Aztecs and Altitude: Getting High in Mexico City

Located in a large valley in the high plateau ofthe classic green and white VW Beatles that
central Mexico, and sitting at an altitude ofmake up most of the city's taxi fleet is a must.
2240m, Mexico City is one of the highest capitalsIf your time in Mexico City time is limited, why
on earth. Originally built by the Aztec civilisation innot start your day off in Condesa, the bohemian
1325, the city came close to complete destructionenclave just west of the centre, where you'll find
during the attack of 1521 by the Spanishquaint cafes and plenty of people-watching on
conquistador Hernan Cortes, when he and hisoffer. Then head to the indigenous street market
forces tried to capture the city; but ended upand take in the hustle and bustle of locals
enduring a 79 day siege, which reduced most ofshopping for everything from poblano pepper to
the of Aztec city to rubble. After finallymangoes and mutton. After the crowds of the
succeeding in capturing the city, it was rebuilt, andmarket, the Bosque de Chapultepec - a city
has continued to expand ever since. Today, it isforest - is a good place to seek some solace and
the most populous city in Mexico with over 8take 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 popularhostels, 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 diverseLike most large cities in developing countries,
nightlife. The music scene offers jazz clubs, allMexico City is a place of great contrasts: shiny
night parties, Mariachi music, Flamenco, Cuban andsky scrapers loom over upmarket cafes and
salsa clubs. For the more discerning, there is alsorestaurants full of wealthy upper class Mexicans;
opera, orchestra, and chamber music, plus plentyyet there is also the poverty and rancid smells
of dance clubs, rock and roll bars andfrom 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 theprecautions.
world's most difficult cities to drive in due to theHowever, most travellers describe Mexico City as
hectic traffic, congested roads and drivers whoan assault on the senses, and with so much colour
seem to play by their own rules. So rather thanand noise, it's a place pumped full of energy and
hire a car, it's best to take a licensed cab; one ofsomewhere that visitors will never get bored of.