Tentative planning for Mexico City
#1
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Tentative planning for Mexico City
Hola all! I thought I'd start a thread to capture some of my thoughts.
I have to say that I am disappointed at how little posting there is here about Mexico City. Is it possible this place is sorely overlooked?
I have gone on a few trips now with my sister. We like to explore, talk to locals, enjoy local food, enjoy markets, see local art and check out a few (but not too many) museums/architectural sights. We like to check out the political/social climate of a place that is very different than where we live so have enjoyed places like Bosnia, Cuba, Chile, Argentina, etc.
This year we are a bit limited in time and money so we want to go somewhere within fairly easy flying distance from Toronto and we want to go in late February-early March. Once I started looking for reasonably priced direct flights from Toronto I landed on Mexico City. (CDMX) I've been so happy with what I've discovered.
My early thoughts are that we would rent an Airbnb in Condesa or Roma (likely the former). Can we keep ourselves entertained for a week? There seem to be some great local restaurants, great markets and some easy tourist sights and/or day trips.
So, will we like it? I've read that there were a few buildings in that area that collapsed in the September earthquake. I presume that the area is still lively and that reconstruction (and associated noise and dust) fades in comparison to normal ongoing construction.
Is this a place that is worth checking out? Why haven't my usual peeps, who I find out have forged ahead of me (@thursdaysd, @crellston, @kja, etc.) been showing up on Mexico threads?
Any itinerary suggestions are welcome! We likely wouldn't want more that one big day trip (or overnight trip) for the week.
(fyi, about 15 years ago I was in Zihuatanejo and we rented a car and drove inland for a few days to the Patzcuaro area. We went to Paracho, the guitar-making village while there. We loved the area! I understand that Michoacan State is more dangerous now however, than when we were there.)
Thanks in advance for any tips or advice.
I have to say that I am disappointed at how little posting there is here about Mexico City. Is it possible this place is sorely overlooked?
I have gone on a few trips now with my sister. We like to explore, talk to locals, enjoy local food, enjoy markets, see local art and check out a few (but not too many) museums/architectural sights. We like to check out the political/social climate of a place that is very different than where we live so have enjoyed places like Bosnia, Cuba, Chile, Argentina, etc.
This year we are a bit limited in time and money so we want to go somewhere within fairly easy flying distance from Toronto and we want to go in late February-early March. Once I started looking for reasonably priced direct flights from Toronto I landed on Mexico City. (CDMX) I've been so happy with what I've discovered.
My early thoughts are that we would rent an Airbnb in Condesa or Roma (likely the former). Can we keep ourselves entertained for a week? There seem to be some great local restaurants, great markets and some easy tourist sights and/or day trips.
So, will we like it? I've read that there were a few buildings in that area that collapsed in the September earthquake. I presume that the area is still lively and that reconstruction (and associated noise and dust) fades in comparison to normal ongoing construction.
Is this a place that is worth checking out? Why haven't my usual peeps, who I find out have forged ahead of me (@thursdaysd, @crellston, @kja, etc.) been showing up on Mexico threads?
Any itinerary suggestions are welcome! We likely wouldn't want more that one big day trip (or overnight trip) for the week.
(fyi, about 15 years ago I was in Zihuatanejo and we rented a car and drove inland for a few days to the Patzcuaro area. We went to Paracho, the guitar-making village while there. We loved the area! I understand that Michoacan State is more dangerous now however, than when we were there.)
Thanks in advance for any tips or advice.
#2
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I believe this question of yours to be twofold, geenance.
Firstly, Mexico DF is IMO, one of the most interesting and beautiful cities to visit in all of North America. Again, IMO, it even compares with Paris and England and New York for it’s splendid architecture, museums, parks not to mention it’s one of a kind archeological site known as Theoatehuacan, where you can easily spend a couple of days just walking around this vast gargantuous site.
One week is definitely not enough time to take in all this city has to offer, including the Castilo in Chemultepek park, the Zocalo, Cathedral in main square, the hop on, hop off bus tour, Coyoacan suburb where you can visit Frida Kahlos house and Diego Rivera’s not far away. Don’t forget Xochemilco, south of the city with the famous canal boat rides, the many fine restaurants, recent archeological finds near the main Cathedral and sooo much more. February and March are great months to visit but please dress warmly at night as the temperature can drop off in the teens quite readily. Don’t forget that this city is built on a plateau that is something like 7000 feet in elevation hence the low temps at night.
