| Check out our free interactive Mexico City vacation guide and discover Mexico City's biggest attractions, best restaurants and much more. If you've visited Mexico City before tell us your vacation tips and help other travellers enjoy great vacations in Mexico City. |
| Free Mexico City Holiday Guide |
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| MEXICO CITY LOCAL HISTORY |
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Originally known as the city of Tenochtitlan, it was described by the Spaniards as very beautiful with its amazing temples, elegant quarters and mansions and inhabited by approximately 300,000 people.
The Spaniards set out to take the city and in 1522, Cortes became the governor and captain-general of the New Spain after destroying the Aztec empire.
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There are literally thousands of attractions to be seen in Mexico City. Museums, art galleries, monument, plazas etc. It is suggested that a good guide book be purchased and studied before setting out on your fascinating journey of this city.
Centro Historico – Plaza de la Constitucion - After Red Square in Moscow this is the second largest Plaza in the world containing over more than 1400 colonial buildings. Distinctly Spanish, the area has recently been cleaned and revitalized and has to be seen if you are visiting the city.
Coyoacan – The cobbled streets in this area, give this Plaza a feel of its own. Here you will find the best museums and finest mansions in Mexico City.
San Angel – Another area with cobbled streets and leafy lanes, there is a great selection of colonial houses, mansions and haciendas, many of which have been turned into fine restaurants and nightclubs.
Galeria de Historia - Chapultepec – The museum tells the story of Mexico’s history, its struggle to gain independence and its recognition as a republic.
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| With its diverse mix of people Mexico City encompasses all of Mexico’s cuisine. Probably the most notable sauce is ‘mole’ which is a type of paste made from chillis, chocolate, peanuts, seeds, spices and fixed fruit served over turkey, chicken or red meat. |
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La Gruta – After a day of pounding the streets and exploring this is the place to end it all off. La Gruta is a huge, cool grotto where they serve five-course set price meals or your own combination of traditional Mexican fare. Either way. It’s a great place to eat.
Fonda Santa Clara – One of the finest dining establishments in the city, the menu lists a range of daily and seasonal specialities. Try their manchamantel – a blend of chillies, Apricots, pears, apples and bananas served over pork or chicken – fantastic. The meals here are really superb and well worth the prices.
Cantina La Guadalupana – Opened in 1928 this cantina has been serving delicious traditional food to locals and tourists alike. Off a narrow cobblestoned street, it is situated in a colonial style house, with an antiquated bar and wonderful ambience.
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Cinna Bar - Mix Thai food with a Mexican bar experience and Cinna is what you get. Very popular, this is where the young and trendy hangout and believe it or not, a conversation can be held here, in spite of the electronic music.
La Casa de las Sirenas – Located in a 17th century colonial building and surrounded with flowering plants and trees, this very popular bar serves 146 types of tequila whilst belting out rock music over the sound system.
Bar Museo Frida – Capitalizing on the popularity of the Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo, this bar is full of her memorabilia which you take in whilst sipping on cold beer or knocking back the tequila.
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Chapultepec – West of the City – This huge green belt incorporates the Chapultepec Park, Mexico’s extensive zoo, an anthropology museum and fun fair. To take in everything there is to see here will take a couple of days, at least.
Xochimilco Floating Gardens – Brightly coloured boats float on a network of canals more than 50 miles long. Relax on a boat, far from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, whilst enjoying the passing flora and fauna. Boats come in three sizes from 10 to 40 people. Consume any of the beers and soft drinks which have been left on the boat and you pay the vendor, including a small tip, once you arrive back in port.
Alameda Park – Once an Aztec marketplace, today this lovely tree filled park attracts pedestrians, vendors, strollers and organ grinders.
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Mercado de San Juan – This market enjoys a rich traditional and cultural legacy. From clothes to footwear, fruit, flowers, vegetables and meat, this is where you will find them all.
Bazar del Centro - A collection of boutiques and jewellers are housed in this 17th Century mansion. Around the courtyard you will find shops selling Mexican liqueurs and tequilas as well as silver from Taxco.
Bazar Zaragoza – Colonia Aviacion Civil – One of the largest bazaars in Latin America, the streets are full of shops with clothes, shoes, jewellery curiosities, stamps, antiques and crafts. Spend a day strolling around this fascinating place.
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Dia de los Reyes Magos - Between Christmas and the 6th January Santa Clauses are replaced with the Three Kings. Kids get loads of gifts and the streets are aflutter with shopping stalls.
Ciudad de los Ninos – This fantasy village where children interact in a ‘virtual’ economy, give them a chance to experience adult life complete with working, then choosing whether to spend or save their money. Although all spoken in Spanish, this does not deter children from having a great time.
Mexico City Zoo - One of the largest zoos’ in the world, a great time will be spent getting in touch with the animals and the lovely surrounding gardens.
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| Papalote, Museo de Niños - by Bruce McAllister from United States - 2007-07-28 | | The best children´s museum ever. Huge quantities of activities and all the exhibits work. Many employees to help out and direct and activities for every age. |
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