Mexico City - Città del Messico

Mexico City
Ciudad de Mexico
Cattedrale della città
Coat of arms
Città del Messico - Stemma
StateMexico
Altitude2,420 m a.s.l.
Surface1,485 km²
Inhabitants8 918 653 (2016)
Name inhabitantsCapitalinos
POSTAL CODE01000-16999
Time zone UTC-6
Position
Mappa del Messico
Reddot.svg
Mexico City
Tourism site
Institutional website

Mexico City (Mexico, Ciudad de México, or D.F.) is the capital of Mexico and the largest city in theNorth America.

To know

When to go

ClimategenFebmaraprmagdownJulneedlesetOctnovdec
 
Maximum (° C)212326272625232323222221
Minimum (° C)6791112121212121087
Precipitation (mm)8610235713516115312854137

The climatic trend in Mexico City can be roughly divided into two macro seasons: an arid season from November to April and a rainy season from May to October. The spring months are usually warm and pleasant while the summer months can have heavy rains and are generally very humid. The temperature range between night and day is quite high with nights that are as clear as they are cold.

Background

Mexico City is the largest city in Mexico. The city was founded by the Mexica (Indians of Mesoamerica, also known as the Aztecs) in central Mexico, with the name of Tenochtitlan in the year 1325.

In 1521, the Spaniards conquered the city, which became New Spain, the new political, economic and administrative center of the territories of the Spanish Empire in America, until 1821.

As a historical but also a modern city, Mexico City has many places to discover for those who want to learn a bit of history, culture, modern art, taste typical foods, etc. It is among the cities with the most museums in the world (more than 150).

How to orient yourself

Mappa divisa per regioni
      Historic center of Mexico City - Where it all started. Historic center that is concentrated around the Zócalo or Plaza de la Constitución and extends in all directions for a certain number of blocks with its maximum extension from the west to the Alameda Central. Many historical colonial monuments and the famous Aztec Templo Mayor, are found here. Zocalo is the largest square in Latin America and the third largest in the world after the Red Square of Moscow and the Tiananmen Square of Beijing. There are a couple of other neighborhoods included in the downtown area such as Colonia San Rafael and Santa Maria La Ribera.
      Chapultepec - Chapultepec is one of the largest urban parks in the world. His name in the Nahuatl language means grasshopper hill. The park is home to the city's main zoo, a castle (now a museum), lakes, an amusement park, and many museums. Lomas de Chapultepec is the wealthiest neighborhood in the city near Chapultepec, and is filled with walled mansions.
      Polanco - One of the richest residential areas with some of the most expensive shops and boutiques in the city. Full of embassies, luxury restaurants, nightclubs and hotels.
      Pink area - Also known to tourists as the Reforma district because it embraces the Paseo de la Reforma, it is an important business and entertainment district. It is known for being the gay center of the city.
      Coyoacán delegation - A colonial city engulfed by urban sprawl. Today it is a center for counter-culture, art, students and intellectuals. Many good museums can be found there.
      Condesa and Rome - Recently resurrected after decades of oblivion. Area with the trendiest restaurants, bistros, discos, pubs and shops of the city. These neighborhoods are on opposite sides of Avenida Insurgentes, around Parque Mexico and España.
      San Ángel - Trendy area absorbed by urban sprawl, lined with cobblestone streets, luxury boutiques and many restaurants. It is an affluent residential area but also known for its arts market.
      Xochimilco - Also known as the Venice Mexican for its extensive range of Aztec irrigation canals; all that remains of the ancient Xochimilco lake. Xochimilco has preserved its ancient traditions, although the proximity to Mexico City has influenced its urbanization.
      Santa Fe - A recently refurbished modern business district at the western tip of the city, consisting mainly of tall buildings, surrounding a large shopping mall.
      Colonia del Valle - High-class residential, commercial and business area south of the city center.
      Tlalpan delegation - The largest of the neighborhoods and which also contains Ajusco, volcanic mountain and national park, one of the highest mountains near Mexico City.
Extra-urban area
       The Villa de Guadalupe - Located in the Gustavo A. Madero neighborhood, in the northern part of the city. It houses the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, perhaps the holiest Catholic site in the Americas. It attracts pilgrims from all over the world every day.
      Ciudad Satélite - Residential and commercial district north of the city.
       Interlomas - Residential and commercial area west of the city.


How to get

By plane

Benito Juarez International Airport
  • 1 International Airport of the City of Mexico (Benito Juárez Airport). Benito Juarez Airport is undoubtedly the state's main airport, the most used by tourists and international travelers. 
  • Licenciado Adolfo López Mateos Airport (IATA: TLC) (to Toluca). Located 50 km southwest of Mexico City, it is an important hub for low-cost airlines operating in Mexico. In addition to international flights from Los Angeles is Oakland, this airport offers excellent connections with other Mexican cities. The sore point are the connections, which can be said to be non-existent, which will force you to use a taxi at not exactly affordable prices. 

On the train

The Chihuahua - Pacífico line between Chihuahua and Los Mochis, is the only line in operation passing through the capital. Where until 1997 stood the main station of the city (Buenavista) now stands a railway service station, the Ferrocarriles Suburbanos, with trains to Cautitlan every quarter of an hour.

By bus

Mexico City is the main hub for bus connections both to other Mexican cities and to neighboring states. Although many travelers prefer or try at all costs to travel by air, the bus can be and in many cases certainly is the best means of transport for traveling over long distances.

