MEXICO CITY 

 

Mexico City was founded by the Spaniards in 1521 on the remains of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital.  The city lies in the Basin of Mexico, surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and is the ideal base to explore impressive archaeological sites, fascinating colonial towns, traditional artisan markets or to relax on the golden beaches of the Pacific and Caribbean coast wich are only a short flight away.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

Visit the Zocalo, the second largest city square in the world.  Overlooking the Zocalo is the National Palace where Diego Rivera's famous murals are on display.

Visit the Palacio de Bellas Artes, with it's beautiful Art Nouveau facade and Art Deco interior.  Attend a folkloric ballet performance, a colourful and opulent show of live Mexican music.  This delightful spectacle offers a variety of dances from pre-Hispanic times, and is regarded as one of the most important ethnic ballet companies.

Relax in the "floating gardens" of Xochimilco - a network of canals lined by fruit and flower gardens and markets.  On Sundays, locals flock there to be punted in one of the colourful gondolas or serenaded by a mariachi band.

Drive to the colourful, colonial quarter of Coyoacan on the southern outskirts of the city.  Highlights include Plaza Hidalgo, Casa Municipal (one the home of Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortes) and the Parish Church of Saint John the Baptist, with it's musicians, craft stalls and mime artists.  Artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and friend Leon Trotsky all lived in Coyoacan, and there is an opportunity to visit the museums of all three.

The archaeological site of Teotihuacan is 50km away.  When the conquistadores arrived in Mexico, these ceremonial pyramids were being used by the Aztecs but almost certainly pre-dates them by several centuries.

HOW TO GET THERE?

Mexico City is served by several airlines such as: Iberia, KLM, British Airways, Mexicana, Continental, American Airlines, Delta, Air France and Air Canada.

WHAT'S THE WEATHER LIKE?

In Mexico City and the surrounding mountain towns the climate is temperate all year round and, because of the altitude (2250m) it never gets too hot.  The wet season lasts through July and August, which usually means a couple of hours of rain each afternoon.  Temperatures can drop to 0C in Mexico City in July and August.

WHERE TO STAY?

Highly recommended is the Casa Vieja for it's charm and character.  For those who prefer a more stylish option the W Hotel will not disappoint.

MORE TIME?

Surrounding Mexico City there is a chain of colonial towns founded on the exploitation of precious metals but now a living testament to the skills of colonial architects - they share a heritage of baroque churches, leafy squares and pastel-washed houses laden with flowers.