Travel Guide Mexico City - Culture, commerce and a cathedral

 
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Travel Guide Mexico City - Culture, commerce and a cathedral
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Travel Guide
Mexico City
Culture, commerce and a cathedral

02    Quick view               05   Top 10 sights             11   Hotels
02    Mexico                   07   Shopping in Mexico City   12   GEO Tip
04    Travel etiquette         08   Restaurants               12   24 hours in ...
04    Health                   09   Nightlife
05    Phone calls & Internet   10   Calendar of events

                                                                                 © Jeremy Woodhouse/Getty Images

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Travel Guide Mexico City - Culture, commerce and a cathedral
Travel Guide
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                                                                                                             02


              Quick view
              Mexico City: Culture, commerce and a cathedral

              Vast, fast and dynamic, Mexico City is one heck of a megalopolis. DF or Distrito
              Federal, as the city is known by locals, packs in Aztec ruins, grand colonial
              architecture and huge city parks. The mighty capital of Mexico, and its centre of
              culture, arts and commerce, is fairly safe compared to other

              regions of the country. It boasts some of the most incredible museums in Latin
              America and the world, as well as a thriving arts scene that dates back to the great
              muralists like Diego Rivera. Meanwhile, its innovative take on Mexican culinary
              traditions is not to be missed.


              Mexico
              General Information

              Country overview
              Mexico is one of the most popular travel destinations in Latin America. Nowhere
              will you find a more diverse range of natural spectacles and fascinating structures
              dating from several centuries. More than 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles) of Pacific
              and Caribbean coastline beckon with the promise of relaxing bathing vacations
              amid dream surroundings; Acapulco and Cancún are among the biggest magnets
              for beach lovers and divers. The architectural legacies of the Olmecs, Toltecs,
              Maya and Aztecs hold a fascination for all visitors. The best-known archeological
              sites are Chichén Itza and Uxmal on Yucatán and the pyramid city of Teotihuacán
              in the Central Highlands. Mexican culture has been shaped by Indigenous and
              colonial influences have shaped Mexican culture, which is extraordinarily colorful.

              Festivals are held throughout the year, and if you can, arrange to celebrate the Día
              de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (November
              1 and 2) with Mexicans. The spectacle commemorating the dead involves weird
              skull and skeleton jewelry and morbid baked goods.

              Geography
              Mexico is at the southern extremity of North America and is bordered to the north
              by the USA, northwest by the Gulf of California, west by the Pacific, south by
              Guatemala and Belize, and east by the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.

              Mexico's geographical features range from swamp to desert, and from tropical
              lowland jungle to high alpine vegetation.

              Over half the country is at an altitude greater than 1,000m (3,300ft). The central
              land mass is a plateau flanked by ranges of mountains to the east and west that lie
              roughly parallel to the coast. The northern area of this plateau is arid and thinly
              populated.

              General knowledge

              Key facts

              Population: 124,7 Million (estimate 2018)

              Capital: Mexico City (Ciudad de México)

              Language

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              Spanish is the official language.

              Currency

              Mexican Peso (MXN; symbol M$) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of
              M$1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of M$10, 5, 2 and
              1, and 50 and 20 centavos.

              Note: The M$1,000 and M$500 notes can be difficult to change and are
              sometimes not accepted.

              Electricity

              110 volts AC, 60Hz. American two-pin (flat) plugs are usual, but most sockets
              cannot accept a US-style three-pin plug.

              Public holidays
              Listed below are the public holidays for the period January 2020 to December
              2021.

