Mexico Trip - Mexico City

Mexico City

Mexico City, or Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico, D.F. in Spanish, is the capital of Mexico, and its center of finance, commerce and fine arts. It is the second largest Metropolitan in the world (after Tokyo), with Population of about 20 million!

Travel tips for Mexico City

• Transportation within Mexico city - With the city being so big, and with so many cars on the road, driving a car in Mexico City is a big headache, even for the locals. Don't try it! Take taxis, buses or simply walk.
• Personal Security - Don't stay alone outside at night. Go only to places you know or heard that are safe. I heard too many stories about people being robbed or even worse.

Accommodations - Hotels in Mexico City

If you are on a a business trip, and need to be at the south side of Mexico City, near Perisur center, I recommend Radisson Paraiso Hotel

In Mexico City

National Museum of Anthropology

There are many museums in the city, and this is one of the best. It offers about 20 great exhibitions of ancient and modern cultures that dominated this part of the world, such as Maya and Aztec.
Entrance fee is 48 Mexican pesos.

Zocalo (historic district)

A very large square at city center, this is the heart of Mexico city with shops, restaurants, street vendors and historic structures that surround it. It is always full of people and there is always something interesting going on.

Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes)

This beautiful historic building that looks like white marble is actually an art museum.

Xochimilco

This is a suburb in Mexico City, known for its "Floating Gardens" that can be reached by small boats (bargain with the boat owners, do not pay more than 40%-50% of what they ask for).

Zona Rosa

Fancy neighborhood with many good restaurants and night clubs. Spending your evenings at Mexico city in this area is recommended (it is also relatively safe).

Polanco

Another fancy neighborhood with interesting shops and great restaurants.

Paseo de la Reforma

Mexico City's main street that leads to the city's historic district. On this street you will find the Angel of Independence. The Mexicans call it simply El Angel, it is a gold status on top of a victory column.

Outside Mexico City

Teotihuacan

25 miles northeast of Mexico City, this is a very large and impressive archeological site that used to be the center of one of the largest cities at its time, and hosts the biggest pyramid in Mexico.
Site's highlights:

• Street of the Dead (Calle de los Muertos) - The main street of the ancient city, on its sides you can admire many little temples, palaces and platforms.
• Pyramid of the Sun (La Piramide del Sol) - Stands at one side of the main street, is the third largest pyramid in the world!
• Pyramid of the Moon (La Piramide del Luna) - Stands at the other side of the main street.

The site includes a visitors' center with a small museum and facilities such as toilets, a restaurant and shops.