DK Travel : Mexico City

Pulsating with life and culture, blessed with perpetually spring-like weather, and with a fascinating blend of history and modernity, Mexico City is endlessly surprising. With excellent museums, ornate churches, colonial palaces, and urban parks, the city attracts a large number of visitors.

"Turibus"

The red, double decker Turibus is the fastest & easiest way to see Mexico City. It is a hop on, hop off sightseeing bus that takes about 2 hours 45 min to do a complete tour. We had lunch in Centro Historico & then rode the bus (upper deck ofcourse) to get a feel for the city. Lots of fun & a very inexpensive way to get an overview of a marvelous destination. There are earphones in 6 languages if you want to practise your French.
Cafe Popular

This bustling, inexpensive place to eat is consistently living up to its name. Although you may have to wait to be seated, it is very worthwhile. Whilst the beautiful ancient sites give insight into the area's ancient residents, not much in DF (Mexico City) gives a more vivid and punchy impression of the city's current occupants.

Tuck into some delicious Huevos a la Mexicana or freshly baked pastries and soak in the low-ceilinged atmosphere, thick with the early-morning chat of the locals. Although the friendly waitresses might be too busy to engage in lengthy conversation, you could always test your Spanish skills with some of the other diners (that old man sitting opposite looks friendly), or just quietly observe the rush of Mexico City over a slow cup of coffee.
Chapultepec Castle

It's a castle, whose origins go back to 18th century, and lodged once Mexican Emperor Maximilian I and his wife Empress Carlota. Nowadays its a musseum with several exhibition halls that nearly refers to all of Mexican history eras with all of the majesty that a castle could bring. It also shows several pieces of furniture, art and many other fine household items that the Emperor brought.
Chapultepec Zoo

Has been around since the 1500's, contains large number of different species, many of which are endangered.
Mariachi bands in Plaza Garibaldi

The Plaza Garibaldi comes alive at night with Mariachi bands for hire. It's a great place to hear Mexican folk music as the bands compete for custom. In many of the bars nearby you'll also hear spontaneous performances by families of musicians. It's a great night out and not to be missed.
Museo Dolores Olmedo Patino

This hacienda was the home of socialite, Dolores Olmedo Patina. She was a patron of Diego Rivera and you can see many of his works in the house. There is also work by Rivera's wife, Frida Kahlo, as well as folk art and pre-Hispanic figurines. There are many photos of Dolores with well known men from around the world, all looking at her adoringly!

In the beautiful gardens you can see peacocks and hairless dogs, called xoloitzcuintles. People used to eat these dogs but Dolores prefered them as pets.
Nisha Lounge

Nisha Lounge is a sophisticated lounge and restaurant bar. The lounge walls are wood with large windows that overlook a forest and all living rooms have plasma screens and cosy furniture. The restaurant-bar area is surrounded by stunning crystal walls that change colors with the music and videos.
Palacio de Correos

Unlike any other post office you are likely to see anywhere else in the world. As it's name suggests, this truly is the Post Palace. Designed by the Italian architect Adamo Boari (Museo de Bellas Artes) around the beginning of the 20th century and is still functioning as the city's main post office as well as hosting major art exhibitions. Up one of the grandest staircases you will find a museum dedicated to the history of Mexico's postal service. Constructed using sandstone, this building is an outstanding example of Renaissance Revival architecture, complemented with the use of wrought iron and Carrara marble for the flooring and post counters. Unfortunately, not much is written about this truly remarkable and surprising building in guidebooks and web-based travel guides, but I think a visit to Mexico city isn't complete without a visit to the unlikely Palacio de Correos.
The National Marine Park of Cabo Pulmo

The National Marine Park of Cabo Pulmo is the only living coral reef in the western North American continent. Located right on the Tropic of Cancer in Baja California Sur, in the Gulf of California. It is fortunately a protected area of 8 kilometers with beaches ranging from little explored places known as Punta Punta Cabo Pulmo Los Frailes.
Xochimilco

A one-hour barge trip along the 16th Century canal system that was used to transport goods to and from the various parts of the old Aztec city, with a break to sample the ambience of the colourful local market.