mexico city travel guide

www.EducationUSA.state.gov

Mexico City Travel Guide

1



Table of Contents

I. Viva Mexico City!

Mexico City History .................................................................................. 2 Free Time .............................................................................................. 2 Travel to Mexico ....................................................................................... Air Transportation within Mexico................................................... ......... ..... Departure .............................................................................................. Where to Stay........................................................................................... Restaurants ............................................................................................

3 3 3 3 3

What to Wear and Weather Considerations.......................................................... Crime and Safety .....................................................................................

4 4

Taxis...................................................................................................... Money and Banking ...................................................................................

4 5

Tipping .................................................................................................. 5 Mobile and Public Phones ........................................................................... 5 Local and International Phone Calls .............................................................. 5

II. Health and Emergencies

General Health Tips ................................................................................. 5 In the Event of a Medical Emergency ............................................................ 6 Nearby Hospitals ..................................................................................... 6 Contact Information ................................................................................. 6

2


I. Viva Mexico City! Mexico City History Mexico City, otherwise known as el Distrito Federal, is the capital of Mexico and the nations economic, cultural and industrial center. Situated on what was originally a lake in the Valley of Mexico, 2,240 meters (7,349 ft) above sea level, the city was constructed on the ruins of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitln, conquered by the Spanish Hernn Cortes in 1521. In the modern city you can still see the remnants of that conquest in the form of the Metropolitan Cathedral and National Palace, constructed by the Spanish but situated on top of the Aztec Templo Mayor and built out of volcanic rock taken from Aztec ruins. Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821 after eleven years of fighting. However, it lost almost half of its territorial holdings to the United States during the Mexican-American war of 1846-1848. The climactic final battle of that war took place at Chapultepec Castle in Chapultepec Park. Conflict continued in the 1860s when Mexico was invaded by the French in retribution for unpaid debts. After the invasion, a group of conservatives within the country arranged to have an Austrian emperor, Maximilian III, installed as the head of the Mexican government. He was deposed and executed in 1868 by armies led by Benito Jurez of Oaxaca. The brief period of peace brought about by Jurez was shattered by a revolt against the government in 1876, led by Porfirio Diaz, a former general in the war against the French. Diaz would eventually come to power in 1877 as the first formally elected president in Mexican history. Unfortunately, he would also stay in power for the next thirty years. Diaz is a controversial figure in Mexican history, a Augustinian style dictator who was in many ways responsible for the economic development of the nation and especially the Distrito Federal (many of the ornate, European style buildings you see around the city were constructed during Diazs reign, often called the Porfiriato), but who also allowed for unfair social stratification and extreme poverty amongst people living in the countryside. His decision to hold elections in 1910, followed by the subsequent imprisonment of his sole opponent and massive election fraud sparked the Mexican Revolution of 1910. The twentieth century was a time of tremendous growth for Mexico City, which benefitted from the Porfiriato and managed to remain relatively undamaged by the Revolution. As the population grew, the city spread outwards in what is often called la Mancha Urbana, or the Urban Stain. Many neighborhoods now considered a central part of the city, such as Condesa and Coyoacan (the artist Frida Khalos hometown), were actually once small suburbs and even separate pueblos on its outskirts. They were absorbed into the city proper over the course of the early 1900s. While the 1950s were characterized by what is often called the Mexican Economic Miracle, the 1960s were a time of upheaval here just as they were around the world. The metro system that you see today was constructed in preparation for the 1968 Olympics, but that same Olympics led to the infamous massacre of hundreds of student protesters in the plaza of Tlatelolco on October 2, 1968. Between 1960 and 1980, the citys population doubled, expanding the borders of the Distrito Federal. As people poured into the city from the countryside, shantytowns sprung up around the edges of the valley and environmental issues such as air pollution, water and waste disposal became and continue to be serious concerns. Today, Mexico City is one of if not the most vibrant urban centers in Latin America. While the city must handle serious social and environmental issues, it is full of life and buzzing with culture. The city government hosts huge public art and music events; shuts down the largest avenue in the city every Sunday for use by pedestrians and bikers; and has installed a Rapid Bus Transit system that is on the global forefront of efficient and environmentally sound public transportation. The city has something for everyone and we hope that during your brief time here youll get to experience as much of it as possible. Sources: 1) Krauze, Enrique. Mexico: Biography of Power. Harper, 1998. 2) Eakin, Marshall C. The History of Latin America. Macmillan, 2007. 3) Historia de la Ciudad de Mexico, www.df.gob.mx/index.jsp 4) Free Time Mexico City is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in Latin America. There is a wealth of sites to visit and, even though on a map the Distrito Federal may look impossibly large, most of it is quite accessible through affordable, modern and efficient public transportation. However, trains and buses here can be very crowded and you must be careful with your belongings. The Metro (subway) covers most of the city and there are numerous green and white buses or micros that run on all major roads. In addition, there are Metrobuses (i.e. the rapid bus transit system), large buses that run in lanes reserved only for their use on a few of the major avenues in the city. Because they have their own lane, these buses are often the fastest above ground means of transport.