The city is home to four major bus stations:

N.B: Those just listed are the largest and busiest Mexican stations. Always leave at least an hour in advance if you want to arrive on time or have connections with other means of transport.

How to get around

Tren Ligero in Mexico City

Mexico City is huge but driving is by no means a good way to visit, even though the major attractions are scattered around the city. A good idea, however, is to take advantage of the site Guia Roji looking for information on which Colonias (neighborhood) or part of the city hosts the attraction you are interested in. Once you have this information, it will be easier to plan your travels.

In terms of public transport, Mexico City is very well served and thanks to the metro that runs under the street level avoids traffic jams and busy streets you can move around in comfort. If this is not enough or if your destination is far from a metro stop, do not worry; the city is literally full of private bus and shuttle companies operating in every neighborhood of the city, even if the latter are much less reliable in terms of safety.

Obviously, at a higher price, you can decide to take advantage of one of the thousands of taxis operating in the city. The oldest of these are recognizable by their typical green color; it is no coincidence that they are called "verditos". Currently the official color is yellow but beyond the paint, make sure that the license is present - clearly visible - (a red card that says "taxi") and refuse any offers from unlicensed taxis.

There are at least two important internet services for finding a taxi, if your hotel does not have an agreement with some company:

  • Buscaturuta (literally "busca tu ruta" that is "find your way") which will present you the various options available given a starting point and an arrival point; these include public transport and taxis. The site is available in French, Spanish, German and English.
  • Metroplex DF is a mobile app that helps you find your way around Mexico City's intricate urban transportation system. The application is free and can be very useful if you have difficulty finding your way around.

By public transport

Meter

Metro map (2013)

The public transport par excellence in Mexico City is the metro, officially "Collective transport system"but known simply as Metro. The city subway is made up of 12 different lines that together form a 190 km long network, capable of transporting 4.5 million people a day. For only 5 pesos you will get a ticket valid for a single ride ( but with unlimited changes within the system) and despite the heat and crowds you will enjoy a fast and efficient service.The trains run approximately every two minutes, so don't worry about checking the timetable or missing your train.

The entire network is activated at 05:00 in the morning and closes at midnight during the week (on Saturdays, transport starts at 06:00 and on Sundays at 7:00). If you plan to return to the hotel later than midnight be sure to have an alternative for the return.

Don't worry much about the language; all the signals were meant for uneducated people and therefore take advantage of the images a lot, which is a nice advantage. The only care you should have is to always carry a subway map with you, as these are not always available except on request at the ticket offices.

prepaid card reader for the metro

Among the various lines, you will need to memorize the path of the line linea 1, as this is the tourist line and reaches a good number of attractions including the historic city center. You do not need to specify which station you intend to travel to, as tickets are valid for one ride within the metro unconditionally from the point of departure and arrival.If you do not want to buy individual tickets, there is also the option to purchase a card prepaid for metro transport. You will be asked at the time of purchase to recharge it and you can use it until your credit has run out. Each time you pass the card near a reader - at the entrance to the metro - the display will show your remaining credit. These cards are recharged at the same ticket offices that normally sell tickets.

Metrobus

Metrobus

Established in 2005, the metro buses are part of the BRT system that operates on the main city streets: Insurgentes, Vallejo, Cuauhtémoc and Eje 4 Sur.The cost of a ticket is around 6 pesos and here too there is the possibility to buy a card prepaid from distributors. Metrobuses stop every 500 meters. Although often crowded, the metro buses are an excellent alternative to the metro to move quickly on the surface, just be careful not to occupy the seats for the disabled, pregnant women and the elderly, specially marked with a plate.

Tren ligero

The Tren Ligero is a service - halfway between train and tram - offered by the electric transport company of Mexico City. It consists of a single line that starts from the center and travels towards Xochimilco south of the city. The ligero train is widely used for those who want to visit Xochimilco or go to the Azteca stadium. Each trip costs $ 3; pay attention to the fact that the tickets for the ligero train are different from those of the metro and are not interchangeable.

By taxi

Typical Mexico City taxi

Taxis, one of the most efficient means of getting around the city and in some ways also the symbol of the city, are really everywhere. As of 2013, approximately 250,000 taxis were registered in the city. At relatively low prices (minimum 6 pesos and then 0.7 pesos every 250 meters) they will take you to every corner of the city. Prices increase by 20% at night (11 pm-6am) Stop a taxi in the evening in fairly isolated areas it is quite dangerous and in the past there have often been episodes of "express kidnapping", an expression with which the locals describe the risk of being caught by a taxi driver who will rob you or take you to the nearest ATM to force you to empty your card of credit. However, although such incidents are fortunately becoming increasingly rare, there are some precautions you can take; pay attention to the license plate: taxis have a license number that starts with A, B or M followed by 5 numbers. You will find this code on a white tag with green or red borders. If he is not present, avoid getting on board. Observe the presence or absence of the taximeter: to obtain authorization to practice the profession, each taxi driver must necessarily install a taximeter on board; if not there, it is very likely that it is a scam. At night try - if you can - to book a radio-taxi, that is, those taxis that only answer online or telephone bookings: they are the safest even if slightly more expensive of the others. Each hotel usually has at least one telephone number of a radio taxi company.

Finally, remember that Mexico City is huge and street names repeat from neighborhood to neighborhood. So be sure to let the taxi driver understand what your destination is, perhaps bringing a map with you. Not infrequently, taxi drivers ask you for directions.


