First Visit to Mexico City
 

My husband and I will be spending the first week of September in Mexico City. We have travelled extensively but never to Mexico. Any suggestions for hotel location would be appreciated. Also, the list of things we would like to see is overwhelming. Is it safe to walk from place to place by ourselves? And, lastly any recommendations for day trips? Can we do these by ourselves or are there any specific tour companies we should know about? And, can we visit Teotihuacan on a trip by ourselves? How? Many, many thanks in advance.

We stay near the zocalo, at the Hotel Catedral, but I know that many people like the more upscale Polanco area instead.

We've walked all around Mexico City during the day to the various tourist attractions. You do have to watch yourself, but that applies anywhere you go, not just Mexico City.

We've also visited Teotihuacan on our own. We took a cab from our hotel, to the bus station. (Can't remember which bus station - there are at least 4 big ones in Mexico City.) Coming back, we did the reverse. There are a number of buses throughout the day.

We love Mexico City - wonderful city to visit! But you're right - it can be overwhelming.

On my visits to Mexico City I've stayed on the Zocalo. It's very lively and is surrounded by major sights such as the cathedral, the Templo Mayor, and the National Palace. The hotels are past their prime but I find them acceptable. Try the Majestic.

Others prefer the swankier settings closer to Chapultepec Park and I may try one of them myself next time, since they are closer to the Anthropology Museum and the trendier restaurants and haunts.

You can walk between most of the downtown sites but remember that the city is enormous. The metro works well and is inexpensive. Pickpockets can be a problem when the cars get crowded and at certain locations such as Hidalgo.

You can visit Teotihuacan on your own via bus. This can take a while and you may have to do more walking than you want. We have taken cars and drivers which most hotels can arrange. The usual routine is early morning pick up. During the ride the driver will ask if you have heard of pulque. Then he will stop at one of a number of similar places selling tourist doo-dads where you will listen to a short explanation of the uses of the cactus, and offered a sample of pulque. Then you hang around until you buy something. My advice -- tell the driver you're not interested.

After a short tour of the House of the Butterflies you're set loose to wander and climb a pyramid or two. These are good climbs-- I'd suggest just one a day. Afterwards, make sure the driver stops at the Citadel so you can visit the Temple of Quetzalcoatl -- my favorite.

On the return trip you will probably stop at the Shrine of the Virgin of Guadaloupe. Not my cup of tea but perhaps yours. Enormous crowds venerating a relic. Underground parking, dull movies telling the story, mountains of tourist knick-knacks. However, it's a part of the culture and I guess everyone should go once.

There's a hotel at Teotihuacan which I'm thinking of staying in for a night next time. Should be able to explore the further reaches of the city that you can't reach on a standard visit.

Get yourself a copy of the Lonely Planet guide to Mexico, or themore specialized guide to Mexico City. They are pretty good on the logistics.

What is your hotel budget? We stayed at the Presidente Intercontinental for 3 nights. You might be interested in my MC report. ((*))

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34418996

Here is another vote for staying in the Polanco/Chapultepac neighborhood. The hotels are larger and newer, and there are numerous restaurants. It's a nice area to walk around in, and you have better access to the museums in Chapultepac Park.

Mexico City is huge. You have to take some sort of transportation to the area you are interested in--Zocalo, Pyramids, San Angel, etc.--but once there walking is pefectly safe, taking precuations as in any big city. Our usual method is to take a cab, either from our hotel or one of the established cab stands (sitio). We have used a cab with a driver/guide for things like Guadelupe or the Pyrimads, which take a long time and for which you will benefit in having a guide. Must have been lucky so far, but haven't had to fend off extra stops by the driver, as described by a previous poster. But if going somewhere with a lot of interesting things to see, say, Zocalo, Bazaar Sabado and Diego/Frieda museums in that area, we just get dropped off and pick up a ride back from a cab stand.

We stayed two nights in the Zocalo area because there is much to see in walking distance. Then we moved to the Zona Rosa. The subway system is easy to use. We rented a driver for the trip to Teotihuacan and Xochimilco. We took a taxi to Coyoacan to see Trotsky and Kahlo Museo's (enjoyed both). Look in your favorite travel book and outline a basic plan. Not that you'll stick to it. But, there is a LOT to see in and around Mexico City. So we decided to go via taxi more often than not due to time constraints.

Would anyone recommend staying at / near the Alameda? I am very interested in the Hotel Cortes - looks charming and is very close to a subway station, but am wondering about the area.

Yes, what's your price range? We loved La Casona in the Colonial Roma section of Mex. City - you can read some reviews on tripadvisor.com. Not far from Polanco and Chap park. Can walk to a subway stop. Very charming. Might be in the $150 range. There's a great rentable penthouse apartment in the historic center for $190/night (where we've also stayed - fantastic and so convenient). If that appeals, so note and I'll post more info on it. . . it's on vrbo.com

We're staying at Hot Catedral on our way to Argentina and Chile.
M

Thank you for all the information pouring in. I am processing it and trying to come up with a feasible plan. As far as our hotel budget is concerned, I am thinking about a 4 star hotel level. What we would really like is to be able to walk out of the hotel not necessarily to see specific sights but to get a feel for the area. I am thinking that going to Teotihuacan we will use a private driver and guide. Do we just ask our hotel to arrange it or is there a better way? Again, many thanks to all.

The Zocalo area sounds like what you're looking for (during the day, at least). However, considering what's going on with the elections in Mexico, I'd suggest you stay around Polanco. The Electoral Tribunal is expected to make their final decision on who won the election by late Aug / early Sep. There may be protests in the Zocalo. I don't believe that it will be unsafe or violent in any way (these things are usually pretty civilized), but the areas around the zocalo get SWAMPED with people.

Regarding Teotihuacan, the cheapest way is by bus. The easiest way is arranging a driver at your hotel.

Glover: Have you been to the penthouse you recomend? I need a place early august and from the website it looks perfect. Is it? Is the area convenient?

Robertino, the Alameda area is a perfectly acceptable place to stay, and is handy for both the Zocalo and Zona Rosa. After being intrigued by the Hotel Cortes for years, we finally succumbed and stayed there a few years ago. Very disappointing: room very uncomfortable, sink falling off wall in bathroom, etc.--not at all the charming place I had been imagining!

Sorry Glover, I see that you did stay there and it was nice. Is it within walking distance of the Zocalo?

Marilyn - Thanks for the head's up on the Hotel Cortes. What a shame.

People seem to like the Maria Christina. I know that it's just north of Reforma, but I'm not sure what the area is called. Is the location good, and is it convenient - ie easy walking distance - to a subway station?

We've stayed MANY times at the Maria Christina, I don't know if it's the formal name, but people refer to that area as the "Rios." I've never had a problem with the area, and the hotel has both a restaurant and small bar, as well as a green garden area. The rooms are basic but clean, and the baths are fine. You can easily walk to Zona Rosa, just on the other side of Reforma, and the Maria Isabella Sheraton and a big Sanborn's are also nearby. Down the street from the hotel, sort of behind the Maria Isabella Sheraton, there is a hole-in-the-wall taco stand that we went to on our honeymoon (1977!)that is still recommended by locals. I'm sorry, I've never used the subway, but the area is just off Reforma if that tells you anything.