Mexico City, Mexico — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Mexico City
The culturally colorful and historically fascinating city of Mexico City has plenty to see and do for visitors of all walks of life, making it well worth exploring en route to the resorts, or even a great place for a lively weekend away. Mexico City is also the city with the most museums in the world - sure to appeal to history buffs and art lovers the world over.
With ancient ruins just a stone's throw from the city, tourists will want to visit the Templo Mayor, the principal temple of the Aztecs and part of Tenochtitlán, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Teotihuacan, the site of Mexico's largest ancient city which dates back to around 300 to 600 BC. For a more colonial flavor, visit the beautiful nearby town of Guanajuato, discovered by the Spanish in 1558 for its silver deposits.
Downtown Mexico is a great place to soak up the architecture and atmosphere of the stately buildings, but a visit to Zócalo is also a must, where locals and visitors gather in this square surrounded by historic buildings, while the Plaza Garibaldi-Mariachi is surrounded by cafés and restaurants and a favorite place for tourists. Stroll along the cobbled streets of San Angel where ancient mansions and colonial houses make for amazing photographic opportunities.
Art lovers will enjoy the Palacio de Bellas Artes which features the works of Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros, as well as 6,000 other works of art, while one of Mexico City's most popular attractions is undoubtedly the Bosque de Chapultepec, Mexico City's largest park, covering an enormous area containing lakes, the zoo and several museums, including the Museo Nacional de Antropología.
Shopping in Mexico City
Shopping in Mexico City is a fun and vibrant experience offering authentic local crafts as well as all the major brands and stores one might expect in any major city. The best Mexican souvenirs tend to be Talavera tiles and ceramics, embroidered garments, sterling silver jewelry and accessories, and hand-woven rugs and blankets.
One of the most popular shopping areas in Mexico City is the Centro Historico, home to most of the city's original stores, while La Zona Rosa is also well established and the popular shopping center Reforma 222 can be found there. Avenida Insurgentes and Avenida Jaurez also offer a wealth of shopping opportunities. Most recently, the La Condesa and Polanco areas have developed as strong retail centers. Centro Santa Fe, in the western part of the city, is the largest shopping center in Latin America, while the upscale Perisur shopping mall to the south is also a good stop.
There are many markets in the city offering Mexican handicrafts, including the San Juan Market of Mexican Curiosities and the Mercado la Ciudadela in Centro Historico, as well as the Bazar Sabado (Saturday Bazaar) in San Angel. Fonart outlets throughout the city also sell local crafts such as hand-painted crockery and blown glass.
Most shops in Mexico City are open from 9am to 8pm, with smaller shops taking a break between 2pm and 4pm. The 15% VAT charged on goods can be reclaimed at the airport on purchases exceeding 1200 pesos (£48). Traveller must present a completed reimbursement request form, banking information, passport, immigration form (visa, tourist card), plane ticket, purchase receipts and goods purchased.
Mexico City Nightlife
Nightlife options in Mexico City are vast and varied, ranging from piano bars, music lounges and traditional Mexican bars to salsa and jazz clubs or trendy nightclubs. San Angel, Polanco, Condesa and La Zona Rosa are popular nightlife areas in the city, and there are many late night venues that are open till the early hours. There is a weekend entertainment guide in The News, available at local newsagents. Popular bars in Mexico City include both Roma and Rexo in the Condesa district, as well as Cosmo Bar and the Hotel Habita's rooftop bar in Polanco. Shelty is a busy English pub on Avenida Campos Eliseos, and the Black Horse pub in Condesa is also good. Barracuda on Nuevo Leon has great jazz music, while Bar Jorongo and Café Tenampa are renowned Mariachi venues. Some of the best nightclubs in Mexico City include Avant-Garde, Living Room and Mama Rumba, all located in the Roma district. If you're keen to see some authentic Polynesian dancing, head to Mauna Loa on Avenida San Jeronimo. Many of the top hotels in Mexico City offer live entertainment at their in-house discos and lobby bars. It is safest not to walk around alone at night in the city and only official, pre-ordered taxi cabs should be used.
