom of Tenochtitlan (led by Vlad Cuauhtémoc) and the Spanish army (led by Hernán Cortés) took place in 1521.
The historic center is home to the oldest buildings in Mexico City, the oldest park on the American continent, and many museums, restaurants, cafes, and plazas. It is also one of the busiest parts of Mexico City and, compared to European city centres, is still dominated by locals compared to tourists.
Worldee tip: Mexicans from the outer parts of the city, or those who live in neighboring states (mainly Estado de México) often come to Mexico City for the weekend. Therefore, I recommend exploring the city on weekdays if possible.
FOOD
Mexico City is a culinary paradise and there are plenty of places to eat well and cheaply.
Comida callejera (street food) - you have to try it at least once! Comida callejera is one of the most authentic expressions of Mexican culture and gastronomy. The most famous comida callejera includes tacos, tamales, quesadillas, esquites, huaraches, birria, tortas, tlayudas, tlacoyos,...it depends on the region. The best street food is where the locals go. I generally advise against buying it next to busy roads and watch how much the food is selling - this guarantees that the seller has a large turnover and you get fresh food.
Taquerías - a popular place where the holy grail of Mexican cuisine is sold - taco. There are several types of tacos, most of them are made of meat or offal, but they also differ by region. The most popular tacos among Mexicans are tacos al pastor, which come from Mexico City. Spicy and less spicy salsas are served with tacos. If you are not used to spicy food, I recommend not playing the hero and starting with a salsa that is not very spicy (salsa menos picante) because very spicy salsas (muy picante) are REALLY spicy.
Fondas - fondas are traditional family businesses that cook homemade food. Every weekday they offer a menu that consists of soup, Mexican rice or spaghetti (something like an appetizer), a main course (there is both a meat and a vegetarian option) and a dessert, most often gelatin, fruit or sponge cake. Some fondas also offer aqua fresca - flavored water with fruit. The food at Fonda is tasty and relatively cheap, the whole menu costs around 90 CZK.
Pozolería - a restaurant specializing in pozole, a soup with meat, corn, chili, which you decorate to your taste. Pozole is very filling and is enough as a main course. Pozole is also prepared by some fondas.
Mercados (markets) - there is usually a dining area in the markets, where they usually prepare food in the style of fondas, and most mercados also have street food, such as huaraches, quesadillas, barbacoa tacos.
Restaurants - the most expensive place to go for food are restaurants, whether classic or gourmet, of which there are many in Mexico City.
TIPS WHERE TO EAT:
* La Vasconía Lonchería - they have excellent grilled chicken, but also burgers and some Mexican dishes.
* Cocina El Buen Tono - a small fonda, mainly frequented by locals. They make excellent pozole here (Buen Tono 26-A street).
Tacos El Güero - one of the best tacos.
La Tonina - they have great chiles rellenos (stuffed peppers with cheese and tomato sauce)
* Casa de Toño - a restaurant specializing in pozole. They also offer other Mexican dishes, but they are rather average in taste.
* La Esperanza - a popular bakery that offers Mexican and European pastries.
* Café Tacuba - a traditional Mexican restaurant where famous people used to go for food. It is better to avoid it on weekends, when Mexican families queue here.
* Café El Popular - also a traditional Mexican restaurant, popular among locals
* Chocolatería La Rifa - a chocolate shop where they prepare chocolate as the Aztecs prepared it, they also offer coffee.
* El Pendulo - a cafe and restaurant located in a bookstore. It offers traditional Mexican cuisine and breakfasts.
* Peltre - a business popular among locals who come here for brunch. They make excellent chilaqulies here (breakfast dish, made of crispy tortillas topped with chili and tomato sauce, with egg and onion).
* Churrería El Moro - a business that sells churros and hot chocolate.
* Pro Siempre Vegana - great vegan tacos
* Cielito Querido - something like a Mexican version of Starbucks. The coffee here is excellent and cheaper than at Starbucks.
TRANSPORT
Mexico City has a very good public transport system. There are several types of transport, starting with taxis, through the metro, metrobus, trolleybus, specially adapted train, bicycles, buses, minibuses,...Part of the city can be explored comfortably on foot.
TIP: If you are going to use the metro, but also another type of public transport, I recommend avoiding rush hour (approx. 7:30-9:30 and 17:00-20:00). I recommend women to travel in metro cars reserved for women and children (the first two cars, you can recognize them by the markings on the metro platform). Eco-bici or uber are also a great choice - sometimes it's really cheap if you order a last minute ride.
SAFETY
A topic that we cannot avoid when talking about Mexico. Safety in Mexico City has improved significantly in recent years.
In general, I recommend what is recommended in all major cities of the world:
- Don't leave your things unattended, don't wear e.g. an expensive camera around your neck all the time, but rather in a case.
- Don't carry a large amount of money with you.
- Don't unnecessarily draw attention to yourself by wearing expensive jewelry, expensive designer clothes, etc.
- Avoid streets where there is no one at all and something doesn't seem right to you there. Use common sense and intuition.
- Overall, pay more attention to your surroundings. In Europe, we are used to walking quickly and minding our own business, not looking left and right. In Mexico, I advise you to pay attention to what is happening around you.
