Mexico City

I landed at Benito Juarez International Airport during the day, and was shocked by the sheer size of Mexico City- it is a massive urban sprawl, within which is a cluster of impressive-looking skyscrapers- presumably the financial district. The whole city is surrounded by mountains, as well as two snow-capped volcanoes- the mountains act as a bowl, holding in the pollution of the city. Whilst this has apparently improved over the years, I still found the altitude affected me more in Mexico City than in other equally altitudinous areas, presumably due to the pollution. I really loved the city, and found it to be the most pleasurable place I visited whilst in ...  Read the complete review

There are many detailed reviews on specific attractions in Mexico City, listed separately on this site, so what I would like to do is to give you an overview of what day to day life is like in this city, to prepare you should you ever choose to visit. I arrived in Mexico City also called DF (Federal District) in July last year and was immediately inducted into the wonder that is the rainy season. My new flatmate took me to the supermarket, we stocked up and, the minute we stepped back outside the monsoon started. Every day for the next two months, like clockwork, it rained from about 2pm for an hour or so. And then it stopped. Autumn arrived, and with it, the ...  Read the complete review

This review of Mexico City is aimed at younger twenty-something travellers and is based on my experiences of living and working there. I hope to add another review for more ?mature? travelers later. Mexico City often gets overlooked by younger travelers in favour of Cancun and the other coastal resorts, but it has a lot to offer in terms of culture, history, sights, activities, cuisine and nightlife. This first part of my review covers history, first impressions, where to stay and going out. I?ll cover culture, sightseeing, activities and safety in another part to follow. History Mexico City is nestled in a valley encircled by ...  Read the complete review

The city of Mexico is a monster that amazingly still functions. It is a bustling city of humble people who know how to be happy and to enjoy the simple things in life, including their favorite foods, such as enchiladas, tamales, tortillas and mole. Mexico City, with a population of some 15 million, is presently one of the largest cities in the world but has been a thriving metropolis for centuries. Mexico City, like most large cities, has a dark side of poverty and crime, but from many other points of view, it is very attractive. Chapultepec Park, is one of the largest parks in the world, with an area of 1,600 acres. It has woods, several lakes, ...  Read the complete review

So, you,ve ignored the warnings of horrible pollution and constant traffic and there you are in Mexico City. It's wonderful. The pavements are crammed with street sellers offering everything from lottery tickets to tacos, green VW taxis screech to a stop in front of buses, modern skyscrapers battle for space with the ruined shells of buildings not yet restored from the 1985 earthquake and if you're lucky and the smog lifts, there in the distance are the silent hulks of the two volcanoes, Popacatepl and Ixtacihuatl...El Popo smoking slightly. There are so many things to see,but the best treat is to simply wander, ignore the tourist books for a day and just be. ...  Read the complete review