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