What see

Not to be missed

El Angel, monument to the independence of Mexico
  • Plaza de la Constitución. Commonly called Zócalo, this square is located in Old Town of the capital and is one of the largest squares in the world, surrounded by historic buildings of great beauty including administrative offices and the cathedral. 
  • Mexico City Cathedral (The Cathedral). The largest in North America. To describe its splendor, just think that an altar is made of pure solid gold. 
  • Angel de la Independencia (El Angel). Located between Viale della Riforma and Via Florencia, in the colony of Pink area is a monument in honor of the independence of Mexico in 1810. 
  • Basílica de Guadalupe. One of the holiest places of Catholicism in the Americas, destination of countless pilgrims, the basilica of Guadalupe is located just outside the city core in the district called The Villa de Guadalupe. 
UNAM library
  • UNESCOCiudad Universitaria. The university city, or "university city" is the main campus of theAN M, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the country's main educational center. UNAM is one of the largest and most famous universities in the world with around 270 000 students each semester and since 2007 it is UNESCO heritage. 
  • Coyoacán. Art district of the capital, the birthplace of Frida Kahlo, Leon Trotsky, and Diego Rivera, to name but a few. 
  • Plaza Garibaldi-Mariachi. This popular tourist square is surrounded by cafes and restaurants and is the traditional performance venue for many local groups. Many of the musicians who perform here are Jalisco mariachis in typical traditional costume. During the concerts, many street vendors of lemonades and slushes stand in the square. Impossible to call a visit to Mexico complete if you haven't seen one of these shows while sipping Mexican lemonade. 
  • Ciudadela market. La ciudela is a typical market in the capital where cultural groups from all over the nation go to sell or exchange their artifacts with other groups or to sell them to tourists and onlookers. 
  • Alameda and Paseo de la Reforma. Paseo de la Reforma ("Avenue of the Reform") is a 12 km long avenue that ends in a huge park. The name recalls the "liberal reforms" of President Benito Juarez. 
  • Cineteca Nacional (National film archive). With its four screening rooms, its very rich archive and its cafeterias, home to numerous events, it was the first national center dedicated to cinema. 
  • Torre Latinoamericana. Simple icon time.svg09:00-22:00. More than 180 meters high, this tower will give you breathtaking views over the entire city and surrounding area. 
  • Torre Mayor. Even higher than the Latin American one, this tower is the largest in the entire Latin American continent. Breathtaking views guaranteed. 
  • American National Cemetery. Simple icon time.svgopen on weekdays. The cemetery is the resting place for some 750 unknown soldiers who fought the last American-Mexican war between 1846 and 1848. In addition to the soldiers, 840 American civilians are also buried here. 

Parks

Trajineras in Xochimilco
  • 1 Chapultepec Park (Paseo de la Reforma). Located in the city center, this large 6 km² park houses many attractions including a zoo and is home to some important museums. 
  • UNESCOXochimilco. Xochimilco, as well as being a district of the capital, it is famous for its enormous system of waterways and floral gardens that dates back to the Aztec period. It is located in the southern part of the city and is loved by tourists for traveling in trajineras (tourist boats with very bright colors). Mariachi groups often perform on board these boats or small bars with cool drinks are organized. Since 1987 Xochimilco has been a UNESCO heritage, protected for being one of the few pre-Hispanic testimonies in Mexico City. 
  • Parque Mexico and Parque España. These two adjacent parks, located in the Condesa colony; surrounded by bars and cafes, they are occasionally home to outdoor events. 
  • Viveros de Coyoacán. This large green space, once made up of private properties and plots belonging to farms, has now become public and is much loved by those who practice jogging or simply want to enjoy a walk surrounded by greenery. 

