Video: Tour Mexico City Like a Local

See recent posts by Alisha Prakash

For a long time, Mexico City was one of Mexico’s best-kept secrets, as many travelers overlooked the capital city and headed straight for the country’s coast, instead. Times have changed, though, and these days, the bustling metropolis is one of Mexico's most sought-after cities. Is it chaotic? Yes. Are there areas you should stay away from? Sure. But the city, which can be summed up via a series of superlatives, is still undeniably enchanting and exciting.  

Sprawled across nearly 600 square miles, D.F. -- as the chilangos refer to it -- is home to more than 20 million inhabitants, making it the most populous city in Mexico, the second-largest metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere, and one of the largest cities in the world. Tourists and locals congregate in popular neighborhoods like Centro Historico (the historic center that’s focused on the zocalo and popular sites like Palacio Nacional, Templo Mayor, and Catedral Metropolitana), Roma and Condesa (both of which lure a hip, young crowd, thanks to their trendy cafes, cool galleries, and quirky shops), and Polanco (a posh residential area with high-end hotels, upscale designer boutiques, and swanky nightclubs). Walkable it is not, but there are plenty of ways to get around, including the metro, Uber, and Cabify.

The city also has more than 150 museums, the highest number in the world. Museo Soumaya, which displays masterpieces by Dali, Rodin, and Monet for free, is a must-visit, as is Museo Jumex, which shelters one of the largest private contemporary art collections in Latin America. Of course, we’d be remiss not to call attention to the Frida Kahlo Museum (also known as Casa Azul, or Blue House, for its bright blue facade). The Mexican artist’s former home is now a museum dedicated to her work.

In addition to its buzzing art scene and photogenic colonial architecture, the urban metropolis has also earned a reputation for its superb cuisine. Visitors can find everything from delectable street food (tacos, churros, tamales) to upscale restaurants like Pujol and Quintonil, both of which made The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2016. This variety is also evident in the city’s crop of hotels, which range from boutique to ultra-luxe. 

This is all a long winded way of saying Mexico City has plenty of tasty food to keep you full, an array of hotels that will have you (and your wallet) at ease, and the type of activities and attractions that will entertain through and through. Now, watch our video for a visual translation of the above.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPBNBRFhpa4

Check out our full travel guide to Mexico City.

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