Why don't more people go to Mexico City?

Old Mar 7th, 2018, 03:47 AM
  #21  
 
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Excellent response geenance. Thanks for the topic.
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Old Mar 7th, 2018, 05:32 AM
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I think your premise is flawed:

https://www.tourism-review.com/touri...rists-news5159
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Old Mar 7th, 2018, 06:20 AM
  #23  
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I think you kind of answered your own question--that people would think of Mexico City and Delhi as being roughly similar would go a long ways to explaining why it may be underappreciated. People have a view of mega cities in developing countries as being chaotic, dirty, overcrowded, etc. And, Mexico City's long battle with air pollution certainly fed into that. Apparently it's gotten better in the past decade, but it was known for 2 things--(1) being huge and (2) having the worst air quality in the western hemisphere. That's a hard sell for tourists.
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Old Mar 7th, 2018, 08:08 AM
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I cannot speak about other times of the year, but when I was in MC in Feb. the sky was blue, the air clear , the parks
looked lush and inviting.
True, the traffic is huge, but it is something one experiences in all big cities .
It is understandable that travellers have different preferences ....some like hiking in the woods, some relaxing on beaches, others love cruses
or exploring small towns and rural areas.
For those who love history, architecture, art, museums , the big city vibe, MC might be a great new destination.
As pp said, people have a perception all big cities in the developing world are exactly alike. Not true.
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Old Mar 7th, 2018, 08:38 AM
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There is much more to Mexico than beaches... for those who choose to repeat the same ole same ole... I guess it’s ok, but for those who wish to live and experience real culture, art, archeology, museums, history, unique architecture and sooo much more, Mexico City has got it all and then some. I also don’t understand why the size of the population matters, as if they were all in one specific location. I (unlike some who posted here) for one have been to MC and would most certainly recommend it to my immediate family and close friends and have already done so.
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Old Mar 7th, 2018, 09:01 AM
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I did not and would never dis-recommend Mexico City.

The person here asked us why more people don't go there, so I shared the reasons I haven't been there yet.

Yes I choose to repeat the "same ole same ole" because at this point in my life I am looking for R&R when I get a few precious weeks off my full-time job. That's why I head to the sun, palm trees, warmth and welcome I know I will find in PV - to enjoy the beach, a pool, great food, in a medium sized town to get around in. It's a vacation for me, I am not seeking to "live and experience real culture".
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Old Mar 7th, 2018, 09:21 AM
  #27  
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20 million people means the noise, air pollution, concrete, steel, land area, and travel complications that come with 20 million people. Some people don't want to inhale car exhaust 24/7 on their vacations.

It's also not like Mexico City is the sole bastion of architecture, history, and archaeology between Texas and Macchu Picchu either.

I get why it would be appealing for a lot of people, but a big, crowded polluted city is not going to be everyone's cup of tea no matter what else it has to offer.
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Old Mar 7th, 2018, 09:40 AM
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Many thanks, RAC. I'd given up.
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Old Mar 7th, 2018, 10:28 AM
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We went to Mexico City a few years back for a long weekend and really liked it. That being said, we probably would never have gone if not for our Mexican friend who was attending a conference there. It was an opportunity for us to visit him and get to see a new place. I wouldn't rule out going back again on our own.
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Old Mar 7th, 2018, 10:49 AM
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The 20 million people had nothing to do with my stay in MC : the airport is modern, going through the security was more efficient than at
Heathrow,
in the area where I stayed the streets were quiet and leafy, the architecture was mostly Art Deco and Art Nouveau,
the air was perfectly fine .
No one suggested that MC is the only interesting city in the hemisphere , but it is certaly not the monstrosity some are
painting by throwing statistics around.

i found Venice more crowded in places and often more difficult to move around .
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Old Mar 7th, 2018, 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by danon
The 20 million people had nothing to do with my stay in MC : the airport is modern, going through the security was more efficient than at
Heathrow,
in the area where I stayed the streets were quiet and leafy, the architecture was mostly Art Deco and Art Nouveau,
the air was perfectly fine ..
That was my experience as well. Parts of it were crowded but no more so than other cities that I've visited. I mean, have you ever tried to walk around Times Square in NYC? Talk about crowds.
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Old Mar 7th, 2018, 01:35 PM
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I'm looking forward to visiting Mexico City-Puebla this year. I had planned on going last year, and then, earthquake.

Maybe another reason people are put off visiting?
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Old Mar 7th, 2018, 02:21 PM
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I WAS in MC on Feb, 17 when the latest earthquake hit 7.2 , (far from the city, though)
I knew right away what was happening, I walked dowstares , and exited the hotel with everyone else. People were standing in the middle of the street with their kids and dogs, a small part of one building fell, but everyone was ok.
iWe were asked to stay outside for a while , but considering the buildings, trees and
electrical lines above our heads, there was nowhere to hide in case of a another tremor .

