Mexico Things to Do

One of the highlights when traveling is getting a chance to do a little souvenir shopping. The experience is more than just the purchase, but the act of immersing yourself into a totally different cultural whirlpool. Markets are, in many ways, a societal meeting point for a town, and so a visit to a foreign market tells you more than just what came in with today’s catch. Mexico City is a big city, and has some great markets to choose from. Whichever you choose, remember to be safe, haggle, and never accept the first price offered.

Just 28 kilometers south of Mexico City, what was once a separate unincorporated city hearkening back to ancient Aztec times, is now the neighborhood which enwraps the southern shore of Lake Xochimilco and goes by its eponymous name – i.e., Xochimilco. Best known for its canals and for having its own identity separate from that of the rest of Mexico City, Xochimilco is a popular tourist haven and great escape for those wishing to see the pre-Hispanic Mexico.

Mexico City is recognized as one of the top travel destinations for foodies. The city is famous for its street food and eating on the street is a way of life for millions of city residents. Sampling the street food is a favorite activity for visitors to Mexico City and you’ll find street food vendors on every corner offering up a variety of inexpensive and tasty fare. If it’s your first time in the city, knowing what to order isn’t always easy; here are some famous foods to try in Mexico City.

Mexico City is a cultural hub upon which MesoAmerica turns, home to more than 20 million people (in the metropolitan area), 100 major art galleries, the third largest number of theaters in the world (after New York and London) and at least 160 museums. Culture lovers could keep busy in a city like this for centuries, but most visitors will only have a few days for a whirlwind tour of the city’s highlights.

Mexico City makes a great base for exploring more of Mexico’s central highland region. Visitors who venture beyond city limits will find colonial towns, ancient archaeological sites and spectacular natural attractions. Here are five unique destinations that make excellent day trips from Mexico City.

1) Teotihuacán

At the center of enormous and chaotic Mexico City, lies a 686-hectare (1695-acre) shady sanctuary of quiet lagoons, groves of trees and grassy expanses covered with families having picnics during the weekends. This oasis in the urban jungle is called Chapultepec Park, Nahuatl “Hill of the Grasshoppers Park,” named for the rocky bluff that rises from its center.