Going to Mexico City over cinco de Mayo

[FrugalSaver]

Anyone been?  Recommendations?  I understand that’s not a huge celebration there so not too concerned about the dates.

[classicrando]

Yes!  If you're at all interested in historical/cultural stuff, Teotihuacán and Museo Nacional de Antropología are both worth visiting.  You can climb the Pyramid of the Sun and feel like a Jaguar Warrior as you descend the steps afterwards (although the site predates the Aztec Empire, so that's an anachronism but whatever).  The museum has one of the ancient ball courts for ōllamaliztli (the game Miguel and Tulio played in The Road to El Dorado), the Stone of the Sun, and entire wing dedicated to how peyote is awesome and we should collectively do more of it (I may be misremembering this part somewhat).

The Museum is in Chapultepec Park, so you'll also get to see that if you go.

You can also visit the museum homes of Frida Kahlo and Leon Trotsky if you want to get put on a list somewhere. ;P

Have fun!

[CowboyAndIndian]

Don't miss the Ballet Folklórico de México. I am not a dance follower, but this blew me away.
Get the tickets early, they go fast.

Also agree with classicrando about Teotihuacán.

If you don't speak Spanish, highly recommend Google translate. I had a long conversation about politics with my Uber driver.

If you have a cell phone without coverage in Mexico, get a eSim data plan from Airalo. Will be very useful if you are using Uber or for Google Translate.

[CowboyAndIndian]

One more piece of advice. Be very careful where you eat. Do not eat in the street stalls.

Ask me how I know. I got guillain-barré syndrome from eating something on my last day in Mexico city.

One more food advice. If you have had Spanish Churros and loved them, do not eat the Mexican churros ;-)

[uniwelder]

How many days will you be there?  Cinco de Mayo is really only celebrated in Puebla.  The rest of Mexico recognizes the date, but don't expect anything out of the ordinary to happen.

We (my wife is from Mexico, about 1 hour north of Mexico City) wrote up a suggestion list for a friend's daughter that went recently.  This is very convenient, since I can just copy/paste here----


Be sure to go somewhere for comida corrida.  Its a cheap lunch place that makes just a set amount of food each day and you only get a couple of choices.  Usually about $4 from 12-2:00 with soup + entree with rice or beans + tiny dessert + pitcher of water/lemonade/orangeade/tamarindo.  Very simple with plastic chairs and will probably share a table with other people.  If you arrive late, they'll probably be out of food.

Historic center--- Zocalo, Palacio de Bellas Artes, restaurant Casa de los Azulejos for lunch, Cathedral, Torre Latinoamericana (pay to go to top for view), Templo Mayor (ruins), various museums, check schedule for Palacio de Bellas Artes because they often have very good shows for cheap

Castillo de Chapultepec + Zoo-- palace from the French occupation, zoo nearby

Anthropology Museum

Teotihuacan an hour from the city, there's bus from Central Norte, very big Aztec site

Coyoacan is a neighborhood in the center of the city--- Colonial style, well preserved, expensive, hipsters live there, music at night, very alive, has all the vibes of a small country town center, there is a museum for Frida Kahlo

Day trip to Toluca-- train from El Insurgente or bus

Xochimilco--- tourists love it, play music as they take you on boats, colorful, Mrs.Uniwelder doesn't like it because it smells of methane swamp

La Zona Rosa and Polanco-- rich neighborhoods with fancy restaurants and shops and nightlife, if she's into that (we're not)

Bellini--- restaurant with rotating top for panoramic view while dining, need reservation, good for a date and one time experience

[roomtempmayo]

Lucha Libre in the Arena México was the single best live sporting event I've ever attended, and it's an experience you can't have anywhere else.

[Zikoris]

Echoing some of the other suggestions, Teotihuacan and Lucha Libra are definitely on the Do Not Miss list. I also thought the street food was phenomenal, much better than the actual restaurants. Lots of interesting day trip options as well - Puebla, Cholula, Pachuca, different Pueblos Magicos, just a ton of options.

[SYNACK]

We spent a month in Mexico City last year. Such an impressive city. Loved it. The food, the people, the vibe of the place.

About Teotihuacan, I also loved it. However take an umbrella. Not for the rain... there is no shade and you would be glad to have one. Also try to eat at that restaurant near the pyramids.. it's called La Caverna: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oSQHf2Hcbp5uA1vP6. I had the Mole Poblano and it was amazing.

Yeah the anthropology museum is definitely worth a visit.

About food, we had some tacos al pastor at a restaurant on Rio Lerma... this one: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4AXuQNCdGqypiSsq7. Holy Toledo! that was amazing.  Cheap and awesome.

Also try a food tour. The one we did was pretty good and tried some interesting food.

Lastly, carry some change with you when you go out to eat. Often someone comes into the restaurant and starts playing a musical instrument, usually a guitar or whatever, and would be good to have the small change to tip.

Oh, if you never had horchata (a non alcoholic drink) you really want to try it. Also surprisingly Mexican coffee was pretty good.

[FrugalSaver]

thoughts on renting a car?

[uniwelder]

thoughts on renting a car?

I wouldn’t. I have rented a car out in Yucatán, but people are much more relaxed in that area. I certainly wouldn’t do it in Mexico City. Plus, the traffic is horrible.

People don’t follow conventional driving rules, so speed bumps (topos) control traffic and speed. They can be pretty severe, causing your car to bottom out unless you cross at an angle at 3 mph.  Others are more like rumble strips.  They have many variations, depending on their purpose.

Cars flow around each other within inches. Additionally, if you should happen to hit a pedestrian, you’ll be held criminally responsible and arrested.

Police are likely to target you for bribes if you, your car, or license plate stand out. Especially if you're on a toll road.  The toll worker will call ahead to the police, knowing that you're a foreigner, and gets a cut of the bribe.

edited to add--- Rental companies are also very aggressive.  If you do rent a car, take photos all the way around and have them document all scratches.  When you return it, take all photos again.  They probably wont' admit to any previous documentation of problems, so you'll need your own.  Plan to be there for about an hour or two while they argue over which scratches were already existing and examine your photos.  Your cell phone will get passed around to every person that works there, and they'll discuss whether your photo is real or correctly dated, and ultimately tell you they just aren't sure.  They'll try to run out your patience and make you give in, assuming you have to catch a flight or something. 

Also, if you request an automatic, it's possible it won't be available when you show up, so its best if you can drive stick.

[SYNACK]

thoughts on renting a car?

I wouldn't rent a car in CDMX. Not worth the hassle. However Ubers are very cheap. And their metro (subway) system is very impressive and also cheap. For Teotihuacan we found a tour (I believe) on Airbnb. The van was modern and nice. Very friendly people and they handled all the driving.

We walked a lot in the city when we visited last year. Sidewalks everywhere and lot of big mature trees for shade. The trees were a pleasant surprise especially the Jacarandas. Wow. What a sight in the spring. Be warned though, their sidewalks have potholes and sometimes the roots of the big trees turns them into a mess. But that didn't slow us down... However if you do walk I would avoid walking along La Reforma. It was way too busy and too many crossings.

While I'm thinking about it. Another thing we really liked is the art display at one of the parks, Jardín del Arte. It happens on Sundays I believe right here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2H3sJpRGDX1fkWiT7. The local artists showoff their work to sell but also is just great to browse. We were impressed of some of the art pieces.

Side note: if you do go to the Frida Kahlo museum make sure to buy the tickets well ahead of time: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TapvWY2iC18gqKo29

[FrugalSaver]

Thanks again for the suggestions everyone