Overview

Mexico City boasts more museums than any other city in the world. It is a truly cultural city which is also home to churches, cathedrals, gardens and children's attractions. Art galleries and ancient history museums provide some of the most popular venues while Chapultepec Park houses a zoo, botanical gardens, an amusement park and entertainers.

Anthropological Museum

This popular museum allows interested visitors to explore the history of the Aztec civilisation. There are a number of exhibits which include an Aztec calendar stone, rare Maya treasures, a replica of a tomb of a Maya leader and artefacts which were used in everyday life among the Aztec populations.

Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe

This church is one of the most sacred places in the entire country. It is built on the site where the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared to a peasant in 1531 and is dedicated to Mexico's patron saint. The Virgin Mary's dress left a mark on the peasant's cloak which is now displayed behind the altar. This is not the original church (which was built in 1709) as this one was destroyed, but this one is a very good replica which was consecrated in 1976.

Metropolitana Cathedral

This is the largest cathedral in the whole of South America and dates back over 400 years. It took over 250 years to complete and boasts one of the largest organs in the world. However, the foundations are slowly failing and it is sinking into the ground, causing it to lean to one side. Restorations are being completed but it is not known whether they will completely stop the subsidence.

Chapultepec Park

This park is a great place for the entire family. It is home to boating lakes, hiking trails, botanical gardens, an amusement park, zoo and a number of museums. There are also many street entertainers aimed at children. It is an enormous area, too large to explore in one outing, but is worth at least two trips.

Dolores Olmedo Patino Museum

This museum can be found in the floating gardens of Xochimilco and is housed in a renovated 16th century traditional house. It has a number of works of art by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo as well as some very interesting pre-Hispanic objects. It demonstrates what the area was like before the Spanish invasion and provides an insight into what it would be like now without any Spanish influence.

Frida Kahlo Museum

Frida Kahlo was an artist who died at just 25 in 1954. The museum was once her home that she shared with her husband, Diego Rivera. Many of her paintings can be found here as well as a selection of Mexican folk art. Other artists whose work is on display are: Paul Klee, Marcel Duchamp and Jose Clemente Orozco. Rivera was a famous architect in the city and some of his plans of the city's most famous buildings are on display.

Xochimilco Floating Gardens

These beautiful gardens date back to the Xochimilco Indians and are a small archipelago which can be found between canals. Each island is home to a selection of fruit and vegetable trees, as well as stunning botanical gardens. Barges can be hired to take visitors around the gardens. They have lasted for a number of centuries, which proves how skilful the Indians were.

Overview

The year-round good weather ensures that Mexico City is a popular place for outdoor activities. There are a number pursuits to enjoy including ice skating, golf, cycling, boating and walking. It is advisable to take part in most of these activities in the morning as the pollutants in the air can get quite high by the afternoon and anyone with chest problems will find it difficult to breathe.

Cycling

Cycling is an excellent way to see the city's sights. The conditions, especially in the mornings and evenings, are perfect for enjoying a bike ride. Regardless of whether you ride round the city's streets or parks, you will be able to make the most of the beautiful scenery.

Ice skating

When the weather gets too hot, a good way to cool down is to visit one of the city's ice rinks. Ice skating is great fun for both young and old and is a cheap and fun way to spend the day. One of the most popular rinks in town is the Pista de Hielo San Jerónimo.

Golf

The city is home to a number of golf courses, and while they are not all of international standards, the golf course in Chapultepec Park is one of the very best. Equipment and balls can be hired and non-members are free to enjoy a game.

Jogging

There are a number of nature trails can be found throughout the city, all of which offer perfect jogging routes in the morning sun. However, many of the avenues around the city are also good jogging routes as the tall leafy trees offer shade and the bustle in the morning streets offer an insight into local life.

Walking

If jogging is too much exercise, there are many hiking trails outside of the city which are fascinating to explore. The footpaths alongside the extinct volcano, Cerro de la Estrella, offer natural beauty and a good escape from the city. There are also many trails in the parks within the city itself.

Dining and shopping

Dining out is an important part of Mexican culture. Eating is seen as socially important and much business is conducted over long lunches and family parties are usually held over a lavish evening meal. Mexican cuisine is available in restaurants throughout the city, although in recent years there has been a large increase in international restaurants opening up. Cuisine such as European, American, Middle Eastern, Japanese and Chinese can be found in upscale establishments.

Three meals a day are typically eaten by all locals with breakfast being enjoyed between 08:00 and 11:00. Lunch is regarded as being the main meal of the day and is enjoyed for a couple of hours between 14:00 and 16:00. Business is often conducted during lunch with important decisions being made and contracts being signed. Evening meals are much lighter and are eaten late, at about 21:00.

Popular Mexican food includes: enchiladas tacuba (tortillas filled with chicken and a spinach pepper sauce); chalupas a la poblana (an open taco served with spicy chorizo sausage) and chillie-con-carne, nachos and refried beans. There are many local restaurants offering very good value food.

