Dangerous and illegal activity in Mexico City is mostly isolated to specific neighborhoods. If you stay away from shady areas, it’s unlikely that you’ll have any issues at all during your trip to Mexico City.

Even in the safest neighborhoods, there is always a small risk of petty crime like theft, especially for tourists. Travelers to Mexico City are advised to use caution due to threats that include violent and petty crime.

Mexico City is the largest city in North America and is made up of many unique neighborhoods and regions. Some of these are worth exploring and others should be avoided.

The safest and most tourist-friendly regions in Mexico City include Roma Norte/Sur, Centro Historico, Zona Rosa, and Condesa.

These areas include historic landmarks, incredible architecture, and many of those must-do activities that will be on your Mexico City itinerary. These areas tend to be busier and have a police presence for increased safety.

They are also the most popular areas to stay in Mexico City.

If you’re looking to adventure outside of the tourist hotspots and experience a bit more of Mexico City as locals do, there are plenty of other neighborhoods that are considered safe without being quite as touristy.

San Rafael, Polanco, Juarez, Escandon, and Coyoacan are all wonderful areas to explore and are considered safe by visitors and locals alike.

With so many incredible neighborhoods to explore, you shouldn’t feel worried about running out of things to do.

Still, it’s important to keep in mind that some areas of Mexico City have higher rates of crime, and it’s a good idea to avoid those areas. Tepito, Ciudad Neza, and Iztapalapa are best avoided altogether.

Steer clear of Iztapalapa as it has a high rate of violent crime, especially against women. Tepito has an extremely busy and relatively shady street market where crime and robbery are common.

Tourists are also warned against visiting Ciudad Neza – it’s an extremely poor neighborhood and crime is common, even though the area has changed significantly in recent years.

Doctores is a region where many tourists venture to visit the famous Lucha Libre wrestling matches in Mexico City, and it’s generally pretty safe to explore during daylight hours.

At night the area becomes more dangerous and is a common place where tourists run into trouble. If you are planning to be in Doctores, consider hiring a trusted local guide, go during the day, and be cautious.

Public transportation in Mexico City is safe, just make sure to keep your bags with you, and don’t fall asleep on the bus. Use caution at night as you get on and off public transportation and opt for taking Uber at night as it can get seedy at night.

There are female-only carriages and platforms for solo female travelers for extra safety.

The most important thing to remember when considering food and beverage safety in Mexico City is that you should never drink tap water. Even some Mexico City locals who have lived there for their entire lives advise against drinking tap water.

The water is technically safe to drink but visitors on a short holiday should avoid it to be safe. The bottom line is, you’re not used to it!

Even brushing your teeth with tap water in Mexico can be problematic for visitors, although I always do. Residents of Mexico City might brush their teeth, but tourists are better off just using bottled water to brush their teeth and avoid opening their mouths in the shower.

Filtered water is okay in most areas, and most ice is made with filtered water but if you want to be extra careful – stick to bottled water.

Food, on the other hand, is much safer. Food standards in Mexico City tend to be very high and even most of the street food vendors uphold healthy practices.

When choosing street food in Mexico City, look for places with long lines as they are generally safe and tasty. You can also find awesome places with the help of a local guide if you join a taco tour in Mexico City!

Look for hand sanitizer at the vendors to ensure the people preparing the food are keeping their hands clean, and make sure to wash your own hands before you eat. I eat street food all over Mexico City and to date, I have never had an issue.

Plenty of people travel solo to Mexico City each year. It’s a popular destination and offers lively nightlife and plenty of activities to keep solo travelers busy. It’s a great destination for a solo trip, just make sure to avoid more dangerous neighborhoods and travel in groups at night.

If you stay at hostels in Mexico City, you should have no trouble meeting other solo travelers to explore the city.

There is safety in numbers! If you’re having trouble meeting people to travel with, consider booking guided group tours in Mexico City which are usually pretty affordable.

Otherwise, follow the basic Mexico safety guidelines for any solo travel trip. Watch your belongings closely and don’t carry too much cash. Don’t wear flashy clothes or expensive jewelry so that you avoid making yourself a target for theft.

Keep in touch with someone at home and have regular check-ins with family and friends. If you’re going out at night, let someone know where you are going and when they can expect you back.

What about solo female travel?

Most solo female travelers in Mexico City won’t have any safety issues, but it is still important if you’re traveling alone to use extra caution. Don’t go out at night by yourself, and you might want to stick with a group even during the daylight hours in some areas.

Female travelers should also be careful of leaving their drinks unattended. While drugging drinks isn’t a huge problem in Mexico City, it isn’t unheard of. Keep your beverages with you as a solo female traveler, even if you’re around other travelers.

Keep in mind that other tourists are just as likely to use drink-spiking drugs as locals are.

Use your best judgment and stay alert and you should be just fine!

Mexico City’s vibrant and lively nightlife scene is one of the things that keeps tourists coming back to visit again and again.

The city comes alive when the sun sets and you can experience everything from fancy cocktail bars to salsa dancing, to the wild Lucha Libre wrestling matches every night of the week.

Visiting Mexico City and avoiding the nightlife is almost impossible. It’s one of the greatest things about a trip to Mexico City! Still, it’s important to use caution as you would in any other major city to stay safe. Travel in groups when walking around at night and bar hopping.

Enjoy some delicious drinks without getting out of control. It’s fine to party, but getting black-out wasted in a way that is obvious to those around you makes you an easy target for robberies and other crimes.

Walk back to your hotel, Airbnb, or hostel with a group, and make sure that no one is following you. Take an Uber home instead of a taxi or public transportation at night.

There are also touristy places such as Garibaldi Square (pictured above) where you’ll find live Mariachi bands. The neighborhood that borders this square is dangerous for tourists so you should take an Uber to and from the square.

There is almost always a police presence at this square.

Mexico City has been known to have some pretty major earthquakes. The area surrounding Mexico City is a hotspot for volcanic activity and tectonic stress which has historically led to some violent earthquakes.

Two volcanoes and the Sierra Madre volcanic mountain range surround the city, so earthquakes can strike at any time. Mexico City is considered one of the most disaster-prone places in the world due to its natural hazards and infrastructure.

On September 22, 2022, a powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the city and killed one person. However, the worst in recent times was in 2017, and much of the city was affected.

If you find yourself outside during an earthquake, head to an open area away from electric lines, trees, or balconies. If you’re indoors, head to a safe place away from windows.

In addition to earthquakes, Mexico City can be prone to flooding during heavy rains which also leads to landslides. Keeping an eye on the weather can help ensure that you don’t get stuck in a dangerous situation involving flooding or landslides.

If you find yourself in need of emergency assistance during your trip to Mexico City, dial 911. If you’re from Canada or the United States, this is the same number you’d call at home, so it’s easy to remember!

No one wants to get sick while traveling, but if you find yourself in need of medical attention due to illness or injury, you’ll be happy to know that Mexico City has amazing hospitals that will be able to give you all the care you need during your stay.

Two Mexican City hospitals have made the list of the top hospitals in the world – these include Medica Sur and ABC Medical Center in Santa Fe.

Siglo XXI National Medical Center, Observatorio ABC Medical Center, and IMSS La Raza National Medical Center are other great hospitals if you’re seeking medical attention in Mexico City.

For most common ailments you can head to any of the clinics (often located in pharmacies) for treatment of minor illnesses and injuries.

Explore the Historic Center of Mexico City

At the heart of the city, you’ll find the Zócalo, which includes the Templo Mayor, Palacio Nacional, and Plaza de la Constitución.

The Templo Mayor was an Aztec temple destroyed to make way for the Spanish cathedral. Today, you can see ancient artifacts and beautiful Spanish colonial architecture at La Catedral Metropolitana.

Exploring this area is a great way to learn about Mexico City’s culture and history.

Explore Templo Mayor

Mexico City is filled with historical landmarks, and one of the most significant ones is Templo Mayor. Located in the Historic Centre of Mexico City, Templo Mayor is a glimpse into life during the Aztec period.

The Aztecs considered this area to be the center of the universe and the birthplace of Mexico’s national symbol, the eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its beak.

Visit the site and museum, where you’ll see ancient artifacts and learn about Mesoamerican civilization.

Visit Chapultepec Park and Chapultepec Castle

This enormous park covers 1,695 acres and offers various attractions such as a zoo, an amusement park, and 9 different museums. Chapultepec Park is one of the world’s most popular urban parks.

You can spend days walking along forest paths and enjoying the lakes in Chapultepec.

Don’t miss the Museum of Anthropology, which displays sculptures, jewels, and artifacts from ancient Mexican civilizations.

You can also rent a boat and explore Chapultepec Lake.

For history enthusiasts, a visit to Chapultepec Castle, the former home of Emperor Maximilian I and Empress Carlota, is a must.

Discover the Museum of Anthropology

This museum is a treasure trove of ancient Mexican civilizations.

Admire the extensive collection of sculptures and artifacts that provide insight into the country’s rich history. This museum is a must-visit for those interested in learning about Mexico’s indigenous cultures and their contributions to art and civilization.

Mexico City is home to numerous art and history museums.

Don’t miss the National History Museum, Modern Art Museum, National Art Museum, and Museo do Arte Popular, which showcases Mexican folk art. These museums offer vast collections and provide a glimpse into the city’s cultural richness.

Enjoy the Zona Rosa’s Dining Scene

Zona Rosa is a popular neighborhood in Mexico City known for its vibrant nightlife and diverse dining options. Historically, it has been the center of the city’s gay community. You’ll find a wide range of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs here.

Don’t miss places like Cafetería El Péndulo, Xaman Bar, and Cabaretito Fusión. If you’re in the mood for a Korean barbecue, head to BiWon, as the neighborhood also has a significant Korean community.

Experience Xochimilco

Xochimilco is a neighborhood famous for its network of canals. Take a colorful trajinera boat and float along the canals, enjoying the festive atmosphere of the place.

You can also hire a mariachi band to accompany your ride and even buy food and drinks from floating vendors. Xochimilco offers a unique and lively experience that showcases traditional Mexican culture.

Explore Frida Kahlo’s House

Visit the “Casa Azul,” the former home of renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera.

Explore the rooms where Frida lived and see some of her original artwork. The Casa Azul also hosts monthly artistic workshops, so be sure to check the schedule if you’re interested.

Tickets are in high demand, so it’s recommended to purchase them in advance.

Visit the Biblioteca Vasconcelos

Set amidst beautiful gardens, the Biblioteca Vasconcelos is an impressive library often referred to as a “mega library”. Opening its doors in 2006, it features transparent walls, six floors, and houses over 600,000 books.

The library also hosts cultural activities such as concerts, plays, and dance performances.

Don’t forget to explore the 26,000-square-meter garden filled with trees and plants. Admission is free, and you can check the website for any special events happening during your visit.

Explore the Basilica de Guadalupe

The Basilica de Guadalupe is a famous Catholic church and shrine that attracts thousands of pilgrims each year from all over Mexico. Visit the basilica and shrine, which were built on the spot where the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego in 1531.

The old basilica, constructed from 1695-1709, began to sink, leading to the construction of the new basilica from 1974-1976. Remember to dress respectfully during your visit, as it is a place of worship.

Marvel at the Soumaya Museum

The Soumaya Museum is a remarkable art museum housing a collection of 66,000 pieces from Central America and Europe. It showcases works by famous artists such as Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Botticelli, Dalí, and Rodin.

The museum considered the most beautiful modern building in Mexico City, was donated and constructed by Mexican business magnate Carlos Slim Helú. The stunning building features 16,000 aluminum hexagonal tiles. Admission is free.

Attend a Lucha Libre Show

Lucha libre, Mexican free wrestling, is a popular local pastime. It’s a highly entertaining and affordable experience where you can watch wrestlers perform acrobatic moves and engage with the enthusiastic crowd.

Grab a beer or a shot of tequila, and get ready to cheer (or jeer) in Spanish. Remember not to look away during the match, as unexpected surprises often occur. Look for ticket booths with signs saying “tequila” to ensure you’re paying the correct price.

Visit the UNAM Botanical Garden

If you need a break from the bustling city, the Botanical Garden at the National Autonomous University of Mexico offers a serene escape. Inspired by Aztec garden traditions, the garden focuses on conservation and environmental education.

Explore the naturally formed grottoes, ponds, and waterfalls, which were created around lava formations from the Xitle volcano eruption.

The garden boasts an impressive collection of cacti (800 different kinds), ponds with koi and turtles, an orchidarium, and a medicinal garden. Keep an eye out for various wildlife species. Admission is free.

1 USD = approx. 17-19 MXN (2023)

When it comes to accommodation, Mexico City offers a range of options to fit different budgets. Hostels are a popular choice among backpackers, with prices starting at around 300 MXN per night for a bed in a dormitory.

Private rooms for two people range from 600 to 1,900 MXN per night. Budget hotels are another option, with two-star rooms starting at around 300 MXN and three-star hotels ranging from 500 to 900 MXN per night.

If you prefer the comfort of an Airbnb, prices for private rooms typically start at 220 MXN per night, while entire homes and apartments start at 700 MXN. It’s recommended to book in advance for better deals.

When it comes to food, Mexico City is a haven for gastronomic delights. Street stalls and markets offer authentic and affordable options. Tacos, quesadillas, sopas, and tortas are typically priced between 15 and 45 MXN.

For a cheap meal at a restaurant, you can expect to spend around 150 MXN. Look for local establishments filled with locals for the best culinary experiences. Fast food options like McDonald’s cost around 130 MXN for a combo meal, while pizza starts at 400 MXN.

If you’re a coffee lover, a latte or cappuccino will cost around 55 MXN. It’s important to note that tap water is not safe to drink in Mexico City, so using a portable water purifier or opting for bottled water is recommended.

If you plan to cook your own meals, grocery costs can range from 500 to 585 MXN per week for essentials such as rice, vegetables, chicken, tortillas, and beans.

Considering the affordability and variety of street food, it’s often more convenient to indulge in local delicacies rather than cooking.

Mexico City Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Mexico City offers many opportunities to save money and keep your budget intact. Here are some tips:

Eat street food: Enjoy affordable and delicious meals by trying the street food at markets or from local vendors. Look for places where you see children eating as an indication of quality and safety.

Stay with a local: Consider using Couchsurfing to stay with locals who offer free beds or couches. It not only reduces your accommodation costs but also allows you to connect with locals and gain insider tips.

Join a free walking tour: Take advantage of free walking tours to learn about the city’s history and must-see sights. Estacion Mexico Free Tours offers a historic downtown tour that can provide valuable insights.

Opt for rideshares: Use Uber instead of taxis for transportation as it tends to be cheaper and more convenient.

Drink less at bars: While alcohol is affordable in Mexico City, it can add up quickly if consumed at bars and clubs. Consider purchasing your alcohol from local stores for a more budget-friendly option.

Utilize public transit: Take advantage of the city’s public transportation system, which is cost-effective and efficient. Get a rechargeable Smartcard to use on the metro and metro buses.

Bring a water filter: Since tap water is not safe to drink, save money on bottled water and reduce plastic waste by using a water bottle with a built-in filter, such as LifeStraw, to ensure clean and safe drinking water.

By implementing these money-saving tips, you can make the most of your visit to Mexico City without breaking the bank.

1 USD = approx. 17-19 MXN (2023)

For backpackers, a daily budget of around 1,050 MXN is reasonable. This budget covers accommodation in a hostel dorm, street food, and self-cooked meals, public transportation, and a few daily attractions such as museums and galleries.

If you plan to dine out more frequently or enjoy drinks, adding an extra 100 MXN per day is recommended.

On a mid-range budget of approximately 1,900 MXN per day, you can upgrade to a private hostel room or Airbnb, enjoy meals at cheap traditional restaurants, visit more attractions, indulge in a few drinks, and occasionally take taxis for transportation.

With a “luxury” budget of 3,800 MXN or more per day, you can stay at a hotel, dine out for all your meals, enjoy ample drinks, rely on taxis for transportation, and participate in guided trips and tours.

It’s important to note that the sky’s the limit when it comes to luxury in Mexico City, and budgets can exceed this starting point.

Getting around Mexico City is made easy with several transportation options:

Public transportation: The subway system, known as the metro, is the best way to navigate the city efficiently. Despite being busy and crowded, it offers a convenient mode of transport.

Purchase a rechargeable smart card at any metro station for 16 MXN, which includes the first 5 MXN tickets.

This card can be used for both the metro and metro buses. City buses are another option, with a fare of 6 MXN per ride. Additionally, microbuses, privately-run vehicles, are available at a cost of 2.50-4 MXN per ticket.

Turibus: Turibus is a popular hop-on hop-off tourist bus with four routes in Mexico City. It provides an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the city and explore areas of interest. A 1-day ticket on weekdays costs 160 MXN, while on weekends it is priced at 180 MXN.

Bicycles: EcoBici is a bike-sharing program that offers rentals in Mexico City. The first 45 minutes of use are free, with subsequent hours charged at 25 MXN per hour and an additional 50 MXN for each subsequent hour. A full day of bike rental costs 118 MXN.

After your ride, you can return the bike to any kiosk with an available dock, indicated by a green light.

Taxis: Taxis are readily available in Mexico City, and fares start around 25 MXN with an additional 16 MXN per kilometer.

It’s advisable to take taxis from designated taxi stands outside hotels or restaurants, as these are authorized and considered safer than hailing a taxi on the street.

Ride-sharing: Uber operates in Mexico City and is a convenient and often cheaper alternative to traditional taxis.

Car rental: Driving in Mexico City can be challenging due to heavy traffic and aggressive drivers. It is generally not recommended unless necessary. If you choose to rent a car, prices range from 800 to 900 MXN per day for multi-day rentals.

To find the best car rental deals, consider using Discover Cars.

By utilizing these transportation options, you can easily navigate Mexico City and explore its various attractions and neighborhoods.

Deciding when to visit Mexico City depends on your preferences and the festivals you’d like to experience. Here are some details about different seasons and celebrations:

Summer (June to October): Mexico City experiences its rainy season during these months, especially in the central part of the country.

While heavy downpours occur daily, they are usually brief. In the northern region, rainfall is minimal, while high humidity is prevalent in the south and coastal areas. Temperatures range from 26 to 32°C.

April to June: These months are typically the hottest, with average temperatures reaching a high of 27°C. It’s worth noting that this period is also one of the busiest times for tourism, so it’s advisable to book accommodations well in advance.

Semana Santa: One of Mexico’s most significant holidays, Semana Santa (Holy Week) occurs the week before Easter.

During this time, a re-enactment of the crucifixion takes place. It’s a popular time for travel, and if you plan to visit Mexico City during Semana Santa, be prepared for larger crowds and higher demand for accommodations.

Día de la Independencia: Celebrated on September 16th, Día de la Independencia is Mexico’s Independence Day. Festivities begin the night before in Mexico City’s Zócalo, featuring fireworks and vibrant celebrations.

It’s essential to note that this is Mexico’s independence day, distinct from Cinco de Mayo, which commemorates the Battle of Puebla and is celebrated more prominently in the state of Puebla, south of Mexico City.