Museums

Square of the three cultures
Chapultepec Castle
Ruins of Templo Mayor
Frida Kahlo Museum
  • National Museum of Anthropology. Located in the neighborhood of Chapultepec it is one of the most beautiful museums in the world, housed in a beautiful building by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez. The museum has the largest collection of sculptures, artifacts and jewels from pre-Hispanic Mexican cultures and it takes a few hours to visit it all. 
  • Square of the three cultures (Plaza de las Tres Culturas). The Plaza de las Tres Culturas or Plaza de Tlatelolco is a square located in the downtown Mexico City, its name comes from the fact that the buildings that arise around it come from three different stages in the history of Mexico: modern, pre-Columbian and colonial. 
  • Modern art museum. Located in the neighborhood of Chapultepec, the museum houses the works of Frida Kahlo, Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo 
  • Dolores Olmedo Museum. In the middle of Xochimilco stands this beautiful museum, the former residence of a philanthropist who collected the works of her friend Diego Rivera here. The museum now houses at least 137 of Rivera's works and 25 paintings by Frida Kahlo. No less beautiful is the garden in front of the museum. 
  • Fine Arts Museum (Palacio de Bellas Artes). The museum is located in the Old Town and in itself would be worth a visit in terms of Art Deco architecture and interiors. 
  • Rufino Tamayo Museum. It houses the works of the homonymous painter; is located in the neighborhood of Chapultepec. 
  • José Luis Cuevas Museum. Also located in the Old Town, the museum houses a thousand works, all made by the well-known twentieth-century artist José Cuevas. 
  • History Museum in Chapultepec Castle. With its nineteen rooms in the castle of Chapultepec, the museum illustrates the history of Mexico and the great changes between the pre- and post-Columbian period. In the museum there are also some very precious manuscripts. 
  • Papalote (Children's Museum). You have children? Take them without hesitation to this nice museum in the neighborhood of Chapultepec. Colorful and designed for children, the museum offers many interactive educational paths for children and adults. 
  • Universum (University Museum). Located in the neighborhood of Coyoacán, the museum collects scientific material belonging to UNAM, the largest university in Latin America. 
  • Mural House Diego Rivera. This small museum of the Old Town contains many mural works by the famous Diego Rivera. 
  • Zocalo. Site in Old Town, the palace houses some of the best works by Diego Rivera. You will need to show identification to enter. 
  • San Idelfonso Museum. The museum center houses some wonderful frescoes in addition to interesting temporary exhibitions. 
  • Franz Meyer Museum. Museum dedicated to photography and design, it hosts mostly temporary exhibitions in addition to a collection of Franz Meyer's works. 
  • City museum. This is the civic museum, it houses collections concerning the history of the Mexican capital. 
  • Templo Mayor (Zocalo). Here where this museum stands today, in Old Town, an archaeological complex of exceptional value was found in 1970 with evidence dating back to the Aztec empire. Templo Mayor is the best place to learn about the history of this ancient civilization. 
  • San Carlos Museum. The museum is dedicated to an exceptional collection of 15th and 16th century paintings. 
  • National Art Museum. The collections of this state museum range from the 16th to the 20th century. 
  • National History Museum. The museum, in the neighborhood of Chapultepec, illustrates the history of Mexico since the Spanish conquest. 
  • Frida Kahlo Museum. The museum is located in Coyoacán and it is also called Casa Azul; it was the home of Frida Kahlo from birth to death and today houses a large part of her works. 
  • Anahuacalli Museum. In the neighborhood of Coyoacán we encounter this impressive collection of elements of Mayan architecture as well as works from the Aztec period by Diego Rivera. There are also some pre-Columbian sculptures. 
  • Leon Trotsky Museum. TO Coyoacán we also find the Trotsky house-museum, where the famous Soviet politician lived the last year and a half of his life before being assassinated by Stalin. 


What to do

NASCAR race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez

Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world; this translates into a myriad of possibilities for any traveler and especially for any wallet. The main attractions for tourists are all concentrated in the historic center and near the Chapultepec park but it would not be bad to think about a visit to the beautiful Xochimilco.

Events and parties

  • Independence of Mexico. Simple icon time.svgSeptember 15. Every year, on the evening of September 15 in Constitution Square, the president of Mexico (or in his replacement the mayor of Mexico City) greets the crowd shouting "Long live Mexico". The whole central district is richly decorated and full of lights and there is a curious mix of Mexican patriotism and party atmosphere. Not to be missed if you are in town during this period. 
  • Independence Parade. Simple icon time.svgSeptember 16. On the morning of September 16, starting from Viale della Riforma up to the main square of the city, an enormous military parade parades, attended by about 30,000 men and women of the police, from the army to the police, aviation and navy. 
  • Day of the dead. Simple icon time.svg1-2 November. Mexico is one of the few nations in the world that celebrates this holiday dedicated to the dead with parades and visits to cemeteries, and all the tombs are brightly decorated with flowers and other objects. It is not a macabre holiday nor does a sad atmosphere reign; on the contrary, people celebrate these days by exchanging sweets in the shape of skulls and bones or by consuming a delicious type of bread called "Bread of the Dead". Don't miss a visit to the local markets to buy these treats or take a break to watch these picturesque processions at the cemetery. 
  • Day of the wise. Simple icon time.svgJanuary 6. On January 6, unlike the Italian Befana, in Mexico it is the Three Wise Men (here called "The Three Wise Men") who bring gifts - usually sweets - to the children. 


Shopping

Mexico City has no shortage of places, sometimes even the most unexpected, in which to shop. You will find something for all tastes and budgets, from neighborhood supermarkets to large shopping centers. On weekends, street markets and stalls of artists and craftsmen from all over the country also arrive in some areas of the city.

Especially in the center, then, you will also find a large number of ethnic shops of all kinds: from Japanese to Korean, Arab, etc. You will only have to walk, paying attention to the sides of the streets from time to time and the possibilities of doing business will certainly not be lacking.

Best shopping districts

Palacio de Hierro, one of the most famous shopping centers in the city
  • Polanco (Neighborhood Miguel Hidalgo). Polanco is one of the most dynamic areas of the city and is home to exclusive shops, boutiques and restaurants, as well as very fashionable and highly visited shopping centers. Nightlife is concentrated along the Avenida Mazaryk and the hotel zone. 
  • Altavista (Neighborhood: Cuauhtémoc delegation). One of the most visited shopping streets in the San Angel area 
  • Condesa. It is known as the SoHo of Mexico City due to the number of cafes, bookstores and restaurants, art galleries and boutiques present, and for the cultural and nightlife of the place. 
  • Centro Historico, 20 de Noviembre St. If you want to enjoy both a visit to the most fascinating part of the city and shopping, this is the place. Between malls and small shops you will find practically anything you are looking for. 
  • Pino Suarez. When you get off at the Pino Suarez metro station you will come across an open-air market and many small shops selling youth items at a good price. A great chance for a souvenir without breaking the bank. 

