Mexico

Mexico City

Mexico City is unlike most of Central Americans capitals, it has a lot to offer for the backpacker. Mexico City is absolutely enormous. It is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world with a population of about 20 million people and it is the most important economic, industrial and cultural center in Mexico.
Most travelers are doubtful about its safety and avoid staying there for long, but there are a lot of things to do inside and outside town.
The air pollution in the city (considered to be the most polluted city in the world for more than 30 years) and the crime are the biggest problems of Mexico City which is well known as Federal District or D.F. (Distrito Federal) as the Mexicans call it.

The Metro is useful, easy to use and cheap.
Everywhere you go in Mexico City, you will find the history combined with the modern. There are many museums, nice areas to go around during the day, active nightlife, Ruins, gardens, parks and many more.

What to do?

• Spend some time in the area of the Zocalo which is the main plaza of Mexico City.
  It is the historic center of the city and always full of people and events. The Cathedral is astonishing and on its right side there is the Templo Mayor (Great Temple) excavation site - an Aztec temple from the 14th century and a museum.
  All over the national parliament house internal walls, there are amazing murals of Diego Rivera – a world famous Mexican painter.
•  Palacio de Bellas Artes ("Palace of Fine Arts") is an amazing building from the inside and outside. It serves as an art museum, opera house, theatre and temporary exhibitions are always changing.
• Coyoacan is one of the nicest areas of Mexico City. There are beautiful plazas, art galleries, museums, restaurants, an excellent park and constant movement. The major attraction of Coyoacan is Museo Frida Kahlo (or Casa Azul de Frida Kahlo) at 247 Londres st. Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter who has achieved great international popularity was married to Diego Rivera and both of them are the most famous painters in Mexico. The museum was Frida's house during her life and now contains a beautiful big garden, original furniture, letters, sculptures, other objects and of course a lot of paintings drawn by Frida and Diego.
• Going out area is: Zona Rosa. Take the Metro to Insurgente station. Know that the Metro operates every day (including weekends) until midnight so you will probably need to take a taxi back to your hostel.
• The National Museum of Anthropology has the largest collection of ancient Mexican pieces in the world. The museum is located on Av. Paseo de la Reforma and Calzada Gandhi, Colonia Chapultepec Polanco. It is just outside the gates of Chapultepec Park which is also impressive and a popular spot for locals and tourists.
• The University City is one of the great architectural and cultural treasures of Mexico City due to the large amount of investigations and academic activities that take place in it.
• Xochimilco Floating Gardens (pronounced, sochi-milko - in Aztec meaning "flower field place") are more than 80 km. of canals that consist two main parts. The first is the tourist area, where colorful gondola boats take tourists through part of the canals while other smaller boats come up alongside and continuously offer drinks, food, handicrafts, and more. The other part, north of the center of town, is the ecologic area or Parque Natural Xochimilco.
  During the week Xochimilco is not crowded but On Sundays, Xochimilco is jammed – keep that in mind.
•  40 km. out of Mexico City there is an enormous archeological site called Teotihuacan which was a multi ethnic city, with distinct Otomi, Zapotec, Mixtec, Maya and what seem to be Nahua quarters. This site is outstanding and contains a wide avenue called "Avenue of the Dead", 2 massive pyramids: Pyramid of the Sun (second largest in the New World after the Great Pyramid of Cholula) and the Pyramid of the Moon and many other interesting archeological excavations.

Where to stay? 

• Hostel Mundo Joven Catedral - Republica de Guatamala No. 4.
  Great location close to the Zocalo, Clean rooms, Bar and a balcony on the top floor, restaurant on the entrance level.
  Cool place to make a group for traveling – serves as a meeting point of backpackers from all around. 11-13$ for dormitory.
• Hotel Rioja – Av. 5 de Mayo No. 45.
  A quiet hotel close to the Zocalo. More expensive. For couples.

Special tips:

There are organized taxi companies stands at Mexico City's National Airport. You pay in advance for your destination. The best thing is to share a taxi with others and just arrive to the Zocalo. From there you will be OK J
It is also possible to take a Metro (much cheaper this way), but it is not recommended to go on the Metro after dark with all your belongings.