Exploring the Rich Culture of Mexico City: My Experience
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Mexico City is a stunning city filled with rich history and vibrant culture. I had the chance to visit this beautiful city for just one day during a long stop on my way back home. Whenever I have the opportunity to explore a new country or city during a layover, I always take advantage of it.
It was April 2023 when I found myself in Mexico City. The weather was perfect - not too hot or too cold. Upon arriving at the airport, we decided to take a taxi to the main city where all the attractions are located. On our way, we passed by the Angel of Independence monument, a significant symbol of Mexico's victory over Spain in the War of Independence. It took us about 30 minutes to reach the main city, where the taxi dropped us off near the Palace of Fine Arts.
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โโโโโโโโโโโโWe walked to the palace and were so lucky to find out that it was open to the public with free entrance that day. The Palace of Fine Arts is a major cultural venue in Mexico, showcasing 30 years of history through stunning murals created by some of Mexico's most talented artists. Before leaving, we made sure to take a picture with the palace in the background. Next to the palace, there was a lovely park where we could relax and enjoy in the beauty of the surroundings.
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After exploring the palace, we made our way to the small Chinatown in Mexico City. I was impressed by how clean, organized, and true to Chinese culture it was compared to other Chinatowns I've visited.
โโWe then decided to walk on the city's beautiful streets, admiring the mix of pre-hispanic, classic, modern, and contemporary architecture. The views were so breathtaking that at times, I felt like I was in Europe.
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โโโโโโโโโโWe walked until we arrived at the famous main square, El Zocalo. This square has been a gathering place for Mexicans, where they held royal proclamations, military parades, Independence ceremonies, and modern religious events like festivals. Right next to El Zocalo, you can find the National Palace where the president of Mexico lives, as well as the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral.
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While walking around this beautiful square, we decided to take a private service tour that was being offered. They took us on a small, covered motorcycle for 3 people and gave us a one-hour tour of all the main attractions in the city, along with teaching us the history behind them. We paid $40 USD for the tour, but it was definitely worth it. They even accept USD in case you don't have Mexican pesos. The tour took us to all the squares in the city, and we even visited Garibaldi Square, where you can find lots of mariachis offering to play songs for you. It was an amazing experience.
During the tour, we also visited the Three Cultures Square, which contains the archaeological site of the city-state of Tlatelolco. It was incredible to see.
Our last stop was at The Monument to the Revolution, a memorial arch commemorating the Mexican Revolution located in the Plaza de la República. This arch is the largest arch monument in the world, even bigger than the one in Paris.
Our day ended around 11:00 pm, and the same tour guide took us back to our hotel. We stayed in a cute hostel called Casa MX Alameda with shared bathrooms and rooms, paying around $20 per night. It wasn't the most comfortable sleeping with other people in the same room, so it wasn't very quiet. However, the whole experience of visiting this beautiful city was incredibly amazing. I never expected to love this city so much.
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Honestly, we were out very late but felt safe because there were so many people in the main tourist areas. Even though it was a weekday, the streets were crowded with activity. So don't worry, just be cautious of your surroundings.