Markets and antiques

  • Mercado de Curiosidades. Located in the historic center of the city, as the name implies it is a real curiosity market, here you will find many curious objects that will attract your attention. 
  • Mercado Insurgentes (Pink area). Mercado Insurgentes is also one of those places to go if you are looking for handcrafted items or looking for something typically Mexican. 
  • Sábado Bazaar. In the neighborhood of San Ángel you will find this charming bazaar where local artists put their paintings and handcrafted works for sale at reasonable prices every week. 
  • Mercado de Artesanias. In the neighborhood of Coyoacan, every Saturday artists and artisans from all over Mexico gather to sell their works to the highest bidder and to give courses for children. 
  • Plaza del Angel (Metro station: Insurgentes, calles Londres). Site in the Pink area, this market once housed stalls of mostly poor artisans and artists; today these have almost disappeared, giving way to expensive antique boutiques. 
  • Mercado de Alvaro Obregon (Neighborhood: Cologne Rome). 
  • Market at the "Monumento a la Madre", Paseos de la Reforma No. 42. Simple icon time.svgevery Sunday. 
  • Mercado de Antiguedades de Cuauhtemoc (metro station: Cuauhtemoc). Simple icon time.svgSaturday 09: 00-17: 00. Market dedicated to antiques on a weekly basis. 


How to have fun

In addition to visits to the monuments, museums and galleries of the capital, you could also think about carving out time for less "demanding" pastimes and Mexico City offers many, especially related to the world of sport:

Sports events and facilities

If you are a sports lover, then Mexico City will not disappoint you. Of the many sports practiced at different levels here, football is certainly the most popular and Mexicans are literally crazy about it. Two FIFA World Cups have been hosted here so far. Basketball is no exception and there are many professional basketball players who come from Mexico; In 1968 Mexico was the first Latin American nation to host the Olympics and on that occasion most of the city's sports facilities were built.

Estadio Azteca
  • Estadio Azteca, Calzada de Tlalpan 3465. Located in the Ursula Coapa colony, it is one of the largest football stadiums in the world. It was built for the 1968 Olympics and can hold nearly 100,000 spectators. The stadium is also home to a football club, Club America and is also used for concerts and outdoor events. 
  • Estadio Olimpico de Ciudad Universitaria, Insurgentes Sur Avenue (Metro line 3, Universidad stop). Known simply as "Estadio de C.U.", it is located south of the city on the university campus. It can seat up to 72,000 spectators and is home to the Pumas team, the official team of the Mexican National University. 
  • Hole Sol. The Forum is the stadium where baseball games take place but often hosts concerts and other events. 
  • Palacio de los Deportes (Between Viaducto Piedad and Rio Churubusco. Metro: Ciudad Deportiva on line 9). Also built for the 1968 Olympics, it hosts many sporting events and occasionally even circuses and exhibitions being an indoor stadium. 
  • Arena Mexico. The Arena is the home of free fighting matches, one of the most popular sports among Mexicans that has also enjoyed some success among tourists in recent years. 
  • Hipodromo de las Americas (Colonia Lomas de Sotelo). This is the largest racecourse in the region. Starting from 10 Pesos you can bet on the winning horse. Horse racing is also a very popular sport in Mexico, and the racecourse is not infrequently crowded. 

Night clubs

The typical place where a Mexican in the capital would choose to go for a drink is, or at least they were until recently, the "cellar", very similar to those that were or are taverns in Italy. The cantinas of Mexico City offer a wide choice of food and drinks; normalmente il cibo è gratis e si paga solamente per bere, a prezzi abbastanza economici se li si confrontano con quelli americani o europei.Ad ogni modo dovreste mettere in conto che le cantinas sono posti molto affollati, con gruppi di mariachi o gruppi musicali che intrattengono il pubblico con musica tradizionale ad alto volume e sarà difficile sperare di avere un tavolo tranquillo per bere qualcosa e chiaccherare senza essere disturbati.Se le tradizionali cantinas non fanno per voi, non perdetevi d'animo: Città del Messico ospita un numero pressoché infinito di locali in cui divertirsi e passare una piacevole serata. Una buona idea se siete in città da poco è partecipare a un "Night club tour". Si tratta di "tour" organizzati in cui pagate anche il trasporto tra un pub e l'altro e vi potrà dare l'idea delle possibilità che ci sono in città. Andare in giro da soli, comunque, può rivelarsi una pessima idea, data l'alta concentrazione di scippatori nei quartieri centrali.

Sempre nel centro città ci sono alcuni pub che intrattengono i clienti con un mix di musica rock, elettronica e latina spesso sia in inglese che in spagnolo. Questo tipo di locali chiude relativamente tardi, intorno alle tre o quattro del mattino. I pub frequentati dagli amanti di musica electro sono i più numerosi e chiudono anche alle 8 del mattino. In ognuno di questi, tuttavia, dovrete mostrare un documento per dimostrare di essere maggiorenni.Una lista dei locali la troverete negli articoli dei singoli distretti, anche se possiamo già anticipare che molti locali di alto livello (e anche alto costo) si trovano nel quartiere Zona Rosa, insieme a molti ristoranti pittoreschi e altri ottimi locali. Alcuni locali esclusivi come il Bollé Club richiedono una consumazione minima di due bottiglie (con un costo di 90€ a bottiglia), quindi una buona idea sarebbe quella di informarsi in anticipo sul locale in cui vi state per recare.