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead): In November, Mexico comes alive with the vibrant celebrations of Día de Muertos. During this time, locals honor their deceased loved ones through all-night vigils, visits to cemeteries, and the creation of intricate sugar skulls.

Mexico City hosts memorable festivities, including parties and parades. It’s highly recommended to book accommodations well in advance if you plan to visit during this time, as the city tends to fill up quickly, and prices may rise.

Consider your preferred weather, tolerance for crowds, and interest in specific festivals when planning your visit to Mexico City.

Ensuring your safety while visiting Mexico City is essential. While media coverage may portray the city as dangerous, the reality is that many areas are safe for tourists. Petty theft, such as bag snatching, is common, so it’s important to remain vigilant.

Avoid neighborhoods like Tepito and Iztapalapa known for higher crime rates, and be cautious in crowded markets where pickpockets may target unsuspecting individuals. Blend in with the locals and keep your valuables secure and out of sight.

Engage with locals who are often friendly and helpful. If you have concerns about a particular neighborhood, seek advice from locals who can provide insights into its safety.

Mexico City comes alive at night, with bustling streets and people around. This presence of activity can contribute to a safer environment as there are more eyes watching out for potential crime.

Areas like Condesa, Roma Norte, and Juarez are generally safe for tourists, but it’s always wise to exercise caution and follow standard safety precautions, especially when walking alone at night.

Solo female travelers can feel relatively safe in Mexico City, but it’s advisable to take extra precautions, especially at night. Follow common safety guidelines such as avoiding walking alone while intoxicated and never leaving drinks unattended.

Many solo female travel blogs offer specific tips for added security.

Be aware of common scams that target tourists, such as fake ATMs, taxis without meters, and questionable tour operators. Stay alert and exercise caution when dealing with unfamiliar services.

In case of emergencies, dial 911 for immediate assistance.

It’s important to note that tap water in Mexico City is not safe to drink. To avoid single-use plastic bottles, consider using a LifeStraw or other water filtration system to purify your water and ensure its safety.

Always trust your instincts and be mindful of your surroundings. Avoid isolated areas, especially at night. Make copies of your important documents, including your passport and identification.

Lastly, obtaining comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended.

Travel insurance provides coverage for medical emergencies, theft, cancellations, and other unforeseen events. It offers peace of mind and protection in case of any unfortunate incidents during your trip.

The Historic Center with the Zócalo esplanade could be considered the nerve center of Mexico City, reality shows us that wherever we go, the city throbs with people, hustle and bustle, and life.

Zócalo is the third in dimensions in the world. On one side the National Palace is elegant and a necessary visit to almost read the History of Mexico with the murals by Diego Rivera that relate the important moments of the creation of the Mexican nation.

In the northern part of the Zócalo stands the other great building on the esplanade, the Metropolitan Cathedral, immense, majestic and whose temporary construction arc, which spans from 1573 to 1813, makes it almost unclassifiable in terms of style.

The baroque façade looks out onto the Zócalo with the Metropolitan Tabernacle attached.

Behind the cathedral, leaving the Zócalo, the Templo Mayor of Huitzilopochtli passed almost hidden for centuries, a ceremonial site and today an interesting museum that clarifies what the appearance of Tenochtitlan, the city on the lagoon, was like.

Walking west from the Zócalo, that is, towards Chapultepec, you can choose between Tacuba or Avenida Madero streets to stop at some famous buildings, such as the Esmeralda Building (headquarters of the Estanquillo Museum), the Iturbide Palace and the Casa de los Azulejos in the first street or the Palacio de la Minería y Correos in the second.

Before reaching the avenue, you will see the Latin American Tower, which is 160 meters tall and was for a long time the tallest and most charismatic building. You can go up to its viewpoint to get a wonderful view of Mexico City.

The Palace of Fine Arts, in the Plaza de la Alameda, is home to the homonymous museum and the National Museum of Architecture. The work of the Italian architect Adamo Boari during the Porfiriato, at the beginning of the 20th century, the performance of the National Folkloric Ballet is one of the most impressive shows in the capital, showing the typical dances of each region of Mexico.

Just a step away, and hardly perceptible to the eye, is the Diego Rivera Mural Museum, known as the Alameda Museum, which was moved here after the 1985 earthquake from the Hotel del Prado, its original location. Dense and loaded with historical allusions, the mural reflects everyday life in Alameda Park.

From the Alameda, if we cross some streets to the north we can find Plaza Garibaldi, where the Mariachis sing their rancheras.

In the same square, the El Museo del Tequila y el Mezcal.

To the south of the Alameda, on a getaway, Mercado de San Juan appears, where you can find any condiment in the world. Although it is becoming more and more touristy, it has not lost that traditional market charm.

In the Plaza de la República, between the great avenues of Insurgentes and Reforma, you can see the Monument of the Revolution. This monument was actually going to be part of the central body of a gigantic Capitol for Parliament.

It is worth knowing its history in the small museum that shows us the exaggerated architectural pretensions that motivated its construction. The panoramic elevator allows us to go up to see the Plaza de la Revolución and some nearby buildings from the top, such as the Jai Alai fronton.

Once you reach Paseo de la Reforma, the avenue becomes wide and busy, leading us through a boulevard built in the time of Maximilian I in the Parisian style, in which the sculptures of Colón, Cuacuhtémoc, the Angel of Independence, and Diana the Huntress following one after another.

In the Chapultepec forest, in addition to the aforementioned museums, thousands of people escape from the madding crowd and traffic to spend a few hours in the lush forest.

The zoo and the lake with its rowboats are two of the areas where people concentrate, who also go to ride their bikes, run or rollerblade and escape for a while from the noise of Mexico City.

Quite a bit further south, without leaving the great avenue of Insurgentes, you can see the Polyforum Siqueiros.

This great work of David Alfaro Siqueiros is recognized as the largest in the world. Its interior is harmonized by the light show that tells us the history of this work of art.

In Xochimilco, the jovial atmosphere reigns. This “Mexican Venice” is the only thing that remains of the extensive lake where the pre-Columbian city was based.

The Ciudad Universitaria is also postulated as a good place to spend a morning getting to know some of its charms, among which are the Olympic Stadium, the site of the 1968 games in Mexico City, the Universum or Museum of Sciences, the Rectory Building of the UNAM, or the Nezahualcoyotl room where you can listen to some of the best classical music concerts in America.

If you have more time, you should not miss a visit to the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso, where there is a selection of murals, including the first one painted by Diego Rivera, Cineteca Nacional or the National Auditorium.

In addition to the museums, there are countless free excursions that range from simply walking the streets, squares, and parks of Mexico City, photographing the monuments, or the thousand curious pictures that a city in constant movement offers us.

At night the most popular neighborhoods such as Colonia Roma or La Condesa roar with the Mexican march, a party for all audiences and until dawn.

Coyoacán offers restaurants of any gastronomy in the world, in a pleasant atmosphere where you can walk around having ice cream with the moon as a witness.

How to get around Mexico City is one of the main questions for every traveler who comes to the capital. And it should not be neglected because it is vital both save time and to avoid dangerous situations.

Mexico City is so big that we have to think twice about the distance before we dare to walk. On the other hand, there are areas where it is not recommended to walk, and public transport or taxi can save us time and provide us with more security.

The metro offers a very extensive network of lines. Its economic price makes it the best option for long trips. Each metro station is assigned an icon that identifies it, which gives it an original touch.

There are parts of the platform for the exclusive use of women and minors, clearly identified and often coordinated by the police, which serve to scare off abusers.

For when the subway does not offer us a comfortable option due to the distance from stations, buses (here called trucks) or light rail can help us connect our origin and destination. It should be borne in mind that public buses suffer the same problem as cars and taxis, that is, overwhelming traffic with insufferable traffic jams.

There are small vans, known as peseras or combis that cover a multitude of routes, and are an alternative to buses.

The taxi is something very recurrent, useful to link parts of the city that the subway does not cover, or that need several connections.

The old fleet of green and white “bocho” (Volkswagen beetle) taxis has been replaced by new maroon and gold models, and more recently pink and white, more modern and less polluting.

Mexico City has hotels for all tastes, with accommodations spread throughout the city. The normal thing is to stay in accommodations located in the center, near the Zócalo, or next to the large avenues such as Reforma or Insurgentes.

Another option is to look for accommodation in the Coyoacán neighborhood, quiet, safe, and with many attractions.

Planning to visit Mexico from the USA or continue your trip from Mexico to the USA being a non-US citizen?

Get your ESTA visa at the earliest

In this case, you should apply for an ESTA visa online as soon as possible. An ESTA visa is a digital travel authorization granted to tourists who plan to stay in the United States for not more than 90 days.

Obtaining ESTA access is necessary for citizens of countries who can travel to the U.S. under the visa waiver program. If you are wondering should you need one, here is what you need to know.

ESTA is suitable for short tours and business trips. It is valid for up to two years and facilitates multiple entries within that period. After the expiry, you can renew the ESTA for another visit.

The process for ESTA application is quick and hassle-free. That being said, you do need to fill up all details at least 72 hours before you plan to travel. You may get your ESTA sooner, but you do not want to risk it.

Additionally, you need to ensure that all the info you write is correct and that you do not miss out on any important detail.

It is advised to get your ESTA at least 3 days before the intended visit. If you have already applied for ESTA, then you can check your ESTA visa status online.

If you are traveling by Sea or Air, then you must have an approved ESTA to gain access to the country. ESTA is issued only to the citizens of the nations included in the Visa Waiver Program. Your ESTA visa only needs a few minutes and mouse clicks.

In this place have been found a significant Aztec finds, such as a sacrificial altar in the shape of a plumed serpent.

The earliest known structure on the site was the Convent of Santa Isabel, whose church was built in 1680.

The convent area suffered frequent flooding during the early colonial period and development here grew slowly.

In spite of this, the convent remained until it was forcibly closed in the 1860s by the Reform Laws. It was replaced by a textile mill and lower-class housing.

A section of this housing, on Santa Isabel Alley, was torn down and replaced by the National Theater in the latter 19th century. During the late 19th century and very early 20th, this theatre was the site of most of Mexico City’s high culture, presenting events such as theatre, operettas, Viennese dance and more.

It was then decided to replace this building with a more opulent one for the upcoming Centennial of Mexican Independence celebrations in 1910.

The old theatre was demolished in 1901, and the new theatre would be called the Gran Teatro de Ópera. The work was awarded to Italian architect Adamo Boari, who favored neoclassical and art nouveau styles and who is responsible for the Palacio del Correo which is across the street. Adamo Boari promised in October 1904 to build a grand metallic structure, which at that time only existed in the United States, but not to this size.

The first stone of the building was placed by Porfirio Díaz in 1904. Despite the 1910 deadline, by 1913, the building was hardly begun with only a basic shell. One reason for this is that the project became more complicated than anticipated as the heavy building sank into the soft spongy subsoil. The other reason was the political and economic instability that would lead to the Mexican Revolution. Full hostilities suspended construction of the palace completely and Adamo Boari returned to Italy.

The project would sit unfinished for about twenty years. In 1932, construction resumed under Mexican architect Federico Mariscal. Mariscal completed the interior but updated it from Boari’s plans to the more modern Art Deco style. The building was completely finished in 1934, and was inaugurated on 29 September of that year.[

The inaugural work presented in the theatre was “La Verdad Sospechosa” by Juan Ruiz de Alarcón in 1934. In 1946, the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Institute of the Fine Arts) was created as a government agency to promote the arts and was initially housed at the Museo Nacional de Artes Plásticas, the Museo del Libro and other places. It is now at the Palacio.

In this theatre, Maria Callas debuted in the opera Norma in 1950.

In 2002, the Palace was the scene of the funeral of María Félix.

Since its initial construction, very little has been updated or modified. However, intensive renovation efforts were begun in 2009 for the upcoming 2010 celebrations. Much of the equipment and machinery is original from the early 20th century. Much of the technological equipment is being updated, especially in the theatre which needs computerized lights, sound systems and other improvements. Other work will improve acoustics. Upgrades to the theatre will allow for multimedia shows which were not available before. The main hall has had no renovation or upgrade work since it opened in 1934. Renovations here will lessen the number of people the hall can accommodate but should make the area more comfortable.

The palace has a mixture of a number of architectural styles; however, it is principally Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Art Nouveau dominates the exterior, which was done by Adamo Boari, and the inside is dominated by Art Deco, which was completed by Federico Mariscal.

Since construction began in 1904, the theater (which opened in 1934) has sunk some four meters into the soft soil of Mexico City.

The main facade, which faces Avenida Juárez, is made of white Italian Carrara marble. In the interior of the portal are sculptures by Italian Leonardo Bistolfi. It consists of “Harmony”, surrounded by “Pain”, “Rage”, “Happiness”, “Peace” and “Love”.

Another portion of the facade contains cherubs and sculptures representing music and inspiration.

On the plaza front of the building, designed by Boari, there are four Pegasus sculptures which were made by Catalan Agustí Querol Subirats. These had been in the Zocalo before being brought here.

The roof covering the center of the building is made of crystal designed by Hungarian Géza Maróti and depicts the muses with Apollo.

One aspect of the Palace which has since disappeared is the “Pergola”, which was located in the Alameda. It was constructed to house pictorial exhibitions for the 1910 celebrations, but it was demolished in 1973.

The interior is also surfaced in Carrara marble. It divides into three sections: the main hall with adjoining smaller exhibition halls, the theatre and the offices of the “Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes”.

The main hall is covered by the Marotti glass and iron roof. It and the balconies of all three upper floors can be seen from the ground floor below.

In areas of the main hall, pre-Hispanic motifs done in Art Deco style, such as serpents’ heads on window arches and Maya Chaac masks on the vertical light panels distinguish this interior from its contemporaries.

The smaller exhibition halls are located on the first and second floors.

The first floor is decorated with crystal lamps, created by Edgar Brandt and hold murals by Rufino Tamayo. The Adamo Boari and Manuel M. Ponce halls hold music and literature events.

And the National and International halls are for exhibitions.

The second floor has smaller exhibition halls as well as murals by José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Diego Rivera, Jorge González Camarena, Roberto Montenegro and Manuel Rodríguez Lozano.

The third floor is occupied by the Museum of Architecture. The ironwork was designed in Italy by Alessandro Mazzucotelli and in Mexico by Luis Romero Soto.

At the entrance of the theatre, there are mascarons in bronze with depictions of Tlaloc, and Chaac, the Aztec and Maya deities of water, which along with the rest were designed by Gianette Fiorenzo.

On the arch over the stage there are representations of various mythological personas such as the Muses with Apollo. This was constructed in Hungary in the workshops of Géza Maróti.

However, the most impacting aspect is the stage “curtain” which is a stained glass foldable panel created out of nearly a million pieces of iridescent colored glass by Tiffany’s in New York.

This stage curtain is the only one of its type in any opera house in the world and weighs 24 tons. The design of the curtain has the volcanos Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl in the center. Around them is a Mexican landscape surrounded by images of sculptures from Yautepec and Oaxaca. This design was inspired by work done by artist Gerardo Murillo. The theatre has a capacity of 1,000.

The Palace has been the scene of some of the most notable events in music, dance, theatre, opera and literature and has hosted important exhibitions of painting, sculpture and photography.

It has hosted some of the biggest names from both Mexico and abroad. It has hosted poetry events as well as those related to popular culture. Artists and companies are from all parts of Mexico and abroad. It has been called the “Cathedral of Art in Mexico” and is considered to be the most important theatre and the most important cultural center in Mexico.

It was declared an artistic monument in 1987 by UNESCO.

The building is administered by the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes of the federal government.

The palace receive on average 10,000 visitors each week.

Two of the best-known groups which regularly perform here are the Ballet Folklórico de México Compania Nacional de Opera de Bellas Artes and the National Symphonic Orchestra. The first performs in the theatre twice a week and is a spectacle of pre and post Hispanic dance of Mexico.

A typical program includes Aztec ritual dances, agricultural dances from Jalisco, a fiesta in Veracruz, a wedding celebration — all accompanies by mariachis, marimba players and singers.

Regular annual events include the Premio Quorum for Mexican designers in graphic and industrial materials and the Premios Ariel for Mexican films.

Individual events that have been held here are numerous. Some of these include several exhibitions of Frida Kahlo’s work and a number of appearances by Luciano Pavarotti.

In 1987, Bellas Artes hosted a legendary performance of Jesusa Rodríguez’s Donna Giovanni, an adaptation of Mozart’s opera with a female cast.

Other appearances have been made by Mexican baritone Jorge Lagunes (2002) and Catalan guitarist Joan Manuel Serrat (2003).

Events that have been held here include “ABCDF Palabras de Ciudad” (2002) showing life in popular housing in photographs and video, “Bordados del Mexico Antiguo” (“Embroidery of Old Mexico”) showing processes, history and design,[13] Rem Koolhaas Premio Pritzker 2000″ conference and “Exchanging Views: Visions of Latin America” which was an exhibit from the collection of Patricia Phelps de Cisneros comprising 148 works by 72 artists from across Latin America in 2006.

Occasionally, the plaza in front of the Palace is the scene of protests such as those against the Iraq War in 2003 and against bullfighting in 2010.

The floors between the ground floor and the uppermost floor are dominated by a number of murals painted by most of the famous names of Mexican muralism.

On the 2nd floor are two early-1950s works by Rufino Tamayo: México de Hoy (“Mexico Today”) and Nacimiento de la Nacionalidad (“Birth of Nationality”), a symbolic depiction of the creation of the mestizo (person of mixed indigenous and Spanish ancestry) identity.

At the west end of the 3rd floor is El hombre controlador del Universo (“Man, controller of the Universe” – known as Man at the Crossroads), originally commissioned for New York’s Rockefeller Center in 1933.

The mural depicts a variety of technological and societal themes (such as the discoveries made possible by microscopes and telescopes) and was controversial for its inclusion of Lenin and a Soviet May Day parade.

The Rockefellers were not happy with the painting and the incomplete work was eventually destroyed and painted over. Rivera recreated it here in 1934.

On the north side of the third floor are David Alfaro Siqueiros’ three-part La Nueva Democracía (“New Democracy”) and Rivera’s four-part Carnaval de la Vida Mexicana (“Carnival of Mexican Life”); to the east is José Clemente Orozco’s La Katharsis (Catharsis), depicting the conflict between humankind’s ‘social’ and ‘natural’ aspects.

The Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes (“Museum of the Palacio de Bellas Artes”) is the organization that takes care of the permanent murals and other artwork in the building as well as arrange temporary exhibits. These exhibits cover a wide range of media and feature Mexican and international artists, focusing on classical and contemporary artists.

Museo Nacional de Arquitectura

The Museo Nacional de Arquitectura (Museum of Architecture) occupies the top floor of the building, covered by the glass and iron roof. It contains exhibitions from renowned Mexican architects including models, designs and photographs of major works.

The museum also arranges temporary exhibitions of its collections in other facilities to expose the Mexican public to the country’s rich architectural heritage. Some of the major architects featured at the museum include Jaime Ortiz Monasterio, Carlos Mijares Bracho, Adamo Boari and Luis Barragán.