- For women: if you don't want to attract unnecessary attention and want to avoid being shouted at by locals, don't wear revealing clothes, very short skirts and shorts, etc. Many Mexicans perceive this as an invitation to be approached.
The Plaza de La Constitución, which locals call Zócalo, is the largest square in Mexico City. It hosts concerts, exhibitions and, during Mexican souls, a large altar. There used to be Aztec buildings and pyramids here.
At the head of the Zócalo stands the oldest cathedral in Latin America with a very long name - La Catedral Metropolitana de la Asunción de la Santísima Virgen María a los Cielos de la Ciudad de México. Mexicans call it Catedral Metropolitana for short. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is partly built with stone that was used to build the local pyramids (which the Spanish dismantled). It is one of the most important buildings in the city.
FREE ENTRY.
Museum Templo Mayor is next to the archaeological site where the ruins of the main temple of Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlán were found. The museum has a total of 8 halls, also focusing on Aztec culture.
A picturesque square where altars are held for the dead on Día de Muertos.
Square Garibaldi is famous for the mariachis who often play here. You can see a statue of a mariachi musician here and there is also a Tequila and Mezcal Museum.
And this is what a post office building can look like. The Palacio de Correos de México (Palace of the Mexican Post Office) is the main post office building, built in 1907 in a combination of different architectural styles, of which the Neo-Platesque style predominates. Entrance to the ground floor of the post office is free, and I recommend a tour. You will notice the stairs made of Mexican marble and Florentine bronze. On the second floor is an exhibition dedicated to postal culture and a library of up to 8,500 historical volumes.
The Tile House, Casa de los Azulejos, is a Baroque palace from the 18th century. The façade is made of Puebla tiles. The building is currently owned by Sanborns, which runs a restaurant inside (don't go there for the food, it's overpriced and the food is mediocre) and a store. I definitely recommend looking inside - the restaurant space is gorgeous and you can see the floor rippling in the store - proof that the city is slowly caving in some places due to unstable bedrock.
St. Francis Church is right across from Casa de los Azulejos, sort of hidden among the other buildings below pavement level. Supposedly it was built where the Aztec ruler Moctezuma's zoological garden used to be.
Torre Latinoamericana is Mexico's oldest skyscraper, built in 1956. It is no longer one of the tallest buildings in Mexico City, but it is still one of the city's main landmarks. It's the kind of tourist classic and "must see" that locals will recommend. The tower survived intact the devastating earthquake in 1975 and the subsequent ones in 1985 and 2017.
You can take the elevator up to the 38th floor of the Torre Latino by paying an entrance fee, which also includes access to the museum, which focuses on the history of the site and the construction of the tower. There is also a restaurant and bar in the tower called Miralto.
Locals call this street Madero for short. It is named after the important Mexican revolutionary and president Francisco I. Madero. There are also other important buildings on Madero Street, such as the San Felipe Neri Church, Palacio del Iturbide, Museo de Estanquillo, Casa borda.
Palacio de Bellas Artes, the Palace of Arts, is one of the main landmarks of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. It is the most important cultural centre in Mexico and one of the main opera houses in the world. Inside are murals (called murales) by Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros. In addition to the opera houses, there are also the Museum of Architecture and the Palace of Arts Museum. I recommend visiting at least one of them to see the inside of the building with the murals.
Alameda is a public park that was founded in 1592, based on the park in Seville, making it the oldest park not only in Mexico, but in the whole of the Americas (as a continent). The park has several statues and fountains depicting Greek and Roman gods. In March, the park is beautifully decorated with the purple flowers of the jacarandas tree.
It is advisable not to stay too long in the park, as beggars and street vendors sometimes wander around and can be a nuisance.
Museo de Arte Popular is a museum dedicated to Mexican folk crafts and the cultures of various Mexican ethnicities.
Worldee tip: Next to the entrance of the museum is a shop selling crafts made "fair trad" by local artists and artisans. If you want to bring back a quallity souvenir from Mexico, you can buy one here.
Chinese neighborhoods emerged here in the 1930s, when the larger Chinese community emigrated to Mexico. From a local perspective, it is more of a tourist attraction, the Chinese-style gate that is the main entrance to Chinatown was not here until recently (until about 2019).
The Ciudadela market is very popular among tourists. There are many stalls selling souvenirs, silver, kitchen utensils, textiles, etc. Most of the products are made by machine, so don't look for much originality.
The official name is Mercado Ernesto Pugibet. This market is known for selling food specialties and delicacies, especially European and imported goods. But you can also find local fruits, vegetables, sweets, fish and meat.
Today you will walk the longest and most famous avenue in Mexico City, adorned with the golden Angel of Independence. Then you'll walk through the Polanco district, where the better-off Mexicans live.
We start at Monumento a La Revolución, the Monument to the Mexican Revolution and the Mausoleum. Located in the Plaza of the Republic, it is basically an unfinished part of the building that was supposed to serve as the Federal Palace. Inside is the Museum of the Revolution, and you can go up into the dome for a nice view of the surrounding colonías and Avenida Juarez.
Paseo de La Reforma is a 15-kilometre-long avenue that is home to the Mexican stock exchange, world-famous clothing brands, restaurants, cafes, banks and offices. In the middle of the avenue are statues (such as that of the Aztec ruler Cuauhtémoc or the Roman goddess Diana).