Local taverns known as comida corrida restaurants are very popular, with local Mexicans and offer home cooked traditional Mexican dishes. There are also many street stalls selling tortillas, filled rolls and a number of Mexican snacks. If you are not on a tight budget, there are also some very expensive restaurants throughout the city serving up food from around the world.

Mexico City boasts a wide range of shopping opportunities. There are a number of shops, designer stores, unique boutiques, markets and stalls to browse. The main shopping district is home to lavish malls and high-street shops selling the latest in men's and ladies' fashion. There are also many electronic shops, book and music stores, jewellers and beauty shops.

While the shopping district offers a lot, it is not home to many souvenir shops. Bazaar Sabado is the place to head for all sorts of local mementos such as handmade jewellery, locally produced music, handicrafts, art and antiques. Lagunilla Market (also known as Thieves Market) is a weekend market selling a wide variety of knick knacks and there are some excellent deals to be had. The markets are the perfect places to practise your bargaining skills as there are no fixed prices.

If it's something special you are after, Rodeo drive is a miniature version of Rodeo drive in Los Angeles and boasts designer outlets, trendy cafés and an expensive food market. The museum gift shops are another place to pick up unique gifts. There are some excellent artworks for sale as well as antiques, prints, food items and ornaments.

Mexican cuisine is among the most popular in the world and Mexico City is one of the best places in which to enjoy authentic dishes. However, there is a lot more on offer other than fajita houses and taco stalls. Japanese, Italian, French and seafood are all popular options. There are some top-end restaurants offering expensive meals and an indulging dining experience or there are local comida corrida restaurants serving up cheap, substantial food. Regardless of budget or taste, no one will go hungry in Mexico City.

Overview

Mexico City offers visitors a wide range of transport options. Those arriving by air generally land at Benito Juárez Airport in the city itself and can get a taxi or the Metro into the city centre. The Metro is one of the most extensive in the world and offers stops throughout the city. There are also public buses available for those wanting to experience a bit of ‘real life' Mexico and also for those on a budget. Taxis are often the best way to travel around the city, with fares being very reasonable.

Airports

If you arrive in Mexico City by air, you will land at Benito Juárez International Airport. It is the main gateway to the capital and located in the eastern part of the city. It serves destinations throughout Europe, America and other countries worldwide.

Facilities at the airport are plentiful and include a selection of eateries, bars and coffee shops, a number of shops and duty-free shopping, information desks, VIP lounges, ATMs, banks and car hire desks.

Ground transfer options include taxis, buses, the metro and car hire. There are licensed taxis waiting outside arrivals and taxi fares are paid for inside the airport. The price depends on where you are staying. The fares are fixed and receipts are always given. You should not take an unlicensed taxi to your hotel as you may be ripped off by the taxi driver. Unlicensed drivers are known to be unscrupulous.

The airport is located next to a metro station so as long as you can carry your luggage, this is a cheaper alternative to get into the city centre. There is a bus station outside Arrivals which also offers cheap rides into the city, although journeys can get fairly uncomfortable. If you would like to drive yourself, cars can be hired inside Arrivals. It is advisable to book your hire car in advance to ensure that you get the best deals.

If you are arriving from somewhere else in Mexico, you will probably arrive at the smaller Toluca Airport. It has recently undergone a renovation and now boasts many modern amenities. Most budget flights arrive here. Ground transportation options include taxis and local buses.

Public transportation

If you arrive in Mexico City by land, there are two main options, buses and self-drive. If you take a bus, you will need to make sure that you have plenty of water as journeys are often hot and uncomfortable. Hiring a car and driving yourself across the country is another alternative although always be sure to take care on the roads as local drivers are not known for their safety.

Once you have arrived in the city, you will find that the city is fairly easy to navigate. The metro covers most of the downtown area as well as some of the suburbs and if you happen to get off at the wrong station, all you need to do is jump back on and take another train to where you want to go. When you are in the centre of the city, you are always within walking distance of a metro station. Tickets need to be bought in advance and day and weekly passes can be bought which offer unlimited travel.

One thing to remember is to try and get familiar with which metro stations you need before boarding as there is not much information in English, which can get quite confusing.

If you would rather take the bus, there are many routes throughout the city. There are large buses and mini-buses with the former offering the more comfortable ride. However, these are slightly more expensive. Both tend to get very busy during rush hour and it is important to pay attention as drivers can be impatient and do not wait around for people to make up their minds.

The city is literally brimming with taxis. There are over 250,000 registered taxis driving around, and while they are more expensive than both the bus and metro, they offer a comfortable ride in air conditioning and a pleasant escape from the crowds. Overall, taxi fares are good value, but should be negotiated in advance. Make sure they have their registration so that you know they are legitimate, otherwise you could fall foul of a scam.