MEXICO CITY
The oldest city in the Americas, Mexico City has over 700 years of history to discovery. A destination for history lovers and foodies alike, it’s home to four UNESCO World Heritage sights, Aztec ruins, countless museums and some of the country’s best restaurants.
The city was once the centre of the Aztec Empire, known at Tenochtitlan. The legend goes that the Aztecs, or Mexicas, left their homeland of Aztlan under the orders of Huitzilopochtli, the god of sun and war. They went in search of the centre of the universe where they were to build their new city. They would know they had found it when they saw an eagle perched on a cactus, eating a snake. They came across this scene on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco, now the historic centre of Mexico City. They constructed their new capital on man-made islands, known as chinampas, thus beginning the Aztec Empire. Most of the Mexico City we know today dates back to the 1500’s when invading Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes drained what was left of Lake Texcoco and constructed the colonial buildings we see today.
Being built upon a lake basin, the soft volcanic ground is constantly sinking at a rate of around 50cm (20inches) every year! So add it to your bucket list and see it while you can! At 2.2km above sea level be sure to give yourself plenty of time to adjust to the altitude before immersing into this enormous city. I enjoyed five days in Mexico’s capital and it still wasn’t enough to see and do it all. For however long you have here, this guide to Mexico City will help you make the most of your visit.
WHAT TO SEE & DO
TEMPLO MAYOR
Sitting in the historical centre of Mexico City is what was once the main temple of the Mexica people. The complex, which covered the surrounding blocks, including where the cathedral stands today, is thought to have contained up to 78 different structures, with Templo Mayor being the tallest. The temple was built on what the Aztec’s believed to be the centre of the universe. It is said to be the exact spot where, according to legend, the Mexica saw the eagle on a cactus eating a snake, thus founding the capital of the Aztec Empire and the city of Tenochtitlan. Today you can walk amongst the ancient volcanic rock ruins, surrounded by grand colonial buildings in the bustling centre of Mexico City.
Construction of the original temple began around 1325. The city was laid out symmetrically with Templo Mayor at the very centre of four causeways. It was enlarged seven times with each succession of a new ruler, the last of which was Montezuma. The pyramid of Huey Teocalli, as the Great Temple was known, stood with two twin temples on top, one dedicated to the god of war, the other dedicated to the god of rain. This was a sacred place where coronations, funerals and even human sacrifice took place. Sadly, the temple was destroyed in 1521 by the invading Spanish Conquistadors and the construction of what is now known as Mexico City began under the order or Cortes. The city was lost, beneath new colonial buildings, until in 1978 workers discovered an Aztec stone carving and the colonial buildings were demolished in order to excavate the great temple.
Part of the ruins can be views from a platform in Plaza del Templo Mayor, but for a more in depth visit you can enter the museum for 75 Pesos/$3.75USD. Excavation is ongoing and the museum is continually adding to their collection. The seven layers of the ruins can be seen and signs provide a brief explanation of each rulers’ contribution to the temple.
Metropolitan Cathedral
The oldest and largest cathedral in Latin America, the Metropolitan Cathedral is one of the city’s most iconic buildings. It began construction in 1573 atop the recently destroyed Templo Mayor. As a show of power over the defeated Aztecs, the cathedral was build using most of the stone from Templo Mayor with some saying Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortes actually laid the first stone. It took 240 years for its completion and todays cathedral is a blend of several architectural styles including Baroque, Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Classical. Despite years of gradual sinking into the ancient lake bed, it has remained standing.
Entry into the cathedral is free but there is a small fee to climb the bell tower. Sporadic tours to the crypts below are also available for a fee, though there are no set times. Just meters below these crypts are the remains of the Aztec Temple of the Sun and rumours say that there is a tunnel which connects the cathedral with Templo Mayor.
Zocalo
Centro Hisorico’s Plaza de la Constitucion is the very heart of Mexico City and is among the largest city squares in the world. The nickname Zocalo, which translates to “base” or “plinth”, was given after plans to build a monument in the square never eventuated, leaving nothing but the base. The name became so well-known that other cities throughout Mexico began referring to their central squares as zocalo. The squares’ iconic flagpole stands in the centre waiving a giant Mexican flag.
