Mexico City is a teeming metropolis whose pollution and snarling traffic can be overwhelming for the first- time visitor. The airport is chaotic (yet close to the centre), and the metro system is efficient but always crowded. Nightlife starts late, ends late and is plentiful. Try to avoid hailing taxis on the street for security reasons. Instead, call a cab or pick one up at a taxi rank.
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01
Essentials
| 01 |
Everything starts late, sometimes even business meetings. It's best to show up on time just in case, but be prepared to wait. |
| 02 |
There are outdoor parks suitable for running, but some people find the altitude and pollution a challenge if they are not used to them. |
| 03 |
Mexican arts and crafts are generally good quality, widely available and make good presents/souvenirs. |
| 04 |
Mexicans generally speak Spanish slowly and pronounce clearly, unlike some of their South American counterparts. But they also tend to use a lot of slang particular to Mexico. |
| 05 |
Give yourself plenty of time to get to appointments. In peak traffic it can take hours to cross the city and taxi drivers do not always know where they are going. Where possible, ask for landmarks and/or cross streets as well as the basic address. |
| 06 |
Mexicans eat lunch (comida) late - at around 15.00 or 16.00. This is often the main meal of the day and can last for hours. |
| 07 |
Fresh fruit juices, sold from stalls on the side of the road, are cheap and delicious. |
| 08 |
Be careful with the tequila! One toast too many and you may lose count. Also, sip your shot, don't down it. |
| 09 |
Don't do as the locals. Mexican men could single-handedly keep the hair gel industry afloat. |
| 10 |
Do as the locals. Machismo still rules supreme in Mexico - doors must be opened for women and seats offered. |
02
Hotels
One independent and easy
Condesa DF
102 Avenida Veracruz, Col. Condesa
+ 52 55 5241 2600
condesadf.com
Dependable chain
W Hotel
252 Campos Eliseos, Col. Polanco
+ 52 55 9138 1800
whotels.com
Premium
The Four Seasons
500 Paseo de la Reforma, Col. Juárez
+ 52 55 5230 1818,
fourseasons.com
03
Dining
Fast breakfast
El Pendulo
115 Nuevo Leon, Col. Condesa
+ 52 55 5286 9493
pendulo.com
Business breakfast
Casa Lamm
99 Alvaro Obregón
(corner of Orizaba), Col. Roma
+ 52 55 5525 0019
Mid-morning coffee
Caffe di Carlo
Orizaba (between Alvaro Obregón
and Chihuahua), Col. Roma
Working lunch with colleagues
Contramar
200 Durango
(just off Fuente de Cibeles), Col. Roma
+ 52 55 5514 9217
Need-to-impress-clients lunch
San Angel Inn
50 Diego Rivera, Col. San Angel Inn
+ 52 55 5616 1402
Lunch on your own
Il Postino
6 Plaza Villa Madrid
(la Fuente de los Cibeles), Col. Roma
+ 52 55 5208 3644
Afternoon tea/drink
Caravanserai
101-A Orizaba
(corner of Alvaro Obregón), Col. Roma
+ 52 55 5511 2877
Dinner on your own
La Tecla
186-A Durango, Col. Roma
+ 52 55 5525 4920
Dinner with colleagues
Los Girasoles
8A Tacuba, Col. Centro Historico
+ 52 55 5510 0630/3281
Private dinner
Pujol
254 Francisco Petrarca
(corner of Horacio), Col. Polanco
+ 52 55 5545 4111
pujol.com.mx
Big dinner with partner clients
Au pied de Cochon
Hotel Presidente Intercontinental,
218 Campos Eliseos, Col. Polanco
+ 52 55 5327 7756
Drink after dinner
Reves
25 Virgilio, Col. Polanco
+ 52 55 5281 6775
Late drinks
Condesa DF rooftop bar
102 Avenida Veracruz, Col. Condesa
+ 52 55 5241 2600
condesadf.com
On the tiles
Mama Rumba
230 Queretaro
(corner of Medellin), Col. Roma
+ 52 55 5564 6920
04
Reading
Libreria Pegaso
99 Alvaro Obregón (corner of Orizaba, inside Casa Lamm complex), Col. Roma
05
Thank yous
Delirio
116 Monterrey
(corner of Alvaro Obregon), Col. Roma
+ 52 55 5584 0870
06
Shopping
Something you can't get anywhere else
Crafts from Fonart
89 Avenida Juárez, Col. Centro
+ 52 55 5521 0171
Something for the kids
Souvenir from La Ciudadela market
Balderas y Plaza de la Ciudadela, Col. Centro (near Balderas metro)
Something for someone you love
Design from Chic by Accident
180 Colima, Col. Roma
+ 52 55 5514 5723
chicbyaccident.com
07
Two hour tour
| 01 |
Anthropology Musuem
Avenida Paseo de la Reforma and Calzada Gandhi, Col. Chapultepec Polanco
+ 52 55 5286 2923 |
02 |
Casa Azul (Frida Kahlo's house)
247 Londres, Col. del Carmen, Coyoacán
+ 52 55 5554 5999 |
03 |
Folkloric Ballet
Palacio de Bellas Artes,
Alameda, Col. Centro
+ 52 55 5512 2593 |
08
Limousine/car
Omega
+ 52 55 5714 1919
09
Transport
Metro
Cheap and efficient. A one-way trip costs two pesos ($0.18/€0.13).
Metrobus
A bus rapid transit system than runs along Avenida de Los Insurgentes. Access is with a pre-paid smart card.
Taxi
Plentiful and cheap. Don't hail them from the street as secuestro express (express kidnappings) do take place.
10
Fitness
Good Gym
Qi
317 Amsterdam, Col. Condesa
+ 52 55 5574 5095/1573
qi.com.mx
Running route
Viveros de Coyoacán
Gardens with a 2.5km running track.
Access via metro of the same name.