Travel Guide City Culture, commerce and a cathedral 02 02 03 04 Quick view Travel etiquette Health 04 05 07 07 Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in City Restaurants 08 09 10 Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels Mark Lewis LH.com/travelguide City 01/10
City 02 Quick view City: Culture, commerce and a cathedral Vast, fast and dynamic, City 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: 120286655 Population Density (per sq km): 60 Capital: City. Language Spanish is the official language (spoken by more than 90%). English is widely spoken. 8% speak indigenous languages, of which Nátinate is most common. 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. LH.com/travelguide City 02/10
City 03 Note: The M$1,000 and M$500 notes can be difficult to change and are sometimes not accepted. Electricity 110 volts AC, 60Hz. American two-pin (flat) plugs are usual, but most sockets cannot accept a US-style three-pin plug. General business opening hours These vary considerably, but are usually Mon-Fri 0900-1900/2000; lunch breaks usually last an hour but some business lunches can go on for longer. Public holidays Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2018 - December 2019 period. 2018 Año Nuevo (New Year s Day): 1 January 2018 Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day): 5 February 2018 Natalicio de Benito Juárez (Birthday Benito Juárez): 19 and 21 March 2018 Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday): 25 March 2018 Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday): 29 March 2018 Viernes Santo (Good Friday): 30 March 2018 Domingo de Pascua (Easter Sunday): 1 April 2018 Primero de Mayo (May Day): 1 May 2018 Batalla de Puebla (Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla): 5 May 2018 Día de la Independencia (Independence Day): 16 September 2018 Día de la Raza (Columbus Day): 12 October 2018 Día de los Muertos (All Souls Day): 2 November 2018 Aniversario de la Revolución (Revolution Day): 19 and 20 November 2018 Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe): 12 December 2018 Día de Navidad (Christmas Day): 25 December 2018 2019 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 2019 All information subject to change. Travel etiquette How to fit in Social Conventions LH.com/travelguide City 03/10
City 04 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 City, 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. 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 City, visitors may take some time to acclimatise. Contractual physician of Lufthansa Dr. Reimers Hauser, Armin Vito Allessio Robles 117-104 Col. Florida C.P. 01050 D.F. Tel. +52-5661-9023 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 Mobile / cell phones can be purchased inexpensively, and credit can be added by prepaid card. Of the major providers, Telcel has the most thorough coverage. Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies but is pricey. Internet LH.com/travelguide City 04/10
City 05 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. Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in City 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 City. Semanario 8, Downtown 06060 City Tel: (55) 4040 5600 Tue-Sun 0900-1700 www.templomayor.inah.gob.mx 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 City Palacio de Bellas Artes Originally built as an opera house, 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 06050 City Tel.: +52 (55) 86 47 6500-2152 Tue-Sun 1000-1800 www.palacio.bellasartes.gob.mx 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 06010 City Teotihuacán Around 50km from City is one of the most important archaeological sights in Latin America the soaring pyramids and ancient city complex of Teotihuacán. LH.com/travelguide City 05/10
City 06 Zona Arqueologica de Teotihuacan, Carretera Ecatepec Pirámides km22 +600 55800 Teotihuacán Tel: (594) 956 0276 Daily 0930-1600 www.teotihuacan.inah.gob.mx 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 11560 City Tel: +52 55 4040 5300 Tue-Sun 0900-1900 www.mna.inah.gob.mx 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 04100 City Tel: (55) 5554 5999 Tue and Thu-Sun 1000-1745, Wed 1100-1745 www.museofridakahlo.org.mx 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 06010 City Tel: +52 55 5130 3400 Tue-Sun 1000-1730 www.munal.com.mx 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 11850 City Tel: (55) 5212 2171 Tue-Sun 0500-2000 Some sections are open daily 24 hours. www.sedema.df.gob.mx/bosquedechap ultepec LH.com/travelguide City 06/10
City 07 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. Fray Juan de Zumárraga # 1 Col. Villa Gustavo A. Madero Delegación Gustavo A. Madero. 07050 City Tel.: +52 (55) 5118 0500 Daily 0600-2100 www.virgendeguadalupe.mx Shopping in City Shopping in City 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 There s an impressive outdoor shopping arcade at Antara in Polanco (Ejercito Nacional 843). 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 City 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 06000 City Price: Expensive San Angel Inn A 17th-century hacienda hosts this classy restaurant that was once a Carmelite monastery. LH.com/travelguide City 07/10
City 08 Diego Rivera 50, San Angel 01060 City Price: Expensive Alekzander For international cuisine in a buzzy setting, head to this handsome joint in La Roma. Álvaro Obregón 130, La Roma 06700 City 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 06700 City Price: Cheap La Casa de Toño Head to this local legend for pozol (fiery meat broth) cooked with motherly love. Sabino 166, Santa María La Ribera 06400 City Price: Cheap Nightlife Nightlife in City 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 06700 City Tel: +52 5 5525 1115 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 LH.com/travelguide City 08/10
City 09 Universitaria, Coyoacán 04510 City Tel: +52 5 5622 7125 Las Musas del Papa Sibarita A poky, blink-and-you ll-miss-it joint specialising in live jazz, the Papa is full of charm. Orizaba 218 A, Cuauhtémoc 06700 City Pata Negra Perhaps the most popular nightspot in Condesa, this trendy bar-club always offers a late-night party. Tamaulipas 30, Condesa 06140 City 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 06700 City Calendar of events Calendar of events Semana Santa (Holy Week) Crowds swell for this powerful re-enactment of the crucifixion when hooded penitents hobble on bloodied knees flagellating themselves. 25-31 March 2018 Venue: Taxco 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. LH.com/travelguide City 09/10
City 10 Día de la Revolución Anniversary of the 1910 Mexican Revolution. 20 November 2018 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 City 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 2018 Venues: Basílica de Guadalupe, City Hotels Hotels in City 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 2005. Avenida Veracruz 102, Condesa 06700 City Category: Expensive Imperial Reforma Built in 1904, this old boutique favourite is located on the important Paseo de Reforma. Paseo de la Reforma 64, Júarez 06600 City Category: Moderate LH.com/travelguide City 10/10