Per quanto riguarda le discoteche, tranne quelle organizzate in maniera molto informale in piccoli pub, sono posti frequentati quasi solo da turisti e i costi possono essere molto elevati. Tra queste citiamo Hyde, Shine, Sense e Lomas. In alcuni di questi discoclub si può pagare anche 140€ per una bottiglia di un qualche alcolico.

Per tornare ai locali tipici della cultura messicana e abbastanza accessibili da tutti, vanno menzionati quelli in cui si può ascoltare e danzare al ritmo di merengue, salsa, rumba o mambo. Questi locali di medio livello in fatto di costi, chiudono intorno alle 4 del mattino e possono essere un buon posto in cui divertirsi anche se si è dei principianti per quanto riguarda i balli latini.

Where to eat

Taco, il piatto messicano per eccellenza
Mercato centrale la Merced, il miglior posto per acquistare cibo messicano a prezzi stracciati

Anche se internazionalmente il Messico è conosciuto per i suoi tacos, di certo non è l'unica specialità che potrete trovare avventurandovi tra i locali cittadini. Nella capitale troverete, anzi, con buona probabilità ogni tipo di pietanza esistente al mondo. Cucine tradizionali come l'italiana, la polaccca, la greca o l'argentina sono molto diffuse anche nei ristoranti di lusso di Città del Messico.

Oltre ad alcuni ristoranti rinomati, ci sono catene di cui potete fidarvi diffuse in molti quartieri della città; tra queste Vips, Toks, e il più tradizionale Sanborns.La maggior parte dei ristoranti della zona centrale sono molto cari (100-150 $ a persona), ma se volete gustare qualche piatto spendendo meno potrete affidarvi ad una delle moltissime "comida corrida", specie di tavole calde molto diffuse tra i lavoratori e abbastanza affidabili; un pasto in una comida vi verrà a costare tra i 30 e i 60 dollari messicani.

Su alcune vie troverete anche alcuni fast food molto popolari che ad un prezzo molto basso vendono cibo tradizionale tra cui l'immancabile tacos. Un esempio superbo di questo tipo è la Taquería Aguayo nel quartiere di Coyoacán.

Un'altra alternativa a buon mercato sono i locali del mercato centrale La Merced sulla linea rosa della metropolitana. Qui tra stand e ristorantini potrete trovare moltissimi piatti della cucina messicana a prezzi più che ragionevoli.

Tra i cibi tipici da non perdere, abbiamo:

  • Quesadillas — Piadine fatte di mais giallo, ripieni di formaggio
  • Tacos al pastor
  • Tacos de tripa
  • Gringas
  • Enchiladas Suizas
  • Enchiladas de mole
  • Pozole
  • Sopes
  • Tortas
  • Sopa de tortilla
  • Chilaquiles
  • Huevos Rancheros
  • Arrachera
  • Micheladas
  • Huaraches
  • Alambres
  • Tacos de suadero
  • Tacos de canasta
  • Enfrijoladas
  • Tacos de barbacoa
  • Migas
  • Agua de Jamaica


Where stay

Embassy Suites hotel

La città ha letteralmente centinaia di hotel che coprono praticamente ogni fascia di prezzo a seconda del distretto in cui decidete di pernottare. La Zona Rosa è uno di quei quartieri preferiti dai turisti con hotel di medio-alto prezzo. Polanco e il centro storico, invece, sono ricchi di ostelli e hotel a poco prezzo, dove però anche la qualità delle camere non è delle migliori. Lungo il Paseo de la Reforma ci sono la maggior parte degli hotel che potrebbero interessarvi per un breve soggiorno in città.

Moderate prices

  • Hostel Mexico City, República de Brasil 8 (angolo nord-ovest della Catedral Metropolitana, fermata metro Allende o Zócalo), ☎ 52 55 12 36 66, 52 55 12 77 31, @. Ecb copyright.svg140-250 pesos (8-15€). Ostello comodo per giovani viaggiatori. In un edificio modesto e senza pretese troverete tutta una serie di comodi servizi: dalla cucina in comune al Wi fi. Colazione inclusa. 
  • Hostel Virreyes, Calle José María Izazaga (all'angolo di Eje Central Lázaro Cardenas, metro: Salto del Agua, linea 1 e linea 8), ☎ 52 55 21 41 80. Ecb copyright.svg150 pesos (9€) per i dormitori e 370 pesos (22€) per le singole. Comode stanze al centro città e a poca distanza da uno dei migliori mercati cittadini, il Mercado San Juan Arcos de Belem. Wi fi gratuito o in alternativa esiste la possibilità di utilizzare il loro acesso a internet a prezzi economici. L'ostello dispone di un servizio di sicurezza 24 ore su 24. 
  • Hotel Habana, Rep De Cuba No. 77, ☎ 52 55 55 18 15 91. Buone stanze ad un prezzo abbastanza basso. 
  • Hotel Rio de Janeiro, Rep De Brasil (vicino lo Zocalo), ☎ 52 55 551 81 591. Ecb copyright.svgda 70 pesos (4€). Hotel davvero economico in pieno centro città. A prezzi stracciati (4-5€ a notte) potrete avere una piccola ma confortevole stanza con l'unico handicap che il bagno è in comune con gli altri ospiti dello stesso piano. Molte delle camere più costose (10€) hanno anche una TV in camera. 

