Mexico City

W

WinStreak

25+ Posts
Just curious what ppl's take on going to Mexico City alone for the three day weekend (May 26-28). I would get late on the 25th and leave early on the 29th. Anyways, would it be worth going? Safe? Where should I go given the time constraints and what should I avoid? Best places to stay? I'm going back and forth trying to figure out if I should go.
 
Always worth it. Mexico City is great. Stay at the W or the JW Marriott, both in Polanco, just north of Chapultapec Park. Go to the muesums off the Zocalo and by the park (don't forget the Rivera and Khalo places in San Angel, and have a drink or dinner at the San Angel Inn). Spend a bunch of time in the Park, the castle, Ninoes Heroes, all that. Your conscierge will hook you up with great food in Polanco or Zona Rosa, or down by the (Zocalo but that area can be a little intimidating at midnight). The people are wonderful, the food, the art, the architecture, it's all good.

Now, rules. No green cabs, ever. I mean ever. I would not take the white and yellow ones except for from the airport, either. Take a hired car to dinner, arrange for a pickup after. It's cheap, about the same net as taking a cab around in the US. During the day, wear jeans and take the subway to museums. Totally safe, and the subway is a great, clean system. Easy to follow, you don't need to speak or read Spanish to get around. That's it.

Follow those rules, and you will have a great time. If you take a green cab, I don't want to hear about it.
 
I had a business associate stick us in a green cab on the way to the airport. Suffice it to say we made it back in one piece and with all my possessions in hand. Still, I wouldn't recommend it.
 
My guess is that an affluent appearing english speaker has about a 95% chance of getting in a green cab, giving instruction to the driver, and getting to his or her destination without being pistolwipped and robbed. The odds are definitely in your favor, a lot of people do it. It's just not worth the risk.

Unfortunately, a lot of people are also scared of the subway, which keeps them from getting out of the center of town, or off the Grey Line tour bus. That's a shame. The subway's fine, you just don't see anyone in a suit or nice clothes, so try to blend in.
 
WinStreak, I am also trying to plan a trip to Mexico, DF, during those exact same dates. I don't know where you're located (I am in Wash, DC) so if you hear of any good info or deals, let me know. Vice versa.

Question to all--anyone fly to Toluca and then commute into DF? Worth the hassle? The websites, specifically Continental, list that as a possible route.
 
Toluca is about an hour west of DF by bus. Buses leave frequently from Toluca to Poniente station in Mexico City for cheap, then cab from there... I don't know about taxis from Toluca to DF. Poniente is safe.

One advantage of Toluca is if you want to spend part or all of your trip outside of DF, you can easily get to the lakeside mountain village of Valle de Bravo, a place worthy of at least 2-3 days in its own right.
 
NB, the green cabs are pretty much unregulated and not in any way tracked by a corporate entity. They are a great way for non-rich mexicans to get around the city. Unfortunately, because they are not under any sort of control, it is relatively common for thieves to steal one, or pay the cabbie to take a break, then go pick up an affluent person (not necessary a foreigner) and at best shake them down with a scam fare, or worse rob them, or worst rob them and beat the **** out of them. As I said above, the odds are in your favor, I really to think it's about 20 to 1 that you will have a problem. In other words, 95% of the green cabs in touristy areas are fine, but there is a small but significant chance it may turn out badly. Given the cheap subway, and relatively inexpensive hired cars, it's not worth it.

And Carrera, Mexico City is perfect for a student lifestyle. Lots of great stuff to see and do, safely. Just dress casually, don't wave your money around or act like a rich american *******, and you will have a wonderful time. I spent a year there (and in the mountains north of Toluca) during college, and it was one of the best years of my life. I've been going back for work 2 or 3 times a year for the last 10 years or so. Amazing place.
 
In November of 2004, I spent 4 nights in D.F. at a hostel just off the Zocola (about 1 1/2 blocks). My Spanish sucked *** (not that it has gotten that much better here in BsAs) and I had no problem.

The hostel I stayed in had a roof-top cafe and you could see the cathedral in the morning as you were eating breakfast. (Big and good breakfast.)

The hostel offered a free walking tour of the Zocalo and I paid to do the Basilica of the Virgin/Teotuhuacan (sp?) van tour. Totally worth it. You got to see why Mexico is Catholic followed by checking out and climbing the pyramids of the Aztecs. (In between you go to a tourist trap gift shop. Don't buy anything there, wait until the end of your pyramid trek.)

I took the Metro solo, I then took the train solo, and I saw a game at Estadio Azteca solo. It cost less than $1.00 round trip (Metro w/return & train w/return) and then my ticket to the game cost less than $9.00. Sweet.

The only time I took a cab, I took it with other people. I suggest the white/red cabs (they have METERS, & the Green ones don't) and I suggest making friends and cabbing it with them.

That is all for now.

Oh, and wear LOTS OF FLASHY GOLD & DIAMOND JEWELRY!!! (But that's always good advice when traveling.)
 
my dad got robbed in one of those cabs on a business trip. he finally got his wedding ring unstuck so, fortunately, he can still count to 10.
 
Mexico City is great. I managed to run into the Mexico City Texas Exes watch party for the OU game when I was there in October.

Make sure to eat at the taquerias. Tacos al pastor freshly cut off the spit are the best things

Also, you can tour Estadio Azteca during the week (mon - Fri) during the day for like 20 pesos a person. You get to see the America museum, go onto field level and tour the dressing rooms. Don't miss it if you are a sports fan. A truly amazing site.

Obviously the Basilica and the pyramids are great, as is the Zocalo. Do the metro and metro bus to get around.
 
For a truly mind-blowing experience visit the streets behind the cathedral in Centro Historico. Dress like a popper during the day and dont carry a large bag with you. While in El Centro have some lunch at Cafe El Popular - its fantastic, located on Calle Cinco de Mayo.

Explore Polonco and drink yourself silly there at night. I recommend BarFly on Presidente Masaryk. Its in a shopping mall type thing - but the bands are usually really good and the women are even better.

Take a stroll and have some lunch in Zona Rosa, but I wouldnt spend a whole lot of time there - mostly touristy. There are however many strange sights along the street called Genova.

Take the subway as much as possible. Take the green cabs only during the day and only when they are waiting in front of your 4-star hotel. Always act like you know what you're doing and where you're going. Don't worry - have fun.

DF is one of my favorite cities on Earth.
 
there are a ton of reputable drivers that congregate across the street (not directly across, but close) to hotel krystal in la zona rosa.

last time I went there with my family we had a guy for a week and he took us everywhere.
 
I just got back from the DF as I had to attend my grandmothers funeral. I was born and raised there, but hadn't been back in 10 years or so. The city is completely infested with people. I could not beleive the traffic. I was out in Santa Fe which is just absolutely nuts. I also recommend barfly on Masaryk. Very fun.
 
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