The museum is divided into four sections called “Arquitectura-contrastes: Jaime Ortiz Monasterio y Carlos Mijares Bracho”, “Corpus Urbanístico de la Ciudad de México”, “Teatro Nacional de México (Plano original)” and “Teatro Nacional de México”. There are also temporary exhibits on contemporary architecture.

Many think it was the first skyscraper in Mexico. However, skyscrapers may have first appeared in Mexico City between 1910 and 1935.

The tallest of the time, the International Capital Building (Edificio Internacional de Capitalización) was completed in 1935. This building was surpassed by the Edificio Miguel E. Abed, which, in turn, was surpassed by the Latinoamericana Tower.

The Latinoamericana Tower opened its doors on April 30, 1956. The Torre Latinoamericana was built to headquarters in La Latinoamericana, Seguros, S.A., an insurance company founded on April 30, 1906.

The site where the Latin American Tower currently stands was formerly occupied by the animal house of the Tlatoani Mexica Moctezuma II, and after the conquest, there was built Convent of San Francisco.

The building took its name from this company as it began to be built during the postwar boom of the late 1940s, which lasted until the early 1970s.

At the time of its construction, the insurance company was controlled by the Mexican tycoon Miguel S. Macedo, who headed one of Mexico’s largest financial consortiums at the time.

Originally the insurance company occupied a smaller building at the same location. In 1947 it temporarily relocated to a nearby office while the tower was built.

Once it was finished in 1956, the insurance company moved into the tower’s 4th to 8th floors. The rest of the building’s office space was for lease.

At the time of its completion, the Torre Latinoamericana was the 45th tallest building in the world. It was also the tallest building in Latin America and the fourth in height in the world outside New York.

Its public observation deck on the 44th floor is the highest in Mexico City.

The project was designed and executed by Mexican civil engineers. Its design consists of steel-frame construction and deep-seated piles, which were necessary given Mexico City’s frequent earthquakes and muddy soil composition, which makes the terrain tricky to build on.

Before construction, engineers carried out several soil mechanics studies on the construction site and designed the structure accordingly. Today this is common and even mandatory practice, but at the time it was quite an innovation.

The tower gained notoriety when it withstood the magnitude 7.9 1957 earthquake, thanks to its outstanding design and strength.

This feat garnered its recognition in the form of the American Institute of Steel Construction Award of Merit for “the tallest building ever exposed to a huge seismic force” (as is attested by plaques in the building’s lobby and observation deck).

However, an even greater test came, by far, with the magnitude 8.1 September 19, 1985 earthquake, which destroyed many buildings in Mexico City, especially the ones built downtown, in the tower’s neighborhood.

The Torre Latinoamericana withstood this force without problems and has thus become a symbol of safety in Mexico City. Today the tower is considered one of the safest buildings in the city despite its potentially dangerous location.

While it was being built, detractors said that there was no way a building of that size could withstand one of Mexico City’s earthquakes.

The truth is that during the September 1985 earthquake, which took place at 07:19 in the morning, Adolfo Zeevaert, one of the engineers of the tower, was inside his office on the 25th floor.

From that vantage point, he was able to witness the destruction taking place while several buildings collapsed and the dust cloud that followed, all the while feeling the movement inside the tower.

It could arguably be said that it was the first time that a builder and designer of a tall building witnessed firsthand its behavior during a powerful earthquake.

The tower is now co-owned by its original builder La Latinoamericana, Seguros, Inmobiliaria Torre Latinoamericana, a real estate firm. In 2002 seven of the 44 floors were purchased by Telcel and Banco Inbursa, both firms controlled by Mexican businessman Carlos Slim.

In 2006, the tower celebrated its 50th anniversary.

A ceremony was held on April 30, 2006, which included the reopening of the newly remodeled 37th to 44th floors, a site museum, and a fully remodeled Mirador, or observation deck, designed by Danish-born architect Palle Seiersen Frost.

Also on that occasion were unveiled some recognitions granted by several architectural, engineering, and communications institutions.

The Torre Latinoamericana contains the FM transmission facilities for Radio Fórmula’s two FM stations in Mexico City, XERFR-FM 103.3 and XEDF-FM 104.1.

Plans for the tower include a facelift, which will remodel the building’s exteriors using new materials while maintaining the original design and look; since the tower is considered a historical monument, its exterior look cannot be altered.

• The building was featured in a photograph by Mexican photographer Enrique Metinides when a suicidal man climbed out onto the ledge of the 27th floor in 1993. A Red Cross worker managed to prevent her death.
• The tower can be briefly seen from inside a helicopter during the beginning of Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet.
• It’s also featured prominently in “Sólo con Tu Pareja” (“Only with your partner”), a 1991 Mexican film by Alfonso Cuarón.
• As a fixture of the Mexico City skyline, the tower also appears in the opening scene of “Amores Perros”, a 2000 Mexican crime drama film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and written by Guillermo Arriaga.
• The tower is seen in Spectre (2015) after James Bond hijacks a helicopter by killing a hired assassin and the pilot.

Construction of the Column of Independence topped by a depiction of winged victory was ordered in 1900 by President Porfirio Díaz.

Antonio Rivas Mercado began to design the monument, envisioned as a column with both classical and modern elements, with bronze statues at its base. The foundation stone was laid on January 2, 1902.

Placed in it is a gold chest with a record of independence and a series of coins minted in that epoch.

But in May 1906, when the foundations were built and 2,400 stones were placed to a height of 25 m, the sides of the monument collapsed, so Díaz created a study commission composed of engineers Guillermo Beltrán y Puga, Manuel Marroquín y Rivera, and Gonzalo Garita.

The commission determined that the foundations of the monument were poorly planned, so it was decided to demolish the structure.

The work was restarted under the supervision of a steering committee composed of engineers Beltran y Puga, Marroquin y Rivera, and the architect Manuel Gorozpe, leaving the artwork in the care of architect Antonio Rivas Mercado.

All the sculptures were made by Italian artist Enrique Alciati.

One of the faces in the doors is of one of Rivas Mercado’s daughters, Antonieta.

The monument was completed in time for the festivities to commemorate the first hundred years of Mexican Independence in 1910.

The inauguration was held on 16 September, the 100th anniversary of the Grito de Dolores, the shout by Father Miguel Hidalgo that was considered the initiation of Mexican independence.

The ceremony was attended by President Díaz and many foreign dignitaries. Some 10,000 Mexican soldiers and contingents of foreign military forces helped mark the occasion. The main speaker at the event was Mexican poet Salvador Díaz Mirón.

An eternal flame (Lámpara Votiva) honoring these independence heroes was installed in the base of the column at the order of President Emilio Portes Gil in 1929.

The monument suffered some damage during an earthquake on July 28, 1957, when the sculpture of the Winged Victory fell to the ground and broke into several pieces. Sculptor José Fernández Urbina was in charge of the restoration, which lasted more than a year.

The monument was reopened on September 16, 1958. It survived the devastating earthquake of September 19, 1985, with some damage to the staircases and the reliefs, but none to the Angel.

On August 16, 2019, following feminist demonstrations against gender-based violence and feminicides, the monument was affected due to acts of vandalism and graffiti.

The Government of Mexico City closed access for an indefinite period, but it is estimated that it could be between one to two years.

However, the capital government declared justifying that the closure is due to the restoration, within the framework of a work program in Paseo de la Reforma that involves several more monuments.

In 1925, during the administration of Plutarco Elías Calles, the remains of the following Heroes of the Mexican Independence were interred in a mausoleum under the base of the monument.

At the entrance to the mausoleum is a statue of William Lamport, also known as Don Guillén de Lampart y Guzmán.

He was an Irishman who was tried by the Mexican Inquisition in the mid-17th century, following the discovery of his plot to achieve the independence of New Spain. He was released by the inquisition to secular authorities and executed in the auto de fe of 1659, with his remains forbidden burial in sacred ground.

The actual remains of insurgents are buried in the mausoleum:

• Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla: Chief instigator of independence in 1810 and “Father of the Nation”.
• Father José María Morelos y Pavón: Skilled general and leader of the independence movement after Hidalgo’s execution.
• Ignacio Allende: Lieutenant general of the insurgent army and later rebel leader.
• Juan Aldama: A rebel captain and conspirator.
• José Mariano Jiménez: Hidalgo’s lieutenant colonel.
• Guadalupe Victoria: Commander of the insurgent army and first President of Mexico.
• Vicente Guerrero: Insurgent general following the death of Morelos and second President of Mexico.
• Nicolás Bravo: Commander of the rebel army and later President of Mexico on three occasions.
• Mariano Matamoros: A priest who served as Morelos’s lieutenant general.
• Andrés Quintana Roo: A prominent constitutionalist.
• Leona Vicario: Active supporter of the rebel movement and wife of Andrés Quintana Roo.
• Francisco Javier Mina (Xavier Mina): A Spanish officer who joined the rebel cause against the absolute monarchy of Ferdinand VII.
• Pedro Moreno: Insurgente
• Víctor Rosales: Insurgente

Absent from the mausoleum is Agustín de Iturbide, who achieved Mexico’s independence from Spain in 1821; his remains are in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City. President Calles excluded Iturbide when other insurgents’ remains were transferred to the mausoleum in 1925.

More than 60 years after the mausoleum was erected, on September 16, 1998, it was permanently opened to the public by President Ernesto Zedillo and Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas, Head of Government of the Federal District.

On May 30, 2010, as part of the Bicentennial celebrations of the War of Independence, the remains of the National Heroes were exhumed and then escorted by the Armed Forces with full military honors to the National History Museum in Chapultepec Castle.

There, they were the subject of studies by members of the National Institute of Anthropology and History. After these studies, the remains were temporarily exhibited at the National Palace until August 2011, when they were returned to the mausoleum.

Visitors are allowed to enter the monument, view the memorial plaques at the base level, and climb to the top of the tower.

The entrance is free. To go up people must get a permit at the Cuauhtémoc borough where you must show ID. Groups of no more than 6 are then allowed into the monument for about 15 minutes.

There are 200 stairs, and the climb is arduous. The first approximately 15 stairs, in the base, are wide and comfortable. The stairs in the column itself, approximately 185, are circular, metal, very narrow, and without a landing or resting point until one reaches the top.

Visitors who are not in good physical shape will find the climb exhausting—it is the equivalent of climbing a 14-story building in one go, and those not comfortable with tight spaces should avoid the climb as there is insufficient room to allow others to bypass.

Some areas of the staircase are very dark, and there are only a few slits to let in light. The top balcony, though narrow, offers a commanding view of the wide avenues that surround the column.

The return trip down is by way of the same circular staircase.

More recently El Ángel has become the traditional gathering place for the celebration by Mexico City inhabitants, particularly following Mexico national football team victories and as a focal point for political rallies.

As of March 2016, visiting inside is limited to Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 13:00.

After the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, the conquistadors decided to build their church on the site of the Templo Mayor of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan to consolidate Spanish power over the newly conquered domain.

Hernán Cortés and the other conquistadors used the stones from the destroyed temple of the Aztec god of war Huitzilopochtli, principal deity of the Aztecs, to build the church. Cortés ordered the original church’s construction after he returned from exploring what is now Honduras.

Architect Martín de Sepúlveda was the first director of this project from 1524 to 1532. Juan de Zumárraga, the first Bishop of the first See of the New World, established in the Viceroyalty of New Spain, promoted this church’s completion. Zumárraga’s Cathedral was located in the northeast portion of what is now the cathedral. It had three naves separated by three Tuscan columns. The central roof was ridged with intricate carvings done by Juan Salcedo Espinosa and gilded by Francisco de Zumaya and Andrés de la Concha. The main door was probably of Renaissance style. The choir area had 48 seats made of ayacahuite wood crafted by Adrian Suster and Juan Montaño. However, this church was soon considered inadequate for the growing importance of the capital of New Spain.

In 1544, ecclesiastical authorities in Valladolid ordered the creation of new and more sumptuous cathedral. In 1552, an agreement was reached whereby the cost of the new cathedral would be shared by the Spanish crown, encomenderos and the native inhabitants under the direct authority of the archbishop of New Spain. The cathedral was begun by being built around the existing church in 1573. When enough of the cathedral was built to house basic functions, the original church was demolished to enable construction to continue.

The cathedral was constructed over a period of over two centuries, between 1573 and 1813. Its design is a mixture of three architectural styles that predominated during the colonial period, Renaissance, Baroque and Neo-classic.

Initial plans for the new cathedral were drawn up and work on the foundation began in 1562. The decision to have the cathedral face south instead of the east was made in 1570. In the same year, construction commenced, working from the Gothic designs and models created by Claudio de Arciniega and Juan Miguel de Agüero, inspired by cathedrals found in Spanish cities such as Valladolid and Jaén.

Because of the muddy subsoil of the site, work on the foundation continued past the work on the walls to 1581. In 1585, work on the first of the cathedral’s chapels began and by 1615, the cathedral’s walls reached to about half of their final height.

Construction of the interior of the current cathedral began in 1623 and what is now the vestry was where Mass was conducted after the first church was finally torn down.

In 1629, work was interrupted by flooding, over two metres in depth. Parts of the city were damaged, especially around the main plaza or Zócalo. Because of such damage, this site was almost abandoned and a new cathedral project was begun in the hills of the Tacubaya area to the west.

Despite these problems, the project continued in its current location, and under the direction of Luis Gómez de Transmonte, the interior was finished and consecrated in 1667. The cathedral still lacked bell towers, the complete front facade, and many of the other features it has now at the beginning of the 18th century.

In 1787, José Damian Ortiz de Castro was in charge of finishing work on the cathedral. He did most of the work on the bell towers, putting in most of the fretwork and capping them with roofs in the shape of bells. With his death in 1793, he did not live to see the cathedral completed, and Manuel Tolsá finished the cathedral by adding the cupola, the central front facade, the balustrades, and the statues of Faith, Hope and Charity at the top of the front facade. Tolsa’s work was the last major construction to the cathedral and the appearance it had when he finished is the basic look the cathedral has today.

The cathedral faces south and is approximately 54.5 metres wide and 110 metres long. It consists of two bell towers, a central dome, three main portals, five naves, 51 vaults, 74 arches and 40 columns. Inside the cathedral are five large altars, sixteen chapels, a choir area, a corridor, capitulary room, and sacristy. The cathedral has approximately 150 windows.

Facades and portals

The main facade of the cathedral faces south. The main portal is centered in the main facade and is the highest of the cathedral’s three portals. Statues of Saint Peter and Paul the Apostle stand between the columns of the portal, while Saint Andrew and James the Just are depicted on the secondary doorway. In the center of this doorway is a high relief of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, to whom the cathedral is dedicated.[6] This image is flanked by images of Saint Matthew and Saint Andrew. The coat of arms of Mexico is above the doorway, with the eagle’s wings outstretched. There is a clock tower at the very top of the portal with statues representing Faith, Hope and Charity, which was created by sculptor Manuel Tolsá.

The west facade was constructed in 1688 and rebuilt in 1804. It has a three-section portal with images of the Four Evangelists. The west portal has high reliefs depicting Jesus handing the Keys of Heavens to Saint Peter.

The east facade is similar to the west facade. The reliefs on the east portal show a ship carrying the four apostles, with Saint Peter at the helm.[6] The title of this relief is The ship of the Church sailing the seas of Eternity.

The northern facade, built during the 16th century in the Renaissance Herrera style, is oldest part of the cathedral and was named after Juan de Herrera, architect of the El Escorial monastery in Spain. While the eastern and western facades are older than most of the rest of the building, their third level has Solomonic columns which are associated with the Baroque period.

All the high reliefs of the portals of the cathedral were inspired by the work of Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens.

Bell towers

The bell towers are the work of Xalapan artist José Damián Ortiz de Castro. They are capped with bell-shaped roofs made of tezontle covered in chiluca, a white stone. Ortiz de Castro was in charge of the cathedral’s costruction in the latter half of the 18th century until he died, unexpectedly. Manuel Tolsá of Valencia, who had built other notable buildings in Mexico City, was hired to finish the cathedral. At this point, the cathedral had already been 240 years in the making. He added the neo-Classic structure housing the clock, the statues of the three theological virtues (Faith, Hope, and Charity), the high balustrade surrounding the building, and the dome that rises over the transept.

The cathedral has 25 bells—eighteen hang in the east bell tower and seven in the west tower. The largest bell is named the Santa Maria de Guadalupe and weighs around 13,000 kilograms. Other major bells are named the Doña Maria, which weighs 6,900 kilograms, and La Ronca (“the hoarse one”), named so because of its harsh tone. Doña Maria and La Ronca were placed in 1653 while the largest bell was placed later in 1793.

The statues in the west tower are the work of José Zacarías Cora and represent Pope Gregory VII, Saint Augustine, Leander of Seville, St. Fulgentius of Écija, St.Francis Xavier, and Saint Barbara. The statues in the east tower are by Santiago Cristóbal Sandoval and depict Emilio, Rose of Lima, Mary (mother of Jesus), Ambrogio, Jerome, Philip of Jesus, Hippolytus of Rome, and Isidore the Laborer.

In 1947, a novice bell ringer died in an accident when he tried to move one of the bells while standing under it. The bell swung back and hit him in the head, killing him instantly. The bell was then “punished” by removing the clapper. In the following years, the bell was known as la castigada (“the punished one”), or la muda (“the mute one”). In 2000, the clapper was reinstalled in the bell.

In October 2007, a time capsule was found inside the stone ball base of a cross, in the southern bell tower of the cathedral. It was placed in 1742, supposedly to protect the building from harm. The lead box was filled with religious artifacts, coins and parchments and hidden in a hollow stone ball. The ball was marked with the date of 14 May 1791, when the building’s topmost stone was laid. A new time capsule will be placed in the stone ball when it is closed again.

Tabernacle

Situated to the right of the main cathedral, the Metropolitan Tabernacle (Spanish: Sagrario Metropolitano) was built by Lorenzo Rodríguez during the height of the Baroque period between 1749 and 1760, to house the archives and vestments of the archbishop. It also functioned and continues to function as a place to receive Eucharist and register parishioners.

The first church built on the cathedral site also had a tabernacle, but its exact location is unknown. During the construction of the cathedral, the tabernacle was housed in what are now the Chapels of San Isidro and Our Lady of Agony of Granada. However, in the 18th century, it was decided to build a structure that was separate, but still connected, to the main cathedral. It is constructed of tezontle (a reddish porous volcanic rock) and white stone in the shape of a Greek cross with its southern facade faces the Zócalo. It is connected to the main cathedral via the Chapel of San Isidro.

The interiors of each wing have separate uses. In the west wing is the baptistry, in the north is the main altar, the main entrance and a notary area, separated by inside corner walls made of chiluca stone and tezontle. Chiluca, a white stone, covers the walls and floors and the tezontle frames the doors and windows. At the crossing of the structure is an octagonal dome framed by arches that form curved triangles where they meet at the top of the dome. The principal altar is in the ornate Churrigueresque style and crafted by indigenous artist Pedro Patiño Ixtolinque. It was inaugurated in 1829.