Average prices

  • El patio 77 B&B, García Icazbalceta 77 (a tre isolati dalla stazione SAN COSME sulla linea blu), ☎ (52)(55)55928452, @. Ecb copyright.svgda 60 € a notte. Check in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Questo B&B è stato il primo ad essere adattato per un consumo eco-friendly. Si trova in un palazzo in stile francese del XIX secolo e offre solo 8 stanze di media qualità con tutti i principali comfort. 
  • Dos Casas B&B, Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz 142 (a due isolati dalla stazione di San Cosme), ☎ 52 558 421 70 04, @. Ecb copyright.svg45€. Situato a pochi isolati dal centro storico, questo Bed&Breakfast offre 4 stanze di medio-alta qualità con Wi fi gratuito e una magnifica terrazza. 
  • Casa Conde B&B, Gob Garcia Conde 31 (a tre isolati dalla stazione di JUANACATLAN sulla linea 1), @. Ecb copyright.svgda 60€. Check in: 13:00, check-out: 12:00. 
  • NH Centro Histórico, Palma 42, ☎ 52 55 51301850. Ecb copyright.svg74€. Questo hotel ha il grandissimo vantaggio di trovarsi nel centro città a pochi passi dalle principali attrazioni. In quanto a comodità è un hotel di medio-alta qualità. 

High prices

  • Holiday Inn Zocalo, Av Cinco De Mayo 61. Ecb copyright.svg90€. Hotel moderno vicino al centro storico, stanze piccole ma ben arredate. Il Wi fi è compreso nel prezzo ma molti viaggiatori hanno segnalato che la connessione non sempre funziona. 
  • Meliã México Reforma, Paseo de la Reforma, 1, ☎ 52 555 12 85 000, @. Ecb copyright.svg130€ a notte. Hotel in un palazzo completamente ristrutturato nel centro storico, culturale e finanziario della capitale. 
  • Hotel Rioja, Cinco de Mayo 45 (nel centro storico), ☎ 52 55 21 8333. Ecb copyright.svg240 € (luglio 2011). Check in: 7:00. Hotel di poche pretese, molto vicino a Zocalo. Lo spagnolo vi tornerebbe utile per comunicare con il personale ma la maggior parte di loro parla anche inglese. 
  • Four Seasons Mexico City, Paseo de la Reforma 500. Ecb copyright.svg260€ a notte. Hotel di alta fascia con un giardino tropicale e numerosi bar e ristoranti situati a pochissimi passi. Tutte le stanze e l'intero hotel è organizzato per offrire il miglior servizio possibile e il personale è a disposizione praticamente tutto il giorno. 
  • JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City, Andres Bello 29. Ecb copyright.svgda 205€. Camere lussuose e ben arredate nel bel quartiere di Polanco, a pochi passi da molte attrazioni turistiche e locali esclusivi. 
  • Nikko Hotel, Campos Eliseos 204. Ecb copyright.svg175€. Oltre ai suoi servizi, di alta qualità, l'hotel si distingue per la presenza di una galleria d'arte e per la vicinanza ad alcune famose attrazioni del quartiere di Polanco. 
  • Presidente Intercontinental Mexico City, Campos Eliseos 218. Ecb copyright.svgda 175€. Questo hotel non può essere non visto se siete in città. Con i suoi 42 piani domina la città, sito in un edificio ultra-moderno con tutti i comfort e i servizi dei più moderni hotel d'America. 
  • W Hotel Mexico City, Campos Eliseos 252 Mexico City 11560. Ecb copyright.svg278€ a notte. Hotel in un bell'edificio dal design leggero ed elegante. Ideale per viaggi di lavoro. 
  • The St. Regis Mexico City, Paseo de la Reforma 439 Mexico City 06500. Ecb copyright.svg350€ a notte. L'Hotel domina il Paseo della Reforma con i suoi 30 piani ospitati nella Torre della Libertà. Per quanto riguarda i servizi, è uno dei migliori hotel della città, in grado di soddisfare anche i più ambiziosi clienti. 
  • Hotel Camino Real Polanco México, Mariano Escobedo 700, ☎ 52 55 5263 8888. Ecb copyright.svgda 205€. Hotel sito in un ottimo quartiere, vicino ai principali musei della città. 
  • Hotel Habita, Presidente Masaryk 201. Ecb copyright.svg220€. Hotel elegante in un edificio in vetro che sembra fluttuare sulla città, sito nella parte migliore del distretto di Polanco. Interni eleganti, ben arredati e completi di ogni comfort. 
  • CONDESA df, Veracruz 102. Ecb copyright.svgda 180€. Simbolo del quartiere di Condesa, esemplifica l'intero quartiere: elegante, divertente, vivace. Difficile non trovarsi bene qui. 


Safety

Una mappa con i livelli di criminalità per quartiere è disponibile su questo sito.

Visitare Città del Messico non presenta normalmente particolari problemi di sicurezza. Le piazze e le vie principali sono ben sorvegliate e se vi spostate con i mezzi pubblici (il che è altamente consigliato) eviterete molti dei maggiori rischi collegati perlopiù alla circolazione di falsi taxi con la finalità di derubare i turisti.

Le due maggiori raccomandazioni per quanto riguarda i taxi sono quella di controllare la targa del taxi (ci sono app per Android e Iphone che vi aiuteranno a farlo, una di queste è Taxiaviso) e di evitare i taxi che non abbiano una licenza ufficiale esposta sul vetro anteriore.

