Mexico city for the pyramids/ruins hunter

Description:

If you have time for only one museum during your stay in Mexico City, this is the one. It was inaugurated in 1964 and it contains two dozen individual areas each one dedicated to a particular culture that inhabited Mexico for any length of time before the arrival of the Spaniards.

The largest exhibit areas are dedicated to the Aztecs, Mayas, Toltecas and Olmecas and they all contain original artifacts and works of art that have been found during the ongoing excavations in the hundreds of live archaeological sites. Before you enter you will see a huge statue of Tlaloc, the God of rain and once inside and holding center stage the commonly known Calendar of the Sun.

There are guided tours and also pre-recorded guides that you can rent for a nominal fee. There is a restaurant and a coffee shop as well as a gift shop with plenty of books and souvenirs. It is practically impossible to see all the exhibits in one day so choose the ones that interest you the most and spend quality time there.

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.

Description:

Undoubtedly one of the city's most palatable and recommendable restaurants for traditional Mexican food. El Cardenal has three locations, but this Calle de Palma one is undoubtedly the best. El Cardenal makes is own breads, tortillas, cocoa and cheese, the service is impecable and the wandering Spanish musicians lend the place a jovial and delicious tone. El Cardenal is located in a three storey turn of century colonial building covered in talavera tiles and dotted with amazing religious and local artwork from a variety of periods.

Our Local Expert Says:

On the fourth floor, overlooking the zócalo, El Mirador restaurant makes a great stop for a coffee or drink with a view.

Description:

This turn-of-the-century hotel, decorated in the Art Nouveau style, shows off a spectacular lobby. Look up as you walk into the hotel and you will see a gorgeous stained-glass dome. You will walk past caged birds (you can't miss them with the noise they make) and then an old-fashioned lift will take you to your room. All in all, it's quite an entrance. This was one of the most luxurious hotels when it was built at the beginning of last century, and it is highly recommended for special celebrations such as Independence day or New Year´s Eve because of its excellent location. The hotel has two high quality restaurants.

Description:

Mexico is rich in culture and many different groups inhabited the country before the arrival of the Spaniards. Aztecs, Mayas, Otomis, Zapotecos, etc. But there is a great mystery surrounding Teotihuacan, there are theories about who built this city and why it was abandoned buy no one knows for sure.

Teotihuacan is an hour and a half drive north of Mexico City and I recommend you devote a full day to visiting. Leave early in the morning in order to avoid traffic and spend as much time as you can exploring this magnificent @font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } archaeological site.

There are two main pyramids, the Sun and the Moon, the first one is larger and taller and you can climb both of them. The sun is a bit difficult but once you get to the top you will have an incredibly beautiful view of the valley.

You can also walk around what was once the main avenue called Calzada de los Muertos (Avenue of the Dead) and see many small buildings and new discoveries from on-going excavations. You will be approached by locals selling... read more

Description:

La Gruta ("The Cave" in Spanish) is just that, a massiveand very impressive underground cave decorated with candles, protruding rocks, a few natural water drips, and a centre stage where various regional Mexican dances are performed. This cave has been a restaurant since 1906 when then president Porfirio Diaz, supervising the progress of the Teotihuacan Pyramid restoration, would ask locals to cook him banquents and serve them at this cave. Although La Gruta is, for obvious reasons, a tourist mecca, the food here is still recommendable and a much safer option than trying many of the other nearby, tourist-hungry establishments. Generous portions of bread and nachos accompanied by great salsas and guacamole are given as appetizers. The rest of the meals are equally massive and full of that Mexican, fresh zest. All tables are colourfully decorated to contrast the dark gray of the stone walls around you. This place is very lively, both with the shows happening in the centre stage as well as with the hundreds of dinners constantly here. La Gruta is walking distance from the exit of the Teotihuacan pyramids so ask your guide or the locals to point you in the right direction.

Description:

This impressive new building houses the most colorful and tasteful collection of popular art in Mexico. Masks, piñatas, dancing skulls, "alebrijes" (dreamlike colorful creatures), fantastic glass and decorative art make this large museum a very children friendly and non-museum-goer friendly place. The splendidly displayed collection is well labeled and has English tour facilities and a souvenir shop that is a tourist's dream come true. A definite must see while in Mexico City.

Our Local Expert Says:

An amazing glimpse at pre-Hispanic Mexico, definitely worth the visit.

Description:

In Aztec times this place was considered the center of the universe and it was at this temple that human sacrifices, a traditional ball game and many religious ceremonies took place. Dating from around 1375 the temple went through many reconstructions until in 1520 the Spaniards decided to destroy it and build on top of it. A reconstruction in the early 1980s revealed what was left of an impressive archeological site. Nowadays the Templo Mayor has a large and impressive museum focusing on the culture and traditions of Mexico City's early inhabitants. It houses sacrificial stones, statuettes and sacred artifacts. The museum itself is expansive and might take some time to visit in its entirety, but it is definitely worth the visit.