On Sundays, the avenue closes to cars and other vehicles and opens to pedestrians, joggers and cyclists. You can see many people gathering here to play sports or just walk and talk.There is always something going on at Paseo de La Reforma. I recommend taking a leisurely stroll down the avenue and stopping at one of the cafes for a coffee (such as Cielito Querido).
El Ángel de La Independencía is a statue of an angel erected for the centenary of Mexican independence.
Polanco is sometimes called the Mexican Beverly Hills. It is a neighborhood known for its upscale shops, restaurants (e.g., Pujol restaurant is repeatedly ranked among the 50 best restaurants in the world), hotels, and the most expensive real estate in Latin America.
There are also cultural institutions, most notably the Museo Soumaya and the Museo Jumex.
Probably the most interesting for Czechs is Avenida Masaryk, a street named after T. G. Masaryk (the first Czechoslovak president) since 1936, and his statue, which was donated by Mexico City Prague in 2000. It is the identical statue that stands in front of Prague Castle (the statues were cast on the same day).
Today, you'll relax in the largest park in Latin America, see a castle strikingly similar to European castles, and walk down the longest and most important street in Mexico City, built by Habsburg Maximilian I. You will finish the day at one of Mexico's most important museums.
To get to the park, take Metrobus No. 7 (green line) from Reforma station (about a 2-minute walk from your hotel). Get off at the Chapultepec station.
To return, take the same Metrobus line from Museo Nacional de Antropología station to Reforma station.
Chapultepec (the name comes from the Nahuatl language and means "mountain of grasshoppers") is a park located on a hill and is the largest park in Latin America. It represents 52% of all green space in Mexico City.
It's worth setting aside at least half a day to visit Chapultepec.
The park is divided into three sections - Primera Sección, Segunda Sección and Tercera Sección, between the second and third sections is the Panteón Civil Dolores Cemetery, the largest cemetery in Latin America.
In the first and second sections there are small lakes, open areas for relaxation and holding parties and picnics, museums, galleries, a zoo, a botanical garden, a castle, fountains and much more.
The third part of the park is not very visited, there is a horse riding track, a viewpoint and resting areas.
It's up to you if you decide to check out all of the places listed or skip some. The places I highly recommend you visit are marked as places or top places. The ideal is to wander through the park and absorb the atmosphere of the place. The park is really expansive, though, and most visitors want to come back when they are in Mexico City. The itinerary is planned so that you can do so especially on the 6th or 7th day.
Lago Mayor (Great Lake), is a man-made lake. You can rent a boat or pedal boat and take a ride on the lake.
Chapultepec Castle was the official residence of Emperor Maximilian I. Mexico and his wife Carlota from 1864 to 1867. Subsequently, presidents of Mexico lived in the castle until 1939, when it was converted into a museum. I especially recommend a visit if you are interested in history and/or if you like views - the castle courtyard has a beautiful view of Chapultepec Park and Paseo de la Reforma.
A well-known Mexican bookstore with a cafe nestled right in the park by the lake. I recommend a visit in the morning, when it is not so crowded.
The pedestrian bridge connecting the first and second sections of the park was completed in 2023, greatly simplifying the transition between the two sections of the park.
Cárcamo de Dolores is essentially a hydraulic system that is made up of a building designed by architect Ricardo Rivas, a mural by Diego Rivera called "Agua, el origen de la Vida" (Water, the source of life), which is located inside the building and is the only underwater mural in the world, an art installation and a fountain by Tlaloca (the Aztec god of rain).
Cárcamo was built in 1951 to commemorate the completion of work on the Lerma water system in 1943, which supplies water to the city.
National Museum of Anthropology, specialized in archaeology and ethnography, containing valuable collections and excavations of important cultures of Mexico, the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán and artifacts of the Mayan culture.
Worldee tip: Among other interesting artifacts, you can see the Aztec sun stone (La Piedra del Sol), mistakenly called the Aztec calendar.
Today you will take a look at Coyoacán, one of the sixteen administrative districts of Mexico City. In Nahuatl, Coyoacán means "place of the coyotes." It was here that Hernán Cortés settled in 1521 after he conquered Mexico `City. Until the 19th century, Coyoacán was a city independent of the rest of Mexico City, to which it was administratively annexed in 1857. Among other things, Coyoacán is famous for being the home of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera at Casa Azul (Blue House).
So today you'll try riding the much-maligned Mexican metro for the first time, but don't worry, you'll definitely make it, just avoid the rush hour. If you don't dare, I recommend Uber.
To get to Coyoacán, take the metro from Balderas station (which you can walk to) on line 3 (brown-yellow color) towards Universidad. Get off at Viveros y Derechos Humanos station. To return, take the same line from Coyoacán station towards Indios Verdes and get off at Balderas as well.
Worldee tips:
This part of the city is relatively quiet during the week; if you want to experience more hustle and bustle and perhaps some celebrations, visit Coyoacán on the weekend.
Taquería Aguayo makes excellent tortas (sandwiches).
From the Viveros y Derechos Humanos metro stop, follow Google maps to Viveros Coyoacán Park.
A huge park where locals like to exercise and run. There are also lots of native trees (jacarandas, white cedars, white pines, etc.) and the Magdalena river flows through the park, making it important from a botanical and ecological point of view as well.
