Mexico Vacation Travels Pictures, Reviews, & Deals » Mexico City: A Travel Guide to Mexico City’s Hotels & Attractions

Best Places to Visit in Mexico: Mexico City

Rachel — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:22:10 +0000

If you’re traveling to Mexico with the kids, the best place to go to would be nothing less than Mexico City. There’s something about this place that openly expresses their love for children, in many restaurants and establishments.

Mexico City has Chapultapec Park, which is perfect for spending a family friendly day. This park has a large zoo, which we’re sure everyone in the family will find delightful. It also has pony rides for the younger kids and rowboats for the bigger kids. The whole family can also enjoy biking around the park. Conveniently, there are several rentals there and the price is reasonable.

If you’re looking for entertainment, you can watch weekend concerts where performers include acrobats and pole dancers. This is definitely not your usual singing and dancing!

Mexico City also has the El Museo Del Nino or The Children’s Museum. It’s a site where kids can both learn and enjoy anything from History to Science. The museum is very much hands-on and kids are allowed to touch the items on display. The more they explore, the better they learn all about it.

There is also the National History Museum for the bigger kids. This place is an actual castle once the home of Emperor Maximilian.

Visit the Ciudad de los Niños or City of Children, where kids dress up and pretend to be firefighters or bakers and actually do their service to earn their keep. It’s one way the city is helping orphaned kids.

Zocalo is also a place that’s not easily missed when you’re in Mexico. It’s the heart of the city, where art, culture and modernities converge. Zocalo is full of shopping centers and restaurants in the midst of many museums and other points of interest you will surely treasure with every visit!

Things to do in Mexico: Go on an Educational Trip

Rachel — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:01:53 +0000

Mexico City has such a diverse history that visitors can look forward to learn a lot about this country’s culture and origin by going to many of their historical sites.

The Metropolitan Cathedral is considered as one of the oldest structures in this part of the Americas. It was built in 1524 by the Spaniards and then expanded in 1813, when the cathedral was ruined by an earthquake. The facade exudes Baroque, Neoclassical and Renaissance architecture and also reflects ancient Aztec elements.

Mexico’s National Museum of Anthropology has the largest set of artifacts dating back to the pre-Colombian time. It also has rooms dedicated to the Aztec culture, the Mayan culture and other smaller cultures that have thrived in this region, many years ago. The famous Tlaloc sculpture is also found in this museum. Tlaloc is an Aztec god ruling water.

The National Art Museum houses Mexican art that dates back to centuries as far as the 16th era up to the 20th era. This includes paintings, sculpture, craft, photography and other artworks by Mexico’s nationally recognized artists. The museum itself is vast and big and is truly an educational site to behold for many of its visitors.

The Frida Khalo Museum is a mecca for many artists who enjoy and admire the work of famous painters such as Frida Khalo and Diego Rivera. Here on display are their personal objects, on top of their works and collections. The museum also features other Mexican artists and you would be surprised to know that there really are plenty of talents in this country.

Lastly, the Teotihuacan ruins which is found in the center of the city and has the Pyramid of the Sun, a structure that stands 250 feet high. This is known as the third largest pyramid all over the world. The Teotihuacan also houses the Pyramid of the Moon, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl and the Avenue of the Dead. All of these are part of the Aztec heritage.

Where to Eat: La Opera

Rachel — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 08:29:32 +0000

The say that you should never leave Mexico City without having eaten at the La Opera, which is regarded as one of the best cantinas in the country.

A cantina simply has mariachi band roaming table per table, and older waiters serve the guests wearing formal uniform. The ambiance is pretty formal, but the decor is simple and the whole feel is a bit laidback, though. But the dining experience is immensely pleasurable.

There are free nibbles to choose from as soon as you sit on your table and the lunch and dinner menu is filled with staples like pork, chicken, chili, cheese, tortilla and food served with different types of sauces.

Quite majestic in its facade, La Opera is an establishment that was built in 1876 and still retains much of its decor today. It’s quite elaborate, which makes it untypically a cantina. The restaurant is decked with velvety drapes and lavish chandelier.

The food is divine and their specialties include the red snapper with tomatoes and olives, the eel with avocado and the Spanish style tapas that come with a variety of flavor.

La Opera is also a place to hang around, as it has an ample bar filled with all the drinks you can imagine.
One of the booths to this restaurant holds a historical significance in that Pancho Villa was said to be a frequent diner and even left a memento — a bullet hall in one on the ceiling.

La Opera opens daily until 10:30 in the evening, though. So if you want to dine late at night, or stay longer at the bar, this may not be the place to go to.

Where to Eat: La Valentina

Rachel — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 08:07:48 +0000

La Valentina’s main patrons are the corporate visitors, and as a tourist, this is the place you can rely on to serve good food that’s also “safe” Mexican food in that while the dishes are exotic, you won’t end up getting heartburn or an upset stomach just because this is your first time trying it.