Description:

Opened in 1987, this modern structure exhibits the archaeological discoveries of the adjacent Temple under excavation since 1978. Daily life, religious and ceremonial customs of the Mexica peoples are depicted through the unearthed archaeological artefacts. A maquette reconstructs buildings, providing a clear notion of the ancient city's ceremonial site. On the second floor, the original stone depiction of the goddess, Coyolxauhqui is also a great source of interest.

Description:

This beautiful building which is presently the site of Los Girasoles, was the exercise room of the San Andres Hospital some time ago. The original restaurant concept involved some of Mexico's top chefs including Martha Ortiz, Mónica Patiño and Patricia Quintana who,although no longer involved with the running of the place, donated recipies and ideas for its founding. The place is run by reknown Mexican food critics. The menu at Los Girasoles focuses on historical pre-Columbian cuisine, featuring soups, salads, fish, poultry and meat dishes. Some of the things found here cannot be obtained anywhere else. Some of the highlights include Tamarind "Mole" with turkey, and for those wanting to try something more riske Los Girasoles also specialises on the cooking of chapulines, traditional way of cooking certain type of grasshopers, in avicado sauce. Their hand made tortillas and huge variety of salsas will have your mouth watering!

Our Local Expert Says:

On the fourth floor, overlooking the zócalo, El Mirador restaurant makes a great stop for a coffee or drink with a view.

Description:

This turn-of-the-century hotel, decorated in the Art Nouveau style, shows off a spectacular lobby. Look up as you walk into the hotel and you will see a gorgeous stained-glass dome. You will walk past caged birds (you can't miss them with the noise they make) and then an old-fashioned lift will take you to your room. All in all, it's quite an entrance. This was one of the most luxurious hotels when it was built at the beginning of last century, and it is highly recommended for special celebrations such as Independence day or New Year´s Eve because of its excellent location. The hotel has two high quality restaurants.

Description:

The Chapultepec forest was the vacationing estate for the Aztec nobility and hence is dotted with trees, brooks, two large lakes where visitors can row, ruins, a theatre for children, a music garden, majestic marble water fountains, a lakeside art gallery, Latin America's largest zoo, and a sumptuous castle overlooking this leisure paradise. It is a perfect place to get lost hiking, take a picnic, or rent a bike. Chapultepec is Mexico City's favorite Sunday spot so if you wish to avoid the crowds visit it from 9am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday.

Description:

Sonora Market is a feat for the senses and an undertaking suitable for those seeking an alternative, quirky side to Mexico. Built in the early 50s, the Mercado Sonora quickly became house to many healers, shamans and spiritual people mixing traditional medicine and magic with Catholic symbolism. The result is a massive market that mixes the regular Mercado produce (fruits, vegetables, flowers, meats, etc) with an impressive array of spiritual paraphernalia such as herbs for good luck, rituals to scare off any evil spirits, statuettes, card readers, snakes, etc. This massive market in the heart of Mexico City can be a cultural shock so try to blend in and approach with an open mind.

Description:

Three cultures converge here: Aztec, Spanish, and contemporary Mexican. Surrounded by modern office and apartment buildings are large remains of the Aztec city of Tlatelolco, site of the last battle of the conquest of Mexico. Off to one side is the Church of Santiago. During the Aztec Empire, Tlatelolco was on the edge of Lake Texcoco, linked to the Aztec capital by a causeway. Bernal Díaz de Castillo, in his True Story of the Conquest of New Spain, described the roar from the dazzling market there, and the incredible scene after the last battle of the conquest in Tlatelolco on August 13, 1521 -- the dead bodies were piled so deep that walking there was impossible. That night determined the fate of the country and completed the Spanish takeover of Mexico. It was also here, in October 1968, that government troops fired on thousands of protesters who filled the square, killing hundreds.

View the pyramidal remains from raised walkways over the site. The church, off to one side, was built in the 16th century entirely of volcanic stone. The interior has been tastefully restored, preserving little patches of fresco in stark-white plaster walls, with a few deep-blue stained-glass windows and...

Description:

Not many tourists know about this house or its former occupant, but it is actually quite interesting, more so than many other so-called famous houses. This is where the Aztec lover of the conquistador Hernán Cortés lived. She was called Doña María by the Spaniards and Malintzín by her fellow people, hence the name Malinche. One of her main tasks was to act as an interpreter of the Nahuatl language for the conquistador, thus helping him to subjugate and enslave her own people. Never a popular figure in Mexican history, the word 'malinchista' is in fact a depreciative way to describe Mexicans who prefer foreign things.