The centre of Coyacán is located in a place where the indigenous inhabitants settled 3,000 years ago. It consists of a square and two parks - Jardín Hidalgo and Jardín Centenario. The centre of Coyacán was for many years a meeting place for artists, writers and aristocrats. To this day, exhibitions, festivals and fairs are still held here.
The Frida Kahlo Museum is located in the Blue House (Casa azul), where Frida spent a large part of her life and where she died. Here you can see not only her work, but also the work of her husband Diego Rivera and many artifacts of Mexican folk culture and pre-Columbian cultures that she and Diego collected. The museum also includes a café and gift shop.
WARNING: You must buy tickets in advance online, preferably at https://www.boletosfridakahlo.org/ where there is also information regarding opening times for the month. Admission prices have gone up a lot in recent years, as this is one of the most popular tourist sites in Mexico City. I therefore recommend going to the museum in the morning (from 10am).
Panteón Xoco is a picturesque cemetery more than 100 years old with interesting tombstones.
Today, you'll take a look at another place where Mexican history was made - the Tlatelolco district. Back in the 16th century, this was the centre of Tlatelolco culture. Today, this is a place where you literally live the history of Mexico. Along one side of the concrete plaza is an archaeological site with the remains of the pyramids and buildings of the Tlatelolco culture, a church built after the Spanish conquista towers above them, and a 13-story apartment building built in the 1960s lines the opposite side of the plaza for its entire length.
The Tlatelolco culture is a large, sprawling, and beautiful city.
Tourists don't flock here because Tlatelolco is outside the historic centre.
You can reach Tlatelolco by metro from Juarez station (which you walk to) on line 3 (brownish yellow) towards Indios Verdes. Get off at Tlatelolco station and follow Google maps. Return from Tlatelolco station again on the same line in the direction of Universidad and get off at Juarez.
Alternatively, you can also take Uber.
I don't recommend walking to or from Tlatelolco - you'd be walking through the Guerrero neighborhood, which is best avoided (not necessarily a danger, but they don't recommend tourists walk here). The Tlatelolco area is safe.
Worldee tip: Opposite the Tlatelolco metro station is the Puerta Tlatelolco shopping centre, where there is a Mexican cafe called Cielito Querido on the ground floor. If you're in the mood, drop in for a coffee and something sweet (or salty)
In 1968, a massacre of students and civilians took place in the Square of Three Cultures. The massacre was the result of a peaceful student demonstration in which government and military forces intervened drastically. During this demonstration, the students were reacting to the political regime established by the ruling PRI party and the resulting unsatisfactory economic state of the country. The exact number of victims of this massacre is still unknown. In memory of the victims, a memorial plaque with the names of some of the victims has been placed in the square.
Spend your last day in the quiet neighbourhoods of Roma and Condesa, which have become popular in recent years, especially among expats, for their cosmopolitan atmosphere and beautiful architecture. Most of the buildings here were built in the French style during the Porfirio Díaz dictatorship in the 19th century. Both districts are characterised by wide tree-lined streets, best explored on foot or by bicycle (Ecobici). There are interesting art galleries, bookstores and parks (especially Parque México, which has a section reserved for dogs).
If you don't rent bikes, you can get to Roma Norte by taking Metrobus 1 (red line) from Reforma station (about a 2-minute walk from your hotel), direction Dr. Galvez. Get off at the Metrobus Durango station.
You will return on the same Metrobus line from Metrobus Durango
All good things come to an end, and unfortunately today you are flying home. You're surely full of excitement and enthusiasm and it's quite possible that Mexico City has got under your skin and you'll want to come back. If so, Mexico City will welcome you with open arms.
I wish you a safe flight and look forward to seeing you on your next trip
Explore Mexico City, an incredibly interesting and fascinating city that is sure to pleasantly surprise you. You'll explore Mexican history, discover some of the oldest and most beautiful parks in Latin America, walk the longest avenue in Mexico, taste the delicacies of Mexican cuisine, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, see where the painter Frida Kahlo lived, and much more.
🇲🇽 BIENVENIDO A MÉXICO! 🇲🇽 Welcome to Mexico! In its capital city, which you will now spend the next seven days exploring.
After arriving at Benito Juárez Airport (Mexico's first president), you must first go through immigration, where you will be given a tourist visa.It takes almost no time at all, but if the number of days for which you get a visa is less than the number of days until departure, contact the Mexican embassy, which will be happy to advise you. Tourist visas in Mexico are given for a maximum of 180 days.
There are four ways to get from the airport to the centre (Colonía Juarez), from cheapest to most expensive:
Metro
➤ The cheapest option (5 pesos), but not recommended for beginners or people who have trouble finding their way around.
➤ Route: Terminal Aérea (line 5, direction Politécnico) → transfer to La Raza (line 3, direction Universidad) → exit Juarez → walk according to Google Maps.
Metrobús
➤ Station between PUERTA 6 and 7, line 4 (orange) → change at San Lázaro → follow line 4 (Buenavista Sur) → exit Vocacional → walk about 700 m.
Uber - Recommended
➤ The easiest and safest option without transfers.
➤ Price from about 123 pesos (depending on time and traffic).