              2020

              Año Nuevo (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2020
              Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day): 3 and 4 February 2020
              Natalicio de Benito Juárez (Birthday Benito Juárez): 15 and 16 March 2020
              Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday): 5 April 2020
              Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday): 9 April 2020
              Viernes Santo (Good Friday): 10 April 2020
              Domingo de Pascua (Easter Sunday): 12 April 2020
              Primero de Mayo (May Day): 1 May 2020
              Batalla de Puebla (Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla): 5 May 2020
              Día de la Independencia (Independence Day): 16 September 2020
              Día de la Raza (Columbus Day): 12 October 2020
              Día de los Muertos (All Souls’ Day): 2 November 2020
              Aniversario de la Revolución (Revolution Day): 15 and 16 November 2020
              Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe): 12 December
              2020
              Día de Navidad (Christmas Day): 25 December 2020

              2021

              Año Nuevo (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2021
              Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day): 1 and 5 February 2021
              Natalicio de Benito Juárez (Birthday Benito Juárez): 15 March 2021
              Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday): 28 March 2021
              Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday): 1 April 2021
              Viernes Santo (Good Friday): 2 April 2021
              Domingo de Pascua (Easter Sunday): 4 April 2021
              Primero de Mayo (May Day): 1 May 2021
              Batalla de Puebla (Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla): 5 May 2021
              Día de la Independencia (Independence Day): 16 September 2021
              Día de la Raza (Columbus Day): 12 October 2021
              Día de los Muertos (All Souls’ Day): 2 November 2021
              Aniversario de la Revolución (Revolution Day): 15 and 20 November 2021
              Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe): 12 December
              2021
              Día de Navidad (Christmas Day): 25 December 2021

              All information subject to change.

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
              Travel etiquette
              How to fit in

              Social Conventions

              Despite its pre-Columbian traditions, Mexico is a largely Christian country.
              Travelers should behave with sensitivity in religious matters and respect Catholic
              customs. Children are welcome everywhere. Even an attempt to make yourself
              understood in Spanish will generally be warmly appreciated. If you are invited to
              dinner in a Mexican home, it’s better not to arrive bang on time. It’s also a good
              idea to allow extra time for bus and train journeys, as well as appointments. A
              handshake is the usual form of greeting.

              Clothing

              Smart leisurewear is acceptable on the street. Formal attire is only suitable for
              official occasions. Jeans, shorts, sneakers and sandals are only appropriate in
              bathing resorts. Restaurants in Mexico City generally expect a more elegant
              standard of clothing. Your travel baggage should also include long-sleeved clothes
              and long trousers to protect you from insect stings and bites.

              Taking photographs

              Always ask permission before you take a Mexican’s photograph.

              Smoking

              Smoking is not permitted on public transportation, in schools, taxis, at airports or
              bus stations, or most restaurants.

              Tipping

              Some hotels and restaurants include a service charge in their bills. In restaurants,
              it is usual to tip roughly 10 to 15 percent of your bill. Porters and chambermaids are
              happy to receive roughly one U.S. dollar per item of baggage or day of your stay.


              Health
              Health

              Food & Drink

              Water in bottles or marked 'drinking/sterilised water' can be drunk without
              precautions. All other water for drinking, brushing teeth or ice should be boiled or
              sterilised. Milk in major cities, hotels and resorts is pasteurised; otherwise, it
              should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available. Only eat well-cooked meat
              and fish, cooked vegetables and peeled fruit.

              Other Risks

              Diarrhoea and sunburn affect some travellers.

              Outbreaks of malaria, filariosis and dengue fever have occurred, chiefly in the
              southeast states of Chiapas and Veracruz and the northern border states of
              Chihuahua and Tamaulipas. So, taking precautions against mosquito bites by
              using DEET and covering arms and legs in the evenings is wise.

              Rabies is present. If bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

              Take care when going from sea level to high altitude – if you’re sensitive to it, don’t
              go on any major hikes the first day you arrive. Allow several days to acclimatise to
              altitudes over 2,500m (8,200ft). Initial symptoms include headaches,
              breathlessness (especially when walking up hills), dizziness and nausea. This
              should pass within 72 hours.

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              Vaccination against hepatitis B is sometimes recommended, especially for those
              spending long periods of time in Mexico. Hepatitis C occurs. All normal
              precautions should be exercised to avoid exposure to sexually-transmitted
              diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

              Contractual physician of Lufthansa

              Dr. Reimers Hauser, Armin
              Vito Allessio Robles 117-104
              Col. Florida
              C.P. 01050
              Mexico
              D.F.
              Tel. +52-5661-9023

              Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it
              bear the cost of any treatment.