Description:

The current seat for the Coyoacán delegation is a structure dating back to the seventeenth century. It belonged to a Neapolitan family who claimed the Marquesado del Valle de Oaxaca (Marquisate of the Valley of Oaxaca), a title bestowed upon the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés by the Kind of Spain. This could perhaps be the origin of the name of the Palace of Cortés, which stands out among the surrounding colonial buildings for the front portico on its main facade.

Description:

Specialties from the Yucatan peninsula abound in Mexico City but few capture the true flavor and only these select locations are favored and recommended by Mexico City residents. Los Almendros is definitely one of them, in either of its two locations" Polanco and Insurgentes Sur. The latter is extremely attractive because it is housed in a turn of the last century mansion with gorgeous gardens and one hundred year old trees.

All the Yucatan classic dishes are available plus some contemporary creations from the master chefs. It's a bit pricey, entrees range from US$20 and upward but the quality of the food and the service merit a visit. Cochinita Pibil, Pollo Tikul, Sopa de Lima and Panuchos are strongly recommended,

Our Local Expert Says:

On the fourth floor, overlooking the zócalo, El Mirador restaurant makes a great stop for a coffee or drink with a view.

Description:

This turn-of-the-century hotel, decorated in the Art Nouveau style, shows off a spectacular lobby. Look up as you walk into the hotel and you will see a gorgeous stained-glass dome. You will walk past caged birds (you can't miss them with the noise they make) and then an old-fashioned lift will take you to your room. All in all, it's quite an entrance. This was one of the most luxurious hotels when it was built at the beginning of last century, and it is highly recommended for special celebrations such as Independence day or New Year´s Eve because of its excellent location. The hotel has two high quality restaurants.

Description:

La Casa de las Sirenas is located in a XV Century mansion right beside the Templo Mayor and Mexico City's Catedral, two of the main tourist destinations and landmarks of the city. The building alone is worth a visit, but if you require additional bribe' La Casa de las Sirenas boasts of over 250 different brands of tequila. The food itself is a fine example of Mexican cuisine' duck in tamarind sauce, chicken in a mango "mole" (traditional sauce with dozens of ingredients), and a variety of intricate and delicious soups, seafood and desserts. La Casa de las Sirenas also boasts an amazing terrace area where you will have great views of Mexico's downtown.

Description:

Deemed a little culinary hidden treasure, Casa Merlos is like going to an aunt's house… but an aunt who has been cooking professionally for over 30 years. The meals are traditional and with an emphasis on the food from Puebla (where the 30 + ingredients "mole" sauce comes from). Some of the most popular dishes include the rare entree "chalupas" which are small tortillas spread with various ingredients and deep fried. Also try the the lightly fried chile with chipotle sauce, stuffed with goat cheese, stewed pork, nuts, and raisins. It is also said that this is one of the best places in the city to tray the intricate Mole Poblano, a complicated sauce made with dozens of ingredients (including cocoa) and poured generously over chicken. The decor here is traditional, small townish and with a focus on Talavera, mud cermaics, wooden chairs, and handcrafts from small town Mexico. This is the sort of hidden restaurant that only locals know about, and is has been frequented by families for generations.

Our Local Expert Says:

Mexico's celebrity chef Patricia Quintana's restaurant is unassuming but packs a big punch in terms of food. Gets very busy during lunchtimes so make sure to book. Superb food.

Description:

Still at the top of the city's superb dining scene, this signature venue of celebrated chef Patricia Quintana pays homage to the best of classic Mexican cooking. There are only 19 tables, and the atmosphere is simple, but what's on your plate will more than compensate. Located on the most upscale street in all of Mexico, it remains one of the capital's most popular restaurants, so reservations are essential, even at lunch. The menu is a compilation of modern versions of pre-Hispanic dishes and draws heavily on indigenous ingredients such as yucca flower, cactus, and masa (corn flour). Each dish is a delight. Try traditional Oaxacan mole, or lamb barbecued in a banana leaf. Endings are especially sweet here -- save room for Tarta Zaachila, a chocolate pastry filled with nuts, accompanied by the traditional café de olla, coffee flavored with cinnamon and brown sugar. If you're curious, izote is the beautiful white flower that adorns the yucca plant.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is one of the best taco chains for anyone adventurous enough to try the riskier Mexican cuisine' tripe taco, brain taco, intestine… the list goes on.

Description:

With many branches and one of the most traditional grills in Mexico city, El Farolito offers delicious dishes such as the traditional alambres and a great variety of tacos, pastor (with various meats like steak, chops or ribs and melted cheese), quesadillas and flavored waters. The prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is informal. The décor is casual and country-like. Some branches are built with red bricks like a rustic cottage. Parking area available. They have a delivery service that guarantees your order in 30 minutes. Also in Pabellón Bosques L- 301, Prol. Bosques de Reforma, Col. Vista Hermosa.