Authorized taxi
➤ Stands at PUERTA 9 and 10, marked "Taxi Autorizado".
➤ Price according to distance - you report "Colonía Juarez, delegación Cuauhtémoc", pay (usually by card) and get a ticket.
➤ Look for the car with the name of your taxi company.
What to arrange at the airport
Public Transport Card - Tarjeta de Movilidad
I recommend you get a public transport card right at the airport. The card machine is located in the arrivals hall on the ground floor. The card costs 15 pesos and you can use it for several types of public transport:
metro
Metrobús
Ecobici (bicycles)
Trolebús (trolleybus)
RTP buses
Cablebús (something like a cable car that serves as a means of public transport)
You can charge your card at metro or Metrobús stations.
Money exchange
In Mexico, you'll need some cash. Exchanging at the airport is recommended, it's safe, no one can rob you here. Only exchange in the arrivals hall by the gates. There are plenty of exchange offices, you can find the one with the best exchange rate.
Water and refreshments
If you're thirsty or hungry, try one of the Oxxo or 7Eleven shops in the arrivals hall on the ground floor.
Worldee tip: Mexicans from the outskirts of the city, or those who live in neighboring states (mainly Estado de México) often go to Mexico City for the weekend. Therefore, I recommend exploring the city on weekdays if possible.
Today you'll tour the Centro Histórico (historic center), a UNESCO-listed part of Mexico City. It was here that the city of Tenochtitlan was founded more than 500 years ago on a small island in the lake, and it was here that the battle between the kingdom of Tenochtitlan (led by Vlad Cuauhtémoc) and the Spanish army (led by Hernán Cortés) took place in 1521.
The historic center is home to the oldest buildings in Mexico City, the oldest park on the American continent, and many museums, restaurants, cafes, and plazas. It is also one of the busiest parts of Mexico City and, compared to European city centres, is still dominated by locals compared to tourists.
Worldee tip: Mexicans from the outer parts of the city, or those who live in neighboring states (mainly Estado de México) often come to Mexico City for the weekend. Therefore, I recommend exploring the city on weekdays if possible.
FOOD
Mexico City is a culinary paradise and there are plenty of places to eat well and cheaply.
Comida callejera (street food) - you have to try it at least once! Comida callejera is one of the most authentic expressions of Mexican culture and gastronomy. The most famous comida callejera includes tacos, tamales, quesadillas, esquites, huaraches, birria, tortas, tlayudas, tlacoyos,...it depends on the region. The best street food is where the locals go. I generally advise against buying it next to busy roads and watch how much the food is selling - this guarantees that the seller has a large turnover and you get fresh food.
Taquerías - a popular place where the holy grail of Mexican cuisine is sold - taco. There are several types of tacos, most of them are made of meat or offal, but they also differ by region. The most popular tacos among Mexicans are tacos al pastor, which come from Mexico City. Spicy and less spicy salsas are served with tacos. If you are not used to spicy food, I recommend not playing the hero and starting with a salsa that is not very spicy (salsa menos picante) because very spicy salsas (muy picante) are REALLY spicy.
Fondas - fondas are traditional family businesses that cook homemade food. Every weekday they offer a menu that consists of soup, Mexican rice or spaghetti (something like an appetizer), a main course (there is both a meat and a vegetarian option) and a dessert, most often gelatin, fruit or sponge cake. Some fondas also offer aqua fresca - flavored water with fruit. The food at Fonda is tasty and relatively cheap, the whole menu costs around 90 CZK.
Pozolería - a restaurant specializing in pozole, a soup with meat, corn, chili, which you decorate to your taste. Pozole is very filling and is enough as a main course. Pozole is also prepared by some fondas.
Mercados (markets) - there is usually a dining area in the markets, where they usually prepare food in the style of fondas, and most mercados also have street food, such as huaraches, quesadillas, barbacoa tacos.
Restaurants - the most expensive place to go for food are restaurants, whether classic or gourmet, of which there are many in Mexico City.
TIPS WHERE TO EAT:
* La Vasconía Lonchería - they have excellent grilled chicken, but also burgers and some Mexican dishes.
* Cocina El Buen Tono - a small fonda, mainly frequented by locals. They make excellent pozole here (Buen Tono 26-A street).
Tacos El Güero - one of the best tacos.
La Tonina - they have great chiles rellenos (stuffed peppers with cheese and tomato sauce)
* Casa de Toño - a restaurant specializing in pozole. They also offer other Mexican dishes, but they are rather average in taste.
* La Esperanza - a popular bakery that offers Mexican and European pastries.
* Café Tacuba - a traditional Mexican restaurant where famous people used to go for food. It is better to avoid it on weekends, when Mexican families queue here.
* Café El Popular - also a traditional Mexican restaurant, popular among locals
* Chocolatería La Rifa - a chocolate shop where they prepare chocolate as the Aztecs prepared it, they also offer coffee.
* El Pendulo - a cafe and restaurant located in a bookstore. It offers traditional Mexican cuisine and breakfasts.
* Peltre - a business popular among locals who come here for brunch. They make excellent chilaqulies here (breakfast dish, made of crispy tortillas topped with chili and tomato sauce, with egg and onion).
* Churrería El Moro - a business that sells churros and hot chocolate.