La Valentina is a favorite of many businessmen who come to the city. But the restaurant is also perfect for famiy gatherings and the lunch hour is always peaked with diners. It’s a good thing that La Valentina now has three branches in Mexico City, located in Insurgentes sur, Interlomas and Polanco. The Polanco is particularly good for those who want to shop afterwards because its located inside a posh mall.

Expats do trek to this establishments (or any of their branches) a lot, and you will find why — La Valentina has a fun bar that can really be noisy during late nights. There’s Latin dancing also, much to the delight of the older crowd.

As for the food, La Valentina serves traditional Mexican cuisine blended with chilies, flowers, nuts and herbs. Sample their Sinaloan Chilorio tacos or their fried tortillas filled with spiced chicken. You must also have their Mexican steak with Huitlacoche Sauce. For dessert, the hot chocolate with vanilla ice cream is simple yet so delicious. The dishes are not cooked with a whole lot of gimmick or fusion, you get it simple, fresh and really good.

The restaurant’s ambiance is a bit informal yet quite elegant, and they are strategically located at trendy spots that tourists would find easy and accessible to go to.

Where to Eat: Cafe El Popular

Rachel — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:59:58 +0000

Cafe El Popular is located at the Centro Histórico and is famous for their concha, a kind of pastry that is freshly baked in-house and comes in a sugary crust. The concha is kind of a comfort food which is crunchy and powdery on the outside, but soft and chewy inside.

Aside from this, El Popular really lives up to its name as a restaurant that people really line up for, as early as breakfast, where they serve some of the best cooking eggs which is paired with spicy salsa and fresh juice. If you love breakfast with eggs, this is definitely the place to go.

The food is also quite cheap with mostly Mexican dishes in the menu. They also serve combo meals, such as a coffee with enchiladas, a bun and fruit and these total to about less than $10. Not bad, right?

In operation since the late 40′s Cafe El Popular is one of those establishments that people continue to patronize even as new businesses crop up in Mexico City from time to time. The site is always full on Sundays, especially after masses are held at the nearby cathedral, and families have their lunch or dinner together.

Diners here are from all walks of life as well, which includes trendy society class who come her for the drinks, politicians and taxi drivers who come to enjoy the sumptuos meals, and women fresh out of shopping who come here to eat comfort food.

The service is also fast and efficient and while the restaurant can get crowded and noisy, mostly at peak hours, it’s one of the best ways to experience Mexico’s culture.

Where To Eat: Fonda Margarita

Rachel — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:12:44 +0000

Fonda Margarita is an iconic landmark in Mexico City. It has existed way over 50 years, but the owners themselves can’t really say when the restaurant started operating. It’s managed by old Mexican ladies who are very pleasant to all of their customers. They speak English quite well and they cook all of the food homecooked style, it’s absolutely delicious.

Fonda Margarita is a humble establishment. Nothing about it says posh or expensive. It’s roof is made of tin, and the walls are wood and colored in bright blue. But inspite of the structure, this place is always packed with people looking to eat fabulous authentic Mexican homecooked meals. Much of what they serve are comfort food that is cooked in charcoal and served in clay dishes, which help seal in the flavors.

The restuarant’s specialty is its beans and scrambled eggs. These come served with tortillas which have been handmade. There are everyday foodfare in the menu like manitas al cerdo, espinazo de cerdo en guajillo or bistec en pasilla. The orders can eitehr be half plates or full plates and they are very affordable.

One of the dishes we tried was its steak which were sliced thinly and breaded with flour. It came with guacamole, which is made of fresh avocados and pico de gallo. The whole combination was a gastronomic ensemble that really boasts as one flavorful meal.

Meatballs are part of the menu every Wednesday and it seems it’s the day that is most packed and teeming with people. Their meatballs are also legendary and costs only about P120 Mexican, for a large serving, good enough for two people.

Fonda Margarita serves breakfast at 5am and closes at 11 pm. The restaurant does not operate on Sundays.

Fonda Margarita, which has been featured in Anthony Boudain’s No Reservation TV Show, is located at Adolo Prieto.

Distrito Capital Hotel

Rachel — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 23:05:40 +0000

This hotel boutique has sleek interiors, with its 1960s inspired design. It’s located at Mexico City’s business district but it isn’t without it’s own quaint view and style.

This is the sort of the place James Bond would probably love to stay over, if ever he’s in Mexico and you can understand why. The interiors of the hotel is perfect for a man like James Bond.

The place is filed with retro chic goodness and contemporary art. I think this is the only hotel that has library shelves in the lobby.

There is an infinity pool which looks really gorgeous and next to it is a terrace bar, which is what attracts the young and the hip to visit the hotel.