3


If you are interested in site seeing while you are here, we encourage you to visit the sites listed below. Visit www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/mexico-city for details.

1) Paseo de la Reforma 2) The Zcalo 3) Catedral Nacional 4) Palcio Nacional 5) Templo Mayor 6) Bosque de Chapultepec (Castillo de Chapultepec,

Museo Nacional de la Antropologia)

7) Bellas Artes 8) Alameda Central 9) Xochimilco 10) Basilica de Guadalupe 11) Museo Nacional de Antropologa 12) Plaza Garibaldi 13) Lucha Libre, Arena Mxico

Travel to Mexico Flights should be purchased to the Benito Jurez International Airport (MEX) in Mexico City. If you allow porters to carry your bags for you upon exiting customs, negotiate the price beforehand - $10-20 pesos per bag. There is a window in the airport that sells authorized taxi rides. Sitio 300 is one of the most affordable authorized taxi companies at the airport. If you are not travelling with a group, make sure they assign you a car instead of a van, regardless of how much luggage you have. There are two types of taxis at these windows: regular service and executive service. The regular service will cost about $150 Mexican pesos (MXN) from the airport to Colonia Cuauhtemoc/Jurez. The executive service is considerably more expensive; up to $350 MXN. Be sure to specify the service you would like and check the price before purchasing. After paying you will receive a ticket which you will present to the airport taxis waiting outside. Sitio 300 taxis have a yellow stripe and airplane on the side. You should never solicit a taxi outside of the airport without paying inside first. Air Transportation within Mexico Aeromexico is Mexicos largest airline and is known for reliable service, but it can be expensive. More affordable yet limited options are available on discount carriers Volaris (www.volaris.com.mx) and Interjet (www.interjet.com.mx). Additionally, some smaller cities are only accessible through Aeromar (www.aeromar.com.mx) Youll find these airlines on sites such as www.kayak.com or www.despegar.com Keep in mind when searching Mexican airline websites that taxes and fees can be up to 40% of the total ticket price and may not appear immediately in the flight search results; usually you will need to click through a few steps before seeing the total ticket price. Departure Regardless of your departure date, the best method for returning to the airport is by taxi and do consider that, depending on the day and time that you depart, it could take anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour or more to get to the airport. If you are traveling on a weekday or on Saturday, especially during rush hour (7:00-10:00am, 2:00-4:00 pm, and 6:00-10:00pm), we encourage you to plan for the full hour to get to the airport. While hotels do have a taxi service, it is likely more expensive than the local taxi stand (sitio taxi), which the hotel concierge will be happy to call for you. Where to Stay We recommend you stay in or around the most central colonias that give you easy access to all the others. Polanco, Colonia San Miguel Chapultepec, Cuauhtmoc, Roma Norte, and Condesa have many hotels, easy access to public transportation, and are safe. Lonely Planet and Kayak, will give you listings of accommodations in Mexico City. Popular hotels are: Sheraton Maria Isabel Reforma, Mariott Reforma, JW Mariott Polanco, Hotel Presidente Intercontinental Polanco, The W Hotel Polanco, Hotel Geneve, and Holiday Inn Express (Reforma, Zona Rosa). Restaurants In Mexico City, lunch is usually served between 1:00-3:00 and dinner is usually served late, between 8:00-9:00 pm. Mexican cuisine is one of the most diverse and interesting in the world, so if youd like to be adventurous, you should explore and search out interesting restaurants. Prices will vary greatly depending on the neighborhood. Below is a list of some well-known and well-reviewed (if pricey) restaurants. La Hacienda de Los Morales (International/Mexican) Juan Vzquez de Mella 525 Col. Del Bosque Tel. 5283-3054 / 3055