* Pro Siempre Vegana - great vegan tacos
* Cielito Querido - something like a Mexican version of Starbucks. The coffee here is excellent and cheaper than at Starbucks.
TRANSPORT
Mexico City has a very good public transport system. There are several types of transport, starting with taxis, through the metro, metrobus, trolleybus, specially adapted train, bicycles, buses, minibuses,...Part of the city can be explored comfortably on foot.
TIP: If you are going to use the metro, but also another type of public transport, I recommend avoiding rush hour (approx. 7:30-9:30 and 17:00-20:00). I recommend women to travel in metro cars reserved for women and children (the first two cars, you can recognize them by the markings on the metro platform). Eco-bici or uber are also a great choice - sometimes it's really cheap if you order a last minute ride.
SAFETY
A topic that we cannot avoid when talking about Mexico. Safety in Mexico City has improved significantly in recent years.
In general, I recommend what is recommended in all major cities of the world:
- Don't leave your things unattended, don't wear e.g. an expensive camera around your neck all the time, but rather in a case.
- Don't carry a large amount of money with you.
- Don't unnecessarily draw attention to yourself by wearing expensive jewelry, expensive designer clothes, etc.
- Avoid streets where there is no one at all and something doesn't seem right to you there. Use common sense and intuition.
- Overall, pay more attention to your surroundings. In Europe, we are used to walking quickly and minding our own business, not looking left and right. In Mexico, I advise you to pay attention to what is happening around you.
- For women: if you don't want to attract unnecessary attention and want to avoid being shouted at by locals, don't wear revealing clothes, very short skirts and shorts, etc. Many Mexicans perceive this as an invitation to be approached.
The Plaza de La Constitución, which locals call Zócalo, is the largest square in Mexico City. It hosts concerts, exhibitions and, during Mexican souls, a large altar. There used to be Aztec buildings and pyramids here.
At the head of the Zócalo stands the oldest cathedral in Latin America with a very long name - La Catedral Metropolitana de la Asunción de la Santísima Virgen María a los Cielos de la Ciudad de México. Mexicans call it Catedral Metropolitana for short. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is partly built with stone that was used to build the local pyramids (which the Spanish dismantled). It is one of the most important buildings in the city.
FREE ENTRY.
Museum Templo Mayor is next to the archaeological site where the ruins of the main temple of Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlán were found. The museum has a total of 8 halls, also focusing on Aztec culture.
A picturesque square where altars are held for the dead on Día de Muertos.
Square Garibaldi is famous for the mariachis who often play here. You can see a statue of a mariachi musician here and there is also a Tequila and Mezcal Museum.
And this is what a post office building can look like. The Palacio de Correos de México (Palace of the Mexican Post Office) is the main post office building, built in 1907 in a combination of different architectural styles, of which the Neo-Platesque style predominates. Entrance to the ground floor of the post office is free, and I recommend a tour. You will notice the stairs made of Mexican marble and Florentine bronze. On the second floor is an exhibition dedicated to postal culture and a library of up to 8,500 historical volumes.
The Tile House, Casa de los Azulejos, is a Baroque palace from the 18th century. The façade is made of Puebla tiles. The building is currently owned by Sanborns, which runs a restaurant inside (don't go there for the food, it's overpriced and the food is mediocre) and a store. I definitely recommend looking inside - the restaurant space is gorgeous and you can see the floor rippling in the store - proof that the city is slowly caving in some places due to unstable bedrock.
St. Francis Church is right across from Casa de los Azulejos, sort of hidden among the other buildings below pavement level. Supposedly it was built where the Aztec ruler Moctezuma's zoological garden used to be.
Torre Latinoamericana is Mexico's oldest skyscraper, built in 1956. It is no longer one of the tallest buildings in Mexico City, but it is still one of the city's main landmarks. It's the kind of tourist classic and "must see" that locals will recommend. The tower survived intact the devastating earthquake in 1975 and the subsequent ones in 1985 and 2017.
You can take the elevator up to the 38th floor of the Torre Latino by paying an entrance fee, which also includes access to the museum, which focuses on the history of the site and the construction of the tower. There is also a restaurant and bar in the tower called Miralto.
Locals call this street Madero for short. It is named after the important Mexican revolutionary and president Francisco I. Madero. There are also other important buildings on Madero Street, such as the San Felipe Neri Church, Palacio del Iturbide, Museo de Estanquillo, Casa borda.
Palacio de Bellas Artes, the Palace of Arts, is one of the main landmarks of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. It is the most important cultural centre in Mexico and one of the main opera houses in the world. Inside are murals (called murales) by Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros. In addition to the opera houses, there are also the Museum of Architecture and the Palace of Arts Museum. I recommend visiting at least one of them to see the inside of the building with the murals.
Alameda is a public park that was founded in 1592, based on the park in Seville, making it the oldest park not only in Mexico, but in the whole of the Americas (as a continent). The park has several statues and fountains depicting Greek and Roman gods. In March, the park is beautifully decorated with the purple flowers of the jacarandas tree.
It is advisable not to stay too long in the park, as beggars and street vendors sometimes wander around and can be a nuisance.
Museo de Arte Popular is a museum dedicated to Mexican folk crafts and the cultures of various Mexican ethnicities.
