Travel Guide Mexico City Culture, commerce and a cathedral

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1 Culture, commerce and a cathedral Quick view Travel etiquette Health Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels GEO Tip 24 hours in... Jeremy Woodhouse/Getty Images LH.com/travelguide 01/15

2 02 Quick view : Culture, commerce and a cathedral Vast, fast and dynamic, is one heck of a megalopolis. DF or Distrito Federal, as the city is known by locals, packs in Aztec ruins, grand colonial architecture and huge city parks. The mighty capital of, and its centre of culture, arts and commerce, is fairly safe compared to other regions of the country. It boasts some of the most incredible museums in Latin America and the world, as well as a thriving arts scene that dates back to the great muralists like Diego Rivera. Meanwhile, its innovative take on Mexican culinary traditions is not to be missed. General Information Country overview Spicy as salsa roja, intoxicating as a shot of tequila, volatile as the volcanoes of the central sierra, surreal as a Frida Kahlo canvas, monumental as the pyramids of Teotihuacán and warm as its inhabitants, fills the senses, tweaks the intellect and nourishes the soul. Geography is at the southern extremity of North America and is bordered to the north by the USA, northwest by the Gulf of California, west by the Pacific, south by Guatemala and Belize, and east by the Gulf of and the Caribbean. 's geographical features range from swamp to desert, and from tropical lowland jungle to high alpine vegetation. Over half the country is at an altitude greater than 1,000m (3,300ft). The central land mass is a plateau flanked by ranges of mountains to the east and west that lie roughly parallel to the coast. The northern area of this plateau is arid and thinly populated, and occupies 40% of the total area of. General knowledge Key facts Population: 124 Million (estimate 2017) Capital:. Language Spanish is the official language. Currency Mexican Peso (MXN; symbol M$) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of M$1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of M$10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50 and 20 centavos. Note: The M$1,000 and M$500 notes can be difficult to change and are sometimes not accepted. LH.com/travelguide 02/15

3 03 Electricity 110 volts AC, 60Hz. American two-pin (flat) plugs are usual, but most sockets cannot accept a US-style three-pin plug. Public holidays Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2019 December 2020 period Año Nuevo (New Year s Day): 1 January 2019 Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day): 4 and 5 February 2019 Natalicio de Benito Juárez (Birthday Benito Juárez): 17 and 18 March 2019 Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday): 14 April 2019 Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday): 18 April 2019 Viernes Santo (Good Friday): 19 April 2019 Domingo de Pascua (Easter Sunday): 21 April 2019 Primero de Mayo (May Day): 1 May 2019 Batalla de Puebla (Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla): 5 May 2019 Día de la Independencia (Independence Day): 16 September 2019 Día de la Raza (Columbus Day): 12 October 2019 Día de los Muertos (All Souls Day): 2 November 2019 Aniversario de la Revolución (Revolution Day): 17 and 18 November 2019 Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe): 12 December 2019 Día de Navidad (Christmas Day): 25 December Año Nuevo (New Year s Day): 1 January 2020 Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day): 3 and 4 February 2020 Natalicio de Benito Juárez (Birthday Benito Juárez): 15 and 16 March 2020 Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday): 5 April 2020 Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday): 9 April 2020 Viernes Santo (Good Friday): 10 April 2020 Domingo de Pascua (Easter Sunday): 12 April 2020 Primero de Mayo (May Day): 1 May 2020 Batalla de Puebla (Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla): 5 May 2020 Día de la Independencia (Independence Day): 16 September 2020 Día de la Raza (Columbus Day): 12 October 2020 Día de los Muertos (All Souls Day): 2 November 2020 Aniversario de la Revolución (Revolution Day): 15 and 16 November 2020 Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe): 12 December 2020 Día de Navidad (Christmas Day): 25 December 2020 All information subject to change. Travel etiquette How to fit in Social Conventions Handshaking is the most common form of greeting. Casual wear is acceptable during the day throughout. At beach resorts, clothing is very informal for men and women. In, however, appearance tends to be smart in elegant restaurants and hotel dining rooms. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public places, punishable by stiff fines and even a jail sentence - although smoking in bars and restaurants is permitted if they have separate rooms or outdoor areas. LH.com/travelguide 03/15