Thai Gardens Caldern de la Barca 72 Col. Polanco Tel. 5281-3850 / 3856

Vegetarian Option: La Buena Tierra Anatole France 120 Col. Polanco Tel. 5281-2324

4


Los Almendros (Mexican/Yucatecan) Campos Eliseos 164 Col. Polanco Tel. 5531-6646 / 7307

Les Moustaches (French) Ro Sena 88 Col. Cuauhtmoc Tel. 5533-3390 / 5525-1265

El Yug Puebla 326-6 Col. Roma Tel. 5553-3872

Izote (Contemporary Mexican) Presidente Masaryk 513 Col. Polanco Tel. 5280-1671 / 1265

Pujol (Mexican, highly recommended) Francisco Petrarca 254 Col. Polanco Tel. 5545-4111 / 3507

Kosher Option: El Gaucho (Argentinean) 37 Temstocles Col. Polanco

What to Wear and Weather Considerations In general terms, dress in Mexico is more formal than in the U.S. Casual dress for Mexico may include jeans, but can commonly mean a skirt for women and a jacket for men. Semi-formal is usually a cocktail dress or suit. Younger people (teenager to 25 years) will be more relaxed in their dress. Wearing shorts is still not common in Mexico. We recommend leaving your jewelry at home when exploring new areas. The weather in Mexico City is relatively consistent throughout the year and can be divided into two seasons: rainy season (May-October) and dry (November to April) season. With an elevation of 7,349 feet (2,240 meters), Mexico City is quite cool in the winter months (November to February) and can get very cold at night. However, year round, morning and evenings can be chilly, so it is advisable to pack layers. The average temperature is around 65 F (18.3 C), with highs into the mid 70s (23 C) and lows into the 50s (10C). Crime and Safety Mexico City, as in all major cities in the world, is subject to the frequent occurrence of petty theft. For that reason, we recommend that you exercise the following precautions appropriate to any large city:

Carry only copies of your passport, visa, etc; losing a copy of a document is less of a problem than losing the original. Do keep in mind that cashiers often request to see a drivers license or other ID when paying with a credit card.

Keep your wallet in a front pocket and never leave your purse, camera or backpack unattended, especially in crowed areas.

Never leave briefcases, purses or personal computers unattended in public areas. Women should carry only essentials in their purses and grip them securely at all times. Men and women should exercise caution when riding the buses or subways. Never flash large amounts of money and only carry the amount you will be spending each day. Try not to carry

credit cards. When using an ATM be sure that it is located in a safe place and, at night, we recommend using ATMs in malls or supermarkets or other public, indoor spaces.

Taxis Everyone is strongly advised to avoid taking roving type taxis due to the possibility of taxi robberies and assaults. Only use taxis operating from established taxi stands, called sitios, or hotels. When traveling to and from your hotel, you can use either the taxi service available through the concierge desk or you can call a Sitio Taxi located close to the hotel. The taxi service through the concierge will be more expensive than the sitio service. One recommended sitio is Taxi Radio Mex: 55 5574-3368. The driver should start the taximetro (taxi meter) when you pull away or tell you roughly how much your trip should cost if charging per kilometer or zone. When not charged by a taxi meter, ask a local how much your trip should cost, and then negotiate the price if necessary before leaving for your destination. General words of wisdom for taking taxis in Mexico City:

Do not flag down taxis on the street. Walk to the nearest sitio or call to send a taxi to your location. When entering a taxi, note the taxi number, the drivers name, and a physical description of the driver. Each

licensed driver is required to clearly display a photo identification card. Pay attention to your surroundings. Indicators that you are being targeted for theft include another vehicle or

taxi following your vehicle, a driver that appears to be taking a roundabout route, your taxi goes into an

5


unfamiliar neighborhood, or your taxi driver slows down and appears to be trying to spot someone on the street.