When we were allowed back, the barman passed around (free )drinks to all the guests.

i
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Old Mar 7th, 2018, 04:24 PM
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If People Only Knew...what I know about MC

Mexico City is one of my favorite places to travel to, and I've traveled a lot. I live in Southern California and travelling to Mexico City is such a great deal for us. Not uncommon to spend $550 for a week for airfare and hotel package combination. I especially like the area of San Angel. If ever in that area, you need to try El Cardinal. There are other El Cardinals, but not like the one in San Angel. Many people tell me they are afraid to go to Mexico City. They think its crime ridden and corrupt. However, I let them know that I never - ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe in Mexico City. In fact, I feel much more safer in MC than in Los Angeles. My goal is to one day live for a couple of years in Mexico City, and enjoy all of the enormous rich culture the City and its People have to offer. Must say that the people in Mexico City have been nothing but gracious towards its tourists.
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Old Mar 7th, 2018, 05:06 PM
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Keep all the recommendations coming! My friends who visit regularly tend to stay with family, and go around the holidays. Her mom still lives there and was in the BIG ONE in '85 which I remember seeing on the news. At least I will have her mom's number if I need help there.

My Spanish is not too bad although I have more "immersion" in Andean South America which for me is easier to understand.
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Old Mar 7th, 2018, 05:38 PM
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I was there two years ago in January and LOVED it. I really had a very moving emotional experience while there and will absolutely be going back, if I have anything to do about it. Like someone who had visited in February, it was crystal clear blue skies during the warm days and wonderful cooler nights while I was there -- no pollution, but maybe that's seasonal? Of course, I do live in NYC, so ... do like city living, walking, taking the subway, etc. I loved the subway there, and the walking through the parks at night was very surreal. I never felt unsafe. Anyway, I highly recommend it. But, I can also see why it wouldn't appeal to people. It's not easy visiting large cities and may not be where one would choose to go if they need a break from the grind of their lives -- but it's definitely worth it for a few days.
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Old Mar 7th, 2018, 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by plumboy
...I really had a very moving emotional experience while there ....
Speaking of which, I would return to Mexico City just to see the sublime murals in the Palacio de Bellas Artes again.
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Old Mar 8th, 2018, 06:36 AM
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Thanks for the post. We are heading to Mexico City in May and cannot wait.
We are well travelled but not big Mexico fans, but have agreed to give Mexico City a try as it seems to have it all.
Any recommendations re where to stay, private tours that were good value, etc.
We have yet to book anything other than flights.
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Old Mar 8th, 2018, 07:12 AM
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For your info Caesar, Mexico City was the easiest trip I ever planed from the internet from Playa del Carmen.
in our case it included flying with Aeromexico which was a a beautiful event when you consider the other airlines out there,
At the airport our taxi was waiting and got us to our hotel in Roma norte which I would recommend but there are other areas just as nice and easy to access. Every side trip we took was planed and executed by myself, from the Pyramids to Frida Khalos house in Coyoacan, El Castillo in Chepultepec park, museums, Cathedral and ruins near by, hop on, hop off bus tour, Gran Plaza Nacional, and way more. All transportation services are economical, safe and pleasant. The various neighborhoods reminded me of Eorope and the energy that is sometimes palpable. You are not in a beach side city with the beach side mentality. The people here dress accordingly and act the same way...I did not mention architecture, churches, monasteries and the central locations which are bursting with parks... parks galore, the only other city I have experienced with so many parks was Paris...we were there in March and the nights are cool and the days are nice and warm, as for pollution, we did not experience any except blue skies ans white clouds....
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Old Mar 8th, 2018, 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by suze
I did not and would never dis-recommend Mexico City.

The person here asked us why more people don't go there, so I shared the reasons I haven't been there yet.

Yes I choose to repeat the "same ole same ole" because at this point in my life I am looking for R&R when I get a few precious weeks off my full-time job. That's why I head to the sun, palm trees, warmth and welcome I know I will find in PV - to enjoy the beach, a pool, great food, in a medium sized town to get around in. It's a vacation for me, I am not seeking to "live and experience real culture".
.
Back to the topic, great thread, geenance. I think CDMX should be a must-see for anyone that enjoys Latin American travel. Of all of the major Latin American cities I've visited, Mexico City is by far the most compelling. I have to wonder if it's bad rap about crime kind of originated back in the notorious green VW taxi days. Which are long gone.

Last edited by Moderator3; Mar 10th, 2018 at 04:59 AM. Reason: Remove attack on another poster
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