Mexico City, Mexico — Activities
Mexico City Culture
Mexico City's rich cultural heritage boasts a colorful artisan tradition, from vibrant Pre-Hispanic folk-art to the bold, brave works of the great muralists of the 20th century. A strong legacy of music and literature spans many centuries, styles and genres from hip-hop poets and graffiti maestros to Mexico's classic romantics. Perhaps the most typical Mexican music is the mariachi, where roaming groups of trumpeters, violinists, guitarists and a singer peddle their tunes.
For details of what is happening across the capital, pick up Tiempo Libre (www.tiempolibre.com.mx), Mexico City's comprehensive listings guide, published every Thursday. The monthly program, Guía de Programación, is available free from the Bellas Artes bookshop and tourist offices, while government website Conaculta (www.conaculta.gob.mx) provides an excellent detailed guide to a wide range of cultural events. Ticketmaster (tel: (55) 5325 9000; www.ticketmaster.com.mx) sells tickets for most major events in Mexico City and publishes the monthly entertainment guide, ¿Qué hacemos? ('What shall we do?').
Music and Dance
Auditorio Nacional
The state-owned Auditorio Nacional is the biggest music and entertainment venue in Mexico City. It also regularly hosts national and international dance artists. From the end of February to April, Mexico's National Dance Company performs its famed interpretation of Tschaikowsky´s Swan Lake outdoors on a small island in Chapultepec Park.
Paseo de la Reforma 50, Chapultepec Park
Tel: (55) 9138 1350.
Website: www.auditorio.com.mx
Palacio de Bellas Artes
An important part of almost every Mexican fiesta is the traditional indigenous dances. The Palacio de Bellas Artes is home to the Ballet Folclórico de México, a bright and spectacular performance of Mexican music and dance from all over the country, which takes place every Wednesday and Sunday.
Avenida Juárez, corner of Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas
Tel: (55) 5512 2593.
Website: www.bellasartes.gob.mx
Sala Silvestre Revueltas
The Orquesta Filarmónica de la Ciudad de México (OFCM) (Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra) has its own concert hall, the Sala Silvestre Revueltas.
Periferico Sur 5141
Tel: (55) 5606 0016.
Theater
La Planta de Luz
Mexico City offers plenty of theaters to choose from, although virtually every play is staged in Spanish. Alternatively, there are a number of Teatro-Bars, which offer a more informal environment and content for the non-Spanish speaker, as they stage lively variety shows and cabarets with singers, dancers, comedians, ventriloquists and magicians. La Planta de Luz, in San Angel, hosts stand up comedy, folklore shows and political satire from Monday to Thursday, complemented by La Bodega, Popocatépetl 25, in Condesa (tel: (55) 5511 7390), on Fridays and Saturdays.
Plaza Loreto, San Ángel
Tel: (55) 5616 4761.
Teatro Bar El Hábito
Avant-garde Teatro Bar El Hábito stages gay social and political satirical shows and enjoys a city-wide reputation as a hotbed for intellectuals, feminists and gay rights activists. After five years, it continues to attract Mexico's ground-breaking comedians who wow the crowds with smart and snappy topical humor.
Madrid 13, Coyoacán
Tel: (55) 5659 6305.
Website: http://elhabito.dnsalias.com
Mexico City Tours
Walking tours
Many of Mexico City's prime places of interest are concentrated in small easily walkable pockets, so sightseeing on foot is a breeze. Due to the dizzying effects of altitude, it is important to acclimatize for a few days after arrival in the capital. Even a gentle stroll can cause breathless fatigue, so care should be taken to ease into walking over short distances. Government-run cultural agency INAH (National Institute for History and Archaeology) runs walking tours in Mexico City and beyond. INAH's tours are cheaper than most and led by English-speaking guides. Other walking tours can be booked via tour operators and travel agencies.
Tel: (55) 4040 4300.
Website: www.inah.gob.mx
Bus tours
Innumerable half - and full-day Mexico City tours pick-up and drop-off at major hotels. Most center on the Centro Histórico and the Museo Nacional de Antropología and are accompanied by an English-speaking guide. TURIBUS, operated by the Ministry of Tourism, covers 130 places of interest along the Reforma-Centro Historico corridor and includes museums, monuments, galleries and parks. At 15-30 minute intervals, TURIBUS buses connect 25 access points where passengers can hop on and off. An electronic translator service is available and it operates from 0900-2100 every day except Christmas and New Years' day. Tickets are available for one, two or three days.
Tel: (55) 5141 1360.
Website: www.turibus.com.mx