              Phone calls & Internet
              Phone calls & Internet

              Telephone/Mobile Telephone

              Dialing code: +52

              Telephone

              Public telephones are found in casetas de teléfono – normally in restaurants,
              snack bars and small stores. You will also find public card telephones on the
              street. These are operated by various telephone companies, and telephone cards
              can be purchased in supermarkets and kiosks, for example. Making international
              calls from your hotel can be horrendously expensive, so make sure to inquire
              about prices before making a call.

              Mobile Telephone

              A cell phone is called a teléfono celular in Mexico. A regional cellular network
              using TDMA and GXM 1900 operates in Cancún, for which a tri-band device is
              required. It usually costs far less to buy a cheap cell phone with a Mexican SIM
              card locally, from Telcel (telcel.com) or Movistar (movistar.com), say. Network
              coverage is good in Mexican cities, but there may be gaps in rural areas.

              Internet

              Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using
              public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all
              passwords, credit card details and banking credentials entered. Use of a VPN app
              or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.


              Top 10 sights
              Top 10 sights in Mexico City

              Templo Mayor
              All that’s left of the mighty temple that lay at the heart of the Aztec Empire are these
              ruins, but they’re still worth visiting for a taste of the pre-Hispanic history buried just
              beneath modern-day Mexico City.

              Semanario 8, Downtown                        Opening times:
              06060 Mexico City                            Tue-Sun 0900-1700

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              Mexico
              Tel: +52-55/40 40 56 00                    www.templomayor.inah.gob.mx

              Xochimilco
              Hire a traditional trajera boat for the afternoon and glide around the verdant
              waterways of Xochimilco, the last remnant of the great Aztec canal system, which
              the conquistadors drained.

              Xochimilco
              Mexico City
              Mexico

              Palacio de Bellas Artes
              This stunning domed palace still puts on the city’s most important classical
              concerts and dances, but it’s worth entering just to see the incredible murals
              inside.

              Av. Juárez Esq. Eje Central, Centro        Opening times:
              Histórico                                  Tue-Sun 1000-1800
              06050 Mexico City
              Mexico                                     www.palacio.bellasartes.gob.mx
              Tel.: +52-55/86 47 65 00

              Zócalo
              Once home to an Aztec palace, the vast central plaza known as Zócalo now
              features two remarkable buildings: the imposing cathedral and the Palacio
              Nacional.

              Plaza de la Constitución, Downtown
              06010 Mexico City
              Mexico

              Teotihuacán
              Around 50km from Mexico City is one of the most important archaeological sights
              in Latin America – the soaring pyramids and ancient city complex of Teotihuacán.

              Zona Arqueologica de Teotihuacan,          Opening times:
              Carretera Ecatepec Pirámides km22          Daily 0930-1600
              +600
              55800 Teotihuacán                          www.teotihuacan.inah.gob.mx
              Mexico
              Tel: +52-59/49 56 02 76

              National Museum of Anthropology
              Lose yourself in one of the world’s most fascinating museums, taking you from
              before the Aztecs to the Spanish Conquest and beyond, with countless artefacts,
              and information about Mexico’s hundreds of ethnic groups.

              Av Paseo de la Reforma y Calzada           Opening times:
              Gandhi S/N                                 Tue-Sun 0900-1900

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              Chapultepec Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo         www.mna.inah.gob.mx
              11560 Mexico City
              Mexico
              Tel: +52-55/40 40 53 00

              Frida Kahlo Museum
              The so-called blue house, Casa Azul, was the home of Frida Kahlo growing up.
              Apart from documenting her life and showing some of her work, it has a beautiful
              garden.

              Londres 247, Del Carmen, Coyoacán           Opening times:
              04100 Mexico City                           Tue and Thu-Sun 1000-1735, Wed
              Mexico                                      1100-1730
              Tel: +52-55/55 54 59 99
                                                          www.museofridakahlo.org.mx

              MUNAL
              One of the most important art museums in Latin America, this legendary
              neoclassical masterpiece contains hundreds of works from Mexico and beyond.

