Day Trip to the South of Mexico City

Our Local Expert Says:

A sleepy colonial town feel inside the large metropolis.

Description:

One of the most beautiful and oldest neighborhoods of Mexico City, the San Angel Plaza – or downtown – is an eclectic mix of cobblestone streets, colonial mansions and delightful traditional restaurants. Saturdays sees the Bazaar open its doors with truly unique and rather expensive Mexican arts and crafts, and Sundays are a great day to visit this sleepy, town-like neighborhood in the middle of the Mexico City hustle and bustle.

Description:

This restaurant has enjoyed a long tradition in the area of San Angel in the south of the city. It is situated in a Colonial hacienda, and its varied menu continues to make it a choice spot for dining. It is ideal for both families and businesspersons. House specialties include Crepas de Huitlacoche (crepes filled with corn truffle), Chiles Rellenos (poblano peppers stuffed with cheese and ground beef, Robalo a la Veracruzana (filet of sea bass with green olives, tomatoes and vegetables). Wandering musical trios add to the ambiance. This restaurant was the winner of a Dirona Award.

Description:

This was Dolores Olmedo's home in the southern part of Mexico City. She was a friend of Diego Rivera and posed for him as many paintings of his will attest. Ms. Olmedo was a very wealthy and active socialite from the 1930's through the 1960's and since 1994, a few years before her death she converted this XVII century mansion into a museum and opened it to the public for everyone to enjoy.

The gardens are immaculate and the peacocks that roam freely are a sight to behold but her private collection of 145 of Diego Rivera's paintings as well as a substantial sampling of Frida Kahlo's work are the reason you should trek to this part of the city.

You will not feel like you are in a staid museum but rather a guest of Ms. Olmedo because the house has been maintained as it was when she lived here and many of her personal items are on display as well as her bedroom and other rooms which until a few years ago were closed to the public. There is a restaurant and a gift shop and you should probably devote half a day to this visit since getting there can take at least half an hour depending on traffic.

Our Local Expert Says:

With its hundreds of kilometers of water canals this is Mexico’s equivalent of Venice. A great day out on the water.

Description:

400 Kilometers of water canals make of Xochimilco Mexico's version of Venice. The best way to see this wonder of the ancient world is to arrive at the Nativitas boarding area and jump onto a "trajinera" – large wooden boats beautifully decorated with colorful paintings and flower arrangements. The boat trip (which can last one to five hours depending on what you choose) takes you past floating gardens, a vast array of bird life and "tinampas" which were islets made by the Aztecs by compacting mud and straw and building them around roots of aquatic trees. Weekends are very hectic here with a variety of floating mariachi bands, corn sales people, and partiers. For a more relaxed time visit on a weekday.

Our Local Expert Says:

Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Trotsky are said to have frequented here.

Description:

You haven't truly experienced Mexico City until you've visited a typical Mexican cantina. La Guadalupana is one of the oldest and most popular cantinas in the city. It was founded in 1923 and has still maintained the classic look of a traditional cantina. It offers a broad variety of tequilas, pulques and other Mexican drinks for its guests to sample. With its kicking Mariachi music and great drinks, La Guadalupana will give you a true taste of what Mexico has to offer.