Distrito Capital is located in Sante Fe and boasts of a skyscaper structure. There are actually two reception areas.

The hotel offers a luxurious spa service that is sure to relieve tired and aching muscles most businessmen complain of. And although found in the business district, this is a hideaway that’s far off the muddling and bustling busy crowd.

Rooms are big with floor to ceiling windows that offer a nice and romantic view of the city. At night, it is really stunning.

The restaurant in-house is managed by a world renowed chef. The hotel also boasts of a friendly staff to accommodate your every need.

While it’s perfect for businessmen, it’s also a great place for couples on their honeymoon or families taking a much needed vacation.

Mexico City: Hotel Habita

Rachel — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:45:58 +0000

The Habita hotel is just near a few of Mexico’s tourist spots like the Museo Nacional de Antropologia, Torre Latino Castillo de Chapultepec, Auditorio Nacional and Monumento a los Heroes de la Independencia. These are historical and cultural sites that people would want to go to to see art displays or watch cultural shows, in order to get to know Mexico better.

The hotel, even while surrounded by all these historical establishment, looks quite hip and current actually. It boasts of beautiful modern architecture, which really stands out in this laid-back part of Mexico City.

Habita has its own health club which offers sauna and spa services. Those traveling for business can make use of its business center with small meeting rooms or conference rooms.

There is an in-house restaurant serving delicious food, in case you don’t want to venture outside anymore, and the poolside bar and lounge is adequate enough for those who want to enjoy a relaxing evening.

Habita is located in a quiet part of town, but the hotel serves all kinds of needs like banquets, family vacations and office conferences. As such, this is not ideal for those looking to have a romantic getaway but for a place to stay while you’re in town, this 4-star hotel is more than enough.

Guest rooms are plenty. There are about 36 with minibars and television sets, as well as internet access. The room opens up to a balcony, which doesn’t really have any exciting view compared to other hotels, but rather, it gives one a glimpse of the city. The beds are premium and the bathroom have jetted batthubs for your pleasure.

Staff service is always on hand and friendly. You will have no problem staying here as everything you need is already there.

Playa Del Carmen: Reef Playacar

Rachel — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 04:23:16 +0000

If you stay at Reef Playacar, you won’t have to go anywhere else.

There’s tons of things to do here as the resort hotel has nightly entertainment, even for the little kids. Variety shows are always staged, featuring Mexican and Carribean entertainment. And the kids can enjoy dancing and music at the mini-disco.

Of course, being here means taking time off to enjoy Mexico’s white sandy beaches, which is really just a few distance away from the hotel. Watersports activities here are varied and never-ending. If you’re not up for salty ocean water, you can lounge by the poolside, or cool down in the hotel’s tropical gardens.

The hotel has plenty of dining places, including five bars, which means the eating and the merrymaking is never going to stop in this lively resort. There’s a buffet restaurant featuring an extensive menu of food and drinks. These establishments open from 9 am to 2 in the morning daily.

For resting, you can pick a room with either a king sized bed or two double beds. The room is featured with a mini fridge and a television set with satellite entertainment. Each room also has its own balcony, so that visitors can enjoy the view from their own little nook. A full servicable bathroom with a tub and shower is also part of the room.

The resort hotel also has its own tennis court and a hotel fitness gym for sports buff. Diving classes are also offered, for one brief session. If you’d like to watch a movie, Reef Playacar has an indoor theater, as well.

Ask the front desk for anything you need and they will be more than happy to assist. They can also arrange for activities for groups and the whole family so that you can make your trip worthwhile.

Mexico City: Suites Del Angel

Rachel — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:26:07 +0000

Staying in Mexico for two weeks or more? You will probably like to book an accommodation at the Suites del Angel.

This three-stars hotel is very near places like the Pink Zone and Reforma Boulevard, where you can shop, dine and enjoy the city. The airport is also some 20 minutes away, making your travel convenient.

Priced reasonably, the rooms at the Del Angel are spacious and comfortable. There are three television sets in the suite, as well as its own jacuzzi. The living room and dining room areas are separate from the bedroom. And the kitchenette is also big filled with kitchen wares you can use to prepare your food or store in. The suite is truly your home away from home.

If you’re not up for cooking, coz let’s face it, nobody would like to do that on vacation, you can either eat out or eat at the hotel dining area, where food served is palatable.

Staff service is friendly and accomodating. They’re trained to speak in English so that you will not have a hard time requesting for what you need.

There is a total of 40 suites in this hotel, which I think is just the right size. It’s never crowded and the hotel is usually quiet even with families and kids are staying over.

Overall, the hotel is really clean and well-managed. There’s a laundry service, too, for your needs. You really have nothing to worry about living here on a short vacation.