              Tacuba 8, Centro Histórico,                 Opening times:
              Cuauhtémoc                                  Tue-Sun 1000-1730
              06010 Mexico City
              Mexico                                      www.munal.mx/en
              Tel: +52-55/86 47 54 30

              Bosque de Chapultepec
              If the traffic-clogged chaos and pollution of DF get too much, slip into this
              enormous park-cum-forest in the middle of the city, which also contains some
              important monuments.

              Avenida Constituyentes, Chapultepec         www.sedema.df.gob.mx/bosquedechap
              11850 Mexico City                           ultepec
              Mexico
              Tel: +52-55/52 12 21 71

              Basilica de Guadalupe
              This peculiar-looking church marks the spot where the Virgin appeared to an
              indigenous man, Juan Diego, in 1531, and is now visited by pilgrims from across
              Latin America.

              Fray Juan de Zumárraga # 1                  Opening times of the museum:
              Col. Villa Gustavo A. Madero                Tues – Sun 1000-1730
              Delegación Gustavo A. Madero.
              07050 Mexico City                           www.virgendeguadalupe.mx
              Mexico
              Tel: +52-55/51 18 05 00


              Shopping in Mexico City
              Shopping in Mexico City

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              Key Areas

              Zona Rosa can satisfy most shopping needs with countless clothing stores and
              more, but well-heeled shoppers might seek out Polanco, where the city’s most
              expensive shops lie. Meanwhile, various antiques and vintage shops are opening
              in the trendy Condesa and La Roma neighbourhoods.

              Markets

              If you’ve the stomach for trawling through an endless maze of stalls, there are
              some great finds to be had at the Mercado Artesanal de Ciudadela (Avenida
              Balderas and Plaza de la Ciudadela), including cheap clothes, colourful crafts and
              flamboyant sombreros.

              Shopping Centres

              The Centro Comercial Santa Fe (centrosantafe.com.mx) is an impressive shopping
              center. But for one of the oldest shopping centres in the New World, visit Portales
              de los Mercaderes, which specialises in Taxco silver, next to the Zócalo.


              Restaurants
              Restaurants in Mexico City
              Mexican food is world famous. But while it’s essential to visit taco stands and
              restaurants while here, there’s plenty more to try –from zesty Oaxaca broths to rich
              stews conjuring ancient flavours. There are also some excellent Japanese and
              Argentine joints.

              Los Girasoles
              With outdoor tables looking out to Bellas Artes and Aztec-inspired dishes, this is
              one of the city’s finest restaurants.

              Tacuba 8-10, Plaza Manuel Tolsá,          Price: Luxurious
              Downtown
              06000 Mexico City
              Mexico

              San Angel Inn
              A 17th-century hacienda hosts this classy restaurant that was once a Carmelite
              monastery.

              Diego Rivera 50, San Angel                Price: Luxurious
              01060 Mexico City
              Mexico

              Alekzander
              For international cuisine in a buzzy setting, head to this handsome joint in La
              Roma.

              Álvaro Obregón 130, La Roma               Price: Moderate
              06700 Mexico City
              Mexico

              El Faraón Taquería

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              Quite possibly the best taquería in DF, this place is popular with Condesa locals at
              night; try the grilled cactus.

              Oaxaca 92-93, Condesa                        Price: Budget
              06700 Mexico City
              Mexico

              La Casa de Toño
              Head to this local legend for pozole (fiery meat broth) cooked with motherly love.

              Sabino 166, Santa María La Ribera            Price: Budget
              06400 Mexico City
              Mexico


              Nightlife
              Nightlife in Mexico City
              Thumping nightclubs, cracking live music venues and stylish hipster hangouts all
              rub shoulders in DF. Kick your evening off with a round of tequilas and botanas
              (appetisers) in atraditional cantina. Remember you’re at altitude – drinks are likely
              to go to your head more quickly than you might be used to.

              El Imperial
              For cutting-edge bands and club nights with rock music, head to this hip venue.

              Av. Álvaro Obregón 293, Cuauhtémoc,
              Roma Norte
              06700 Mexico City
              Mexico

              Sala Nezahualcoyotl
              Opened in the 1970s in the city’s huge university, UNAM, this is a spectacular
              venue for classical concerts.

