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3 Stars - 45 Opinions
Jumping Stranger on Easter Island, Sept 2010
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Leonora Carrington
My hubby and I are planning a trip to Mexico City for the winter holidays and new years. We are in our 40's, active, and into the hustle and bustle of city life. Although we love culture, we do not want to spend our time in all the art museums and churches. Can you recommend a cool neighborhood to stay in that is safe, close to cafes/food carts/restaurants, subways and attractions? Ie: If NYC were Mexico we would prefer a Time Square/Soho than an Upper East Side.
We stayed at the Habita hotel in the Polanco area on calle Mazaryk--very cool hotel, near great restaurants (the Valentina was good) and a pretty cool mall about a 30 minute walk or so. The hotel itself is mega neat--great bar with a view. I keep using the word "cool", but my husband and I are in our late 30's and really liked the Habita and that is just the best way to describe it!
Mexico City, safe, since when?
You could unpack in Polanco, then explore. There are lots of pretty cool neighborhoods in el DF and lots of different things to do. Dont be disdainful of Mexico City's museums and churches- they are special.
Moon guidebooks has a great guide to Mexico City and there are others.
I think its fun to take a map and wander around on foot and subway (Daylight hours).
Theres good food everywhere. there are Mcdonalds, KFC, starbucks, etc if you hanker for something like that.
Any way, re your times square upper east analogy you might like the Reforma zona rosa area. I say wing it- dont lock yourself into a place until you look around. Rooms will be available.
it has always generally been recommended that visitors/tourists stay in the Zona Rosa area, which I believe is much more highly policed, and therefore safe to walk around at night to restaurants, etc., and the hotels in the area are able to get a secure taxi for you, etc. We have almost always stayed there, except if we are just on a short overnight and stay nearer the airport.
We have stayed several times and also had our friends from Europe (and they loved it) stay at GENEVE HOTEL, about which I have written a Tip on my little Mexico City page: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/f8c86/e9cb4/
also be sure to look at my Off the Beaten Track Tip.
the hotel has a good Concierge and Tour desk which are very helpful with all your questions, or any hotel needs. During the day, we usually walk up to the main square, where you can stop for a coffee, etc., on the way and enjoy the bustle of the big city, then take a taxi back, after spending a few hours seeing the art and architecture and markets.
Zona Rosa and adjacent Roma are the most "hip" and authentic places, since they have recovered from the 1985 earthquake, and now showing beautiful art deco 1930 building next to modern stylish apartments. A lot of parks adds to the atmosphere. Accomodation tips: CondesaDF, old building revamped with modern design, and elhostaldevictor.com, if you prefer a luxurious personalized B&B.
Live here and you will be able to say if it is not safe not only for what you see on TV
Here's a link to a good online, interactive, map of the Federal District ("Distrito Federal") and Mexico City. Click on the map and a "zoom" feature will engage. I hope you find this as helpful as I have. Copy and paste this into your "address bar": http://www.maps-of-mexico.com/distrito-federal-df-mexico/mexico-df-distrito-federal-mexico-map-main.shtml
Between the Constitution Square and the Temple Mayor, you find the Plaza de Mayor. This is a very lively place with lot of entertainment and merchants. Amusing all day and evening is for sure. I put special a travelogue for “Plaza Mayor” as I am planning to see more entertainment over there.
The Zocalo was once a focal point of Aztec society and the ruins of the Templo Mayor are still here today. As a result, there is a steady presence here of groups celebrating pre-Hispanic traditions. You'll here the pounding of drums and see "healers" offering smoke healings to tourists in the main square most of the day. The dances sometimes draw big crowds.
Buy one or two pairs of very good quality, and be sure the pockets are tight enough to give pickpockets a hard time. Bring JEANS, but leave them at home in case you're going to a really hot place.
Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Cathedral. The main altar is beautiful. Visit also the Presidential House, the Botanical gardens inside are marvelous!!!
Also visit the cities that surround Mexico City. Texcoco is a very nice place to visit. You can even dance Quebradita in the street! if you don't know how to dance... I assure you will learn! If I could do it, you too! Reference: See the pic! lol
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We've found that other people looking for this hotel also know it by these names:
Address: Florencia 61 Col Juarez, Zona Rosa, Mexico City, Central Mexico and Gulf Coast, 06600, Mexico
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