4 04 Health Health Food & Drink Water in bottles or marked 'drinking/sterilised water' can be drunk without precautions. All other water for drinking, brushing teeth or ice should be boiled or sterilised. Milk in major cities, hotels and resorts is pasteurised; otherwise, it should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, cooked vegetables and peeled fruit. Other Risks Diarrhoea and sunburn affect some travellers. Outbreaks of dengue fever have occurred, chiefly in the southeast states of Chiapas and Veracruz and the northern border states of Chihuahua and Tamaulipas. Rabies is present. If bitten, seek medical advice without delay. Owing to the high altitude and level of smog in, visitors may take some time to acclimatise. Contractual physician of Lufthansa Dr. Reimers Hauser, Armin Vito Allessio Robles Col. Florida C.P D.F. Tel Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment. Phone calls & Internet Phone calls & Internet Telephone/Mobile Telephone Dialing code: +52 Telephone Long-distance calls are very expensive. Mobile Telephone Cell phones (teléfono celular) can be purchased inexpensively, and credit can be added by prepaid card. Of the major providers, Telcel (telcel.com) has the most thorough coverage. Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies but is pricey. Internet Internet is available in all regions. Most hotels in the mid-range and above categories provide computer terminals and/or wireless access. There are also many inexpensive cyber-cafés in cities and towns throughout. Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking credentials entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended. LH.com/travelguide 04/15

5 05 Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in Templo Mayor All that s left of the mighty temple that lay at the heart of the Aztec Empire are these ruins, but they re still worth visiting for a taste of the pre-hispanic history buried just beneath modern-day. Semanario 8, Downtown Tel: / Opening times: Tue-Sun Xochimilco Hire a traditional trajera boat for the afternoon and glide around the verdant waterways of Xochimilco, the last remnant of the great Aztec canal system, which the conquistadors drained. Xochimilco Palacio de Bellas Artes This stunning domed palace still puts on the city s most important classical concerts and dances, but it s worth entering just to see the incredible murals inside. Av. Juárez Esq. Eje Central, Centro Histórico Tel.: / Opening times: Tue-Sun Zócalo Once home to an Aztec palace, the vast central plaza known as Zócalo now features two remarkable buildings: the imposing cathedral and the Palacio Nacional. Plaza de la Constitución, Downtown Teotihuacán Around 50km from is one of the most important archaeological sights in Latin America the soaring pyramids and ancient city complex of Teotihuacán. Zona Arqueologica de Teotihuacan, Carretera Ecatepec Pirámides km Teotihuacán Opening times: Daily LH.com/travelguide 05/15

6 06 Tel: / National Museum of Anthropology Lose yourself in one of the world s most fascinating museums, taking you from before the Aztecs to the Spanish Conquest and beyond, with countless artefacts, and information about s hundreds of ethnic groups. Av Paseo de la Reforma y Calzada Gandhi S/N Chapultepec Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo Tel: / Opening times: Tue-Sun Frida Kahlo Museum The so-called blue house, Casa Azul, was the home of Frida Kahlo growing up. Apart from documenting her life and showing some of her work, it has a beautiful garden. Londres 247, Del Carmen, Coyoacán Tel: / Opening times: Tue and Thu-Sun , Wed MUNAL One of the most important art museums in Latin America, this legendary neoclassical masterpiece contains hundreds of works from and beyond. Tacuba 8, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc Tel: / Opening times: Tue-Sun Bosque de Chapultepec If the traffic-clogged chaos and pollution of DF get too much, slip into this enormous park-cum-forest in the middle of the city, which also contains some important monuments. Avenida Constituyentes, Chapultepec Tel: / ultepec Basilica de Guadalupe This peculiar-looking church marks the spot where the Virgin appeared to an indigenous man, Juan Diego, in 1531, and is now visited by pilgrims from across Latin America. LH.com/travelguide 06/15