              Insurgentes Sur 3000, Ciudad
              Universitaria, Coyoacán
              04510 Mexico City
              Mexico

              Las Musas del Papa Sibarita
              A poky, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it joint specialising in live jazz, the Papa is full of
              charm.

              Orizaba 218 A, Cuauhtémoc
              06700 Mexico City
              Mexico

              Pata Negra
              Perhaps the most popular nightspot in Condesa, this trendy bar-club always offers

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              a late-night party.

              Tamaulipas 30, Condesa
              06140 Mexico City
              Mexico

              Felix
              A hip little bar in the heart of La Roma, this is the ideal place to try mescal, the
              cactus juice that’s outdoing tequila.

              Álvaro Obregón 64, La Roma
              06700 Mexico City
              Mexico


              Calendar of events
              Calendar of events

              Electric Daisy Carnival
              Electric Daisy Carnivals are in the US, India - and now in Mexico. On two days,
              high-profile DJs and an energetic audience will do their best.

              February 28 - March 1, 2020
              mexico.electricdaisycarnival.com/en/

              Venue: Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez

              Semana Santa (Holy Week)
              Crowds swell for this powerful re-enactment of the crucifixion when hooded
              penitents hobble on bloodied knees flagellating themselves.

              April 5 - 11, 2020

              Venue: Centro Histórico

              Fall of Tenochtitlán
              On August 13, 1521, Tenochtitlan fell to the Spanish conquerors. Tenthousands of
              Aztecs were killed. Every year on the 13th of August the siege and the battle are
              being remembered near the monument of Cuauhtémoc, last of the aztec rulers.

              August 13, 2020

              Venue: Plaza de las Tres Culturas, Tlatelolco

              Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Angels) and Día de
              los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
              Families build extravagant altars decorated with candles, flowers and skull-shaped
              candy and bread to honour their dead relatives with a feast of their favourite food
              and drink.

              September 16, 2020

              Venues: Zócalo and suburb of Mixquic

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              Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Day of the Virgin
              of Guadalupe)
              One of the many religious celebrations honouring the Virgin Mary. On the Day of
              the Virgin of Guadalupe, pilgrims from around the country converge at the famous
              basilica in Mexico City to pay their respects. The devotees come to the church to
              see the revered shroud which holds the image of Mary, which is on display here.
              Celebrations are also held in Puerto Vallarta and San Cristobal las Casas where
              Tzotzil and Tzeltal Indians dress in traditional costumes to pay their respects to the
              Virgin. The celebrations include special masses, fireworks, processions, parades
              and live music.

              December 12, 2020

              Venues: Basílica de Guadalupe, Mexico City


              Hotels
              Hotels in Mexico City
              Tourists often make the mistake of staying Downtown, but while the historical
              centre is fascinating during the day, it can be a little sketchy at night.Better to stay
              in hip Condesa, full of stylish boutique hotels, or the lively Zona Rosa.

              Condesa DF
              This spectacular wedge of a building has been the trendiest place to stay in DF
              since opening in 2005.

              Avenida Veracruz 102, Condesa                Category: Luxurious
              06700 Mexico City
              Mexico ​

              Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico
              This opulent five-star hotel on the city’s main square, Plaza de la Constitución,
              really lives up to its name. Occupying an Art Nouveau building fittingly furnished
              with Tiffany leaded glass elements and crystal chandeliers, this hotel naturally
              offers every modern comfort and convenience.

              Avenida 16 de Septiembre 82                  Category: Luxurious
              06000 Mexico City
              Mexico ​

              Imperial Reforma
              Built in 1904, this old boutique favourite is located on the important Paseo de
              Reforma.

              Paseo de la Reforma 64, Júarez               Category: Moderate
              06600 Mexico City
              Mexico

              Zócalo Central Hotel
              It doesn’t get much more central than this: Right next door to the cathedral on the

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              Zócalo, this luxuriously appointed hotel housed in a truly magnificent building
              offers guests every modern convenience. Tip: The hotel restaurant has one of the
              best roof terraces in town.