Plaza Manuel Gamio
Small in comparison to the adjacent Zocalo, Plaza Manuel Gamio sits between Templo Mayor and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Here I watched as street vendors sold goods to tourists and local shamans perform cleansing ceremonies. Our guide explained that locals will often come here to have their spirit cleansed to cure ailments such as evil eye, which is a curse caused by someone giving them a bad look, aka the stink eye. While here we also got to witness some traditional Aztec dancers, or concheros, dressed in large feather headdresses and decorated with bones and shells, perform their traditional dances.
Palacio Nacional
Running the full length of the eastern side of the Zocalo, the National Palace houses the offices for the President of Mexico. The building was commissioned by Cortes on, you guessed it, the site of an Aztec palace destroyed by the conquistadors. From the street you can see the Bell of Dolores hanging from one of the balconies. The bell was famously rung by Catholic priest, Miguel Hidalgo, on 16th September 1810 as a call to arms which prompted the Mexican War of Independence. The event has become known as the Cry of Dolores and each year on the night of 11th September crowds gather to watch the Mexican president step out on the balcony to ring the bell and recite the Mexican Grito.
To enter the palace, I passed through security and handed over my ID which wasn’t returned until my departure. Inside you can wander the gardens, visit one of the country’s largest libraries or explore its’ museums, but the absolute must see are the Diego Rivera murals. Depicting the history of Mexico and its’ indigenous people, several frescos cover the walls along the first floor of the courtyard. The showstopper is his staircase mural, spanning 2 stories it was easy to get lost in the many scenes. It’s an absolute must see for anyone visiting Mexico City!
Teotihuacan
Just outside of Mexico City is one of the world’s greatest mysteries, the ancient city of Teotihuacan, meaning city of the gods. Teotihuacan stretched for 20 square kilometres and was the largest city in the Western Hemisphere housing over 100,000 people at it’s peak. Well recognised for its’ Pyramid of the Moon, Pyramid of the Sun and Avenue of the Dead.
The name Teotihuacan comes from the Aztecs however the city is thought to have been built over 1000 years before the Aztecs even arrived in Mexico. No one knows for sure who built this city, nor what ended it but evidence of multiple cultures including Maya, Zapotec and Mixtec have been found. The date which this holy city was established is a topic of high debate, with the majority of archaeologists estimating between 100BC-700BC, while others believe it was built as far back as 1500-1000BC. This is just one of the many mysteries surrounding the ancient ruins. Experts are still trying to figure out how a civilisation that did not yet possess tools managed to build the pyramids with such advanced precision. The Pyramid of the Sun alone weights over 3.5 million tonnes.
Whoever built these structures was also very advanced in math and astronomy. Several parallels can be drawn between Teotihuacan and the pyramids of Egypt. For instance, the 3 pyramids of Teotihuacan align with the Orion constellation, just like the Egyptian pyramids of Giza. Further similarities can be found in the Pyramid of the Sun which has the same sized base as the Great Pyramid of Giza. The structures surrounding the pyramids are almost perfectly distanced to align with the planets orbiting in our solar system, with the Pyramid of the Sun at its centre.
Today it remains a holy place and a place of pilgrimage with countless visitors coming on the Spring equinox to worship the sun.
Teotihuacan is located approximately 50km outside of Mexico City. To get here you can take public transport by taking the metro to Teminal Central del Norte, also known as Autobuses del Norte. From here cross the road to North Central Bus Terminal and find gate 8 where busses leave for Teotihuacan every 20 minutes. The journey takes an hour in each direction and costs 100MXN ($5USD) for a return ticket and entry into Teotihuacan costs 75MXN ($3.70USD) and an additional 45MXN ($2.25USD) for permission to record inside the grounds. Alternatively, there are several day tours that operate out of Mexico City that will often include other stops and sights along the way. A full day tour including entry costs approximately 550MXN ($27.65USD).
Lucha Libre
My final night in Mexico City was spend attending a Lucha Libre show. Similar to WWE wrestling, the luchadores put on a dramatic and entertaining performance. Mexico City has three main arenas where you can experience Mexican wrestling; Arena Mexico, Arena Coliseo and Arena Naucalpan. There are several tour options as well which will include your tickets and transportation. I opted for an organised tour through my hostel which included tapas and drinks on the rooftop bar where we learnt the history of the sport and picked our very own luchador máscaras. Sometimes luchadores will contest in a round of mask vs mask. The loser is unmasked and must shave their head, a great dishonour in the world of Mexican wrestling. After learning the basics and making our way to Arena Mexico, we found our seats and ordered some oversized beers from the vendors walking the aisles. Heroic Tecnicos and evil rudos dressed in spandex outifits danced around the ring putting on a theatrical performance. Don’t worry if you don’t speak Spanish, the over-dramatics and enthusiastic fans will help you figure out the storyline.