For information on public transportation, please view the Free Time section of this document. Money and Banking Credit cards are used throughout Mexico although not extensively. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs), called cajeros in Spanish, are common in the capital. Prior to arrival, you should obtain a list of corresponding Mexican banks on your ATM network. Most major ATM cards will allow you to withdraw Mexican pesos from your account; however, it is recommended that you check if a fee for this service will be charged. Although major credit cards are accepted in Mexico, the economy is still largely cash only and you should not expect to be able to pay with a credit or debit card everywhere you go. The following are major banks currently operating in Mexico:

Banamex: www.banamex.com HSBC: www.hsbc.com.mx Banorte: www.banorte.com Santander: www.santander-serfin.com Bancomer: www.bancomer.com.mx Scotiabank: www.scotiabankinverlat.com.mx

Tipping In regular restaurants, ten percent is the normal tipping amount while 15-20 percent can be expected in more upscale establishments. Here are a few examples:

Restaurant: 10-20%, depending on the restaurant and the service. Hotel porter/bell boy: $10 pesos. Taxi drivers will not expect a tip, but will accept one if you offer it.

Mobile and Public Phones Many U.S. cell phone providers have networks that function in Mexico, although international roaming charges will apply. If you would like to use your personal cell phone, call your provider and ask them if their network includes Mexico and if you can upgrade to an international roaming plan for your stay here. Public phones will require often phone cards, which can be purchased from most convenience stores in Mexico. We recommend the blue and yellow Tarjeta Ladatel, which you can find in most convenience stores, including those in the airport. The cards come in even denominations and, unless you will are making frequent phone calls, a $50 peso card should be enough. Local and International Calls When making local calls between landlines in Mexico City, you will dial eight digit numbers. However, if you call from a landline to a local cell phone, you will have to place a 044 55 before that 8 digit number; when calling from a landline to a long-distance cell phone, you will have to dial 045 and the citys area code before the number. When making international calls, dial 00 + country code + area code + number; for example, to call the U.S. dial 001 + area code + number. For dialing assistance, go to www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/dialing.html.

II. Health and Emergencies General Health Hints

Unless clearly marked as potable or you see a functioning filter, do not drink water from the tap. When dining in respectable establishments, ice cubes will almost always come from purified water but, if in doubt, ask for your drinks without ice and always ask for bottled water.

Avoid salads, raw vegetables and fruit that you cannot peel yourself. Again, in respectable dining establishments, fruits and vegetables will be washed and disinfected before they are served. Feel free to ask your waiter before ordering.

Because Mexico City is 2,240 m (7,349 ft) above sea level you may feel dizzy when you first arrive. To help your body adjust, drink lots of fluids (bottled water, juices, etc.), eat light meals (especially in the evenings), limit your alcoholic beverages, get lots of sleep, and avoid vigorous exercise.

6


In the Event of a Medical Emergency If you have an emergency, your hotels front desk can help you make arrangements to call a medical specialist or go to a nearby hospital. Please use the contact information and list of hospitals below. If you have to go to an emergency room, please bear in mind that you will likely be asked to present payment information before being attended, so bring a credit card with you. Nearby Hospitals The following hospitals are a few that have the capacity to attend English speaking patients. The ABC and Spanish hospitals are private and the Red Cross is free. American British Cowdray Hospital (ABC Hospital) Calle Sur 136, on corner of Avenida Observatorio Col. Las Americas (opposite the American School) Tel. 5230-80-00; 5515-83-59 Emergency: 5230-81-61

Hospital Espaol Av. Ejrcito Nacional No. 613 Col. Granada Tel. 5255-96-00 Tel. 5255-96-45

Cruz Roja (Red Cross) Ejercito Nacional 1032 Col. Polanco Tel. 5395-11-11 Emergency: 065

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City has extensive lists of hospitals and doctors on their website: http://mexico.usembassy.gov

Contact Information

Emergency Contact Numbers EducationUSA Mexico City Emergencies: 066 or 061 IIE/EducationUSA: (55) 5080-2801 Red Cross: 065 or 5395-1111 Fire Department: 068 or 5768-3700

EducationUSA.state.gov


mexico city travel guide

Documents