Per il resto valgono le principali misure di sicurezza delle grandi città: evitate vestiti e gioielli vistosi, tenete il portafoglio in una tasca interna ed evitate di mostrare carte di credito o altri oggetti di valore senza motivo. I posti preferiti dagli scippatori sono le piazze affollate e le stazioni della metro.

Police

I poliziotti in Messico vengono pagati un terzo dei loro colleghi in USA; questo significa che spesso ricorrono a piccole tangenti o corruzione per arrotondare il salario. Nei luoghi più turistici sono in servizio speciali forze di polizia per turisti che di solito parlano almeno l'inglese oltre allo spagnolo e che generalmente sono più affidabili dei normali agenti.

Il governo cittadino ha istituito da poco un ufficio apposito per i turisti e viaggiatori vittime di scippo o rapina. Si trova in Via Victoria 76 e potrete rivolgervi lì se siete stati derubati o vittima di violenza.

In caso di emergenza

Digitate il numero gratuito 066, che come il 911 americano serve da collegamento per ogni servizio d'emergenza (ambulanze, polizia...).

How to keep in touch

Telefonia

Il prefisso internazionale per il Messico, per chi chiama dall'estero, è 52. Dopo il prefisso tutti i numeri di Città del Messico hanno il prefisso locale 55 a cui segue il numero a 8 o 7 cifre. Per chiamate extraurbane dal Messico si compone il prefisso 01 seguito dal prefisso locale.

Per usare il cellulare avrete bisogno di sbloccarlo prima di partire e appena arrivati potrete acquistare una carta Movistar o Télcel, conosciute come "chip" che altro non sono che sim-card che vi permetteranno di telefonare a presti più vantaggiosi che non usando la vostra scheda italiana o europea. Queste sim sono delle prepagate pensate per essere usate in città. Se vi spostate in un altro stato messicano i costi potrebbero essere molti alti per le chiamate.

Operatori di telefonia

In Messico operano 4 principali compagnie:

  • Telcel: è la compagnia più diffus in Messico e usa una rete 3G e 4G (HSPA , HSDPA & EDGE)
  • Movistar: ha una copertura decente sul territorio messicano con rete GSM e 3G
  • Iusacell: rete CDMA (EVDO) basata su GSM con connettività 3G e 3.5G. Ha una buona copertura nelle grandi città, sconsigliabile se avete intenzione di visitare anche mete più piccole o sperdute.
  • Nextel: rete di proprietà americana

Internet

Città del Messico ha un ottimo accesso a internet se si considera la media dell'America latina. Molti sono, ad esempio, gli internet cafe sparsi per la città con picchi di diffusione nella Zona Rosa. Il costo per questo servizio varia dai 10 ai 20 pesos ad ora.Tutti gli internet cafe hanno una qualche insegna con la scritta Cyber che li rende riconoscibili.

Vicino alle attrazioni turistiche e alle grandi piazze ci sono, inoltre, hotspots per il Wi fi. Per utilizzare questa connessione dovrete sottoscrivere un contratto prepagato conosciuto come Tarjeta Multifon. Questo servizio e le relative credenziali si possono trovare nei negozi in città o chiedendo all'ufficio informazioni per turisti.

Keep informed

Tranne il giornale "The News" non ci sono altri giornali messicani in una lingua che non sia lo spagnolo. Molti giornali americani, tuttavia, vengono distribuiti anche qui e possono essere un buon punto di partenza per informarvi su ciò che succede in città.Tra i maggiori quotidiani nazionali e locali, invece, vanno inclusi i seguenti:


Around

  • Oaxtepec— Oaxtepec è situata a poca distanza dalla capitale ed è un ottimo posto in cui fuggire dalla vita frenetica della capitale e godersi un po' di piacevole mare messicano in un parco che offre molte possibilità di divertimento. Il parco è aperto solo in settimana anche se alcune zone hanno orari di apertura ridotti durante i fine settimana.
  • Cuernavaca— sita a 45 km da Città del Messico, Cuernavaca è la "Città dell'eterna primavera", così chiamata a causa del suo clima eccezionalmente mite durante tutto l'anno. La città è anche la capitale dello stato federato di Morelos.
  • Taxco— cittadina famosa per i suoi edifici in stile coloniale.
  • Teotihuacan— la città celebre per le sue immense piramidi pre-colombiane.
  • Puebla— patrimonio UNESCO, luogo storico per via della battaglia qui combattuta contro i francesi nell'800 e città infine famosa per la sua squisita cucina. Vale davvero un'escursione.
  • Valle de Bravo— Città circondata da foreste e dal lago, meta amata da tutti gli amanti dell'escursionismo e dello sport in genere.
  • Pachuca— piccola e pittoresca città coloniale.
  • Parco nazionale Desierto de los Leones— a 20 minuti d'auto da Città del Messico vi ritroverete immersi nella foresta e circondati dalla fauna di questo bel parco. Impossibile, poi, non assaggiare la cucina locale.
  • Tepoztlan— piccola ma bella città a Sud della capitale, celebre per la piramide in cima ad una collina e celebre anche per avere uno dei record mondiali di avvistamenti UFO. Potete crederci o no, ma moltissimi dei suoi abitanti è certa di aver visto almeno una volta nella vita un oggetto volante non identificato.

Useful information

Strade che passano per Città del Messico
Toluca ← Ocoyoacac ← W Carretera federal 15.svg E → FINE
FINE ← N Carretera federal 95.svg S → Tres Marias → Cuernavaca


Other projects

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