Xochimilco
28 kilometres south of Mexico City is the neighbourhood of Xochimilco, where ancient Aztec canals are waiting to be explored. Once used for transport when it was the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, today this Venice of the New World is a must for visitors.
The biggest attraction here are the colourful boats known as trajineras. You can join a group tour or make your own way to the docks and hire one yourself. Embarcadero Nuevo Nativitas is said the be the best and busiest dock to visit. Here you can rent boats by the hour from 400-500MXN ($20-25USD) per hour. Grab some beers, ice and snacks and enjoy some day drinking as you cruise past the chinampas (floating gardens) of the canals. There are markets at the docks and vendors also sell food and drinks out on the water. Mariachi bands are available for hire, charging per song, which adds some Mexican authenticity to the experience.
Xochimilco is also home to The Island of Dolls which I first heard of on an episode of Ghost Hunters. Legend says that a local man found young girl drowned in the canals and nearby found her doll. He hung the doll to a tree as a way to show respect to the spirit of the girl. But the little girl haunted the man and he continued to hang more and more dolls trying to appease her, only to find that these dolls were possessed with the spirits of other dead girls. The island can be hard to get to and there is an alleged fake Island of Dolls where tourists are taken.
To get to Xochimilco you can take public transport but you will spend 1.5-2 hours traveling each way. The easiest way to get here is to take an uber or taxi to Embarcadero Nuevo Nativitas, a 45 minute drive from central Mexico City.
National Museum of Anthropology
Mexico City’s largest museum, the Museo Nacional de Antropologia features the world’s largest collections of ancient Mexican artifacts across its’ 23 exhibition rooms and gardens. Walk through Mexico’s history, laid out in chronological order beginning with the Olmecs and finishing in the Mexica exhibit. Among the most famous artefacts is the Sun Stone, an Aztec Calendar stone which dates back to 1521 as well as Montezuma’s ceremonial headdress. It’s a lot to cover in one day so try to give yourself plenty of time. The museum is built around a huge courtyard which is a nice spot to take a break and enjoy some lunch by the water feature.
Palacio De Bellas Artes
The Palace of Fine Arts, with it’s striking yellow-orange tiled roof and white marble exterior, is one of the city’s most recognisable buildings. It is known for it’s theatre which features a stained glass curtain by Tiffany’s and for its’ murals by Mexican artists including Diego Rivera. You can visit the building and it’s museum for $75MXN ($3.77USD) or for free if you visit on a Sunday. I found that the best place to admire the building was from the Don Porfirio café on the 8th floor of the Sear building across the street.
Monumento A La Revolution
The tallest triumphal arch in the world, The Monument to the Revolution sits in downtown Mexico City. Construction began with the intention of building a Federal Legislative Palace but was interrupted by the Mexican Revolution. After decades of sitting unfinished, the structure was redesigned into a monument to the heroes of the revolution. Inside are the tombs of some of the most famous revolutionary heroes. Most visitors come to enjoy the view from the viewing platform which can be accessed by a glass elevator in the centre of the arch and the National Museum of the Revolution which lies below the plaza. Entry costs about $90MXN ($USD) for all access or $60MXN ($USD) to visit the observation deck.
Latin America Tower
The Torre Latinoamericana was the tallest building in Latin America at the time of its construction. The skyscraper sits in Central Historico and is well known for surviving the 8.1 magnitude 1985 earthquake which devastated most of the city. There is an observation deck on the 44th floor which features breathtaking views over the sprawling city and out to the Sierra Madre.
Madero Street
The Main pedestrian thoroughfare in Mexico City’s Historic Centre, Madero Street runs from the Zocalo down to Alameda Central Park. Somewhat of a tourist trap, pushy retailers stand out front their stores calling after passers-by while quiet courtyards and catholic churches go unnoticed by those not looking for them.
Hospital De Jesus Nazareno
Tucked away in Centro Historico, the Hospital of Jesus Nazareno is the oldest hospital on the continent and is said to have been built on the spot where Hernan Cortes and Montezuma first met in 1519. It was built under the order of Cortez for the Aztec soldiers who were wounded while fighting with the Spanish. Inside the still functioning hospital is a quiet courtyard with colourful murals depicting this first meeting of Cortez and Montezuma. Tucked away on Av. 20 de Noviembre this place is still somewhat of a secret. You may be asked to sign in but it is completely free to enter.
