Mexico City (known to locals as Ciudad de México) is Mexico’s capital city. It’s also one of the most important cultural, economic and political cities in North America. The amalgamation of native Aztec and invading Spanish culture which typifies much of central Mexico can be seen throughout this thriving city.
Mexico City Facts
• Mexico City is built on the Texcoco lake, which means the city is constantly sinking.
• The taxis used in Mexico City are painted a distinctive red and gold.
• There are more than 160 museums in Mexico City, and over 100 art galleries.
• Mexico City has one of the world’s highest police to resident ratios.
• June to October is the cities rainy season.
Weather and Best Time to Visit
With a fairly pleasant atmosphere throughout the year, tourists very well adjust to the climate of Mexico. If you are visiting the city during April and May, carry light and cotton clothes to be the summer heat.
December and January are coldest and most smog-infested months so make sure you to get your warm coats. During the rains, that is May to October you may see strong downpours and causes occasional flooding, though a little sunshine too.
Getting Around
Mexico City being a huge city but if you stay centrally, most tourist attractions can be seen on foot. Different areas of the city are set up in a grid pattern with a large square at the center. You are sure to find huge traffic around the city streets and main roads so you will never be lost.
Learn a bit of Spanish that will help you to read street signs and symbols. Taxis and buses are plentiful and easy mode of transport if your Spanish is basic level. Another option to learn about the places you visit is sightseeing tours, for options check out GetYourGuide or Viator.
Best Things to See and Do
Mexico City is highly populated and its huge size makes it the main center for bus and air travel. The city is beautiful with many attractive spots and historic centers which drive in many tourists from different parts of the world around the year.
If you are looking to have a good time in Mexico City, here are few travel tips that could help you to enhance your trip.
The Alameda Central is one of the oldest of Mexico City’s attractions. Originally the space was used as an Aztec marketplace before becoming an execution site during the Spanish Inquisition. Now the Alameda Central is a park, with the Palacio de Bellas Artes/Palace of Fine Arts on the eastern side. Within the striking building there is a concert hall, a museum and a theatre.
Latin America’s oldest and largest Cathedral can be found in Mexico City. Its architecture reflects the styles popular at the time of its 16th century construction.
If you want to understand the major cultural fusion of Aztec, Spanish and modern Mexican that typifies Mexico City you’ll need to visit the Plaza de las Tres Culturas. Examples of architecture from the key moments in Mexico’s history can be found here, including the ruins of an Aztec burial site.
One of the most popular spectator sports in Mexico is Lucha libre (or Mexican free-wrestling) a loud, energetic and entertaining activity featuring striking costumes. If the thought of watching a free-wrestling match appeals to you then go to the Arena Mexico and look on as masked wrestlers compete to win the hearts of the crowd.
Six Flags Mexico is the largest amusement park in Latin America and one of Mexico’s most important attractions. Before becoming Six Flags Mexico the park was known as Reino Aventura and Keiko, the orca whale who starred in the movie Free Willy, was a main attraction.
Mexico City Travel Tips
WiFi and Calling
While you are in Mexico, you are sure to get connected to any part of the world, the city is well advanced with the latest technology and WIFI. There are some good calling services, which give you the benefit of cheap international calls. Internet cafés are found on most of the streets. You can use online chat applications, video calls, and other social media methods to keep in touch.
Food and Drink
Mexico food plays a vital role for its festivity as well as in its culture. And among the many choice dishes that come out of Mexico, Tacos are one of the most mouth-watering and attractive food options. Mexico is a complete house of excellent cuisine and appetizing menus, offering enough of choices to food lovers. It is advisable to drink only bottled water.
Safety
Is Mexico City Safe? Despite what you may have heard through the media in recent years Mexico City is still a largely safe and welcoming country.
Confrontations between law authorities and drug crime is based towards the Border States and the southern pacific coast states, it has no presence in the areas where most tourists visit. Due to drug crime there has been a significant rise is public safety and now there is an emphasis especially in the capitol; widely considered the safest city in Mexico and in Latin America.
Mexico tourism is also extremely important to the countries developing economy so extra precautions are taken in tourist hotspots. I suggest investing in a good. personal travel insurance policy before departing.