The exterior of the Baroque styled tabernacle is almost entirely adorned with decorations, such as curiously shaped niche shelves, floating drapes and many cherubs. Carvings of fruits such as grapes and pomegranates have been created to in the shape of ritual offerings, symbolizing the Blood of Christ and the Church. Among the floral elements, roses, daisies, and various types of four-petalled flowers can be found, including the indigenous chalchihuite.

The tabernacle has two main outside entrances; one to the south, facing the Zócalo and the other facing east toward Seminario Street. The southern façade is more richly decorated than the east façade. It has a theme of glorifying the Eucharist with images of the Apostles, Church Fathers, saints who founded religious orders, martyrs as well as scenes from the Bible. Zoomorphic reliefs can be found along with the anthropologic reliefs, including a rampaging lion, and the eagle from the coat of arms of Mexico. The east facade is less ambitious, but contains figures from the Old Testament as well as the images of John Nepomucene and Ignacio de Loyola. Construction dates for the phases of the tabernacle are also inscribed here.

High Altar

This disappeared in the forties of the twentieth century. On the occasion of the Jubilee of the year 2000, a new altar table was made to replace the previous one. This was built in modernist style by the architect Ernesto Gómez Gallardo.

Altar of Forgiveness

The Altar of Forgiveness (Altar del perdón) is located at the front of the central nave. It is the first aspect of the interior that is seen upon entering the cathedral. It was the work of Spanish architect Jerónimo Balbás, and represents the first use of the estípite column (an inverted triangle-shaped pilaster) in the Americas.

There are two stories about how the name of this altar came about. The first states that those condemned by the Spanish Inquisition were brought to the altar to ask for forgiveness in the next world before their execution. The second relates to painter Simon Pereyns, who despite being the author of many of the works of the cathedral, was accused of blasphemy. According to the story, while Pereyns was in jail, he painted such a beautiful image of the Virgin Mary that his crime was forgiven.

This altar was damaged by fire in January 1967 but has been completely restored.

Altar of the Kings

The Altar of the Kings (Altar de los Reyes) was also the work of Jerónimo Balbás, in Mexican Baroque or Churrigueresque style. It was begun in 1718 by Balbás[12] in cedar, and was gilded and finished by Francico Martínez, debuting in 1737. It is located at the back of the Cathedral, beyond the Altar of Forgiveness and the choir. This altar is 13.75 metres wide, 25 metres tall and 7.5 metres deep. Its size and depth gave rise to the nickname la cueva dorada (“the golden cave”).

It takes its name from the statues of saintly royalty which form part of its decoration, and is the oldest work in churrigueresque style in Mexico, taking 19 years to complete. At the bottom, from left to right, are six female royal saints: Saint Margaret of Scotland, Helena of Constantinople, Elisabeth of Hungary, Elizabeth of Aragon, Empress Cunegunda and Edith of Wilton. In the middle of the altar are six canonized kings, four of whom are: Hermenegild a Visigoth martyr, Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor, Edward the Confessor and Casimir of Poland. Above these four are Saints Louis of France and Ferdinand III of Castile. In between these kings an oil painting of the Adoration of the Magi by Juan Rodriguez Juarez shows Jesus as the King of kings. The top portion features a painting of the Assumption of Mary as celestial queen flanked by oval bas reliefs, one of Saint Joseph carrying the infant Jesus and the other of Saint Teresa of Ávila with a quill in her hand and the Holy Spirit above her, inspiring her to write. Above this are figures of Jesus and Mary among sculptures of angels crowned with an image of God, the Father.

This altar has been under restoration since 2003.

The Herrera door opens into the sacristy, the oldest part of the cathedral. It is a mixture of Renaissance and Gothic styles.

The walls hold large canvases painted by Cristóbal de Villalpando, such as The Apotheosis of Saint Michael, The Triumph of the Eucharist, The Church Militant and the Church Triumphant, and The Virgin of the Apocalypse. The Virgin of the Apocalypse depicts the vision of John of Patmos. Two other canvases, Entering Jerusalem and The Assumption of the Virgin, painted by Juan Correa, are also here. An additional painting, attributed to Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, hangs in the Sacristy.

On the north wall, there is a niche that holds a statue of the crucifix with a Christ image sculpted in ivory. Behind this, is another mural that depicts the Juan Diego’s of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Sacristy used to house Juan Diego’s cloak, upon which the Virgin’s image purportedly appears, but after massive flooding in 1629, it was removed from the Sacristy to better protect it.

A cabinet on the west wall of the Sacristy, under the Virgin of the Apocalypse painting, once held golden chalices and cups trimmed with precious stones, as well as other utensils.

In 1957, The wooden floor and platform around the perimeter of the Sacristy were replaced with stone.

Chapels

The cathedral’s sixteen chapels were each assigned to a religious guild, and each is dedicated to a saint. Each of the two side naves contain seven chapels. The other two were created later on the eastern and western sides of the cathedral. These last two are not open to the public. The fourteen chapels in the east and west naves are listed below. The first seven are in the east nave, listed from north to south, and the last seven are in the west nave.

Chapel of Our Lady of the Agonies of Granada

The Chapel of Our Lady of the Agonies of Granada (Spanish: Capilla de Nuestra Señora de las Angustias de Granada) was built in the first half of the 17th century, and originally served as the sacristy. It is a medieval-style chapel with a ribbed vault and two relatively simple altarpieces. The narrow altarpiece contains an oval painting of Saint Raphael, Archangel and the young Tobias, a 16th century painting attributed to Flemish painter Maerten de Vos. At the top of this altarpiece is a painting of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and above this is a painting of the Last Supper. At the back of the chapel is a churrigueresque painting of Our Lady of the Agonies of Granada.

Chapel of Saint Isidore

The Chapel of Saint Isidore (Spanish: Capilla de San Isidro) was originally built as an annex between 1624 and 1627, and was once used as the baptistery. Its vault contains plaster casts representing Faith, Hope, Charity, and Justice, considered to be basic values in the Catholic religion. After the Tabernacle was built, it was converted into a chapel and its door was reworked in a churrigueresque style.

Chapel of the Immaculate Conception

The Chapel of the Immaculate Conception (Spanish: Capilla de la Inmaculada Concepción) was built between 1642 and 1648. It has a churrigueresque altarpiece which, due to the lack of columns, most likely dates from the 18th century. The altar is framed with molding—instead of columns—and a painting of the Immaculate Conception presides over it. The altar is surrounded by paintings by José de Ibarra relating to the Passion of Christ and various saints. The chapel also contains a canvas of Saint Christopher painted by Simon Pereyns in 1588, and the Flagellation by Baltasar de Echave Orio, painted in 1618. The altarpiece on the right side is also dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and was donated by the College of Saints Peter and Paul. This chapel holds the remains of Franciscan friar Antonio Margil de Jesús who was evangelized in what is now the north of Mexico.

Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe) was built in 1660. It was the first baptistery of the cathedral and for a long time was the site for the Brotherhood of the Most Holy Sacrament, which had many powerful benefactors. It is decorated in a 19th century neo-classic style by the architect Antonio Gonzalez Vazquez, director of the Academy of San Carlos. The main altarpiece is dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe and the sides altars are dedicated to John the Baptist and San Luis Gonzaga respectively.

Chapel of Our Lady of Antigua

The Chapel of Our Lady of Antigua (Capilla de Nuestra Señora de La Antigua) was sponsored and built between 1653 and 1660 by a brotherhood of musicians and organists, which promoted devotion to this Virgin. Its altarpiece contains a painting of the Virgin, a copy of one found in the Cathedral of Seville. This copy was brought to New Spain by a merchant. Two other paintings show the birth of the Virgin and her presentation. Both were painted by Nicolás Rodriguez Juárez.

Chapel of Saint Peter

The Chapel of Saint Peter (Spanish: Capilla de San Pedro) was built between 1615 and 1620, and contains three highly decorated Baroque altarpieces from the 17th century. The altar at the back is dedicated to Saint Peter, whose sculpture presides over the altar. It is surrounded by early 17th century paintings relating to his life, painted by Baltasar de Echave Orio. To the right is an altarpiece dedicated to the Holy Family, with two paintings by Juan de Aguilera of Florence called The Holy Family in the workshop of Saint Joseph and Birth of the Savior. The altarpiece to the left of the main altarpiece is dedicated to Saint Theresa of Jesus whose image also appears in the chapel’s window. It includes four paintings on sheets of metal that depict scenes from the birth of Jesus. Five oil paintings illustrate scenes from the life of Saint Theresa, and above this is a semi-circular painting of the coronation of Mary. All these works were created in the 17th century by Baltasar de Echave y Rioja.

This chapel is home to the Niño Cautivo (Captive Child) a Child Jesus figure that was brought to Mexico from Spain. It was sculpted in the 16th century by Juan Martínez Montañez in Spain and purchased by the cathedral. However, on its way to Veracruz, pirates attacked the ship it was on and sacked it. To get the image back, a large ransom was paid. Today, the image is in the Chapel of San Pedro or De las Reliquias. Traditionally, the image has been petitioned by those seeking release from restrictions or traps, especially financial problems or drug addiction or alcoholism. The cult to the Niño Cautivo is considered to be “inactive” by INAH. However, this particular image has made a comeback since 2000 as one to petition when a family member is abducted and held for ransom.

Chapel of Christ and of the Reliquaries

The Chapel of Christ and of the Reliquaries (Capilla del Santo Cristo y de las Reliquias) was built in 1615 and designed with ultra-Baroque details which are often difficult to see in the poorly lit interior. It was originally known as the Christ of the Conquistadors. That name came from an image of Christ that was supposedly donated to the cathedral by Emperor Charles V. Over time, so many reliquaries were left on its main altar that its name was eventually changed. Of 17th century ornamentation, the main altarpiece alternates between carvings of rich foliage and small heads on its columns in the main portion and small sculptures of angels on its telamons in the secondary portion. Its niches hold sculptures of saints framing the main body. Its crucifix is from the 17th century. The predella is finished with sculptures of angels, and also contains small 17th paintings of martyred saints by Juan de Herrera. Behind these paintings, hidden compartments contain some of the numerous reliquaries left here. Its main painting was done by Jose de Ibarra and dated 1737. Surrounding the altar is a series of paintings on canvas, depicting the Passion of Christ by Jose Villegas, painted in the 17th century. On the right-hand wall, an altar dedicated to the Virgin of the Confidence is decorated with numerous churrigueresque figurines tucked away in niches, columns and top pieces.

Chapel of the Holy Angels and Archangels

The Chapel of the Holy Angels and Archangels (Capilla de los Ángeles) was finished in 1665 with Baroque altarpieces decorated with Solomonic columns. It is dedicated to the Archangel Michael, who is depicted as a medieval knight. It contains a large main altarpiece with two smaller altarpieces both decorated by Juan Correa. The main altarpiece is dedicated to the seven archangels, who are represented by sculptures, in niches surrounding images of Saint Joseph, Mary and Christ. Above this scene are the Holy Spirit and God the Father. The left-hand altarpiece is of similar design and is dedicated to the Guardian Angel, whose sculpture is surrounded with pictures arranged to show the angelic hierarchy. To the left of this, a scene shows Saint Peter being released from prison, and to the right, Saul, later Saint Paul, being knocked from his horse, painted by Juan Correa in 1714. The right-hand altarpiece is dedicated to the Guardian Angel of Mexico.

Chapel of Saints Cosme and Damian

The Chapel of Saints Cosme and Damian (Capilla de San Cosme y San Damián) was built because these two saints were commonly invoked during a time when New Spain suffered from the many diseases brought by the Conquistadors. The main altarpiece is Baroque, probably built in the 17th century. Oil paintings on wood contain scenes from physician saints, and are attributed to painter Sebastian Lopez Davalos, during the second half of the 17th century. The chapel contains one small altarpiece which came from the Franciscan church in Zinacantepec, to the west of Mexico City, and is dedicated to the birth of Jesus.

Chapel of Saint Joseph

The Chapel of Saint Joseph (Capilla de San José), built between 1653 and 1660, contains an image of Our Lord of Cacao, an image of Christ most likely from the 16th century. Its name was inspired from a time when many indigenous worshipers would give their alms in the form of cocoa beans. Churrigueresque in style and containing a graffito statue of Saint Joseph, patron saint of New Spain,[6] the main altarpiece is Baroque and is from the 18th century. This once belonged to the Church of Our Lady of Monserrat. This altar contains statues and cubicles containing busts of the Apostles, but contains no paintings.

Chapel of Our Lady of Solitude

The Chapel of Our Lady of Solitude (Capilla de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad) was originally built in honor of the workers who built the cathedral. It contains three Baroque altarpieces. The main altarpiece is supported by caryatids and small angels as telamons, to uphold the base of the main body. It is dedicated to the Virgin of Solitude of Oaxaca, whose image appears in the center. The surrounding 16th century paintings are by Pedro Ramírez, and depict scenes from the life of Christ.

Chapel of Saint Eligius

The Chapel of Saint Eligius (Capilla de San Eligio), also known as the Chapel of the Lord of Safe Expeditions (Capilla del Señor del Buen Despacho), was built by the first silversmith guild, who donated the images of the Conception and Saint Eligius to whom the chapel was formerly dedicated. The chapel was redecorated in the 19th century, and the image of Our Lord of Good Sending was placed here, named thus, since many supplicants reported having their prayers answered quickly. The image is thought to be from the 16th century and sent as a gift from Charles V of Spain.

Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows

The Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows (Capilla de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores), formerly known as the Chapel of the Lord’s Supper (Capilla de la Santa Cena), was built in 1615. It was originally dedicated to the Last Supper since a painting of this event was once kept here. It was later remodeled in a Neo-classical style, with three altarpieces added by Antonio Gonzalez Velazquez. The main altarpiece contains an image of the Virgin of Sorrows sculpted in wood and painted by Francisco Terrazas, at the request of Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico. On the left-hand wall a ladder leads to a series of crypts which hold most of the remains of past archbishops of Mexico. The largest and grandest of these crypts contains the remains of Juan de Zumarraga, the first archbishop of Mexico.

Chapel of the Lord of Good dispatch

The Chapel of the Lord of good dispatch (Capilla del Señor del Buen Despacho) was premiered on December 8, 1648 and was dedicated to the silversmiths’ guild, who placed two images of solid silver, one of the most pure conception and another of San Eligio or Eloy.

The decoration of the entire chapel is neoclassical style belongs to the first half of the nineteenth century.

Chapel of Saint Philip of Jesus

The Chapel of Saint Philip of Jesus (Capilla de San Felipe de Jesús) was completed during one of the earliest stages of the construction of the cathedral. It is dedicated to Philip of Jesus, a friar and the only martyr from New Spain, who was crucified in Japan. The chapel is topped with a Gothic-style dome and has a Baroque altarpiece from the 17th century. A statue of the saint is located in a large niche in the altarpiece. The altar to the left is dedicated to Saint Rose of Lima, considered a protector of Mexico City. To the right is an urn which holds the remains of Agustín de Iturbide, who briefly ruled Mexico from 1822 to 1823. Next to this chapel is a baptismal font, in which it is believed Philip of Jesus was baptised. The heart of Anastasio Bustamante is preserved here. In this chapel is a sculpture alluding to the first Mexican saint: San Felipe de Jesús. This work, as seen by many art critics, is the best elaborated, carved and polychrome sculptured sculpture from Latin America.

Organs

The cathedral has had perhaps a dozen organs over the course of its history. The earliest is mentioned in a report written to the king of Spain in 1530. Few details survive of the earliest organs. Builders names begin to appear at the end of the sixteenth century. The earliest disposition that survives is for the Diego de Sebaldos organ built in 1655. The first large organ for Mexico City Cathedral was built in Madrid from 1689 to 1690 by Jorge de Sesma and installed by Tiburcio Sanz from 1693 to 1695. It now has two, which were made in Mexico by José Nassarre of Spain, and completed by 1736, incorporating elements of the 17th century organ. They are the largest 18th century organs in the Americas; they are situated above the walls of the choir, on the epistle side (east) and the gospel side (west). Both organs, damaged by fire in 1967, were restored in 1978. Because both organs had fallen into disrepair again, the gospel organ was re-restored from 2008-2009 by Gerhard Grenzing; the restoration of the epistle organ, also by Grenzing, was completed in 2014, and both organs are now playable.

Choir

The choir is where the priest and/or a choral group sings the psalms. It is located in the central nave between the main door and the high altar, and built in a semicircular fashion, much like Spanish cathedrals. It was built by Juan de Rojas between 1696 and 1697. Its sides contain 59 reliefs of various saints done in mahogany, walnut, cedar and a native wood called tepehuaje. The railing that surrounds the choir was made in 1722 by Sangley Queaulo in Macao, China and placed in the cathedral in 1730.

The Crypt of the Archbishops is located below the floor of the cathedral beneath the Altar of the Kings. The entrance to the crypt from the cathedral is guarded by a large wooden door behind which descends a winding yellow staircase. Just past the inner entrance is a Mexica-style stone skull. It was incorporated as an offering into the base of a cenotaph to Juan de Zumárraga, the first archbishop of Mexico. Zumárraga was considered to be a benefactor of the Indians, protecting them against the abuses of their Spanish overlords. There is also a natural-sized sculpture of the archbishop atop the cenotaph.

On its walls are dozens of bronze plaques that indicate the locations of the remains of most of Mexico City’s former archbishops, including Cardinal Ernesto Corripio y Ahumada. The floor is covered with small marble slabs covering niches containing the remains of other people.

The cathedral contains other crypts and niches where other religious figures are buried, including in the chapels.

The sinking ground and seismic activity of the area have had an effect on the cathedral’s construction and current appearance. Forty-two years were required simply to lay its foundation when it was first built, because even then the Spaniards recognized the danger of constructing such a huge monument in soft soil. However, for political reasons, much, but not all, of the cathedral was built over the remains of pre-Hispanic structures, leading to uneven foundation from the beginning.

Fire of 1967

On 17 January 1967 at 9 pm, a fire caused by an electrical short circuit caused extensive damage to the cathedral. On the Altar of Forgiveness, much of the structure and decoration were damaged including the loss of three paintings; The Holy Face by Alonso López de Herrera, The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian by Francisco de Zumaya and The Virgin of Forgiveness by Simon Pereyns. The choir section lost 75 of its 99 seats as well a painting by Juan Correa along with many stored books. The two cathedral organs were severely damaged with the partial melting of their pipes. Paintings by Rafael Jimeno y Planas, Juan Correa and Juan Rodriguez Juarez were damaged in other parts of the cathedral. After the fire, authorities recorded the damage but did nothing to try to restore what was damaged. Heated discussions ensued among historians, architects and investigations centering on the moving of the Altar of Forgiveness, as well as eliminating the choir area and some of the railings. In 1972, ecclesiastical authorities initiated demolition of the choir area without authorization from the Federal government, but were stopped. The government inventoried what could be saved and named Jaime Ortiz Lajous as director of the project to restore the cathedral to its original condition. Restoration work focused not only on repairing the damage (using archived records and photographs), but also included work on a deteriorating foundation (due to uneven sinking into the ground) and problems with the towers.