Basillica of Our Lady of Guadelupe
The patron saint of Mexico, the image of the Virgin Guadelupe is one of the most powerful symbols of Mexican faith and national identity. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadelupe is among the most visited religious sites in the world, with an estimate 20 million visitors per year. The story goes that in 1531 an Aztec man Juan Diego was walking on Tepeyac Hill in the East of Mexico City when an apparition of an indigenous Virgin Mary appeared and requested that he visit the bishop and request a church be built upon the hill in her honour. He did as he was asked but the bishop did not believe him and requested proof. The Virgin told him to try again and he did so several times with no success. Guadelupe appeared to Juan Diego a fourth time and requested he go to the top of Tepeyac Hill and pick Castilian roses which never grew at that time of year. He did as she asked and wrapped the flowers in his cloak, also called a tilma, to take to the bishop as proof. When he unwrapped his cloak and the flowers fell at the feet of the bishop there was now an image on the inside of his cloak, a portrait of the Virgin Mary of Guadelupe. This image has become known as the miraculous portrait and hangs inside the basilica today. Three moving walkways pass beneath the encased cloak with the country’s most famed image of their patron saint.
The current basilica wasn’t built until 1974, tell-tale by its’ décor. The original was built in 1695 and sits adjacent to the new one in the square referred to as La Villa Basilica.
Mercado De Artesanias De La Ciudad
The artisan markets more commonly referred to as La Ciudadela is the best place in downtown to purchase traditional Mexican handicrafts. From traditional blankets, jewellery, homewares and stone carvings to magnets and t-shirts, it’s the perfect place to find your gifts and souvenirs. There are a couple of small restaurants here too serving ice cold cervezas, which were well-deserved after wandering the markets.
Alameda Central Park
The largest green space in the historical centre and the oldest public park in North America, Alameda Central Park dates back to the days of the Aztecs. Once a marketplace in the capital of Tenochtitlan, in the 1500’s the Spanish used the park to burn heretics before in 1592 they redesigned the space with symmetrical pathways and grand fountains. Venerated throughout history by presidents, writers and artists it is an important place for public gatherings and celebrations. I found it to be the perfect place to stop for lunch and relax throughout my time in Mexico City.
Palacio Postal
Originally built as the flagship of Mexico’s national postal system, the Palacio Postal has been in continuous operation since its’ doors opened in 1907. Located along the oldest street on the American continents, Tacuba Street, it also goes by Correo Mayor (Main Post Office). When I stepped inside the still functioning building, it looked anything but a mere post office. Thick marble columns stood between bronze framed teller booths and elevators and intricate fixtures glistened with gold, but my attention was drawn to the grand twin staircase which made their way up to the dome glass ceiling. An unofficial attraction, make sure you pop your head in as you pass by!
Secretaria De Educacion Publica
The Secretariat of Education looks like just another government building but as our guide led us through security and into the courtyard we soon discovered that it was home to 120 murals. These murals were created as part of the Mexican Mural Movement in 1920’s. The movement was founded by the head of the Secretary of Public Education, Jose Vasconcelos, who came up with the idea of a government backed program. After the Mexican Revolution the government sought a way to promote their ideals and to promote nationalism. The countries best artists were commissioned to create murals that would teach the real Mexican history through art including Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros and Jose Clemente Orozco. There three main buildings in Mexico City where you can find these artworks are here, at the National Palace and The Palace of Fine Arts.
Plaza De Las Tres Culturas
The Square of Three Cultures of located in the Archaeological Zone of Tlatelolco. The area dates back to beginning of the Aztec Empire when a group of people known as the Tlatelolco left Tenochtitlan to found their own city, also known as Tlatelolco. The two cities coexisted peacefully for hundreds of years but when they tried to declare their independence the Aztecs quickly took control of its’ people and the city became part of the Aztec capital. With the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in 1521 Tlatelolco became the site of many bloody battles which saw the indigenous population decimated. Once under Spanish rule orders were given to construct a catholic church, Templo de Santiago, using stones from the destroyed temples. The ruins of Tlatelolco were forgotten, hidden beneath the Spanish square, until construction in 1900 led to the rediscovery of one of the pyramids. Today’s square is named so because we can see evidence of three cultures; the pyramids and ruins dating back to the Aztec empire, the Spanish-colonial church and modern day Mexico which is represented by Torre de Tlatelolco. In continuation of its’ bloody history, the square was also the location of the infamous Massacre of 1968 where in the lead up to the Mexico City Olympic Games the Mexican Armed Forces opened fire on peaceful student protestors. A memorial to those killed stands in the square. The archaeological site and museum is open to visitors from 8am-6pm daily and entry costs 40MXN ($2USD).