              Avenida 5 de Mayo 61                      Category: Moderate
              Centro Histórico
              06000 Mexico City
              Mexico

              Hotel Isabel
              This charming hotel is very popular with low-budget travelers. Located on a narrow
              side street close to the Zócalo and the Metro station Isabel la Católica. The rooms
              and bathrooms are functional and delightfully old-fashioned rather than luxurious –
              and the price is unbeatable.

              Isabel la Catolica 63                     Category: Budget
              06000 Mexiko-Stadt
              Mexiko


              GEO Tip
              Mercado de Sonora

              The Witchcraft Market

              Services for every conceivable spiritual need are on offer at Sonora Market
              (mercadosonora.com.mx), including soul purification, exorcism and calling up
              distant loved ones. Helpful artifacts can also be had here, among them fetishes,
              luck-bringing powders and Santa Muerte - Day of the Dead – figures. Worldly
              goods, such as textiles and ceramic tableware are also sold here.

              Mehr auf GEO.de

              https://www.geo.de/reisen/reiseziele/19226-rtkl-sehenswuerdigkeiten-mexiko-
              sechs-erlebnisse-die-ihnen-mexiko-stadt


              24 hours in ...
              ... Mexico City

                                                                                                    PR

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              9 a.m. – Coffee above the Zócalo

              A cathedral dating from colonial times, a pre-Columbian pyramid and a gigantic
              flag of the Republic of Mexico: At the Balcón del Zócalo, you can enjoy breakfast
              within sight of the scenes of the most important moments in the country’s history.
              The restaurant boasts the best view of one of the largest squares in the world and
              serves tropical fruit juices, sweet filled pastries and other Mexican specialties. To
              locals, the Zócalo is the heart of their city. Events are held here almost daily, and
              tens of thousands of fans regularly make their way here to see world-famous
              musicians, such as Roger Waters and Manu Chao. Tip: Definitely pick a table on
              the terrace!

              Balcón de Zócalo                            www.balcondelzocalo.com/
              Av. 5 de Mayo 61
              06000 Mexico City
              Mexico
              Tel.: +52-55/5130 5134

              10:30 a.m. – Diego’s blaze of color

              Stroll across the Zócalo and you find yourself right outside the national palace, the
              seat of the federal executive branch of Mexico’s government. This magnificent
              building dating from the Spanish colonial era is particularly worth a visit for the
              murals that artist Diego Rivera created here in the 1930s, impressively portraying
              social life in the various phases of the country’s history: the hustle and bustle of an
              Aztec market, the turmoils of the Mexican revolution, and the decadent feasts of the
              colonial upper class.

              Palacio Nacional                            www.palacionacionaldemexico.mx/
              Plaza de la Constitución S/N
              06066 Mexico City
              Mexico

              12 noon – A snack with Popocatépetl

              After a leisurely, 15-minute stroll from the Zócalo through the busy shopping street
              Francisco 1 Madero, aka Madero Street, it’s worth climbing the 140 meters to the
              observation platform of the Torre Latinoamericana tower for a panoramic view that
              lets you grasp the city’s true dimensions: the endless ocean of buildings, the cul-
              de-sacs, and the mountains circling Mexico City. On a clear day, you can see as far
              as the still active volcano Popcatépetl in the west and its neighbor, Iztaccíhuatl.
              Snacks and copious meals are always to be had here, at what was once the
              highest skyscraper in all of Latin America.

              Torre Latinoamericana                       torrelatinoamericana.com.mx/
              Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas 2
              06000 Mexico City
              Mexico

              1:30 p.m. – Pay a visit to the fine arts

              How about some marble? Just a few meters away from Torre Latinoamericana,
              there’s the Palacio Bellas Artes, or Palace of Fine Arts, a building constructed
              almost entirely from the precious stone. It is the most famous opera and ballet

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              theater and concert hall in Mexico, but it also offers quite a lot more during the day.
              Don’t miss, for instance, the mosaic stage “curtain” made in 1912 by Tiffany
              Studios in New York; the million crystals making up the leaded glass panel refract
              the light in a literally brilliant depiction of the Valley of Mexico. The contemporary
              exhibitions at the National Museum of Architecture within the Palace of Fine Arts
              and the Museum of Memory and Tolerance facing it are always worth a visit.