The Altars of Forgiveness and of the Kings were subject to extensive cleaning and restorative work. To replace the lost portions on the Altar of Forgiveness, several paintings were added; Escape from Egypt by Pereyns, The Divine Countenance and The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian. The organs were dismantled with the pipes and inner workings sent to the Netherlands for repair, while the cases were restored by Mexican craftsmen with work lasting until 1977. Reconstruction of the choir area began in 1979 using the same materials as existed before the fire. In addition, any statues in the towers that received more than 50% damage from city pollution were taken out, with replicas created to replace them. Those with less damage were repaired.

Some interesting discoveries were made as restoration work occurred during the 1970s and early 1980s. 51 paintings were found and rescued from behind the Altar of Forgiveness, including works by Juan and Nicolas Rodriguez Juarez, Miguel Cabrera and José de Ibarra. Inside one of the organs, a copy of the nomination of Hernán Cortés as Governor General of New Spain (1529) was found. Lastly, in the wall of the central arch of the cathedral was found the burial place of Miguel Barrigan, the first governor of Veracruz.

Late 20th-century work

The cathedral, along with the rest of the city, has been sinking into the lakebed from the day it was built. However, the fact that the city is a megalopolis with over 18 million people drawing water from underground sources has caused water tables to drop, and the sinking to accelerate during the latter half of the 20th century. Sections of the complex such as the cathedral and the tabernacle were still sinking at different rates, and the bell towers were tilting dangerously despite work done in the 1970s. For this reason, the cathedral was included in the 1998 World Monuments Watch by the World Monuments Fund.

Major restoration and foundation work began in the 1990s to stabilize the building. Engineers excavated under the cathedral between 1993 and 1998. They dug shafts under the cathedral and placed shafts of concrete into the soft ground to give the edifice a more solid base to rest on. These efforts have not stopped the sinking of the complex, but they have corrected the tilting towers and ensured that the cathedral will sink uniformly.

The cathedral has been a focus of Mexican cultural identity, and is a testament to its colonial history. Researcher Manuel Rivera Cambas reported that the cathedral was built on the site sacred precinct of the Aztecs and with the very stones of their temples so that the Spaniards could lay claim to the land and the people. Hernán Cortés supposedly laid the first stone of the original church personally.

It once was an important religious center, used exclusively by the prominent families of New Spain. In 1864, during the Second Mexican Empire, Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg and Empress Charlotte of Belgium (later known as Maximiliano and Carlota of Mexico) were crowned at the cathedral after the magnificent arrival to the head city of their reign.

Located on the Zocalo it has, over time, been the focus of social and cultural activities, most of which have occurred in the 20th and 21st centuries. The cathedral was closed for four years while President Plutarco Elías Calles attempted to enforce Mexico’s anti-religious laws. Pope Pius XI closed the church, ordering priests to cease their public religious duties in all Mexican churches. After the Mexican government and the papacy came to terms and major renovations were performed on the cathedral, it reopened in 1930.

The cathedral has been the scene of several protests both from the church and to the church, including a protest by women over the Church’s exhortation for women not to wear mini-skirts and other provocative clothing to avoid rape, and a candlelight vigil to protest against kidnappings in Mexico. The cathedral itself has been used to protest against social issues. Its bells rang to express the Archdiocese’s opposition to the Supreme Court upholding of Mexico City’s legalization of abortion.

Probably the most serious recent event occurred on 18 November 2007, when sympathizers of the Party of the Democratic Revolution attacked the cathedral. About 150 protesters stormed into Sunday Mass chanting slogans and knocking over pews. This caused church officials to close and lock the cathedral for a number of days. The cathedral reopened with new security measures, such as bag searches, in place.

The Island of the Dolls is full of dolls hanging from trees and buildings covered in cobwebs and insects. The place got its name in the 1950s when Julian Santana Barrera began hanging them as protection against spirits.

Santana was a neighbor of the Barrio de la Asunción (in the east of Mexico City), where he used to drink pulque after selling vegetables until superstition led him to preach the Bible and he was driven out of the area.

There are many myths about the Island of the Dolls. According to legend, a young woman (girl) drowned after becoming entangled among the lilies of the canal, and her body was found on the banks of the chinampas.

Julian Santana began to encounter inexplicable situations, so in horror, he put down the dolls that he found in the trash heap or in the canals, with the thought that they would frighten the soul of the young woman.

Julian Santana also found a doll floating nearby and, assuming it belonged to the deceased girl, hung it from a tree as a sign of respect. Later, he began to hear whispers, footsteps, and anguished wails in the darkness.

His hut was hidden deep inside the woods of Xochimilco, away from civilization.

Driven by fear, Julian Santana spent the next 50 years hanging more and more dolls, some missing body parts, around the Island of Dolls in an attempt to appease what he believed to be the spirit of the drowned girl.

In 1987, during a rescue mission by eco-tourists, the Dolls Island was discovered.

Since then, this island has become a place of curious eyes.

The island first became known after 1943 when Mexican director Emilio Fernandez filmed his famous “Maria Candelaria” (also known as “Xochimilco”), a romantic drama that stars Dolores del Río and Pedro Armendáriz.

The fact that this island was included in the film further increased its fame.

After Julian Santana’s death in 2001, his body was reportedly found in the exact spot where he found the girl’s body 50 years earlier, the site has become a popular tourist attraction, with visitors bringing more dolls.

Locals describe the Island of the Dolls as “enchanted” rather than “haunted”, although travelers claim the dolls whisper to them.

Embarcadero Cuemanco is an embarkation point where visitors can access trajineras.

Trajineras are traditional Mexican boats used for navigating the canals of Xochimilco. These vibrant-colored boats are a popular way to explore the scenic canals of Xochimilco and visit attractions like the Island of the Dolls.

It takes about 40 minutes by car from Mexico City.

It can take about 1 hour to reach Embarcadero Cuemanco by the metro. The nearest metro station to Embarcadero Cuemanco is the “Olivar del Conde”, which is part of Line 12 of the Mexico City Metro system.

Then take a taxi or “collectivo” to reach Embarcadero Cuemanco.

Where is the Island of the Dolls?

The Dolls Island is a 1.5-hour drive from Embarcadero Cuemanco. The only access is via trajinera. Most rowers are ready to transport visitors to the island, but there are also those who refuse due to superstition.

The excursion begins along maze-like canals. The trajinera journey lasts about 1 hour and includes a tour of the Ecological Area, the Ajolote Museum, the Apatlaco Canal, the Teshuilo Lagoon, and the Llorona Island.

From the start, the canals are surrounded by lush greenery and birdsong, but soon the boat is slowed by a swarm of water lilies and the canal falls into an eerie silence. It looks so surreal with hanging dolls around.

Hundreds, maybe thousands of dolls hanging from trees on a tiny island.

The island also has a small museum with articles from local newspapers about the island and the previous owner – Julian Santana. There is a store and 3 rooms, one of which appears to have been used as a bedroom.

This bedroom contains the first doll the island’s former owner, Julian Santana, collected, as well as Agustinita, his favorite doll. Some visitors place offerings around this doll in exchange for miracles and blessings.

The Salón Tenampa was founded by Juan Indalecio Hernández Ibarra, originally from Cocula, Jalisco, the birthplace of mariachi.

Hernández arrived in Mexico City from Jalisco in 1923 and started a cantina/store on Plaza Garibaldi, naming it El Tenampa.

The origin of this name is in dispute. Some say it was the brand name of a Cuban cigar that has since disappeared. Others say it is the name of a ranch in Veracruz and still others say it comes from an indigenous word “tenampal” meaning meeting place.

Hernández opened the establishment to give his fellow “Jalisquenses” a taste of home, with foods such as birria and pozole, as well as tequila and mariachi music.

Soon after opening his establishment, Hernández located a mariachi musician he knew in Cocula, Concho Andrade, and convinced him to play at El Tenampa. This began the long tradition of major mariachi bands playing here.

However, Andrade’s band did not play here long because of the ongoing Cristero War that was causing problems back in Cocula, causing most of the band to return to Jalisco to their families.

In 1927, Hernández hired Cirilo Marmolejo to play along with other mariachi groups.

While one group played inside the club, another would play for crowds outside in the Plaza. The popularity of mariachi music grew and other big names in the genre, such as José Reyes, would also come and play at El Tenampa.

Over the decades, the establishment hosted kings, princesses, presidents, and prime ministers, as well as innumerable politicians, artists, and intellectuals from Mexico and abroad.

Still located on the north side of Garibaldi Plaza, El Tenampa parties every night until 03:00 or 04:00 on weekends and holidays.

In 1910, Garibaldi Plaza had a garden in the middle of it. Later, the plaza was completely paved over with a kiosk placed in the center and an arcade placed near the front, by Eje Central.

On either side of the plaza were statues of great Charro singers. Along with the Salón Tenampa, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs have surrounded the Plaza.

Other popular nightspots have included the Guadalajara de Noche, the Nuevo México Típico, and the Tropicana. Places to eat include the San Camilito Gastronomic Market, which is filled with small stands serving Mexican food, many specializing in birria.

There is a pulquería here as well, called the Pulquería Hermosa Hortensia. While it is not a traditional pulquería, it is considered to be a safe place for tourists to try the native alcoholic drink of pulque.

Until 2009, this was the look the plaza had. The kiosk and arcade had witnessed thousands of declarations of love, where couples had mariachi bands serenade them. Others had come to celebrate special occasions, for nights out on the town, or to forget about a lost love.

Every year on 21 November, the Day of the Music is celebrated here.

By 2009, the Plaza and the neighborhoods of Guerrero and Tlatelolco surrounding it had been in decline for decades. Infrastructure had not been maintained or updated, but the most serious deterioration for the area has been in the way of security.

The area is well known for thieves, especially on the side streets, indigence, and public drunkenness.

This deterioration has caused many legitimate businesses to leave these neighborhoods and the number of tourists visiting the Plaza itself has greatly declined.

In spite of the area’s serious decline, Plaza Garibaldi remains one of the best-recognized places by foreign visitors in Mexico City.

In 2007, a plan to rescue and revitalize Plaza Garibaldi and the surrounding neighborhoods called the Programa Integral de Remodelación de la Plaza Garibaldi, was implemented. The plan is part of the ongoing effort to revitalize the historic downtown, and part of more ambitious plans to revitalize tourism in Zona Rosa and Xochimilco as well.

The goal of the Garibaldi project is to recuperate one of the most “emblematic” or “iconic” places and to restore it as one of the premier nightspots in Mexico City.

The first priority of the project has been to improve the security of the Plaza and the surrounding neighborhoods.

A “security zone” between La Lagunilla (just east of Plaza Garibaldi), extending west and south to the Palacio de Bellas Artes, has been created so that the area can be visited 24 hours a day.

This area is called the Bellas Artes-Garibaldi Tourism Corridor. Street lighting is being improved along with the rehabilitation of the gardens and sidewalks of the neighboring streets.

More police are being stationed here and two permanent police modules, one on Eje Central and the other in the center of Plaza Garibaldi itself, are planned.

Security cameras are being installed and traffic flow along Eje Central improved. To rid the area of indigents and drunks, social workers are being employed to lead people to shelters and/or to job training services as appropriate.

When necessary, judicial intervention will occur, according to the city. It is hoped that these combined efforts will move “anti-social” elements to other parts of the city, allowing businesses and private investment to return.

All property owners in the area are being required to invest, co-invest, sell their lands, or risk expropriation. The old kiosk and arcade have been leveled, as well as some of the older buildings on the east side of the plaza, to create more open space.

An agave garden is the center of the new Plaza Garibaldi. Benches, better walkways, lighting, and a tourism information booth are added.

Two showpieces of the project are the Museum of Tequila and Mezcal and a School of Mariachi dedicated to the formal training of mariachi musicians.

Located just behind the Agave Garden on the Plaza, the museum is a three-story building with clear glass walls, stone floors, and an area of 220 m2.

The architect of the project is Adriana Sepúlveda Vildósola, who is sponsored by the Autoridad de Espacio Público of Mexico City. Offices and other spaces occupy most of the ground floor.

The first floor is an open exhibition area and contains most of the museum’s exhibition space. The purpose of the museum is to show the drinks’ origins, production, and wide variety, and their place in the history of Mexico and Mexican cuisine.

The museum also contains a tasting room.

The project has a budget of 30 million pesos.

The top floor of the museum building is home to a bar with a small performing area, where seasoned solo mariachi singers perform well-known Mexican folk songs. The mostly Mexican audiences often sing along with the performers.

Although open to the public, it has a genial and inclusive atmosphere.

The School of Mariachi, like its predecessor, the School of Mexican Music, which was housed in an old silk factory nearby, trains mariachi musicians with an eye toward keeping the old traditional ways.

Many mariachi purists complain that the music has been over-adapted to modern tastes and that many “pirate musicians,” who do not devote themselves to the music full-time, are ruining one of Mexico’s treasured icons.

Many also worry that the music’s popularity in other places in the world, especially in the United States, is bringing unwanted changes to the genre. The School of Mariachi will get a new home in the new Plaza, and will also certify professional mariachi musicians from Mexico and around the world.

The School of Mariachi has a budget of 32.1 million pesos.

The statues of Mexican music greats such as Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete, Javier Solís, and others are being moved to Republica de Honduras Street. This street will be closed to vehicular traffic and be converted into the Paseo de los Idolos de la Música Mexicana (Boulevard of the Idols of Mexican Music).

The San Camilitio Gastronomic Market will remain, but it will be extensively rehabilitated at a cost of 4.5 million pesos. To further gastronomic development here, the city has proposed a Conservatory of Mexican Cuisine.

They are also working to get gourmet restaurants in other parts of the city to open here as well, promising to work to promote new restaurants that do open here.

A lienzo charro for charreada has also been planned for this section of the city, as it is tied to mariachi music.

Plaza Garibaldi is located in historic downtown Mexico City, on Eje Central (Lázaro Cárdenas) between street Calle República de Honduras and street Calle República de Peru, a few blocks north of the Palacio de Bellas Artes.

Metro: Garibaldi-Langunilla

The term “metropolitan area” was coined and developed in the United States from the 1920s and is used most often to refer to a “large” city whose limits exceed those of the political-administrative unit that originally contained it; in the case of Mexico, this unit is the municipality.

Mexico City former 16 “boroughs” now became “municipalities”

Álvaro Obregón
Azcapotzalco
Benito Juárez
Coyoacán
Cuajimalpa
Cuauhtémoc
Gustavo A. Madero
Iztacalco
Iztapalapa
Magdalena Contreras
Miguel Hidalgo
Milpa Alta
Tláhuac
Tlalpan
Venustiano Carranza
Xochimilco

The 49 of 125 municipalities of the State of Mexico

Acolman
Amecameca
Apaxco
Atenco
Atizapán de Zaragoza
Atlautla
Axapusco
Ayapango
Chalco
Chiautla
Chicoloapan
Chiconcuac
Chimalhuacán
Coacalco de Berriozábal
Cocotitlán
Coyotepec
Cuautitlán
Cuautitlán Izcalli
Ecatepec de Morelos
Ecatzingo
Huehuetoca
Hueypoxtla
Huixquilucan
Isidro Fabela
Ixtapaluca
Jaltenco
Jilotzingo
Juchitepec
La Paz
Melchor Ocampo
Naucalpan de Juárez
Nextlalpan
Nezahualcóyotl
Nicolás Romero
Nopaltepec
Otumba
Ozumba
Papalotla
San Martín de las Pirámides
Tecámac
Temamatla
Temascalapa
Tenango del Aire
Teoloyucan
Teotihuacán
Tepetlaoxtoc
Tepetlixpa
Tepotzotlán
Tequixquiac
Texcoco
Tezoyuca
Tlalmanalco
Tlalnepantla de Baz
Tonanitla
Tultepec
Tultitlán
Valle de Chalco Solidaridad
Villa del Carbón
Zumpango

One conurbation municipality of the State of Hidalgo

Tizayuca

Another way to visualize these municipalities is by their intrastate regions. The Mexico City Metropolitan Area fully covers 5 regions (regiones naturales) in Mexico State, partly covers another 5 regions, the Federal District, and 1 municipality in Hidalgo.

The following regions of Mexico State lie completely within this metropolitan area:

Region XIV (Mexico State) (Tultitlan, 6 municipalities)
Region XI (Mexico State) (Texcoco, 7 municipalities)
Region XII (Mexico State) (Tlalnepantla,2 municipalities)
Region IX (Mexico State) (Nezahualcoyotl, 1 city)
Region III (Mexico State) (Chimulhuacan, 4 municipalities)

The definition of the Mexico City Metropolitan Area is positive, in that all municipalities form a single conurbation. By contrast, the Metropolitan Area of the Valley of Mexico is considered a normative definition, in that it incorporates 18 additional strategic municipalities in the territorial administration of the region, even if they have not been fully integrated yet. Many urban projects, mostly related to the improvement of air quality and water sanitation, are coordinated for all constituent municipalities of this agglomeration. The majority of the population reports of urban areas in Mexico refer to this agglomeration, and not to the MCMA conurbation.

Amecameca
Apaxco
Atlautla
Axapusco
Ayapango
Ecatzingo
Hueypoxtla
Isidro Fabela
Jilotzingo
Juchitepec
Nopaltepec
Otumba
Ozumba
Temascalapa
Tenango del Aire
Tepetlixpa
Tequixquiac
Villa del Carbón

All municipalities are within the Metropolitan Area of the Valley of Mexico. Together these 10 intrastate regions cover every single municipality within the Valley of Mexico Metropolitan Area except for the 1 municipality in Hidalgo State. (59 municipalities):

Region I (Mexico State) (Amecameca, 13 municipalities)
Region VIII (Mexico State) (Naucalpan, 5 municipalities)
Region IV (Mexico State) (Cuautitlan Izcalli, 5 municipalities)
Region V (Mexico State) (Ecatepec, 9 municipalities)
Region XVI (Mexico State) (Zumpango, 7 municipalities incl 1 new.)

Greater Mexico City spreads over the valley of Mexico, also called the valley of Anáhuac, a 9,560 km² (3,691 sq mi) valley that lies at an average of 2,240 m (7,349 ft) above sea level.

Originally, a system of interconnected lakes occupied a large area of the valley, of which Lake Texcoco was the largest. Mexico City was built on the island of Tenochtitlan in the middle of the lake.

During conquest of Mexico the dikes that protected the city from recurrent floods were destroyed and colonial authorities preferred to drain the water of the lake, which was, for the most part, shallow.

In 1900 president Porfirio Díaz inaugurated the Valley’s System of Drainage that hinders the growth of water bodies in the valley (and prevents floods). The basin of the valley of Mexico was thus integrated artificially to the Moctezuma river basin which connects to the Pánuco River.

The last remnants of the system of lakes are found in the boroughs of Xochimilco and Tláhuac, and in the municipality of Atenco.

The valley of Mexico is surrounded by mountains on all four sides creating a basin with only one small opening at the north, trapping all exhaust emissions of the city. At the southern part of the basin the mountain range reaches an altitude of 3,952 m (12,965 ft) above sea level; and to the east the volcanoes reach an altitude of more than 5,000 m (16,000 ft).

The region receives anti-cyclonic systems, producing weak winds that do not allow for the dispersion of accumulated air pollutants, produced by the 50,000 industries operating in Greater Mexico City and the 4 million vehicles circulating in its roads and highways.