7 07 Fray Juan de Zumárraga # 1 Col. Villa Gustavo A. Madero Delegación Gustavo A. Madero Tel: / Opening times of the museum: Tues Sun Shopping in Shopping in Key Areas Zona Rosa can satisfy most shopping needs with countless clothing stores and more, but well-heeled shoppers might seek out Polanco, where the city s most expensive shops lie. Meanwhile, various antiques and vintage shops are opening in the trendy Condesa and La Roma neighbourhoods. Markets If you ve the stomach for trawling through an endless maze of stalls, there are some great finds to be had at the Mercado Artesanal de Ciudadela (Avenida Balderas and Plaza de la Ciudadela), including cheap clothes, colourful crafts and flamboyant sombreros. Shopping Centres The Centro Comercial Santa Fe (centrosantafe.com.mx) is an impressive shopping center. But for one of the oldest shopping centres in the New World, visit Portales de los Mercaderes, which specialises in Taxco silver, next to the Zócalo. Restaurants Restaurants in Mexican food is world famous. But while it s essential to visit taco stands and restaurants while here, there s plenty more to try from zesty Oaxaca broths to rich stews conjuring ancient flavours. There are also some excellent Japanese and Argentine joints. Los Girasoles With outdoor tables looking out to Bellas Artes and Aztec-inspired dishes, this is one of the city s finest restaurants. Tacuba 8-10, Plaza Manuel Tolsá, Downtown Price: Luxurious San Angel Inn A 17th-century hacienda hosts this classy restaurant that was once a Carmelite monastery. Diego Rivera 50, San Angel Price: Luxurious LH.com/travelguide 07/15

8 08 Alekzander For international cuisine in a buzzy setting, head to this handsome joint in La Roma. Álvaro Obregón 130, La Roma Price: Moderate El Faraón Taquería Quite possibly the best taquería in DF, this place is popular with Condesa locals at night; try the grilled cactus. Oaxaca 92-93, Condesa Price: Budget La Casa de Toño Head to this local legend for pozole (fiery meat broth) cooked with motherly love. Sabino 166, Santa María La Ribera Price: Budget Nightlife Nightlife in Thumping nightclubs, cracking live music venues and stylish hipster hangouts all rub shoulders in DF. Kick your evening off with a round of tequilas and botanas (appetisers) in atraditional cantina. Remember you re at altitude drinks are likely to go to your head more quickly than you might be used to. El Imperial For cutting-edge bands and club nights with rock music, head to this hip venue. Av. Álvaro Obregón 293, Cuauhtémoc, Roma Norte Sala Nezahualcoyotl Opened in the 1970s in the city s huge university, UNAM, this is a spectacular venue for classical concerts. Insurgentes Sur 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán Las Musas del Papa Sibarita LH.com/travelguide 08/15

9 09 A poky, blink-and-you ll-miss-it joint specialising in live jazz, the Papa is full of charm. Orizaba 218 A, Cuauhtémoc Pata Negra Perhaps the most popular nightspot in Condesa, this trendy bar-club always offers a late-night party. Tamaulipas 30, Condesa Felix A hip little bar in the heart of La Roma, this is the ideal place to try mescal, the cactus juice that s outdoing tequila. Álvaro Obregón 64, La Roma Calendar of events Calendar of events Electric Daisy Carnival Electric Daisy Carnivals are in the US, India - and now in. On two days, high-profile DJs and an energetic audience will do their best. February 2019 mexico.electricdaisycarnival.com/en/ Venue: Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez Semana Santa (Holy Week) Crowds swell for this powerful re-enactment of the crucifixion when hooded penitents hobble on bloodied knees flagellating themselves April 2019 Venue: Centro Histórico Fall of Tenochtitlán On August 13, 1521, Tenochtitlan fell to the Spanish conquerors. Tenthousands of Aztecs were killed. Every year on the 13th of August the siege and the battle are being remembered near the monument of Cuauhtémoc, last of the aztec rulers. 13 August 2019 Venue: Plaza de las Tres Culturas, Tlatelolco LH.com/travelguide 09/15

