Hello there:

I am considering two hotels; one is just north of the Zona Rosa about 400m from Insurgentes Metro, the other is about the same distance in the Centro Historico from the Zocalo Metro. Given that I will not have a car, and my preference is to be somewhere where it is relatively easy to explore the city (Museo de Antropologia, Xochimilco, pyramids, etc...) but like being close to some nightlife, would you recommend one area over the other OR do you think it doesn't matter, both are perfectly adequate?

Question 2: It seems that going out to the pyramids at Teotihuacan and Tula are good day-trips from the city. However, given my time is limited, I thought I would try to see just one...I'm leaning toward Teotihuacan. Do you think I should go to Tula instead? OR do you think I should cut something else off my itinerary and really make an effort to see both? I do enjoy history and architecture, but there's so much I want to see in Mexico, DF (this will be my first visit!)... anyhow, I'd enjoy opinions on this.

Cheers to one and all, DAN

My experience in El D.F. is fairly limited. I have only stayed near the Zocalo. It turned out to be a good location to get around. The metro is great, but you really want to study some maps so you know where your going in advance and aren't trying to study a map constantly on the trains. Have not beeen to Tula but, in my mind, Teotihuacan is not to be missed. The way I went was to take the Metro to Indios Verdes, then on by bus. You can also get off at "La VIlla" Metro stop and see the Basilica de Guadalupe. This would meet your history criteria. Did you go to Monterrey in the past? I think I remember you writing about that. If you haven't been to El D.F. the diffference will amaze you.

Good advice from Dude--especially regarding studying your Metro map in advance!
I always stay near the Zocalo and prefer that area. (usually use the Hotel
Catedral) It works great for me because I am not interested in the nightlife--the Zocalo area is pretty dead at night. So, if the nighlife is at all important, you might want to consider the Zona Rosa!

Definitely Teotihuacan.

My choice for a location to stay would be Polanco. Walk to the museums or take a cab to the Zocalo in the daytime, with a much better choice for restaurants and bars at night than either the Zona Rosa or Zocalo areas.

I agree that Centro Historico is not a good choice if nightlife is important--it is pretty deserted at night, and to my mind you don't want to walk too many places anyhow there after dark. I would also suggest Polanco, from which you can walk to the museums in Chapultepac area, and have a HUGE selection of restaurants and night spots. Second choice would be Zona Rosa, though I think it is much more "touristy" there, and getting a little rundown. Don't know your budget, but Maria Isabella Sheraton and JW Marriott turn up regularly on Priceline for $65 to $80--see www.biddingfortravel.com

Like RobertSDF, I always stay at the Hotel Catedral near the zocalo. Nightlife isn't that important to me, and we enjoy that area - there's so much to see and do.

Can anybody tell me about the Hotel Lepanto?

Daniel Williams:

May I ask you how old are you, so I can recommend you some places to visit for a nice and safe nightlife. Do you like to dance?

And definitly you should not miss Teotihuacan, Xochimilco and Museo de Antropologia.

Last month we had a visit from Canada and took her to several places during the 5 days she was here. She enjoyed very much all above mentioned places.

Maria Isabel Sheraton Hotel is situated in a very good area, probably 3 blocks from Zona Rosa, and they have very good excursions.

Beto: In reference to Hotel Lepanto I have never heard it, I checked the yellow pages and could not find it. Take care of where to arrive.

Thanks for all the advice!

I think given the suggestions so far, I'll try the hotel in the Zona Rosa I was looking at, given your suggestions. I'm 33, indeed love to dance (I'm planning to go to a salsa-merengue class soon here in Montreal), and will enjoy seeing the latest dance steps. I also would love to see a show with traditional Mexican music... mariachi, etc...

And indeed Dude, it was I who went to Monterrey last year. It was going there in large part that made me decide that I wanted to go to DF, I had such an amazing time.. although I understand the two are very different.

Everyone seems to say, go to Teotihuacan, but no one says much about Tula (Tollan?). I definitely will go to the former, but does anyone think I should try to see both? (I'll be in el DF 5 days.)

Thanks again to one and all! DAN

Here is a possibility for a traditional show. I've never been, but it sounds like it might be fun.

http://www.angelfire.com/home/mexico.../focolare.html

For an evening of eating and bar-hopping with your similar-aged DF counterparts, go to the Condesa area - near where Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas come together. Take a safe cab there and back (Ligaya restaurant is at Nuevo Leon #68, so you could get dropped off there), but once you are in that area you can walk from place to place.

I appreciate the nightlife suggestions from all; just so as to prevent any confusion, I would be checking out Gay or Gay-friendly dancing establishments in Mexico City. I realize the chance of finding an expert on this on Fodor's is pretty slim but I understand that the Zona Rosa is the place to go for this.

When you arrive pick up a copy of Chilango magazine, there is always a page of gay and lesbian events, entertainment, dancing, etc. The October issue had an article on the Festival de Diversidad Sexual. Unfortunately the magazine doesn't have a website, but the events are listed on www.anodis.com (which also has a good listing of other events). All of the above en espanol, of course.

Pawy,
Hotel Lepanto has a site:
www.hotellepanto.com
and as you could see, their group include Hotel Catedral and Hotel Gillow.
Could you tell me something about the place where it is located?

Quiero decir... muchas gracias por todas las suggeciones de la gente que conoce bien Mexico. !Mando a todos ustedes un abrazo, ustedes son muy simpaticos con sus ayudos! !No puedo esperar visitar! !Hasta diciembre!

Que te vayas muy bien-

We stayed at Hotel Catedral last March and I would not recommend it if you want to go out after about 6 pm, unless taking a hotel-called cab. The area is fabulous in the day, market stalls, fabulous food, etc and cheap. But it is not that safe in the evening. Everything is bolted shut and there are few pedestrians.

If you just want a good value for dinner and no night life, Catedral's restaurant prices are comparable to outside and the quality and service are quite good. The hotel is a good bargain.

We went to the hostel for meals and pops and the locals thought we were nuts and walked us home the two blocks to Hotel Catedral when the hostel pub closed at 11 pm. If you are really on a budget, the hostel offers pretty nice private rooms incl breakfast and free Internet for less than Catedral.

Teotihuacan definitely over Tula. Tula is very limited altough important historically. T.is huge--the largest city in the western hemisphere prior to modern times. Plan to spend the day. There is much to see.

Hi Dan-

I lived in Mexico City for a year and here are my suggestions.

Teotihuacan a hundred times over Tula. tula is far and a bore with a bunch of totem columns one of which you can see in the Museum of Anthropology which is far more worth visiting anyway.

Zona rosa is a better choice becuase the zocalo area can get danerous at night. A very good inexpensive hotel is the Marco Polo

Spend some time in the south of the city. the Bazar Sabado in San?Angel on Saturdays is wonderful. the cental plaza of Coyoacan and Frida kahlo's house nearby make a wonderful trip.

The traditional gay bar in the Zona Rosa is El Taller on Florencia - gets busy after work and onwards. For dancing on the weekend - Living on Orizaba in Colonia Roma or Box just north of Polanco (Saturday night). Go to sergay.com.mx to get the addresses. Another popular spot with nude go-go-boys (I hope everyone is shocked!) is Tom's on Insurgentes. Have fun and be safe!