You can dial 078 from any phone, where you can find free information about tourist attractions, airports, travel agencies, car rental companies, embassies and consulates, fairs and exhibitions, hotels, hospitals, financial services, migratory and other issues.

Or dial the toll-free (in Mexico) number 01-800-006-8839.

You can also request information to the email correspondencia@sectur.gob.mx

MORE EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

General Information: 040 (not free)

National Emergency Service: 911

Radio Patrols: 066
Police (Emergency): 060
Civil Protection: +52(55)5683-2222
Anonymous Complaint: 089

Setravi (Transport Mobility): +52(55)5209-9913
Road Emergency: 074

Cruz Roja: 065 o +52(55)5557-5757
Firefighters: 068 o +52(55)5768-3700

Geography

Mexico City is located in the Valley of Mexico, a large valley in the high plateaus at the center of Mexico sometimes called the Basin of Mexico. This valley is located in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt in the high plateaus of south-central Mexico. Seismic activity is frequent here.

It has a minimum altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level and is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes that reach elevations of over 5,000 meters. Mexico City has an area of 1,495 square km.

This valley has no natural drainage outlet for the waters that flow from the mountainsides, making the city vulnerable to flooding. Drainage was engineered through the use of canals and tunnels starting in the 17th century.

Mexico City primarily rests on what was Lake Texcoco, a system of interconnected salt and freshwater lakes. Only a small section of the original lake remains, located outside the Federal District, in the municipality of Atenco, State of Mexico.

The Aztecs built dikes to separate the freshwater used to raise crops in chinampas and to prevent recurrent floods. These dikes were destroyed during the siege of Tenochtitlan, and during colonial times the Spanish regularly drained the lake to prevent floods.

Lake Texcoco was drained starting from the 17th century. Although none of the lake waters remain, the city rests on the lake bed’s heavily saturated clay. This soft base is collapsing due to the over-extraction of groundwater, called groundwater-related subsidence.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, the city has sunk as much as nine meters in some areas. This sinking is causing problems with runoff and wastewater management, leading to flooding problems, especially during the rainy season.

The entire lake bed is now paved over and most of the city’s remaining forested areas lie in the southern boroughs of Milpa Alta, Tlalpan, and Xochimilco.

Climate

Mexico City has a subtropical highland climate, due to its tropical location but high elevation.

The average annual temperature varies from 12 to 16 °C. The temperature is rarely below 3 °C or above 30 °C. Overall precipitation is heavily concentrated in the summer months and includes dense hail.

The Central Valley of Mexico rarely gets snow during winter.

The area has two main seasons.

The rainy season runs from June to October when winds bring in tropical moisture from the sea, and the wettest month is July.

The dry season runs from November to May, when the air is relatively drier, and the driest month is December. This dry season is subdivided into a cold period and a warm period.

The cold period spans from November to February when polar air masses push down from the north and keep the air fairly dry.

The warm period extends from March to May when tropical winds again dominate but do not yet carry enough moisture for rain.

Pollution

By the 1990s Mexico City had become infamous as one of the world’s most polluted cities. However, the city has become a model for dramatically lowering pollution levels.

By 2014 carbon monoxide pollution had dropped dramatically, while levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide were nearly three times lower than in 1992.

To clean up pollution, the federal and local governments implemented numerous plans including the constant monitoring and reporting of environmental conditions, such as ozone and nitrogen oxides. When the levels of these two pollutants reached critical levels, contingency actions were implemented which included closing factories, changing school hours, and extending the day without a car program to two days of the week.

The government also instituted industrial technology improvements, a strict biannual vehicle emission inspection, and the reformulation of gasoline and diesel fuels. The introduction of Metrobús bus rapid transit and the Ecobici bike-sharing were among efforts to encourage alternate, greener forms of transportation.

Historically, and since pre-Columbian times, the Valley of Anahuac has been one of the most densely populated areas in Mexico. When the Federal District was created in 1824, the urban area of Mexico City extended approximately to the area of today’s Cuauhtémoc borough.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the elites began migrating to the south and west and soon the small towns of Mixcoac and San Ángel were incorporated by the growing conurbation.

In 1921, Mexico City had less than one million inhabitants.

Up to the 1990s, the Federal District was the most populous federal entity in Mexico, but since then its population has remained stable at around 8.7 million. The growth of the city has extended beyond the limits of the Federal District to 59 municipalities in the state of Mexico and 1 in the state of Hidalgo.

With a population of approximately 19.8 million inhabitants (2008), it is one of the most populous conurbations in the world.

According to a genetic study done in 2011, the average genetic composition of people from Mexico City is 65% Native American, 31% European, and 3% African.

Historically since the era of New Spain, many Filipinos settled in the city and have become integrated in Mexican society. While no official figures have been reported, population estimates of each of these communities are quite significant.

Mexico City is home to the largest population of U.S. Americans living outside the United States. Current estimates are as high as 700,000 U.S. Americans living in Mexico City.

The name of México has several hypotheses that entail the origin, history, and use of the name México, which dates back to 14th century Mesoamerica.

The Nahuatl word Mexico means place of the Mexica but the ethnonym Mexicatl itself is of unknown etymology.

An alternate possibility is that the name “Mexico” may come from the word mexixin, a cress that grew in the swamplands of Lake Texcoco. It was an edible grass that the Aztecs or Mexica survived on as they settled where today lies México City.

The country México did not name its capital after itself, as in Mexico City – the accepted name internationally – but the converse actually applies.

Before Spanish times, the capital was formally named Tenochtitlan, but was the seat of the Mexica Empire which is known as the Aztec Empire.

As far back as 1590, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum atlas showed that the northern part of the New World was known as “America Mexicana” (Mexican America), as México City was the seat for the New Spain viceroyalty.

New Spain is mistaken as the old name for México, rather than the name of a large expanse of land that covered much of North America and included the Caribbean and the Philippines.

Since New Spain was not actually a state or a contiguous part of land, in modern times it would have been a Jurisdiction under the command of the authorities in modern Mexico City.

Under the Spaniards, Mexico was both the name of the capital and its sphere of influence, most of which exists as Greater Mexico City and the State of Mexico. Some parts of Puebla, Morelos and Hidalgo were also part of Spanish-era Mexico.

CDMX

Complications arose with the capital’s former colloquial and semi-official name “Ciudad de Mexico, Distrito Federal” or “Mexico, D.F.”, which appears on postal addresses and is frequently cited in the media, thus creating a duplication whereas the shortened name was “Mexico, D.F., Mexico”. Legally, the name was simply Distrito Federal (Federal District or District of the Federation).

Since 2013, to refer to the City particularly in relation to government campaigns, the abbreviation CDMX has been used (from Ciudad de México).

This ended with the change in the statute of Mexico City into a state in 2016. Today it’s officially called only “Ciudad de México, México” abbreviated CDMX, Mexico.

Nicknames

Mexico City was traditionally known as La Ciudad de los Palacios (“the City of the Palaces”), a nickname attributed to Baron Alexander von Humboldt when visiting the city in the 19th century, who, sending a letter back to Europe, said Mexico City could rival any major city in Europe.

During Andrés López Obrador’s administration, a political slogan was introduced: la Ciudad de la Esperanza (“The City of Hope”). This motto was quickly adopted as a city nickname but has faded since the new motto Capital en Movimiento (“Capital in Movement”) was adopted by the administration headed by Marcelo Ebrard, though the latter is not treated as often as a nickname in media.

The city is colloquially known as Chilangolandia after the locals’ nickname chilangos. Chilango is used pejoratively by people living outside Mexico City to “connote a loud, arrogant, ill-mannered, loutish person”.

For their part, those living in Mexico City designate insultingly those who live elsewhere as living in la provincia (“the provinces”, the periphery) and many proudly embrace the term chilango.

Residents of Mexico City are more recently called defeños (deriving from the postal abbreviation of the Federal District in Spanish “DF” which is read “De-Efe”). They are formally called capitalinos (in reference to the city being the capital of the country), but “perhaps because capitalino is the more polite, specific, and correct word, it is almost never utilized”.

Aztec period

The city of Mexico-Tenochtitlan was founded by the Mexica people in 1325. The old Mexica city that is now simply referred to as Tenochtitlan was built on an island in the center of the inland lake system of the Valley of Mexico, which it shared with a smaller city-state called Tlatelolco.

According to legend, the Mexicas’ principal god, Huitzilopochtli indicated the site where they were to build their home by presenting an eagle perched on a nopal cactus with a snake in its beak.

Between 1325 and 1521, Tenochtitlan grew in size and strength, eventually dominating the other city-states around Lake Texcoco and in the Valley of Mexico.

When the Spaniards arrived, the Aztec Empire had reached much of Mesoamerica, touching both the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.

Spanish conquest

After landing in Veracruz, Hernán Cortés advanced upon Tenochtitlan with the aid of many of the other native peoples, arriving there on November 8, 1519. Cortés and his men marched along the causeway leading into the city from Iztapalapa, and the city’s ruler, Moctezuma II, greeted the Spaniards. They exchanged gifts, but the camaraderie did not last long. Cortés put Moctezuma under house arrest, hoping to rule through him.

Tensions increased until, on the night of June 30, 1520 – during a struggle known as “La Noche Triste” – the Aztecs rose up against the Spanish intrusion and managed to capture or drive out the Europeans and their Tlaxcalan allies.

Cortés regrouped at Tlaxcala. The Aztecs thought the Spaniards were permanently gone, and they elected a new king, Cuitláhuac, but he soon died. The next king was Cuauhtémoc.

Cortés began a siege of Tenochtitlan in May 1521.

For three months, the city suffered from the lack of food and water as well as the spread of smallpox brought by the Europeans. Cortés and his allies landed their forces in the south of the island and slowly fought their way through the city.

Cuauhtémoc surrendered in August 1521. The Spaniards practically razed Tenochtitlan during the final siege of the conquest.

Rebuilding

Cortés first settled in Coyoacán but decided to rebuild the Aztec site to erase all traces of the old order. He did not establish a territory under his own personal rule but remained loyal to the Spanish crown.

The first Spanish viceroy arrived in Mexico City fourteen years later. By that time, the city had again become a city-state, having power that extended far beyond its borders.

Although the Spanish preserved Tenochtitlan’s basic layout, they built Catholic churches over the old Aztec temples and claimed the imperial palaces for themselves.

Tenochtitlan was renamed “Mexico” because the Spanish found the word easier to pronounce.

Growth of Colonial Mexico City

The city had been the capital of the Aztec empire and in the colonial era, Mexico City became the capital of New Spain. The viceroy of Mexico or vice-king lived in the viceregal palace on the main square or Zócalo.

The Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, the seat of the Archbishopric of New Spain, was constructed on another side of the Zócalo, as was the archbishop’s palace, and across from it the building housing the City Council or ayuntamiento of the city.

A famous late seventeenth-century painting of the Zócalo by Cristóbal de Villalpando depicts the main square, which had been the old Aztec ceremonial center.

The existing central place of the Aztecs was effectively and permanently transformed into the ceremonial center and seat of power during the colonial period and remains to this day in modern Mexico, the central place of the nation.

The rebuilding of the city after the siege of Tenochtitlan was accomplished by the abundant indigenous labor in the surrounding area. Franciscan friar Toribio de Benavente Motolinia, one of the Twelve Apostles of Mexico who arrived in New Spain in 1524, described the rebuilding of the city as one of the afflictions or plagues of the early period:

The seventh plague was the construction of the great City of Mexico, which, during the early years used more people than in the construction of Jerusalem.

The crowds of laborers were so numerous that one could hardly move in the streets and causeways, although they were very wide. Many died from being crushed by beams, falling from high places, or tearing down old buildings for new ones.

Preconquest Tenochtitlan was built in the center of the inland lake system, with the city reachable by canoe and by wide causeways to the mainland. The causeways were rebuilt under Spanish rule with indigenous labor.

Colonial Spanish cities were constructed on a grid pattern if no geographical obstacle prevented it. In Mexico City, the Zócalo (main square) was the central place from which the grid was then built outward.

The Spanish lived in the area closest to the main square in what was known as the traza, in orderly, well-laid-out streets. Indian residences were outside that exclusive zone and houses were haphazardly located.

Spaniards sought to keep Indians separate from Spaniards but since the Zócalo was a center of commerce for Indians, they were a constant presence in the central area, so strict segregation was never enforced.

At intervals, Zócalo was where major celebrations took place as well as executions. It was also the site of two major riots in the seventeenth century, one in 1624, and the other in 1692.

The city grew as the population did, coming up against the lake’s waters.

As the depth of the lake water fluctuated, Mexico City was subject to periodic flooding. A major labor draft, the desagüe, compelled thousands of Indians over the colonial period to work on infrastructure to prevent flooding.

Floods were not only an inconvenience but also a health hazard, since during flood periods human waste polluted the city’s streets.

By draining the area, the mosquito population dropped as did the frequency of the diseases they spread. However, draining the wetlands also changed the habitat for fish and birds and the areas accessible for Indian cultivation close to the capital.

The 16th century saw a proliferation of churches, many of which can still be seen today in the historic center. Economically, Mexico City prospered as a result of trade. Unlike Brazil or Peru, Mexico had easy contact with both the Atlantic and Pacific worlds. Although the Spanish crown tried to completely regulate all commerce in the city, it had only partial success.

The concept of nobility flourished in New Spain in a way not seen in other parts of the Americas. Spaniards encountered a society in which the concept of nobility mirrored that of their own. Spaniards respected the indigenous order of nobility and added to it. In the ensuing centuries, possession of a noble title in Mexico did not mean one exercised great political power, for one’s power was limited even if the accumulation of wealth was not. The concept of nobility in Mexico was not political but rather a very conservative Spanish social one, based on proving the worthiness of the family. Most of these families proved their worth by making fortunes in New Spain outside of the city itself, then spending the revenues in the capital, building churches, supporting charities, and building extravagant palatial homes. The craze to build the most opulent residence possible reached its height in the last half of the 18th century. Many of these palaces can still be seen today, leading to Mexico City’s nickname of “The City of Palaces” given by Alexander Von Humboldt.

The Grito de Dolores (“Cry of Dolores”), also known as El Grito de la Independencia (“Cry of Independence”), marked the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence. The Battle of Guanajuato, the first major engagement of the insurgency, occurred four days later. After a decade of war, Mexico’s independence from Spain was effectively declared in the Declaration of Independence of the Mexican Empire on September 27, 1821. Unrest followed for the next several decades, as different factions fought for control of Mexico.

The Mexican Federal District was established by the new government and by the signing of their new constitution, where the concept of a federal district was adapted from the United States Constitution. Before this designation, Mexico City had served as the seat of government for both the State of Mexico and the nation as a whole. Texcoco and then Toluca became the capital of the state of Mexico.

The Battle of Mexico City in the U.S.–Mexican War of 1847

The Battle for Mexico City was a series of engagements from September 8 to 15, 1847, in the general vicinity of Mexico City during the U.S.-Mexican War. Included are major actions at the battles of Molino del Rey and Chapultepec, culminating with the fall of Mexico City. The U.S. Army under Winfield Scott scored a major success that ended the war. The American invasion into the Federal District was first resisted during the Battle of Churubusco on August 8 where the Saint Patrick’s Battalion, which was composed primarily of Catholic Irish and German immigrants, but also Canadians, English, French, Italians, Poles, Scots, Spaniards, Swiss, and Mexican people, fought for the Mexican cause repelling the American attacks. After defeating the Saint Patrick’s Battalion, the Mexican–American War came to a close after the United States deployed combat units deep into Mexico resulting in the capture of Mexico City and Veracruz by the U.S. Army’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Divisions. The invasion culminated with the storming of Chapultepec Castle in the city itself.

During this battle, on September 13, the 4th Division, under John A. Quitman, spearheaded the attack against Chapultepec and carried the castle. Future Confederate generals George E. Pickett and James Longstreet participated in the attack. Serving in the Mexican defense were the cadets later immortalized as Los Niños Héroes (the “Boy Heroes”). The Mexican forces fell back from Chapultepec and retreated within the city. Attacks on the Belén and San Cosme Gates came afterward. The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in what is now the far north of the city.

Porfirian era (1876–1911)

Events such as the Mexican–American War, the French Intervention, and the Reform War left the city relatively untouched and it continued to grow, especially during the rule of President Porfirio Díaz.

During this time the city developed a modern infrastructure, such as roads, schools, transportation systems, and communication systems. However, the regime concentrated resources and wealth in the city while the rest of the country languished in poverty.

Under the rule of Porfirio Díaz, Mexico City experienced a massive transformation.

Díaz’s goal was to create a city that could rival the great European cities. He and his government came to the conclusion that they would use Paris as a model, while still containing remnants of Amerindian and Hispanic elements.

This style of Mexican-French fusion architecture became colloquially known as Porfirian Architecture. Porfirian architecture became very influenced by Paris’ Haussmannization.

During this era of Porfirian rule, the city underwent an extensive modernization.

Many Spanish Colonial-style buildings were destroyed, replaced by new much larger Porfirian institutions, and many outlying rural zones were transformed into urban or industrialized districts with most having electrical, gas, and sewage utilities by 1908.

While the initial focus was on developing modern hospitals, schools, factories, and massive public works, perhaps the most long-lasting effects of the Porfirian modernization were the creation of the Colonia Roma area and the development of Reforma Avenue.

Many of Mexico City’s major attractions and landmarks were built during this era in this style.

Diaz’s plans called for the entire city to eventually be modernized or rebuilt in the Porfirian/French style of the Colonia Roma; but the Mexican Revolution began soon afterward and the plans never came to fruition, with many projects being left half-completed.

One of the best examples of this is the Monument to the Mexican Revolution.

Originally the monument was to be the main dome of Diaz’s new senate hall, but when the revolution erupted only the dome of the senate hall and its supporting pillars were completed, this was subsequently seen as a symbol by many Mexicans that the Porfirian era was over once and for all and as such, it was turned into a monument to victory over Diaz.

Mexican Revolution (1910–1920)

The capital escaped the worst of the violence of the ten-year conflict of the Mexican Revolution. The most significant episode of this period for the city was the February 1913 La decena trágica (“The Ten Tragic Days”), when forces counter to the elected government of Francisco I. Madero staged a successful coup. The center of the city was subjected to artillery attacks from the army stronghold of the ciudadela or citadel, with significant civilian casualties and the undermining of confidence in the Madero government. Victoriano Huerta, chief general of the Federal Army, saw a chance to take power, forcing Madero and Pino Suarez to sign resignations. The two were murdered later while on their way to Lecumberri prison. Huerta’s ouster in July 1914 saw the entry of the armies of Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata, but the city did not experience violence. Huerta had abandoned the capital and the conquering armies marched in. Venustiano Carranza’s Constitutionalist faction ultimately prevailed in the revolutionary civil war and Carranza took up residence in the presidential palace.

