Tips on Mexico City, Pueblo, and Guadalupe ?
Jul 5th, 2003, 01:37 PM
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Tips on Mexico City, Pueblo, and Guadalupe ?
Hello everyone !
We're in the planing stages of our trip to Mexico City. We also would like to see Pueblo and the Guadalupe Sanctuary. I'm on my way out to get a must-see guide to those places. However, 1st-hand recent experience would be greatly appreciated.
1. We're thinking of renting a car at the airport in Mexico City. Is this a good idea ? Should we be concerned about the car being stolen the minute we park it ? How expensive is parking ? How difficult is driving around the city ? Any other comments on car renting ?
2. Pueblo: it's about 60 miles from Mexico City. Should we just drive there from the city 2-3 times during our stay or would it be better to just rent a hotel room there ?
How are the freeways there. How much time does it take to travel 60 miles ?
3. Guadalupe Sanctuary: how much time for the must sees should we allocate here. Again, the driving / parking question.
Any advice on this will be v. appreciated.
Thanks.
We're in the planing stages of our trip to Mexico City. We also would like to see Pueblo and the Guadalupe Sanctuary. I'm on my way out to get a must-see guide to those places. However, 1st-hand recent experience would be greatly appreciated.
1. We're thinking of renting a car at the airport in Mexico City. Is this a good idea ? Should we be concerned about the car being stolen the minute we park it ? How expensive is parking ? How difficult is driving around the city ? Any other comments on car renting ?
2. Pueblo: it's about 60 miles from Mexico City. Should we just drive there from the city 2-3 times during our stay or would it be better to just rent a hotel room there ?
How are the freeways there. How much time does it take to travel 60 miles ?
3. Guadalupe Sanctuary: how much time for the must sees should we allocate here. Again, the driving / parking question.
Any advice on this will be v. appreciated.
Thanks.
Jul 5th, 2003, 08:45 PM
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LG, I'll give you my opinion on 2 of your 3 questions.
#1. I would NOT want to drive in Mexico City. I have done at least 4 driving trips in various parts of Mexico with friends and Mexico City has always been a problem -- like getting pulled over for no real reason and having to pay a bribe not to get taken in to the station. Ah...the "mordita"...
You are better off using public transportation and/or taxis (official ones) or ask your hotel to arrange a car and driver for a day or half-day as needed. I can't imagine a car being anything but a hassle. I think it's like renting a car in New York City -- why do it when there are more efficient ways to get around?
#3. V of G Sanctuary. There is the church with the Virgin's mantle. There is a large garden with fountains and sculpture to walk through. There is another church at the top of the hill. I'd say a half day would be plenty (3-4 hours).
#1. I would NOT want to drive in Mexico City. I have done at least 4 driving trips in various parts of Mexico with friends and Mexico City has always been a problem -- like getting pulled over for no real reason and having to pay a bribe not to get taken in to the station. Ah...the "mordita"...
You are better off using public transportation and/or taxis (official ones) or ask your hotel to arrange a car and driver for a day or half-day as needed. I can't imagine a car being anything but a hassle. I think it's like renting a car in New York City -- why do it when there are more efficient ways to get around?
#3. V of G Sanctuary. There is the church with the Virgin's mantle. There is a large garden with fountains and sculpture to walk through. There is another church at the top of the hill. I'd say a half day would be plenty (3-4 hours).
Jul 6th, 2003, 08:08 AM
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I also urge you to reconsider about renting a car for Mexico City and Puebla. Driving in Mexico City is not for tourists--besides the horrendous traffic, there are the huge traffic circles to contend with. There is public transportation, and taxis are not that expensive. Also you can arrange for a car with driver for a reasonable sum, and then you have the advantage of a guide. To get to Puebla, take a bus, or again consider a car with driver. I would stay overnigt rather than travel back and forth.
Jul 6th, 2003, 02:05 PM
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I agree about not renting a car. As advised above, rent a sitio taxi with a driver to get you around, or if you are comfortable using it and take proper saftey precautions the metro is the fastest way to get around the City. There is a stop, for instance, called "La Villa" which is at the Basilica of Guadalupe. As far as Puebla take a first class or second class bus, it is fast and easy. The buses depart from the various bus terminals, and also from in front of the national terminal at the airport.
Jul 7th, 2003, 05:36 AM
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As everyone else said, if you are a tourist and plan to be in Mexico City for a few days, don't rent a car. When you get there you will be very happy that you didn't have to drive!
About taking "daily day trips" to Puebla, I would advice against it. I'm assuming that you are planning on staying in a central hotel in Mexico City, right? You still have to drive OUT of MC, and that can take quite a while... By all means, get a hotel in Puebla! Besides, Puebla is a beutiful place, that can be better enjoyed by staying there. Freeways are good, but timing can vary between 1hr to 2-3hrs depending on traffic.
As someone else said, try the Metro for getting to Guadalupe. Go after 10am, and keep an eye on your valuables, and you should be ok.
