Mexico City, Distrito Federal Hotels and City Guide

Mexico City - Travel Tips

Mexico City Transportation

Mexico has a vast inter-city bus system that offers inexpensive and convenient transportation. There are two grades of buses: First Class has air conditioning and stewardess service, Second Class is the no frills option. As Second Class costs only slightly less, it is recommend that visitors to Mexico travel First Class.

Train travel can be safer and more pleasant than a trip by bus, but significantly more expensive. As with bus service, it is probably advisable to pay for the highest class of travel available. Primera Especial class is recommended for day trips and the top-of-the-line Pullman compartments for overnight travel. Pullman service offers sleeping compartments suitable for one (camarin) or two (alcoba). Each converts to a comfortable sitting room during the day

Arriving by Air

Mexico City International Airport serves the capital with international and domestic flights.

Getting Around Mexico City

If you drive a car, whether it's yours or rented, bear in mind that one day out of every seven is a 'Dia Sin Auto', in which your car isn't permitted within Mexico City boundaries. You can tell if your car's day has come by checking the last number of the licence plate against the official list at any tourist office, or as signed on the road. In December or January - the worst months for smog - the number could come up twice a week, so be careful!When to Visit - Arts and Events

Mexico City's premier cultural event takes place in March when the plazas, palaces, halls and theaters around Mexico City are taken over by the Festival del Centro Histórico, a three-week festival of the arts. The Festival del Centro Histórico is a celebration of classical music, popular music, dance, art, theater and many cultural events.

Mexico City Dining

Mexico City has been a culinary capital since the days of the Aztecs, when the Emperor's feasts were legendary. It is thought that 300 different kinds of dishes were served, including fresh seafood provided by relay runners from the Mexican coast.
This tradition of gastronomic excellence in Mexico City has continued to the present day, with the contribution of Spanish and French cuisine which has further enhanced those unique Mexican flavors. Try, 'Chiles en Nogada', a large poblano chili stuffed with pork, raisins, onion, olives and almonds topped with a creamy walnut sauce and pomegranate seeds, or a hearty soup of avocado and tortilla called 'Sopa Azteca'. Whatever your taste, there are over 15,000 restaurants in the city to choose from, with many world-class international, as well as local, establishments to enjoy.

Mexico City Tipping Advice

Since Mexico is not a rich country, foreigners are seen as being relatively wealthy. For this reason tipping is usually expected - but people may expect larger tips than seems reasonable. As a guide, waiters should be tipped about 10 to 15 percent of the bill, depending on the service. Mexico City bell boys and porters should recieve about 7 MXP.

Hotel maids should recieve about 3 MXP per night, and taxi drivers should not be tipped unless they provide help with your bags- then they should be paid about 4 MXP to 8 MXP, or 10 percent of the fare. Bear in mind at all times that pesos were replaced by new pesos in 1993, so change should be checked for unfamiliar coins and credit card reciepts should be checked for inaccuracies. Mexico City does have a bad reputation for fraud and similar offences.

Hotels in Mexico City, Distrito Federal