Worldee tip: Next to the entrance of the museum is a shop selling crafts made "fair trad" by local artists and artisans. If you want to bring back a quallity souvenir from Mexico, you can buy one here.
Chinese neighborhoods emerged here in the 1930s, when the larger Chinese community emigrated to Mexico. From a local perspective, it is more of a tourist attraction, the Chinese-style gate that is the main entrance to Chinatown was not here until recently (until about 2019).
The Ciudadela market is very popular among tourists. There are many stalls selling souvenirs, silver, kitchen utensils, textiles, etc. Most of the products are made by machine, so don't look for much originality.
The official name is Mercado Ernesto Pugibet. This market is known for selling food specialties and delicacies, especially European and imported goods. But you can also find local fruits, vegetables, sweets, fish and meat.
Today you will walk the longest and most famous avenue in Mexico City, adorned with the golden Angel of Independence. Then you'll walk through the Polanco district, where the better-off Mexicans live.
We start at Monumento a La Revolución, the Monument to the Mexican Revolution and the Mausoleum. Located in the Plaza of the Republic, it is basically an unfinished part of the building that was supposed to serve as the Federal Palace. Inside is the Museum of the Revolution, and you can go up into the dome for a nice view of the surrounding colonías and Avenida Juarez.
Paseo de La Reforma is a 15-kilometre-long avenue that is home to the Mexican stock exchange, world-famous clothing brands, restaurants, cafes, banks and offices. In the middle of the avenue are statues (such as that of the Aztec ruler Cuauhtémoc or the Roman goddess Diana).
On Sundays, the avenue closes to cars and other vehicles and opens to pedestrians, joggers and cyclists. You can see many people gathering here to play sports or just walk and talk.There is always something going on at Paseo de La Reforma. I recommend taking a leisurely stroll down the avenue and stopping at one of the cafes for a coffee (such as Cielito Querido).
El Ángel de La Independencía is a statue of an angel erected for the centenary of Mexican independence.
Polanco is sometimes called the Mexican Beverly Hills. It is a neighborhood known for its upscale shops, restaurants (e.g., Pujol restaurant is repeatedly ranked among the 50 best restaurants in the world), hotels, and the most expensive real estate in Latin America.
There are also cultural institutions, most notably the Museo Soumaya and the Museo Jumex.
Probably the most interesting for Czechs is Avenida Masaryk, a street named after T. G. Masaryk (the first Czechoslovak president) since 1936, and his statue, which was donated by Mexico City Prague in 2000. It is the identical statue that stands in front of Prague Castle (the statues were cast on the same day).
Today, you'll relax in the largest park in Latin America, see a castle strikingly similar to European castles, and walk down the longest and most important street in Mexico City, built by Habsburg Maximilian I. You will finish the day at one of Mexico's most important museums.
To get to the park, take Metrobus No. 7 (green line) from Reforma station (about a 2-minute walk from your hotel). Get off at the Chapultepec station.
To return, take the same Metrobus line from Museo Nacional de Antropología station to Reforma station.
Chapultepec (the name comes from the Nahuatl language and means "mountain of grasshoppers") is a park located on a hill and is the largest park in Latin America. It represents 52% of all green space in Mexico City.
It's worth setting aside at least half a day to visit Chapultepec.
The park is divided into three sections - Primera Sección, Segunda Sección and Tercera Sección, between the second and third sections is the Panteón Civil Dolores Cemetery, the largest cemetery in Latin America.
In the first and second sections there are small lakes, open areas for relaxation and holding parties and picnics, museums, galleries, a zoo, a botanical garden, a castle, fountains and much more.
The third part of the park is not very visited, there is a horse riding track, a viewpoint and resting areas.
It's up to you if you decide to check out all of the places listed or skip some. The places I highly recommend you visit are marked as places or top places. The ideal is to wander through the park and absorb the atmosphere of the place. The park is really expansive, though, and most visitors want to come back when they are in Mexico City. The itinerary is planned so that you can do so especially on the 6th or 7th day.
Lago Mayor (Great Lake), is a man-made lake. You can rent a boat or pedal boat and take a ride on the lake.
Chapultepec Castle was the official residence of Emperor Maximilian I. Mexico and his wife Carlota from 1864 to 1867. Subsequently, presidents of Mexico lived in the castle until 1939, when it was converted into a museum. I especially recommend a visit if you are interested in history and/or if you like views - the castle courtyard has a beautiful view of Chapultepec Park and Paseo de la Reforma.
A well-known Mexican bookstore with a cafe nestled right in the park by the lake. I recommend a visit in the morning, when it is not so crowded.
The pedestrian bridge connecting the first and second sections of the park was completed in 2023, greatly simplifying the transition between the two sections of the park.
Cárcamo de Dolores is essentially a hydraulic system that is made up of a building designed by architect Ricardo Rivas, a mural by Diego Rivera called "Agua, el origen de la Vida" (Water, the source of life), which is located inside the building and is the only underwater mural in the world, an art installation and a fountain by Tlaloca (the Aztec god of rain).
Cárcamo was built in 1951 to commemorate the completion of work on the Lerma water system in 1943, which supplies water to the city.
National Museum of Anthropology, specialized in archaeology and ethnography, containing valuable collections and excavations of important cultures of Mexico, the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán and artifacts of the Mayan culture.