Plaza De Santo Domingo
Named for its’ church, Iglesia de Santa Domingo, this square is known for its’ scribes and printers. Along the western side are colonnades filled with stationary stalls selling handmade cards and paper. I was told vendors here sell fake documents and that you can get a fake ID for around $80USD.
In the centre of the square is a fountain with a statue of Jesefa Ortiz de Dominguez, a heroine of the Mexican War of Independence, while directly across the street sits the Palacio de la Inquisicion, headquarters of the Spanish Inquisition in Mexico.
Museo Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo is among the most renowned Mexican artists. Images of her self-portraits, showcasing her iconic monobrow, can be seen across the city. Located in the neighborhood of Coyoacan, La Casa Azul, also known at The Blue House, was the home where the artist was born and died. Kahlo lived here all her life and after her passing husband Diego Rivera turned it into the Frida Kahlo Museum. Visitors can explore the colourful home which features both of their artworks and personal belongings. Book your tickets online to avoid long queues.
EAT & DRINK
Mexico City is renowned for its foodie culture and is home to the top restaurants in the country. Among them is iconic Pujol restaurant, often rated to be the best in Mexico.
Los Callejeros, in Centro Historical, serves up delicious tacos al pastor which are a must try for every visitor. It’s backpacker budget friendly with prices around 16MXN ($0.80USD) per taco.
For those unafraid of Montezumas Revenge, street food is readily available on busy street corners. Follow the smell of open air grills, cooking up classics like tamales, quesadillas and gorditas.
Make sure you have Google translate offline on your phone before venturing out in search of food. I sure was glad to have this handy app the day I walked to Los Cocuyos, which has been recommended. I joined the long line of people that stretched down the street from the one window food stand. As I watched the bubbling vat of mystery foods I decided to whip out my phone and decipher their menu. Translations such as “assorted” and “hearty” came up but when I read words like “head”, “eye”, “brains”, “gizzard”, “gut”, “chaps” and “trunk of ear”, I decided to leave it for the more adventurous food lovers.
Claiming the title of best churros in the world since 1935, El Moro is a must! Today there is a chain of these churrerias, but the original is located on a busy street in downtown Mexico City. We joined the line which stretched out the front door, but it was well worth the wait! We watched on as the churreros, dressed in nostalgic three-piece uniforms carefully placed long ropes of dough into the deep fryer and after the perfect amount of time removed it, cut it and covered the pastry cinnamon and sugar. My verdict; the world’s best churro! The best part is one churro only costs 6MXN ($0.30USD).
Margaritas are an obvious must in Mexico City and a personal favourite. Afterall you can’t come to Mexico without sampling their national drink, tequila. For those who like something a little smoky, try mescal. Both spirits are made from agaves, tequila using only blue agave and mescal using up to 20 different types. You should also try pulque, another traditional alcoholic drink made for millennia by fermenting the sap from agave plants. Enjoy at a rooftop bar or at a pulqueria.
WHERE TO STAY
Centro Historico
The very heart of Mexico City, the historic centre is filled with colonial buildings and busy cobbled streets all built above emerging Aztec ruins. It’s the best place to stay if you want to be within walking distance to most of the attractions and public transport makes it easy to visit the rest.
I chose to stay in this historical part of the city at Case Pepe Hostel. Deluxe 6 bed dorms with en-suites are available for around 400MXN ($20USD) per night. This included free buffet style breakfast with traditional Mexican options, free wifi and personal lockers, plugs and reading lights for each curtained bunk. For those on a budget it also has a small kitchen where you can prepare your own meals and enjoy some free coffee. They offered a range of activities and tours including yoga classes, Lucha Libre and a free walking tour which I highly recommend for getting your bearings. My favourite part of this hostel though was its rooftop restaurant/bar, where each guest receives a free margarita upon check in.