I believe that the second half of your question has to do with the participants in this forum. Yes, it has fallen off and the regulars know why that is. This said, I believe that the web site is reorganizing it’s format so as to help reduce policing and bickering amongst certain candidates...
Firstly, Mexico DF is IMO, one of the most interesting and beautiful cities to visit in all of North America. Again, IMO, it even compares with Paris and England and New York for it’s splendid architecture, museums, parks not to mention it’s one of a kind archeological site known as Theoatehuacan, where you can easily spend a couple of days just walking around this vast gargantuous site.
One week is definitely not enough time to take in all this city has to offer, including the Castilo in Chemultepek park, the Zocalo, Cathedral in main square, the hop on, hop off bus tour, Coyoacan suburb where you can visit Frida Kahlos house and Diego Rivera’s not far away. Don’t forget Xochemilco, south of the city with the famous canal boat rides, the many fine restaurants, recent archeological finds near the main Cathedral and sooo much more. February and March are great months to visit but please dress warmly at night as the temperature can drop off in the teens quite readily. Don’t forget that this city is built on a plateau that is something like 7000 feet in elevation hence the low temps at night.
I believe that the second half of your question has to do with the participants in this forum. Yes, it has fallen off and the regulars know why that is. This said, I believe that the web site is reorganizing it’s format so as to help reduce policing and bickering amongst certain candidates...
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@Rohelio thank you for your reply! I'm really getting a sense that CDMX is a great city that has been generally overlooked. Thank you for your suggestions.
Regarding the second part of your response, I don't believe that the people I mentioned are at all stepping back, but rather believe that Mexico City just isn't on their radar. I admire them and just wanted to hear their opinions.
Regarding the cool nights, that's good for people to note. As a Canadian, I am well prepared!
Thanks again for your reply. I better start re-brushing up on my very limited Spanish!
Regarding the second part of your response, I don't believe that the people I mentioned are at all stepping back, but rather believe that Mexico City just isn't on their radar. I admire them and just wanted to hear their opinions.
Regarding the cool nights, that's good for people to note. As a Canadian, I am well prepared!
Thanks again for your reply. I better start re-brushing up on my very limited Spanish!
#4
You can easily fill a week, or more, as Rohelio mentioned. Xochimilco is best visited on the weekends; it's a real hoot then. Roma Norte proper probably has more restaurant/bar options than Condesa, but they're really close to each other. Though walking from one to the other after several Adult Beverages could be a challenge. Construction shouldn't be an issue.
There are a number of good day trips within a couple hours or so of CDMX. Among them: Taxco, Pachuca & Mineral Del Monte/Chico & Huasca De Ocampo, Puebla. But keep in mind that on the weekends, the chilangos make a mass exodus to any interesting tourist destination within 5 hours of CDMX. So, if you opt for a day trip somewhere, maybe try it midweek.
Yes, you'll like it.
There are a number of good day trips within a couple hours or so of CDMX. Among them: Taxco, Pachuca & Mineral Del Monte/Chico & Huasca De Ocampo, Puebla. But keep in mind that on the weekends, the chilangos make a mass exodus to any interesting tourist destination within 5 hours of CDMX. So, if you opt for a day trip somewhere, maybe try it midweek.
Yes, you'll like it.
#6
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We just spent three nights in Mexico City over Christmas. I think you will find it an amazing city to visit and one week hardly enough to see everything.
We walked through some of the Roma neighbourhood and my (adult) son said he really would like to go back to that area and stay in an airbnb there. It was the only part of the city we saw 'hipsters' walking their dogs! We did see one building in the Roma area that had collapsed in the earthquake. It was quite shocking and very sad to see.
We walked through some of the Roma neighbourhood and my (adult) son said he really would like to go back to that area and stay in an airbnb there. It was the only part of the city we saw 'hipsters' walking their dogs! We did see one building in the Roma area that had collapsed in the earthquake. It was quite shocking and very sad to see.
#7
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We just spent three nights in Mexico City over Christmas. I think you will find it an amazing city to visit and one week hardly enough to see everything.
We walked through some of the Roma neighbourhood and my (adult) son said he really would like to go back to that area and stay in an airbnb there. It was the only part of the city we saw 'hipsters' walking their dogs! We did see one building in the Roma area that had collapsed in the earthquake. It was quite shocking and very sad to see.
We walked through some of the Roma neighbourhood and my (adult) son said he really would like to go back to that area and stay in an airbnb there. It was the only part of the city we saw 'hipsters' walking their dogs! We did see one building in the Roma area that had collapsed in the earthquake. It was quite shocking and very sad to see.
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