Mexico City Tourist Traps

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There is a post in here about the tourist trap bus that takes you to Teotihuacan and asks if there's an alternative. The answer is YES! We avoided the tourist bus for exactly the reasons stated but instead rode the metro to Autobuses del Norte, a gleaming, modern bus station and bought two tickets to Piramides for about 35 pesos each (NOT $30 US dollars!) The bus took us straight to the Teotihuacan site. Along the way a couple of guys got on and sang some great traditional songs. There were no annoying tourist stops at bad restaurants or gift shops. Coming back was just as easy: Hop on the bus outside the site and head back to town. We got out at Indios Verdes instead of Autobuses just to check it out. It was a lively and interesting outdoor bus station/market but much more confusing than Autobuses. I recommend leaving from Autobuses and returning to Indios Verdes, which puts you right on a convenient metro line.

Fun Alternatives: Public bus from the Autobuses del Norte terminal instead of the tourist bus

THIS IS NOT A TRAP... this is amazing architect work and live.. LUIS BARRAGAN

general francisco ramirez 12 col appliacion daniel garza 11840 mexico df 55154908
convento de las capuchinas sacramentarias miguel hidalgo 43 tlalpan 55732395
IGLESIA CORPUS CHRISTI arboledas edo mex
BEBEDEROS arboledas edo mex
MUSEO MAQUETAS arboledas edo de mex
TORRES DE SATELITE naucalpan edo de mex

jardines casa ortega 52724945
casa prieto lopez av fuentes 180 col el pedregal san angel
casa gilardi general antonio leon 82 san miguel chapultepec
Casa de los Amigos Ignacio Mariscal 132 Colonia Tabacalera, México D.F
casa en sullivan....

Unique Suggestions: informes@ casaluisbarragan.org

casaluisbarragan@ gmail.com

www.casaluisbarragan.org

http://www.barragan-foundation.org/

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ERNESTO che GUEVARA DE LA SERNA lived in mexico city and met Fidel Castro in the area of downtown of Mexico DF.
The book & biography EL CHE of Paco Ignacio Taibo II

Pachuca 108 Condesa
Rio Rhin 43 con su novia
Emparan 49 - C con Fidel
Reg Civil de Tepoztlan ( boda )
Napoles 40- 16 depa pareja
revillagigedo 47 armas tienda y refugio
chalco rancho Santa Rosa

you may think that the airport would be the worst place for exchange rates but its actually better than the exchange centres you will find in the city (theres alot on reforma around zona rosa)
When i came back in mexico i spent a whole morning looking for ANYONE that would change my guatemalan quetzales with no luck and only got bad rates for british pounds so stick to the airport if you do need to exchange anything.

coyoacan is a pretty little place in mexico city, known to most as being the home of the frida kahlo house and the famous coyocan weekend markets. You can get there by metro but the walk from the station to the "main square" is long and you will most likely get lost if you are not sure of your way... so getting a cab there is the safest bet.
Weekdays, the main square in mostly empty but has great ice cream, cafes and elotes. Weekends are crowded with the market selling jewelry and crafts.

Unique Suggestions: eat ice cream and see frida kahlos home.

There are all kinds of shops spread in a very wide area in downtown Mexico City. You can find almost whatever you can think of: clothes, shoes, books, jewelry, computer and electronic stuff, CDs/DVDs, videogames, etc. However, be careful about what you buy and where: not all shops offer good quality stuff and you have to pay attention both to the genuineness and the price of the things you plan to acquire because many people will try to rip you off (I know it's sad, but it's true). Something is for sure: whatever you buy from the street vendors is NOT genuine stuff and it won't have any guarantee, so you must be aware that it might get broken soon, not work properly, etc.

Unique Suggestions: Bargaining with the street vendors might be attractive because you'll spend less money this way, but I highly recommend that you buy things - especially expensive, hi-tech or valuable stuff - in properly established businesses (and not even these are always honest but they certainly are a bit more reliable).

Do not buy your souvenirs in Artesanias El Quetzal on your way to Teotihuacan. The prices there are 4 times compared to those sold while walking at the pyramids in Teotihuacan... plus it's the same quality especially the souvenirs made out of Obsidian stones!

Some restaurants have hidden fees. If you do not ask, you will get robbed. You will be approached by people in the plaza with fliers of great entertainment in the restaurant. Free of charge and with no cover charge. This is where the scam begins

Your bill will come with extra music and entertainment fees, high tax fees and high service fees. All of these are called CUBIERTO or CTO for short. The restaurant "disclaims" this in a small fine print in the back of the menu that simply states " a service fee will be added".
Be very careful. Even mexicans fall in this scam

Unique Suggestions: Always ask for "Cubierto" or hidden service fees

Actually, this isn't a bad idea if you only have a day or two in Mexico City. For 100 pesos (115 on the weekends), this bus will take you all over the historic core, down Reforma, Polanco, Chapultepec Park and more and you won't have to figure out the Metro or worry about your safety in a taxi. You'll have a great view from the top of these double decker buses and the tour lasts a not too long, but a "I got my money's worth" two hours and 45 minutes.

http://web.turibus.com.mx/turibus/

This park on the westside of Palacio de Bellas Artes is one of the city's "lungs". Lots of benches, and statues invite visitors to walk around a little. This is what officials say...

Unique Suggestions: My friends told me to keep away from there, though, because it's dangerous due to drug dealing, prostitution ... .