Worldee tip: Among other interesting artifacts, you can see the Aztec sun stone (La Piedra del Sol), mistakenly called the Aztec calendar.
Today you will take a look at Coyoacán, one of the sixteen administrative districts of Mexico City. In Nahuatl, Coyoacán means "place of the coyotes." It was here that Hernán Cortés settled in 1521 after he conquered Mexico `City. Until the 19th century, Coyoacán was a city independent of the rest of Mexico City, to which it was administratively annexed in 1857. Among other things, Coyoacán is famous for being the home of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera at Casa Azul (Blue House).
So today you'll try riding the much-maligned Mexican metro for the first time, but don't worry, you'll definitely make it, just avoid the rush hour. If you don't dare, I recommend Uber.
To get to Coyoacán, take the metro from Balderas station (which you can walk to) on line 3 (brown-yellow color) towards Universidad. Get off at Viveros y Derechos Humanos station. To return, take the same line from Coyoacán station towards Indios Verdes and get off at Balderas as well.
Worldee tips:
This part of the city is relatively quiet during the week; if you want to experience more hustle and bustle and perhaps some celebrations, visit Coyoacán on the weekend.
Taquería Aguayo makes excellent tortas (sandwiches).
From the Viveros y Derechos Humanos metro stop, follow Google maps to Viveros Coyoacán Park.
A huge park where locals like to exercise and run. There are also lots of native trees (jacarandas, white cedars, white pines, etc.) and the Magdalena river flows through the park, making it important from a botanical and ecological point of view as well.
The centre of Coyacán is located in a place where the indigenous inhabitants settled 3,000 years ago. It consists of a square and two parks - Jardín Hidalgo and Jardín Centenario. The centre of Coyacán was for many years a meeting place for artists, writers and aristocrats. To this day, exhibitions, festivals and fairs are still held here.
The Frida Kahlo Museum is located in the Blue House (Casa azul), where Frida spent a large part of her life and where she died. Here you can see not only her work, but also the work of her husband Diego Rivera and many artifacts of Mexican folk culture and pre-Columbian cultures that she and Diego collected. The museum also includes a café and gift shop.
WARNING: You must buy tickets in advance online, preferably at https://www.boletosfridakahlo.org/ where there is also information regarding opening times for the month. Admission prices have gone up a lot in recent years, as this is one of the most popular tourist sites in Mexico City. I therefore recommend going to the museum in the morning (from 10am).
Panteón Xoco is a picturesque cemetery more than 100 years old with interesting tombstones.
Today, you'll take a look at another place where Mexican history was made - the Tlatelolco district. Back in the 16th century, this was the centre of Tlatelolco culture. Today, this is a place where you literally live the history of Mexico. Along one side of the concrete plaza is an archaeological site with the remains of the pyramids and buildings of the Tlatelolco culture, a church built after the Spanish conquista towers above them, and a 13-story apartment building built in the 1960s lines the opposite side of the plaza for its entire length.
The Tlatelolco culture is a large, sprawling, and beautiful city.
Tourists don't flock here because Tlatelolco is outside the historic centre.
You can reach Tlatelolco by metro from Juarez station (which you walk to) on line 3 (brownish yellow) towards Indios Verdes. Get off at Tlatelolco station and follow Google maps. Return from Tlatelolco station again on the same line in the direction of Universidad and get off at Juarez.
Alternatively, you can also take Uber.
I don't recommend walking to or from Tlatelolco - you'd be walking through the Guerrero neighborhood, which is best avoided (not necessarily a danger, but they don't recommend tourists walk here). The Tlatelolco area is safe.
Worldee tip: Opposite the Tlatelolco metro station is the Puerta Tlatelolco shopping centre, where there is a Mexican cafe called Cielito Querido on the ground floor. If you're in the mood, drop in for a coffee and something sweet (or salty)
In 1968, a massacre of students and civilians took place in the Square of Three Cultures. The massacre was the result of a peaceful student demonstration in which government and military forces intervened drastically. During this demonstration, the students were reacting to the political regime established by the ruling PRI party and the resulting unsatisfactory economic state of the country. The exact number of victims of this massacre is still unknown. In memory of the victims, a memorial plaque with the names of some of the victims has been placed in the square.
Spend your last day in the quiet neighbourhoods of Roma and Condesa, which have become popular in recent years, especially among expats, for their cosmopolitan atmosphere and beautiful architecture. Most of the buildings here were built in the French style during the Porfirio Díaz dictatorship in the 19th century. Both districts are characterised by wide tree-lined streets, best explored on foot or by bicycle (Ecobici). There are interesting art galleries, bookstores and parks (especially Parque México, which has a section reserved for dogs).
If you don't rent bikes, you can get to Roma Norte by taking Metrobus 1 (red line) from Reforma station (about a 2-minute walk from your hotel), direction Dr. Galvez. Get off at the Metrobus Durango station.
You will return on the same Metrobus line from Metrobus Durango
All good things come to an end, and unfortunately today you are flying home. You're surely full of excitement and enthusiasm and it's quite possible that Mexico City has got under your skin and you'll want to come back. If so, Mexico City will welcome you with open arms.
I wish you a safe flight and look forward to seeing you on your next trip