10 10 Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Angels) and Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Families build extravagant altars decorated with candles, flowers and skull-shaped candy and bread to honour their dead relatives with a feast of their favourite food and drink. 1-2 November 2018 Venues: Zócalo and suburb of Mixquic Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe) One of the many religious celebrations honouring the Virgin Mary. On the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, pilgrims from around the country converge at the famous basilica in to pay their respects. The devotees come to the church to see the revered shroud which holds the image of Mary, which is on display here. Celebrations are also held in Puerto Vallarta and San Cristobal las Casas where Tzotzil and Tzeltal Indians dress in traditional costumes to pay their respects to the Virgin. The celebrations include special masses, fireworks, processions, parades and live music. 12 December 2019 Venues: Basílica de Guadalupe, Hotels Hotels in Tourists often make the mistake of staying Downtown, but while the historical centre is fascinating during the day, it can be a little sketchy at night.better to stay in hip Condesa, full of stylish boutique hotels, or the lively Zona Rosa. Condesa DF This spectacular wedge of a building has been the trendiest place to stay in DF since opening in Avenida Veracruz 102, Condesa Category: Luxurious Gran Hotel Ciudad de This opulent five-star hotel on the city s main square, Plaza de la Constitución, really lives up to its name. Occupying an Art Nouveau building fittingly furnished with Tiffany leaded glass elements and crystal chandeliers, this hotel naturally offers every modern comfort and convenience. Avenida 16 de Septiembre Category: Luxurious Imperial Reforma LH.com/travelguide 10/15

11 11 Built in 1904, this old boutique favourite is located on the important Paseo de Reforma. Paseo de la Reforma 64, Júarez Category: Moderate Zócalo Central Hotel It doesn t get much more central than this: Right next door to the cathedral on the Zócalo, this luxuriously appointed hotel housed in a truly magnificent building offers guests every modern convenience. Tip: The hotel restaurant has one of the best roof terraces in town. Avenida 5 de Mayo 61 Centro Histórico Category: Moderate Hotel Isabel This charming hotel is very popular with low-budget travelers. Located on a narrow side street close to the Zócalo and the Metro station Isabel la Católica. The rooms and bathrooms are functional and delightfully old-fashioned rather than luxurious and the price is unbeatable. Isabel la Catolica Mexiko-Stadt Mexiko Category: Budget GEO Tip Mercado de Sonora The Witchcraft Market Services for every conceivable spiritual need are on offer at Sonora Market (mercadosonora.com.mx), including soul purification, exorcism and calling up distant loved ones. Helpful artifacts can also be had here, among them fetishes, luck-bringing powders and Santa Muerte - Day of the Dead figures. Worldly goods, such as textiles and ceramic tableware are also sold here. Mehr auf GEO.de LH.com/travelguide 11/15

12 12 24 hours in PR 9 a.m. Coffee above the Zócalo A cathedral dating from colonial times, a pre-columbian pyramid and a gigantic flag of the Republic of : At the Balcón del Zócalo, you can enjoy breakfast within sight of the scenes of the most important moments in the country s history. The restaurant boasts the best view of one of the largest squares in the world and serves tropical fruit juices, sweet filled pastries and other Mexican specialties. To locals, the Zócalo is the heart of their city. Events are held here almost daily, and tens of thousands of fans regularly make their way here to see world-famous musicians, such as Roger Waters and Manu Chao. Tip: Definitely pick a table on the terrace! Balcón de Zócalo Av. 5 de Mayo Tel.: / :30 a.m. Diego s blaze of color Stroll across the Zócalo and you find yourself right outside the national palace, the seat of the federal executive branch of s government. This magnificent building dating from the Spanish colonial era is particularly worth a visit for the murals that artist Diego Rivera created here in the 1930s, impressively portraying social life in the various phases of the country s history: the hustle and bustle of an Aztec market, the turmoils of the Mexican revolution, and the decadent feasts of the colonial upper class. Palacio Nacional Plaza de la Constitución S/N noon A snack with Popocatépetl After a leisurely, 15-minute stroll from the Zócalo through the busy shopping street Francisco 1 Madero, aka Madero Street, it s worth climbing the 140 meters to the observation platform of the Torre Latinoamericana tower for a panoramic view that lets you grasp the city s true dimensions: the endless ocean of buildings, the cul- LH.com/travelguide 12/15

