Mexico City

Getting the bus or metro and seeing the daily buzz of the city.

The great Aztec pyramids, they really are impressive.

The Frida Kahlo and Trotsky museums, they are close by each other, VERY interesting and relatively uncrowded (on a Tuesday).

Wandering around the streets, particularly around Cohucacan, and sitting in the city parks.

Quick Tips:

Use the metro, it is 2 pesos(!!) per journey and quick and easy to use. Be careful which area of the city you stay in; Cohucacan is the nicest area I found (near the Frida Museo).

Best Way To Get Around:

Definitely buses (about 3 pesos) and the metro however taxis aren't exactly expensive.

There are notices of warnings about the Green VW taxis. I had no trouble with them but didn't travel in them after dark. My advice is look for the driver's Taxi license and Photo inside the car.

I arrived at this hotel after a 16 hour journey halfway across the world and it wasn't great. The rooms ARE clean. However the toilet didn't work, and the whole atmosphere wasn't comfortable. We didnt have a lock to put on the door and I was, quite frankly, scared. I would consider staying there again at the end of my trip, but after a long journey I personally feel the need for comfort and a good nights sleep, which I did not get at Hotel Isabel.

Buses leave form the main bus terminal at Mexico City every half hour or so (there is a metro stop at the bus terminal, walk the length of the tunnel to gate J). It cost $50 pesos each, however, I think that this varies and be careful of getting short-changed. The bus journey itself is interesting, taking you past much of Mexico City you wouldn't see otherwise. Teotihuacan really is worth a visit. It is crowded but really impressive and on a massive scale. It would take a day to walk around the whole site, however, I just visited the main 'pyramid of the Sun', (along with everyone else it seemed). I was back in Mexico City by 1pm, although others may prefer to spend longer there.

The Trotsky museum is well worth a visit. It opens at 10am until 6.30pm every day except Mondays. At 10am on a Tuesday, we were the only visitors and we had the place to ourselves.

There is a museum containing images and information on Trotsky, but most interesting is his house, still in the exact way it was left. I found it quite uncomfortable, as the bullet holes in the wall are close enough to touch, and his study where he was assasinated still has his glasses on the desk. Very interesting.

The house of Frida Kahlo is amazing. As well as showing her works, you can walk around the house. It is bright, vibrant, and fascinating. It wasn't too crowded and opens at 10am.