20th century to present

The history of the rest of the 20th century to the present focuses on the phenomenal growth of the city and its environmental and political consequences. In 1900, the population of Mexico City was about 500,000. The city began to grow rapidly westward in the early part of the 20th century and then began to grow upwards in the 1950s, with the Torre Latinoamericana becoming the city’s first skyscraper. The 1968 Olympic Games brought about the construction of large sporting facilities.

In 1969 the Metro system was inaugurated. Explosive growth in the population of the city started in the 1960s, with the population overflowing the boundaries of the Federal District into the neighboring state of Mexico, especially to the north, northwest, and northeast. Between 1960 and 1980 the city’s population more than doubled to nearly 9 million.

In 1980 half of all the industrial jobs in Mexico were located in Mexico City. Under relentless growth, the Mexico City government could barely keep up with services. Villagers from the countryside who continued to pour into the city to escape poverty only compounded the city’s problems. With no housing available, they took over lands surrounding the city, creating huge shantytowns that extended for many miles. This caused serious air pollution in Mexico City and water pollution problems, as well as subsidence due to over-extraction of groundwater. Air and water pollution has been contained and improved in several areas due to government programs, the renovation of vehicles, and the modernization of public transportation.

The autocratic government that ruled Mexico City since the Revolution was tolerated, mostly because of the continued economic expansion since World War II. This was the case even though this government could not handle the population and pollution problems adequately. Nevertheless, discontent and protests began in the 1960s leading to the massacre of an unknown number of protesting students in Tlatelolco.

Three years later, a demonstration in Maestros Avenue, organized by former members of the 1968 student movement, was violently repressed by a paramilitary group called “Los Halcones”, composed of gang members and teenagers from many sports clubs who received training in the U.S.

On Thursday, September 19, 1985, at 07:19, Mexico City was struck by an earthquake of magnitude 8.1 on the Richter magnitude scale. Although this earthquake was not as deadly or destructive as many similar events in Asia and other parts of Latin America, it proved to be a disaster politically for the one-party government.

The government was paralyzed by its own bureaucracy and corruption, forcing ordinary citizens to create and direct their own rescue efforts and to reconstruct much of the housing that was lost as well.

However, the last straw may have been the controversial elections of 1988. That year, the presidency was set between the P.R.I.’s candidate, Carlos Salinas de Gortari, and a coalition of left-wing parties led by Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas, son of the former president Lázaro Cárdenas. The counting system “fell” because coincidentally the light went out and suddenly, when it returned, the winning candidate was Salinas, even though Cárdenas had the upper hand.

As a result of the fraudulent election, Cárdenas became a member of the Party of the Democratic Revolution. Discontent over the election eventually led Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas to become the first elected mayor of Mexico City in 1997.

Cárdenas promised a more democratic government, and his party claimed some victories against crime, pollution, and other major problems. He resigned in 1999 to run for the presidency.

Mexico City is a destination for many foreign tourists.

The Historic center of Mexico City (Centro Histórico) and the “floating gardens” of Xochimilco in the southern borough have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Famous landmarks in the Historic Center include the Plaza de la Constitución (Zócalo), the main central square.
During the winter, the main square of the Zócalo is transformed into a gigantic ice skating rink, which is said to be the largest in the world behind that of Moscow’s Red Square.

Metropolitan Cathedral and National Palace, ancient Aztec temple ruins Templo Mayor (“Major Temple”), and modern structures, all within a few steps of one another. The Templo Mayor was discovered in 1978 while workers were digging to place underground electric cables.

The most recognizable icon of Mexico City is the golden Angel of Independence on the wide, elegant avenue Paseo de la Reforma, modeled by the order of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico after the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

This avenue was designed over the Americas’ oldest known major roadway in the 19th century to connect the National Palace (seat of government) with the Castle of Chapultepec, the imperial residence. Today, this avenue is an important financial district in which the Mexican Stock Exchange and several corporate headquarters are located.

Another important avenue is the Avenida de los Insurgentes, which extends 28.8 km (17.9 mi) and is one of the longest single avenues in the world.

Chapultepec Park houses the Chapultepec Castle, now a museum on a hill that overlooks the park and its numerous museums, monuments, and the National Zoo and the National Museum of Anthropology (which houses the Aztec Calendar Stone).

Another piece of architecture is the Fine Arts Palace, a white marble theatre/museum whose weight is such that it has gradually been sinking into the soft ground below. Its construction began during the presidency of Porfirio Díaz and ended in 1934, after being interrupted by the Mexican Revolution in the 1920s.

The Plaza of the Three Cultures in the Tlatelolco neighborhood, and the shrine and Basilicas of Our Lady of Guadalupe are also important sites.

There is a double-decker bus, known as the “Turibus”, that circles most of these sites, and has timed audio describing the sites in multiple languages as they are passed.

In addition, the city has about 160 museums—the world’s greatest single metropolitan concentration —over 100 art galleries, and some 30 concert halls, all of which maintain a constant cultural activity during the whole year.

It has either the third or fourth-highest number of theatres in the world after New York, London, and perhaps Toronto.

Many areas (e.g. Palacio Nacional and the National Institute of Cardiology) have murals painted by Diego Rivera. He and his wife Frida Kahlo lived in Coyoacán, where several of their homes, studios, and art collections are open to the public.

The house where Leon Trotsky was initially granted asylum and finally murdered in 1940 is also in Coyoacán.

In addition, there are several restored haciendas that are now restaurants, such as the San Ángel Inn, the Hacienda de Tlalpan, and the Hacienda de los Morales.

Museums

Mexico City has numerous museums dedicated to art, including Mexican colonial, modern and contemporary art, and international art.

• The Museo Tamayo was opened in the mid-1980s to house the collection of international contemporary art donated by famed Mexican (born in the state of Oaxaca) painter Rufino Tamayo. The collection includes pieces by Picasso, Klee, Kandinsky, Warhol, and many others, though most of the collection is stored while visiting exhibits are shown.
• The Museo de Arte Moderno (Museum of Modern Art) is a repository of Mexican artists from the 20th century, including Rivera, Orozco, Siqueiros, Kahlo, Gerzso, Carrington, Tamayo, among others, and also regularly hosts temporary exhibits of international modern art.
• In southern Mexico City, the Museo Carrillo Gil (Carrillo Gil Museum) showcases avant-garde artists, as does the University Museum/Contemporary Art (Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo – or MUAC), designed by famed Mexican architect Teodoro González de León, inaugurated in late 2008.
• The Museo Soumaya, named after the wife of Mexican magnate Carlos Slim, has the largest private collection of original Rodin sculptures outside Paris. It also has a large collection of Dalí sculptures, and recently began showing pieces in its masters’ collection including El Greco, Velázquez, Picasso, and Canaletto. The museum inaugurated a new futuristic-design facility in 2011 just north of Polanco, while maintaining a smaller facility in Plaza Loreto in southern Mexico City.
• The Colección Júmex is a contemporary art museum located on the sprawling grounds of the Jumex juice company in the northern industrial suburb of Ecatepec. It is said to have the largest private contemporary art collection in Latin America and hosts pieces from its permanent collection as well as traveling exhibits by leading contemporary artists.
• The new Museo Júmex in Nuevo Polanco was slated to open in November 2013.
• The Museo de San Ildefonso, housed in the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso in Mexico City’s historic downtown district is a 17th-century colonnaded palace housing an art museum that regularly hosts world-class exhibits of Mexican and international art. Recent exhibits have included those on David LaChapelle, Antony Gormley, and Ron Mueck.
• The National Museum of Art (Museo Nacional de Arte) is also located in a former palace in the historic center. It houses a large collection of pieces by all major Mexican artists of the last 400 years and also hosts visiting exhibits.
  Jack Kerouac, the noted American author, spent extended periods of time in the city and wrote his masterpiece volume of poetry Mexico City Blues here. Another American author, William S. Burroughs, also lived in the Colonia Roma neighborhood of the city for some time. It was here that he accidentally shot his wife.
• Another major addition to the city’s museum scene is the Museum of Remembrance and Tolerance (Museo de la Memoria y Tolerancia), inaugurated in early 2011. The brainchild of two young Mexican women as a Holocaust museum, the idea morphed into a unique museum dedicated to showcasing all major historical events of discrimination and genocide. Permanent exhibits include those on the Holocaust and other large-scale atrocities. It also houses temporary exhibits; one on Tibet was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in September 2011.

Most of Mexico City’s more than 150 museums can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00, although some of them have extended schedules, such as the Museum of Anthropology and History, which is open to 19:00.
In addition to this, entrance to most museums is free on Sunday.
In some cases, a modest fee may be charged.

Music, theater, and entertainment

Mexico City is home to a number of orchestras offering seasonal programs.

• Mexico City Philharmonic, which performs at the Sala Ollin Yoliztli
• National Symphony Orchestra, whose home base is the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of the Fine Arts), a masterpiece of art nouveau and art decó styles
• Philharmonic Orchestra of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (OFUNAM) which performs at the Sala Nezahualcóyotl
• Minería Symphony Orchestra also performs at the Sala Nezahualcóyotl, which was the first wrap-around concert hall of the world’s western hemisphere when inaugurated in 1976

There are also many smaller ensembles that enrich the city’s musical scene

• Carlos Chávez Youth Symphony, the New World Orchestra (Orquesta del Nuevo Mundo)
• National Polytechnical Symphony
• Bellas Artes Chamber Orchestra (Orquesta de Cámara de Bellas Artes)

The city is also a leading center of popular culture and music. There are a multitude of venues hosting Spanish and foreign-language performers. These include the 10,000-seat National Auditorium that regularly schedules Spanish and English-language pop and rock artists, as well as many of the world’s leading performing arts ensembles, the auditorium also broadcasts Grand Opera performances from New York’s Metropolitan Opera on giant, high-definition screens. In 2007 National Auditorium was selected world’s best venue by multiple genre media.

Other Cultural centers

Other popular sites for pop artist performances include the 3,000-seat Teatro Metropolitan, the 15,000-seat Palacio de los Deportes, and the larger 50,000-seat Foro Sol Stadium, where popular international artists perform on a regular basis.

The Cirque du Soleil has held several seasons at the Carpa Santa Fe, in the Santa Fe district in the western part of the city.

There are numerous venues for smaller musical ensembles and solo performers. These include the Hard Rock Live, Bataclán, Foro Scotiabank, Lunario, Circo Volador and Voilá Acoustique.

Recent additions include the 20,000-seat Arena Ciudad de México, the 3,000-seat Pepsi Center World Trade Center, and the 2,500-seat Auditorio Blackberry.

The Centro Nacional de las Artes (National Center for the Arts has several venues for music, theatre, and dance.

UNAM’s main campus, also in the southern part of the city, is home to the Centro Cultural Universitario (the University Culture Center) (CCU).

The CCU also houses the National Library, the interactive Universum, Museo de las Ciencias, the Sala Nezahualcóyotl concert hall, several theatres and cinemas, and the new University Museum of Contemporary Art (MUAC).

A branch of the National University’s CCU cultural center was inaugurated in 2007 in the facilities of the former Ministry of Foreign Affairs, known as Tlatelolco, in north-central Mexico City.

The José Vasconcelos Library, a national library, is located on the grounds of the former Buenavista railroad station in the northern part of the city.

The Papalote children’s museum, which houses the world’s largest dome screen, is located in the wooded park of Chapultepec, near the Museo Tecnológico, and La Feria amusement park.

The Cineteca Nacional (the Mexican Film Library), near the Coyoacán suburb, shows a variety of films, and stages many film festivals, including the annual International Showcase, and many smaller ones ranging from Scandinavian and Uruguayan cinema to Jewish and LGBT-themed films.

Cinépolis and Cinemex, the two biggest film business chains, also have several film festivals throughout the year, with both national and international movies.

Mexico City tops the world in a number of IMAX theatres, providing residents and visitors access to films ranging from documentaries to popular blockbusters on these especially large, dramatic screens.

• Chapultepec Park, the city’s most iconic public park, has a history back to the Aztec emperors who used the area as a retreat. It is south of the Polanco district and houses the city’s zoo, several ponds, seven museums including the National Museum of Anthropology, and the oldest and most traditional amusement park, La Feria de Chapultepec Mágico, with its vintage Montaña Rusa rollercoaster.
• Other iconic city parks include the Alameda Central, Mexico City historic center, a city park since colonial times and renovated in 2013.
• Parque México and Parque España in the hip Condesa district.
• Parque Hundido and Parque de los Venados in Colonia del Valle.
• Parque Lincoln in Polanco.

There are many smaller parks throughout the city. Most are small “squares” occupying two or three square blocks amid residential or commercial districts.

Several other larger parks such as the Bosque de Tlalpan and Viveros de Coyoacán, and in the east Alameda Oriente, offer many recreational activities.

• Northwest of the city is a large ecological reserve, the Bosque de Aragón.
• In the southeast is the Xochimilco Ecological Park and Plant Market, a World Heritage site.
• West of the Santa Fe district are the pine forests of the Desierto de los Leones National Park.

Amusement parks include Six Flags México, in the Ajusco neighborhood, in Tlalpan borough, which is the largest in Latin America. There are numerous seasonal fairs present in the city.

Zoos

Mexico City has three zoos:

• Chapultepec Zoo is located in the first section of Chapultepec Park in the Miguel Hidalgo. It was opened in 1924. Visitors can see about 243 specimens of different species including kangaroos, giant pandas, gorillas, caracals, hyenas, hippos, jaguars, giraffes, lemurs, and lions, among others.
• Zoo San Juan de Aragon is near the San Juan de Aragon Park in the Gustavo A. Madero. In this zoo, opened in 1964, there are species that are in danger of extinction such as the jaguar and the Mexican wolf. Other guests are the golden eagle, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, caracara, zebras, African elephant, macaw, and hippo, among others.
• Zoo Los Coyotes is a 27.68-acre (11.2 ha) zoo located south of Mexico City in the Coyoacan. It was inaugurated on February 2, 1999. It has more than 301 specimens of 51 species of wild native or endemic fauna from Mexico City. You can admire eagles, ajolotes, coyotes, macaws, bobcats, Mexican wolves, raccoons, mountain lions, teporingos, foxes, and white-tailed deer.

Mexico City offers a variety of cuisines. Restaurants specializing in the regional cuisines of Mexico’s 31 states are available in the city. Also available are an array of international cuisines, vegetarian and vegan cuisines are also available, as are restaurants solely based on the concepts of local food and slow food.

Mexico City is known for having some of the freshest fish and seafood in Mexico’s interior. La Nueva Viga Market is the second largest seafood market in the world after the Tsukiji fish market in Japan.

The city also has several branches of renowned international restaurants and chefs. These include Paris’ Au Pied de Cochon and Brasserie Lipp, Philippe (by Philippe Chow); Nobu, Morimoto; and Pámpano, owned by Mexican-raised opera legend Plácido Domingo.

There are branches of the exclusive Japanese restaurant Suntory, Rome’s famed Alfredo, as well as New York steakhouses Morton’s and The Palm, and Monte Carlo’s BeefBar. Three of the most famous Lima-based Haute Peruvian restaurants, La Mar, Segundo Muelle and Astrid y Gastón have locations in Mexico City.

For the 2014 list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants as named by the British magazine Restaurant, Mexico City ranked with the Mexican avant-garde restaurant Pujol at 20th best. Also notable is the Basque-Mexican fusion restaurant Biko, which placed outside the list at 59th, but in previous years has ranked within the top 50.

Mexico’s award-winning wines are offered at many restaurants, and the city offers unique experiences for tasting the regional spirits, with broad selections of tequila and mezcal.

At the other end of the scale are working-class pulque bars known as pulquerías, a challenge for tourists to locate and experience.

Mexico City offers an immense and varied consumer retail market, ranging from basic foods to ultra high-end luxury goods. Consumers may buy in fixed indoor markets, mobile markets (tianguis), from street vendors, from downtown shops in a street dedicated to a certain type of good, in convenience stores and traditional neighborhood stores, in modern supermarkets, in warehouse and membership stores and the shopping centers that they anchor, in department stores, big-box stores and in modern shopping malls.

Traditional markets

The city’s main source of fresh produce is the Central de Abasto. This in itself is a self-contained mini-city in Iztapalapa borough covering an area equivalent to several dozen city blocks. The wholesale market supplies most of the city’s “mercados”, supermarkets and restaurants, as well as people who come to buy the produce for themselves. Tons of fresh produce are trucked in from all over Mexico every day.

The principal fish market is known as La Nueva Viga, in the same complex as the Central de Abastos. The world-renowned market of Tepito occupies 25 blocks, and sells a variety of products.

A staple for consumers in the city is the omnipresent “mercado”. Every major neighborhood in the city has its own borough-regulated market, often more than one. These are large well-established facilities offering most basic products, such as fresh produce and meat/poultry, dry goods, tortillerías, and many other services such as locksmiths, herbal medicine, hardware goods, sewing implements; and a multitude of stands offering freshly made, home-style cooking and drinks in the tradition of aguas frescas and atole.

Tianguis

In addition, “tianguis” or mobile markets set up shop on streets in many neighborhoods, depending on day of week. Sundays see the largest number of these markets.

Street vendors

Street vendors ply their trade from stalls in the tianguis as well as at non-officially controlled concentrations around metro stations and hospitals; at plazas comerciales, where vendors of a certain “theme” (e.g. stationery) are housed; originally these were organized to accommodate vendors formerly selling on the street; or simply from improvised stalls on a city sidewalk. In addition, food and goods are sold from people walking with baskets, pushing carts, from bicycles or the backs of trucks, or simply from a tarp or cloth laid on the ground. In the centre of the city informal street vendors are increasingly targeted by laws and prosecution.

Downtown shopping

The Historic Center of Mexico City is widely known for specialized, often low-cost retailers. Certain blocks or streets are dedicated to shops selling a certain type of merchandise, with areas dedicated to over 40 categories such as home appliances, lamps and electricals, closets and bathrooms, housewares, wedding dresses, jukeboxes, printing, office furniture and safes, books, photography, jewelry, and opticians. The main department stores are also represented downtown.

Traditional markets downtown include the La Merced Market; the Mercado de Jamaica specializes in fresh flowers, the Mercado de Sonora in the occult, and La Lagunilla in furniture.

Ethnic shopping areas are located in Chinatown, downtown along Calle Dolores, but Mexico City’s Koreatown, or Pequeño Seúl, is located in the Zona Rosa.

Supermarkets and neighborhood stores

Large, modern chain supermarkets, hypermarkets and warehouse clubs including Soriana, Comercial Mexicana, Chedraui, Bodega Aurrerá, Walmart and Costco, are located across the city. Many anchor shopping centers that contain smaller shops, services, a food court and sometimes cinemas.

Small “mom-and-pop” corner stores (“abarroterías” or more colloquially as “changarros”) abound in all neighborhoods, rich and poor. These are small shops offering basics such as soft drinks, packaged snacks, canned goods and dairy products. Thousands of C-stores or corner stores, such as Oxxo, 7-Eleven and Extra are located throughout the city.

Federal District

The Acta Constitutiva de la Federación of January 31, 1824, and the Federal Constitution of October 4, 1824, fixed the political and administrative organization of the United Mexican States after the Mexican War of Independence. In addition, Section XXVIII of Article 50 gave the new Congress the right to choose where the federal government would be located. This location would then be appropriated as federal land, with the federal government acting as the local authority. The two main candidates to become the capital were Mexico City and Querétaro.