              Palacio de Bellas Artes                     palacio.inba.gob.mx/
              Av. Juárez / Esquina Eje Central
              06050 Mexico City
              Mexico
              Tel.: +52-55/8647 6500

              3 p.m. – Chill time in the park

              High time for a relaxing break, and a great place to chill is Alameda Park right next
              door to the Bellas Artes, a couple of square meters of green in this city of people of
              streets. Sit on a park bench and watch a shoeshine at work or children playing by
              the Venus Fountain, or simply close your eyes and take in the sounds of one of the
              largest cities in the world all around you. Take the time for a short detour to the
              monument honoring President Benito Juárez. Juárez reformed the country in the
              19th century and is highly revered by Mexicans.

              Alameda-Park
              Parque Alameda
              Av. Juárez
              06000 Mexico City
              Mexico

              4 p.m. – Lunch courtesy of Mexico’s head chef

              The best time for lunch and the Azul Histórico is the ideal restaurant for it. Turkey in
              chocolate chili sauce, mushroom soup and handmade tortillas are just some of the
              dishes on this restaurant’s menu, which features only the best in Mexican
              specialties – and that’s no coincidence given that head chef Ricardo Muñoz Zurita
              is also known as the “anthropologist of Mexican cooking” for his efforts to preserve
              the traditional culinary specialties of the country with his research and in books.
              Diners interested in indulging in a little shopping after their meal in the cozy
              courtyard of the Azul Histórico restaurant will find a number of small shops upstairs,
              selling ceramics, textiles and chocolate.

              Azul Histórico                              azul.rest/azul-historico/
              Isabel la Católica 30
              06000 Mexico City
              Mexico
              Tel.: +52-55/55101316

              7 p.m. – A cool beer beckons

              In 1928, Don José Iglesias, Don Pepe for short, opened a bar with great panache,
              where he served meat-filled tortillas and fresh draft beer. Today, Salón Corona is
              one of the most-frequented cantinas, as the traditionally popular Mexican bars are
              called. Whether you spend an entire evening here or just drop by for a swift beer, a
              visit to the bustling Salón Corona is always an unforgettable experience. And if
              you’re feeling hungry again, we can certainly recommend a portion of Tacos al

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              Pastor.

              Salón Corona                                 www.saloncorona.com.mx/
              Calle de Bolívar 24
              06000 Mexico City
              Mexico
              Tel.: +52-55/55125725

              9 p.m. – A breath of world weariness

              Sentimental’s your thing? Then you are sure to love the atmosphere on Plaza
              Garibaldi square, where mariachi musicians dressed in their traditional vests and
              large sombreros gather every night to play for visitors. It’s not rare to see tears
              falling as romantic couples, holidaymakers and lone men listen to the mariachis
              sing to their trumpets, violins and guitars. The volume on Plaza Garibaldi and in the
              nearby bars is turned up until late into the night. If you find yourself flagging after
              the long day, you’ll find vendors selling a somewhat unusual option for recharging
              your inner batteries: toques – weak, battery-powered electric shocks.

              Plaza Garibaldi
              Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas 43
              06000 Mexico City
              Mexico

              11 p.m. – Dance behind the cathedral

              The terrace of the Centro Cultural de España is the place where night owls should
              end the evening. DJs play electro, indie, jazz and rock here till late into the night
              and live bands regularly perform here. So you can get a taste of the city’s nightlife
              and enjoy a drink on the center’s balcony right behind the cathedral here at the
              heart of Mexico City. The project, sponsored by the Spanish Embassy among
              others, places great emphasis on cultural diversity, hence the many contemporary
              exhibitions, film festivals, seminars and children’s theater events that also take
              place here.

              Centro Cultural de España                    ccemx.org/
              República de Guatemala 18
              06000 Mexico City
              Mexico
              Tel.: +52-55/5521 1925

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