| Located in a large valley in the high plateau of | | | | the classic green and white VW Beatles that |
| central Mexico, and sitting at an altitude of | | | | make up most of the city's taxi fleet is a must. |
| 2240m, Mexico City is one of the highest capitals | | | | If your time in Mexico City time is limited, why |
| on earth. Originally built by the Aztec civilisation in | | | | not start your day off in Condesa, the bohemian |
| 1325, the city came close to complete destruction | | | | enclave just west of the centre, where you'll find |
| during the attack of 1521 by the Spanish | | | | quaint cafes and plenty of people-watching on |
| conquistador Hernan Cortes, when he and his | | | | offer. Then head to the indigenous street market |
| forces tried to capture the city; but ended up | | | | and take in the hustle and bustle of locals |
| enduring a 79 day siege, which reduced most of | | | | shopping for everything from poblano pepper to |
| the of Aztec city to rubble. After finally | | | | mangoes and mutton. After the crowds of the |
| succeeding in capturing the city, it was rebuilt, and | | | | market, the Bosque de Chapultepec - a city |
| has continued to expand ever since. Today, it is | | | | forest - is a good place to seek some solace and |
| the most populous city in Mexico with over 8 | | | | take a break from the throng of people. Hotels in |
| million inhabitants. | | | | Mexico city range from cheap and cheerful |
| Today the city is a leading centre of popular | | | | hostels, to the most lavish and luxury five star |
| culture and music, and as might be expected, | | | | abodes, so there's something to suit all budgets. |
| Mexico City has an extremely vibrant and diverse | | | | Like most large cities in developing countries, |
| nightlife. The music scene offers jazz clubs, all | | | | Mexico City is a place of great contrasts: shiny |
| night parties, Mariachi music, Flamenco, Cuban and | | | | sky scrapers loom over upmarket cafes and |
| salsa clubs. For the more discerning, there is also | | | | restaurants full of wealthy upper class Mexicans; |
| opera, orchestra, and chamber music, plus plenty | | | | yet there is also the poverty and rancid smells |
| of dance clubs, rock and roll bars and | | | | from open sewers in the shanties, and there is |
| Broadway-style theatre shows. | | | | always risk of crime if you don't follow sensible |
| Mexico City is famous for being one of the | | | | precautions. |
| world's most difficult cities to drive in due to the | | | | However, most travellers describe Mexico City as |
| hectic traffic, congested roads and drivers who | | | | an assault on the senses, and with so much colour |
| seem to play by their own rules. So rather than | | | | and noise, it's a place pumped full of energy and |
| hire a car, it's best to take a licensed cab; one of | | | | somewhere that visitors will never get bored of. |