Due in large part to the persuasion of representative Servando Teresa de Mier, Mexico City was chosen because it was the center of the country’s population and history, even though Querétaro was closer to the center geographically. The choice was official on November 18, 1824, and Congress delineated a surface area of two leagues square (8,800 acres) centered on the Zocalo. This area was then separated from the State of Mexico, forcing that state’s government to move from the Palace of the Inquisition (now Museum of Mexican Medicine) in the city to Texcoco. This area did not include the population centers of the towns of Coyoacán, Xochimilco, Mexicaltzingo and Tlalpan, all of which remained as part of the State of Mexico.

In 1854 president Antonio López de Santa Anna enlarged the area of the Federal District almost eightfold from the original 220 to 1,700 km2 (80 to 660 sq mi), annexing the rural and mountainous areas to secure the strategic mountain passes to the south and southwest to protect the city in event of a foreign invasion. (The Mexican–American War had just been fought.) The last changes to the limits of the Federal District were made between 1898 and 1902, reducing the area to the current 1,479 km2 (571 sq mi) by adjusting the southern border with the state of Morelos. By that time, the total number of municipalities within the Federal District was twenty-two.

While the Federal District was ruled by the federal government through an appointed governor, the municipalities within it were autonomous, and this duality of powers created tension between the municipalities and the federal government for more than a century. In 1903, Porfirio Díaz largely reduced the powers of the municipalities within the Federal District. Eventually, in December 1928, the federal government decided to abolish all the municipalities of the Federal District. In place of the municipalities, the Federal District was divided into one “Central Department” and 13 delegaciones (boroughs) administered directly by the government of the Federal District. The Central Department was integrated by the former municipalities of Mexico City, Tacuba, Tacubaya and Mixcoac.

In 1941, the General Anaya borough was merged to the Central Department, which was then renamed “Mexico City” (thus reviving the name, but not the autonomous municipality). From 1941 to 1970, the Federal District comprised twelve delegaciones and Mexico City. In 1970 Mexico City was split into four different delegaciones: Cuauhtémoc, Miguel Hidalgo, Venustiano Carranza and Benito Juárez, increasing the number of delegaciones to sixteen. Since then, in a de facto manner, the whole Federal District, whose delegaciones had by then almost formed a single urban area, began to be considered a synonym of Mexico City.

The lack of a de jure stipulation left a legal vacuum that led to a number of sterile discussions about whether one concept had engulfed the other or if the latter had ceased to exist altogether. In 1993 this situation was solved by an amendment to the 44th article of the Constitution whereby Mexico City and the Federal District were set to be the same entity. This amendment was later introduced into the second article of the Statute of Government of the Federal District.

Political structure

Mexico City, being the seat of the powers of the Union, did not belong to any particular state but to all. Therefore, it was the president, representing the federation, who used to designate the head of government of the Federal District, a position which is sometimes presented outside Mexico as the “Mayor” of Mexico City. In the 1980s, given the dramatic increase in population of the previous decades, the inherent political inconsistencies of the system, as well as the dissatisfaction with the inadequate response of the federal government after the 1985 earthquake, residents began to request political and administrative autonomy to manage their local affairs. Some political groups even proposed that the Federal District be converted into the 32nd state of the federation.

In response to the demands, in 1987 the Federal District received a greater degree of autonomy, with the elaboration the first Statute of Government (Estatuto de Gobierno), and the creation of an Assembly of Representatives. In the 1990s, this autonomy was further expanded and, starting from 1997, residents can directly elect the head of government of the Federal District and the representatives of a unicameral Legislative Assembly (which succeeded the previous Assembly) by popular vote.

The first elected head of government was Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas. Cárdenas resigned in 1999 to run in the 2000 presidential elections and designated Rosario Robles to succeed him, who became the first woman (elected or otherwise) to govern Mexico City. In 2000 Andrés Manuel López Obrador was elected, and resigned in 2005 to run in the 2006 presidential elections, Alejandro Encinas being designated by the Legislative Assembly to finish the term. In 2006, Marcelo Ebrard was elected for the 2006–2012 period.

The Federal District does not have a constitution, like the states of the Union, but rather a Statute of Government. As part of its recent changes in autonomy, the budget is administered locally; it is proposed by the head of government and approved by the Legislative Assembly. Nonetheless, it is the Congress of the Union that sets the ceiling to internal and external public debt issued by the Federal District.

According to the 44th article of the Mexican Constitution, in case the powers of the Union move to another city, the Federal District will be transformed into a new state, which will be called “State of the Valley of Mexico”, with the new limits set by the Congress of the Union.

Boroughs and neighborhoods

For administrative purposes, the Federal District was divided into 16 municipalities (previously called boroughs).

Given that Mexico City is organized entirely as a Federal District, most of the city services are provided or organized by the Government of the Federal District and not by the boroughs themselves, while in the constituent states these services would be provided by the municipalities.

• 01. Álvaro Obregón (727,034)
• 02. Azcapotzalco (414,711)
• 03. Benito Juárez (385,439)
• 04. Coyoacán (620,416)
• 05. Cuajimalpa (186,391)
• 06. Cuauhtémoc (531,831)
• 07. Gustavo A. Madero (1,185,772)
• 08. Iztacalco (384,326)
• 09. Iztapalapa (1,815,786)
• 10. Magdalena Contreras (239,086)
• 11. Miguel Hidalgo (372,889)
• 12. Milpa Alta (130,582)
• 13. Tláhuac (360,265)
• 14. Tlalpan (650,567)
• 15. Venustiano Carranza (430,978)
• 16. Xochimilco (415,007)

The boroughs are composed by hundreds of colonias or neighborhoods, which have no jurisdictional autonomy or representation.

The Historic Center is the oldest part of the city (along with some other, formerly separate colonial towns such as Coyoacán and San Ángel), some of the buildings dating back to the 16th century.

Other well-known central neighborhoods include Condesa, known for its Art Deco architecture and its restaurant scene.

Colonia Roma, a beaux arts neighborhood and artistic and culinary hot-spot.

Zona Rosa, formerly the center of nightlife and restaurants, now reborn as the center of the LGBT and Korean-Mexican communities.

Also Tepito and La Lagunilla, known for their local working-class foklore and large flea markets.

Santa María la Ribera and San Rafael are the latest neighborhoods of magnificent Porfiriato architecture seeing the first signs of gentrification.

West of the Historic Center (Centro Histórico) along Paseo de la Reforma are many of the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods such as Polanco, Lomas de Chapultepec, Bosques de las Lomas, Santa Fe, and (in the State of Mexico) Interlomas, which are also the city’s most important areas of class A office space, corporate headquarters, skyscrapers and shopping malls.

Nevertheless, areas of lower income colonias exist in some cases cheek-by-jowl with rich neighborhoods, particularly in the case of Santa Fe.

The south of the city is home to some other high-income neighborhoods such as Colonia del Valle and Jardines del Pedregal, and the formerly separate colonial towns of Coyoacán, San Ángel, and San Jerónimo.

Along Avenida Insurgentes from Paseo de la Reforma, near the center, south past the World Trade Center and UNAM university towards the Periférico ring road, is another important corridor of corporate office space.

The far southern boroughs of Xochimilco and Tláhuac have a significant rural population with Milpa Alta being entirely rural.

East of the center are mostly lower-income areas with some middle-class neighborhoods such as Jardín Balbuena.

Urban sprawl continues further east for many miles into the State of Mexico, including Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl, now increasingly middle-class, but once full of informal settlements. These kind of slums are now found on the eastern edges of the metropolitan area in the Chalco area.

North of the Historic Center, Azcapotzalco and Gustavo A. Madero have important industrial centers and neighborhoods that range from established middle-class colonias such as Claveria and Lindavista to huge low-income housing areas that share hillsides with adjacent municipalities in the State of Mexico.

In recent years much of northern Mexico City’s industry has moved to nearby municipalities in the State of Mexico. Northwest of Mexico City itself is Ciudad Satélite, a vast middle to upper-middle-class residential and business area.

Metropolitan area

Greater Mexico City is formed by the Federal District, 60 municipalities from the State of Mexico and one from the state of Hidalgo.

Greater Mexico City is the largest metropolitan area in Mexico and the area with the highest population density. As of 2009, 21,163,226 people live in this urban agglomeration, of which 8,841,916 live in Mexico City proper.

In terms of population, the biggest municipalities that are part of Greater Mexico City (excluding Mexico City proper) are:

• Atizapan de Zaragoza (489,775)
• Chimalhuacán (602,079)
• Cuautitlán Izcalli (532,973)
• Ecatepec de Morelos (1,658,806)
• Ixtapaluca (467,630)
• Naucalpan (833,782)
• Nezahualcóyotl (1,109,363)
• Tlalnepantla de Baz (664,160)

The above municipalities are located in the state of Mexico but are part of the Greater Mexico City area. Approximately 75% (10 million) of the state of México’s population live in municipalities that are part of Greater Mexico City’s conurbation.

Greater Mexico City was the fastest growing metropolitan area in the country until the late 1980s. Since then, and through a policy of decentralization in order to reduce the environmental pollutants of the growing conurbation, the annual rate of growth of the agglomeration has decreased, and it is lower than that of the other four largest metropolitan areas (namely Greater Guadalajara, Greater Monterrey, Greater Puebla and Greater Toluca) even though it is still positive.

The net migration rate of Mexico City proper from 1995 to 2000 was negative, which implies that residents are moving to the suburbs of the metropolitan area, or to other states of Mexico. In addition, some inner suburbs are losing population to outer suburbs, indicating the continuing expansion of Greater Mexico City.

Metro

Mexico City is served by the Sistema de Transporte Colectivo, a 225.9 km (140 mi) metro system, which is the largest in Latin America. The first portions were opened in 1969 and it has expanded to 12 lines with 195 stations. The metro transports 4.4 million people every day. It is the 8th busiest metro system in the world, behind Tokyo (10.0 million), Beijing (9.3 million), Shanghai (7.8 million), Seoul (7.3 million), Moscow (6.7 million), Guangzhou (6.2 million), and New York City (4.9 million).

It is heavily subsidized, and has some of the lowest fares in the world, each trip costing 5.00 pesos (roughly 0.27 USD) from 05:00 am to midnight. Several stations display pre-Columbian artifacts and architecture that were discovered during the metro’s construction. However, the metro covers less than half of the total urban area.

The Metro stations are also differentiated by the use of icons and glyphs which were proposed for people who could not read. The specific icons were developed based on historical (characters, sites, pre-Hispanic motifs), linguistic, symbolic (glyphs) or location references and has been emulated in further transportations alternatives in the City and in other Mexican cities. Mexico City is the only city in the world to use the icon reference and has become a popular culture trademark for the city.

Suburban rail

A suburban rail system, the Tren Suburbano serves the metropolitan area, beyond the city limits of the metro, to municipalities such as Tlalnepantla and Cuautitlán Izcalli, with future extensions to Chalco and La Paz.

Peseros

Peseros are typically half-length passenger buses (known as microbús) that sit 22 passengers and stand up to 28. As of 2007, the approximately 28,000 peseros carried up to 60 percent of the city’s passengers. In August 2016, Mayor Mancera announced that new pesero vehicle and concessions would be eliminated completely unless they were ecologically friendly vehicles, and in October 2011 the city’s Secretary of Mobility Héctor Serrano states that by the end of the current administration (2018) there would no longer by any peseros/microbuses circulating at all, and that new full-sized buses would take over the routes.

Urban buses

City agency Red de Transporte de Pasajeros operates a network of large buses. In 2016, more bus routes were added to replace pesero routes.

In 2016, the SVBUS express bus service was launched, with limited stops and utilizing the city’s toll roads on the second-level of the Periférico ring road and Supervía Poniente and connecting Toreo/Cuatro Caminos with Santa Fe, San Jerónimo Lídice and Tepepan near Xochimilco in the southeast.

Suburban buses also leave from the city’s main intercity bus stations.

Bus rapid transit

The city’s first bus rapid transit line, the Metrobús, began operation in June 2005, along Avenida Insurgentes. Line 2 opened in December 2008, serving Eje 4 Sur, line 3 opened in February 2011, serving Eje 1 Poniente, and line 4 opened in April 2012 connecting the airport with San Lázaro and Buenavista Station at Insurgentes. As the microbuses were removed from its route, it was hoped that the Metrobús could reduce pollution and decrease transit time for passengers. In June 2013, Mexico City’s mayor announced two more lines to come: Line 5 serving Eje 3 Oriente and Line 6 serving Eje 5 Norte. As of June 2013, 367 Metrobús buses transported 850,000 passengers daily.

Mexibús bus rapid transit lines serve suburban areas in the State of Mexico and connect to the Mexico City metro.

Trolleybus, light rail, streetcars

Electric transport other than the metro also exists, in the form of several Mexico City trolleybus routes and the Xochimilco Light Rail line, both of which are operated by Servicio de Transportes Eléctricos. The central area’s last streetcar line (tramway, or tranvía) closed in 1979.

Roads and car transport

In the late 1970s many arterial roads were redesigned as ejes viales; high-volume one-way roads that cross, in theory, Mexico City proper from side to side. The eje vial network is based on a quasi-Cartesian grid, with the ejes themselves being called Eje 1 Poniente, Eje Central, and Eje 1 Oriente, for example, for the north-south roads, and Eje 2 Sur and Eje 3 Norte, for example, for east-west roads. Ring roads are the Circuito Interior (inner ring), Anillo Periférico; the Circuito Exterior Mexiquense (“State of Mexico outer loop”) toll road skirting the northeastern and eastern edges of the metropolitan area, the Chamapa-La Venta toll road skirting the northwestern edge, and the Arco Norte completely bypassing the metropolitan area in an arc from northwest (Atlacomulco) to north (Tula, Hidalgo) to east (Puebla). A second level (where tolls are charged) of the Periférico, colloquially called the segundo piso (“second floor”), was officially opened in 2012, with sections still being completed. The Viaducto Miguel Alemán crosses the city east-west from Observatorio to the airport. In 2013 the Supervía Poniente opened, a toll road linking the new Santa Fe business district with southwestern Mexico City.

There is an environmental program, called Hoy No Circula (“Today Does Not Run”, or “One Day without a Car”), whereby vehicles that have not passed emissions testing are restricted from circulating on certain days according to the ending digit of their license plates; this in an attempt to cut down on pollution and traffic congestion. While in 2003, the program still restricted 40% of vehicles in the metropolitan area, with the adoption of stricter emissions standards in 2001 and 2006, in practice, these days most vehicles are exempt from the circulation restrictions as long as they pass regular emissions tests.

Parking

Street parking in urban neighborhoods is mostly controlled by the franeleros a.k.a. “viene vienes” (lit. “come on, come on”), who ask drivers for a fee to park, in theory to guard the car, but with the implicit threat that the franelero will damage the car if the fee is not paid. Double parking is common (with franeleros moving the cars as required), impeding on the available lanes for traffic to pass. In order to mitigate that and other problems and to raise revenue, 721 parking meters (as of October 2013), have been installed in the west-central neighborhoods Lomas de Chapultepec, Condesa, Roma, Polanco and Anzures, in operation from 8 AM to 8 PM on weekdays and charging a rate of 2 pesos per 15 minutes, with offenders’ cars booted, costing about 500 pesos to remove. 30 percent of the monthly 16 million-peso (as of October 2013) income from the parking-meter system (named “ecoParq”) is earmarked for neighborhood improvements. The granting of the license for all zones exclusively to a new company without experience in operating parking meters, Operadora de Estacionamientos Bicentenario, has generated controversy.

Cycling

The local government continuously strives for a reduction of massive traffic congestion, and has increased incentives for making a bicycle-friendly city. This includes North America’s second-largest bicycle sharing system, EcoBici, launched in 2010, in which registered residents can get bicycles for 45 minutes with a pre-paid subscription of 300 pesos a year. There are, as of September 2013, 276 stations with 4,000 bicycles across an area stretching from the Historic center to Polanco. within 300 metres (980 feet) of one another and are fully automatic using a transponder based card. Bicycle-service users have access to several permanent Ciclovías (dedicated bike paths/lanes/streets), including ones along Paseo de la Reforma and Avenida Chapultepec as well as one running 59 kilometres (37 miles) from Polanco to Fierro del Toro, which is located south of Cumbres del Ajusco National Park, near the Morelos state line. The city’s initiative is inspired by forward thinking examples, such as Denmark’s Copenhagenization.

Intercity buses

The city has four major bus stations (North, South, Observatorio, TAPO), which comprise one of the world’s largest transportation agglomerations, with bus service to many cities across the country and international connections. There are some iintercity buses that leave directly from the Mexico City International Airport.

Airports

Mexico City is served by Mexico City International Airport (IATA Airport Code: MEX). This airport is Latin America’s busiest, with daily flights to United States and Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Europe and Asia. Aeroméxico (Skyteam) is based at this airport, and provide codeshare agreements with non-Mexican airlines that span the entire globe. The airport is also a hub for Volaris, Interjet and Aeromar.

In 2016, the airport handled almost 42 million passengers, about 3.3 million more than the year before. This traffic exceeds the current capacity of the airport, which has historically centralized the majority of air traffic in the country. An alternate option is Lic. Adolfo López Mateos International Airport (IATA Airport Code: TLC) in nearby Toluca, State of Mexico, although due to several airlines’ decisions to terminate service to TLC, the airport has seen a passenger drop to just over 700,000 passengers in 2014 from over 2.1 million passengers just four years prior.

In the Mexico City airport, the government engaged in an extensive restructuring program that includes the addition of a new second terminal, which began operations in 2007, and the enlargement of four other airports (at the nearby cities of Toluca, Querétaro, Puebla, and Cuernavaca) that, along with Mexico City’s airport, comprise the Grupo Aeroportuario del Valle de México, distributing traffic to different regions in Mexico. The city of Pachuca will also provide additional expansion to central Mexico’s airport network.

During his annual state-of-the-nation address on September 2, 2014, President of Mexico Enrique Peña Nieto unveiled plans for a new international airport to ease the city’s notorious air traffic congestion, tentatively slated for a 2018 opening. The new airport, which would have six runways, will cost $9.15 billion and would be built on vacant federal land east of Mexico City International Airport. Goals are to eventually handle 120 million passengers a year, which would make it the busiest airport in the world.

You can dial 078 from any phone, where you can find free information about tourist attractions, airports, travel agencies, car rental companies, embassies and consulates, fairs and exhibitions, hotels, hospitals, financial services, migratory and other issues.

Or dial the toll-free (in Mexico) number 01-800-006-8839.

You can also request information the email correspondencia@sectur.gob.mx

MORE EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

General Information: 040 (not free)

National Emergency Service: 911

Radio Patrols: 066
Police (Emergency): 060
Civil Protection: +52(55)5683-2222
Anonymous Complaint: 089

Setravi (Transport Mobility): +52(55)5209-9913
Road Emergency: 074

Cruz Roja: 065 o +52(55)5557-5757
Firefighters: 068 o +52(55)5768-3700