13 13 de-sacs, and the mountains circling. On a clear day, you can see as far as the still active volcano Popcatépetl in the west and its neighbor, Iztaccíhuatl. Snacks and copious meals are always to be had here, at what was once the highest skyscraper in all of Latin America. Torre Latinoamericana Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas torrelatinoamericana.com.mx/ 1:30 p.m. Pay a visit to the fine arts How about some marble? Just a few meters away from Torre Latinoamericana, there s the Palacio Bellas Artes, or Palace of Fine Arts, a building constructed almost entirely from the precious stone. It is the most famous opera and ballet theater and concert hall in, but it also offers quite a lot more during the day. Don t miss, for instance, the mosaic stage curtain made in 1912 by Tiffany Studios in New York; the million crystals making up the leaded glass panel refract the light in a literally brilliant depiction of the Valley of. The contemporary exhibitions at the National Museum of Architecture within the Palace of Fine Arts and the Museum of Memory and Tolerance facing it are always worth a visit. Palacio de Bellas Artes Av. Juárez / Esquina Eje Central Tel.: / palacio.inba.gob.mx/ 3 p.m. Chill time in the park High time for a relaxing break, and a great place to chill is Alameda Park right next door to the Bellas Artes, a couple of square meters of green in this city of people of streets. Sit on a park bench and watch a shoeshine at work or children playing by the Venus Fountain, or simply close your eyes and take in the sounds of one of the largest cities in the world all around you. Take the time for a short detour to the monument honoring President Benito Juárez. Juárez reformed the country in the 19th century and is highly revered by Mexicans. Alameda-Park Parque Alameda Av. Juárez p.m. Lunch courtesy of s head chef The best time for lunch and the Azul Histórico is the ideal restaurant for it. Turkey in chocolate chili sauce, mushroom soup and handmade tortillas are just some of the dishes on this restaurant s menu, which features only the best in Mexican specialties and that s no coincidence given that head chef Ricardo Muñoz Zurita is also known as the anthropologist of Mexican cooking for his efforts to preserve the traditional culinary specialties of the country with his research and in books. Diners interested in indulging in a little shopping after their meal in the cozy courtyard of the Azul Histórico restaurant will find a number of small shops upstairs, selling ceramics, textiles and chocolate. LH.com/travelguide 13/15

14 14 Azul Histórico Isabel la Católica Tel.: / azul.rest/azul-historico/ 7 p.m. A cool beer beckons In 1928, Don José Iglesias, Don Pepe for short, opened a bar with great panache, where he served meat-filled tortillas and fresh draft beer. Today, Salón Corona is one of the most-frequented cantinas, as the traditionally popular Mexican bars are called. Whether you spend an entire evening here or just drop by for a swift beer, a visit to the bustling Salón Corona is always an unforgettable experience. And if you re feeling hungry again, we can certainly recommend a portion of Tacos al Pastor. Salón Corona Calle de Bolívar Tel.: / p.m. A breath of world weariness Sentimental s your thing? Then you are sure to love the atmosphere on Plaza Garibaldi square, where mariachi musicians dressed in their traditional vests and large sombreros gather every night to play for visitors. It s not rare to see tears falling as romantic couples, holidaymakers and lone men listen to the mariachis sing to their trumpets, violins and guitars. The volume on Plaza Garibaldi and in the nearby bars is turned up until late into the night. If you find yourself flagging after the long day, you ll find vendors selling a somewhat unusual option for recharging your inner batteries: toques weak, battery-powered electric shocks. Plaza Garibaldi Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas p.m. Dance behind the cathedral The terrace of the Centro Cultural de España is the place where night owls should end the evening. DJs play electro, indie, jazz and rock here till late into the night and live bands regularly perform here. So you can get a taste of the city s nightlife and enjoy a drink on the center s balcony right behind the cathedral here at the heart of. The project, sponsored by the Spanish Embassy among others, places great emphasis on cultural diversity, hence the many contemporary exhibitions, film festivals, seminars and children s theater events that also take place here. Centro Cultural de España República de Guatemala ccemx.org/ LH.com/travelguide 14/15

15 15 Tel.: / LH.com/travelguide 15/15