La Condesa
This chic neighbourhood is home to wide, tree-lined streets, green parks and art-deco buildings. It’s known for its nightlife, cafes and stylish boutiques.
Roma
Gentrified Roma is considered to be the coolest neighbourhood in Mexico City. Known for it’s French influenced buildings, trendy cafes, nightlife, street art and galleries, it has some serious hipster vibes.
Other popular neighbourhoods among travellers include high-end Polanco, Zona Rosa which is home of the annual Gay Pride Parade and Coyoacan which famous for being the birthplace of Frida Kahlo.
GETTING HERE & AROUND
Fly
Mexico City International Airport, also known as Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juarez (MEX) has several direct flights from/to North, South and Central American cities and is by far the easiest and safest way to reach the city which is located in the centre Mexico.
There are a few options for getting form the airport to downtown. The cheapest is to take the Metro from Terminal Aerea Station which is a short walk from Terminal 1. The metro operates from the early hours of the morning until midnight and costs only 5MEX ($0.25USD). But if you’re a little hesitant to take all of your valuables on public transport then I would recommend taking a taxi. They are available from 250-300MXN ($12.50-$15USD) depending on where in downtown you are going. Only taxi’s approved by SCT (Secretariat of Communications and Transport) are authorized to provide service at the airport. Pre-purchase you ticket from the booth near the arrival gates where the set rates are displayed. From the airport to Centro Historico I paid 235MXN for the 20 minute ride.
On Foot
If you’re staying in the historical centre then getting around on foot is easy, but me mindful of traffic! My guide on the free walking tour explained that there is no test to get your drivers license in Mexico, once you are of age you simply get given your license. Her advise when crossing the busy streets was “find your Mexican and go!”
Metro
Mexico City’s has an expansive metro system with 12 lines reaching in all directions of the city. In fact it is the second largest and busiest rapid transit system in North America after New York. It’s easy to navigate, especially when using the Citymapper app. It’s cheap too with each journey only costing 5MXN ($0.25USD). Like many large cities, pickpockets are known to operate on public transport. Be mindful of your belongings, don’t leave valuables in your pockets and wear your bag on your front to be extra cautious.
Bus
Metrobus is the name of the city’s bus system which operates 7 lines throughout the city and links with the metro stations. You must purchase a reloadable Smartcard in order to ride the busses. This can be purchased from and topped up at the machines located at every station. The card costs 10MXN ($0.50) and each ride costs 6MXN ($0.30USD).
There are other public busses which head to the outer suburbs of Mexico City but many have no official timetable or route so are hard to navigate for travellers.
Bike
Ecobici allows you to rent bikes from a number of locations across the city. Simply register online and then download the app. To register you will need to provide proof of ID (passport), provide a valid credit or debit card and take the online Urban Biking Test. You will need to select your preferred plan which ranges from 1 day 112MXN ($5.60USD), 3 days 223MXN ($11.20USD) or 7 days 372MXN ($18.65USD) up to an annual plan 496MXN ($24.90USD). If you’re choosing a short term plan, once you’re registered you’ll receive a username and pin which you use at the terminals to unlock your bike. If you’re opting for the annual plan you will need to take you ID and collect a hard copy card from an Ecobici office. Use the app to locate your nearest bike station. Once you’ve unlocked your bike you’ll have 2 minutes to ensure it works correctly, allowing you to swap it for another there are any issues. The first 45 minutes is free each time you hire a bike with each additional hour costing 44MXN ($2.20USD). There are a number of other bike and scooter rental apps available throughout the city as well.
Uber/Taxi
Taxis are readily available however it is important to be aware of unregistered vehicles. Street taxis, locally known as libre taxis are independently owned and use meters to calculate their fares. Radio taxis are among the safest options and can be requested over the phone but generally cost 2-3 times more than other cabs. Reputable radio taxis include Taximex, Taxis Radio Union and Sitio de Taxis Parque Mexico. There are also Authorized taxis which operate out of most transportation hubs and often a fares can often be purchased in advance from a booth. If hailing a taxi off the street you should look for the official white and pink colours. The taxi number should be clearly printed on the side door and bonnet, the license plate should be preceded with a letter A or B and each driver should display an official photo ID inside the cab.
Aside from the taxi I took from the airport to my hostel, I used Ubers throughout my stay. It generally worked out considerably cheaper and I preferred the convenience and security.
