Traveling to Mexico City

[squirrel]

Will be not too far from Mexico City for a few days in July to attend a Kung Fu seminar. I've never been there and thinking of extending my stay for a day or two to take in a bit of Mexico City or surroundings... Any recommendations of places to go?

My only problem is that I don't speak Spanish (can understand a bit from speaking French and having learned years of Latin at school). Hope that wouldn't be too much of an obstacle.

[ssandra]

Hi,

I'm living in Mexico City, so I think I can help you out

I'm not in the city for the entire month of July though, but let me know (in PM if you want to) when you'll be here and maybe we can meetup for a coffee or something?

About things to do:

There is of course Teotihuacan. The pyramid site close to Mexico City. You can take a bus there or go with a tour organization. It is impressive and beautiful. I'd take at least the bigger part of half a day for that one.

Inside Mexico City; we have something called the "turibus". You can google it if you want to. It is a "hop-on-hop-off" type of thing and takes you through most of the inner city. It is a nice ride.

Zocalo; at the zocalo (main square) you have some nice buildings, including the Cathedral (gorgeous on the outside, ugly on the inside (my opinion)). You also have the National Palace, which is where the government rules from. They have a beautiful courtyard and some murals painted by Diego. I really like them.

You have the area called La Condesa. It is an area filled with restaurants and bars, lots of trees and greens. I like it because although it is purely Mexican, it also has somewhat of a European feel to it. It always feels festive though

My favorite spot in the whole of the city: El Catillo. The Castle in the middle of the huge park / forest in the middle of the city. It is a museum now with some art and some stuff from the time of Maximiliano. It is absolutely worth visiting.

The entire park is called Chapultepec. Beautiful place as well. Mexicans traditional "flyers" can be seen there, as well as the museum of Anthropology. Great museum.

To eat in La Condesa you have "Tizoncito's" which is a place where they sell the best Taco's al Pastor. In the same area is also Roxy's, the most famous icecream place of Mexico.

Mexico City has a very active couch surfing community, so have a look at them to see if they have any meetups. There are standard meetups for Wednesday (salsa dancing), Thursday (hanging out) and sometimes Friday (Luche Libre).
I'd love to show you around. If I cannot, post on there and I'm sure there are plenty of people willing to help you get around and show you around.

Just english isn't a problem if you are willing to learn some catch phrases in Spanish (like the check please, how much is this, thank you, I don't speak spanish, etc.). Most common people don't speak English besides a few words, but at the tourist attractions they do, if you are willing to be patient with them.

Most taxi's are safe, but better be safe then sorry and always take a "taxi the sitio". Those are taxis that don't just drive around picking people up but actually wait at certain places for passengers. They are slightly more expensive (about 2 dollars) but it is very much worth it.

Let me know if you have any more questions!!

[squirrel]

Sandra, thank you so much for the detailed reply! Definitely worth a visit, it sounds like. And good idea about the couch surfing community!
I'd love to meet up with you for a coffee, if you're around.

I'll PM you.

[tamzdance]

Hello! I agree with everything Ssandra is suggesting, and I hope you have a wonderful visit to Ciudad de Mexico! I have been there many times and lived there for 5 months just recently. I will be returning in a few months on a more permanent basis. I thought I would toss in a few other travel tips while visiting Mexico City:

- Carry toilet paper always. Public restrooms are rarely stocked with TP or paper towels. Also, a bathroom attendant doles out the TP, and it's almost always never enough, so carry some of your own. You may even want to keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your pocket, backpack, purse, whatever. It comes in handy!

- This relates to the above bathroom issue---carry a lot of loose change in your pocket to pay for using the bathrooms; they are not free. Using the facilities costs anywhere between 10 to 40 pesos per visit depending on where you are. Don't forget this!

- If you use public transportation, be prepared to get on and off the bus quickly. This is a fast-paced city and I found that buses pull away from the curb very fast, so don't dilly-dally.

- At minimum, know your numbers for money counting purposes. If this doesn't sound feasible, carry a small notepad for writing down numbers to clarify what you are paying for items.

- Prepare yourself for some of the busiest and most congested traffic you'll probably ever see in your life. I don't know where you're from, but Mexico City is one of the (if not the) most populated cities on the planet. Traffic is downright C R A Z Y. Drivers do their own thing, and following traffic rules seems to be voluntary.

- Watch where you're walking. Streets and sidewalks are almost never level and there are holes of all sizes and shapes everywhere you walk. I would hate to have you twist your ankle! (Also, watch for doggie poop....a lot of stray dogs roam the streets.)

- Bring some immodium tablets. Even if you're only there a few days, the change in food/water can really beat up your digestive system. I found it always useful to take 1 immodium tablet before you start eating/drinking there. I'd hate to see you get stuck with loosey-goosey bowels when you're touring. Bathrooms are not that plentiful, and oftentimes they are very busy (long lines) in the hot spots. (Isn't it funny how much of this pertains to using the toilet! Hahahaha!)

- Most of all.....ENJOY this exciting place! Take in all the sounds, smells, tastes and richness it has to offer.

Let us know what your experience was like when you return!!!! ENJOY!!!

[tamzdance]

I forgot one more thing about using public restrooms: Look for a sign outside shops and such that reads: WIC. This means you can use their bathroom (but will need to pay for it). That's all!

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by tamzdance

I forgot one more thing about using public restrooms: Look for a sign outside shops and such that reads: WIC. This means you can use their bathroom (but will need to pay for it). That's all!

I never had that problem with public restrooms actually

All tourist attractions have them, and if not, I'd just walk into any restaurant and ask to use their bathroom. If there is a McDonalds or something even better, but even normal restaurants are ok.

If they said no, not without drinking something, I'd just order a water afterward or something.


You do have to keep hydrated. The height combined with the heat can be annoying...

[squirrel]

Thanks, tamzdance, for your contributions! Just saw those as I am preparing for my trip in a couple of days... Yes, it sounds like a crazy, chaotic place, and I am not sure I would want to live there, but I am certainly looking forward to the visit (albeit short!).
No worries about the toilet situation - I have been in many rural places from Mauritania to Niger for work, so I am used to carry my own TP and watch what I eat (and I think over the years I've built up quite some immunity).
I should be used to the heat as well, as I currently live in Tucson, Arizona, where summer temperatures are usually in the 100s (or over 40 for those thinking in Celsius).
Interesting that you recommend to use immodium as a prophylaxis. I've sworn off it years ago - it just keeps everything you want to get rid off stuck in your guts for much longer... Best prophylactic thing I found are those probiotic pearls/pills, which enhance the good bacteria. And re-hydration (with the proper salts) in case something hits anyway.

Thanks for all good wishes. I will update you on my brief visit!

[binniewatt]

Mexico city is one of the city which is mostly attracted by tourists. Best attractions of this city are:
- Metropolitan Cathedral
- National Palace
- National History Museum
- Templo Mayor
- National Art Museum