islesrule

We [a couple in the mid 20's first time in Mx. City] will have 2.5 days to explore Mexico City in late August. I would like to get an opinion from fellow travelers who have visited Mexico City on the following two issues:

1. Our plan is to see the Anthopology Museum on our 1/2 day, check out Zocalo [Cathedral, Templo Mayor, etc.], Zona Rosa, and the castle on day 2, and hire a cab for a day to take us to the Basilica Guadalupe and Teotihuacan on day 3.

Are there any must sees that we are missing with this itinerary? Is going to San Angel and coyoacan a must for 1st time visitors?

2. Regarding safety issues, I did wonder about the safety of the following:

a) weekday morning walk from zocalo to Alameda central?

b) weekday afternoon walk around/from Zona Rosa to the park and the Castle.

Are these two walaks in the daytime reasonably safe?

Thanks to all for any insights/suggestions.

SusanInToronto

I've walked around a lot in Mexico City and I definitely don't see any problems with your plans.

I haven't been to the Basilica Guadalupe, so can't advise on that. I think that Teotihuacan can be a full day - mind you, we took a bus out there and it was very hot that day - we were beat when we got back to the city.

I haven't really seen the Zona Rosa for a few years. I love the area around the Zocalo. Polanco is a very upscale area - very high end stores, etc., and we had dinner there last time we were in Mexico City. I thought it would be cool to check out that area a bit more (although it's beyond my budget for hotels).
Have fun - I love Mexico City!

Dude

IMHO I think you need to be really careful about walking around. I do it in MEX on occasion but I don't overdresss or carry any valuables. As long as you keep a sharp lookout for pickpockets I think the metro is a great way to get around, downtown or to the Basilica de Guadalupe for example. In fact, at least the last time I went to Teotihuacan, you can take the metro to Indios Verdes then grab a bus to Teotihuacan (make sure its a direct bus) and you can get out there pretty quickly. Have fun-

Marko

This is good info. Regarding safety in ANY city, its all about using common sense !!! Don't do dumb things and (generally) bad things won't happen to you ! We are really looking forward to just wandering around the Zocalo ! It seems like you can just dive off in any direction from the Zocalo and find something interesting, or is there a direction to avoid ?

glover

Glad to hear you're talking about weekdays!! We did 3 whole days in Mex City in Feb. One was a Sunday - kind of ghastly around the zocalo - but only cause it was MOBBED.. All locals and families are out that day. Many streets around zocalo are full of vendors -- of everything -- and not much of interest (and I'm someone who LIKES street markets). Cathedral, Templo Mayor (and don't forget the best: Bellas Artes and National Palace. See Ballet Folklorico at Bellas Artes if you'll be there on Wednesday or Sunday. You'll need an ID of some sort to get into National Palace (passport, drivers license) But we spent our other days as you're planning and really enjoyed them and felt comfortable walking around zocalo and alemeda in day. On Monday we went to Teotihuacan (most museums in the city are closed on Mondays). Go as early in the am as possible was the advice of our friend who lives in Mex City - the tour buses start rolling in at 10am. We were there by 8:30 and had it to ourselves. Lovely. We went to Anthropology, San Angel and Coyoacan the third day. Is this a must - well if you're art lovers probably - this is "the Freda Circuit" The private museum out there: Dolores ? was really worth seeing . . . You'll really enjoy Mex City - lots to see and fascinating. It gets a bad rap . . . .

SusanInToronto

Islesrule, I don't mean to say that you don't have to be careful in Mexico City - you do - but I also don't see the need to get paranoid about it. Obviously you have to watch your belongings - that applies anywhere, not just Mexico City.

Daniel_Williams

I did walk both this January 2005:

2a) Zocalo to Alameda Central and

b) Zona Rosa to Museo de Antropologia along the Paseo de Reforma

2a) is a pretty busy section of the Centro Historico. Lots of businesses, restaurants... I did not feel threatened in the least during this walk during the day, which I did twice in Mexico City.

2b) The Paseo de la Reforma is a broad, grand avenue. Not as busy as walk 2a) but there's a certain amount of foot traffic and again I did not feel it was particularly dangerous. The Zona Rosa has a buzz about it; I even walked near here at night.

"Reasonably safe" is a great way of saying it as you never know when luck may not be with you; let's just say, I would not have hesitated to bring my 65-year-old mother to Zona Rosa or Zocalo-Alameda in the daytime.

Have a great time in the magnificent el DF! Bring back good memories...

DAN

gomexico

As for the security issue - walking: at the times you've indicated and for the routes you've suggested . . . I think you'll be just fine. I'll disagree, however, with the comparison of crime in Mexico City to what the situation is likely to be in your home city or many other similar (to Mexico City) destinations - crime is far more rampant in Mexico City than most places you've chosen to travel. Just an opinion. Enjoy the trip.

LouNJ

You have a workable itinerary, and the advice you have received here is very sound. I thought to add something since my family and I did visit the Basilica of Guadalupe and Teotihuacan with a driver, as you plan. We did this on a Monday (we had a week in all), since these were open on Mondays while the museums for the most part were not. With a driver, it was convenient to visit Guadalupe, see it at our leisure, then head off to arrive at Teotihuacan before it got too crowded and hot (and it got both, anyway!). Teotihuacan was particularly amazing, as was the Museum of Anthropology, Chapultepec Castle, and the Zocalo (where we concentrated on the Cathedral and the National Palace-- the Templo Mayor was not open, it seemed).
If you are fans of Frida Kahlo, then a visit to San Angel and Coyoacan would be very worthwhile for a first visit. If not, then you might reserve that for the future, since you only have 2 and a half days this time. I would second Glover's endorsement of the Palacio des Bellas Artes and the Ballet Folklorico: the theatre itself is wondrous, and my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the performance we attended. If you had a Sunday available (and I presume you do not?), I would suggest an excursion just south to Xochimilco, for a boat ride on the canals amidst the "floating gardens." This is a big family outing for Mexico City residents, and was a lot of fun.
As far as safety is concerned: we generally had a driver or tour guide with us, which made us feel safer. That said, you will notice that upscale shops have armed guards posted out front, even during the day. Normal urban common sense is an absolute must, but even with this, Mexico City suffers from more casual violent crime than many cities-- the "express kidnapping" has its origins here. I absolutely loved Mexico City-- so much history, so much art, lots of magnificent restaurants, and we neither saw nor experienced any crime. I would happily go back, in the hope that we would be as fortunate again.

islesrule

I want to say thanks to everyone that replied to my original message - your comments and suggestions were very helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed Mexico City, felt safe throughout the trip, and would very much like to come back again some time.

SusanInToronto

Nice to get your feedback after your trip!

holakjs

You got some excellent recommendations from many! Only small comment is that
the Anthropology Museum is in the same
area (Chapultepec Park) as the Castle.
Why not try to do both in one day? But
then, the museum is a museum that you
can really devote a half-day to. The Castle is a much quicker tour. But it
has been refurbished rather recently. Be sure to go to the top for a wonderful view of the city.

Daniel_Williams

Thanks for coming back and telling us you enjoyed your trip. I look forward to *my* next time in el DF.

sludlow

This is all helpful, and I have a related question.
I will be in Mexico in about a week, staying in Polanco. How safe would it be to walk to the Zona Rosa at night? I will be going along la Reform the entire way, from around the anthropology museum.
If I take a cab, my hotel can call one, but what's the best way to get one back to the hotel? Will the nightclub call one?