About taking "daily day trips" to Puebla, I would advice against it. I'm assuming that you are planning on staying in a central hotel in Mexico City, right? You still have to drive OUT of MC, and that can take quite a while... By all means, get a hotel in Puebla! Besides, Puebla is a beutiful place, that can be better enjoyed by staying there. Freeways are good, but timing can vary between 1hr to 2-3hrs depending on traffic.
As someone else said, try the Metro for getting to Guadalupe. Go after 10am, and keep an eye on your valuables, and you should be ok.
Jul 7th, 2003, 06:10 AM
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Thanks everyone.
Well, the decision is made: no car will be rented ! We're trying to make arrangements for a car and a driver.
And about staying in Pueblo -- too late -- I have already booked my hotel thru priceline and it's in Mexico City... I should have waited.
I guess we will have to make trips (two ?). We also would like to go to the pyramid. I understand, it's close by and a one-day trip should be sufficient.
Anything else to see or to avoid ?
(And what about shopping ?)
Thanks again.
Well, the decision is made: no car will be rented ! We're trying to make arrangements for a car and a driver.
And about staying in Pueblo -- too late -- I have already booked my hotel thru priceline and it's in Mexico City... I should have waited.
I guess we will have to make trips (two ?). We also would like to go to the pyramid. I understand, it's close by and a one-day trip should be sufficient.
Anything else to see or to avoid ?
(And what about shopping ?)
Thanks again.
Jul 7th, 2003, 06:52 AM
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About weather, when are you going?
Teotihuacan is really close (less than one hr drive, depending on traffic), and can easily be done during a morning. When you get there, get a guide. There are a few guys there offering tours, look for licensed ones. Their prices are reasonable, but agree on the price before starting the tour.
About shopping, it depends a lot on what you want. Mexico City is one of the world's greatest cities, so you will be able to find pretty much anything you want, from cheap handcrafts to antiques, and from Wal-mart to Prada.
If you are there on a saturday be sure to go to the "Bazaar del Sabado" in San Angel. You won't regret it.
About food, MC has to have one of the greatest collections of restaurants anywhere! One of my favorites for Mexican food is Villa Maria, in the Polanco area. It is a very fun place with great food. Other good places are "Los Girasoles" in the Centro Historico, and "Los Danzantes" in Coyoacan.
Teotihuacan is really close (less than one hr drive, depending on traffic), and can easily be done during a morning. When you get there, get a guide. There are a few guys there offering tours, look for licensed ones. Their prices are reasonable, but agree on the price before starting the tour.
About shopping, it depends a lot on what you want. Mexico City is one of the world's greatest cities, so you will be able to find pretty much anything you want, from cheap handcrafts to antiques, and from Wal-mart to Prada.
If you are there on a saturday be sure to go to the "Bazaar del Sabado" in San Angel. You won't regret it.
About food, MC has to have one of the greatest collections of restaurants anywhere! One of my favorites for Mexican food is Villa Maria, in the Polanco area. It is a very fun place with great food. Other good places are "Los Girasoles" in the Centro Historico, and "Los Danzantes" in Coyoacan.
Jul 7th, 2003, 05:24 PM
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Thanks for the tips.
We're going at the end of this month.
(should we bring umbrella's ?)
Also, we will be staying at a hotel on Paseo de la Reforma). Is this a decent neighborhood ? Also, if we decide to go to a restaurant at night, which is, say, 4 blocks away, would it be very unwise to walk ? I know walking after dark is not recommended in general, but does it apply to a "better" neighborhood as well?
Any shows (besides bullfighting) worth seeing ?
Thanks.
We're going at the end of this month.
(should we bring umbrella's ?)
Also, we will be staying at a hotel on Paseo de la Reforma). Is this a decent neighborhood ? Also, if we decide to go to a restaurant at night, which is, say, 4 blocks away, would it be very unwise to walk ? I know walking after dark is not recommended in general, but does it apply to a "better" neighborhood as well?
Any shows (besides bullfighting) worth seeing ?
Thanks.
Jul 8th, 2003, 05:07 AM
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Definitely take your umbrella... Summer is rainy season in MC...
Paseo de la Reforma is a nice area. If you ask me, I like Polanco better because there are a lot more things to do.
If there are a few people in your party (i.e. 3 or more), I wouldn't be too concerned about walking at night in that area. 2 people I'd be a bit nervous. I would not do it alone unless I knew exactly where I was going.
Ask at your concierge to get you tickets for whatever is playing at Bellas Artes. Beautiful theater!
Paseo de la Reforma is a nice area. If you ask me, I like Polanco better because there are a lot more things to do.
If there are a few people in your party (i.e. 3 or more), I wouldn't be too concerned about walking at night in that area. 2 people I'd be a bit nervous. I would not do it alone unless I knew exactly where I was going.
Ask at your concierge to get you tickets for whatever is playing at Bellas Artes. Beautiful theater!
