Mexico City/Zona Rosa

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By metro

By bus

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By car

By turibus

Felipe Alfonso Castillo Vázquez

* CliNKer *

• Paseo de la ReformaBe sure to check out the Paseo de la Reforma, a long avenue with fine examples of architecture, numerous banks and offices, and older residential areas now transformed into fashionable venues and spectacular monuments.

• Monumento a CuauhtémocBust of Cuauhtémoc, the Aztec ruler of Tenochtitlan from 1520 to 1521 is displayed proudly at the intersection of Paseo de la Reforma and Avenida de los Insurgentes.

• Monumento a la IndependenciaA victory column located on a roundabout over Paseo de la Reforma in downtown Mexico City. El Ángel was built to commemorate the centennial of the beginning of Mexico's War of Independence, celebrated in 1910.

• Fuente de la Diana CazadoraThis fountain by Fernando Olaquibel was originally known as 'The Archer'. It depicts the beautiful Diana Cazadora aiming her arrow at infinity.

• Torre Mayor

  phone: +52 55 5283 8000
  address: Av Paseo De La Reforma 505
  The Torre Mayor stands on Paseo de la Reforma and soars 225 meters above the ground with 29 high speed elevators.

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• Plaza del Ángel

  address: Calle Hamburgo and Amberes
  This complex houses several antique shops and on Saturdays and Sundays, there are more informal dealers selling vintage stuff. Arrive early as dealers close around 16:00.

• Plaza La Rosa

  address: Calle Amberes and Genova
  Shopping precinct that has over 72 prestigious shops and boutiques, including Mango, Furor, Iker and others.

• Jardín del Arte

  address: Rio Nevada
  Colorful market on Sundays with more than 100 artists exhibiting and selling their paintings and sculptures.

• Reforma 222

  phone: +52 55 5525 0602
  address: Paseo de la Reforma 222
  This shopping complex designed by Mexican architect Teodoro González de León has a number of international chain stores, restaurants, and a cinema.

• Pancho's Bar

  address: Av. Chapultepec
  This restaurant is a lot bigger than it looks, but on this crowded sidewalk of Avenida Chapultepec just west of the station you might almost miss it. They tape a photocopy of their menu above every table, but don't let that fool youthe staff are professional and the food is great, especially at these prices. It's Mexican cuisine with a creative streak. The house tortilla chips and salsa are excellent, and can fill you right up before your meal even arrives! On the cheap end, quesadillas are $14, flautas (chicken or beef) are $10, and you can get a very large and very satisfying torta (there are a few varieties) with fries for $30; most other meals start with soup and rice before getting to the main dish and go for an average $50, though there are a few dishes that are as high as $180.

• Dragón

  address: Calle Hamburgo
  Mid-priced Peking style Chinese food, semi-formal atmosphere. The Peking duck is the specialty, also try the beef in orange peel sauce.

• Zampano's

  address: Calle Nápoles, Col. Juárez
  Owned by expats from the US and Australia, this is an excellent and cheap pizza place. The clientele is a mix of expatriates and Mexicans. Try the mariposa salad or the mexigarita pizza (a ot black sauce and tomatoes), then the Ruca Suprema (with everything) or the Ary's Pollito (chicken, corn, and avocado). Beer is 2 for one during happy hour. The music is vibey and if you get inside when it is cold or raining, the oven gives a nice warmth.

• Beatricita

  phone: +52 55 5511 4213
  address: Calle Londres 190-D
  The best tacos in the city. Established by Beatriz Muciño Reyes, who decided to immigrate into the city in 1887 alongside her brother Claudio, hoping for a better life. In the morning, you may enjoy a complete breakfast for $42, which includes: juice, coffee and the pastry of your choice; 2 tacos or eggs in any way you may think of, chilaquiles with eggs or chicken or pork rinds in green salsa. For lunch, there's a menu which includes: soup, rice, and the plate of your choice among 9 typical Mexican dishes, a soda and dessert for just $47. Don't forget to drop by on Viernes Pozolero(Fridays). On weekends, you cannot miss the Pancita en Cascabel (cow guts cooked in cascabel chili sauce) or a mushroom soup.

• Fonda del Refugio

  address: Calle Liverpool
  Typical Mexican cuisine specializing in sauces and fussy dishes. Great desserts and excellent service. One of the highest rated Mexican restaurants in Mexico City. Founded by a Mexican food critic in the early 1950s, this is the restaurant for Mexican celebrities (Maria Felix) during lunch, and foreign ones during dinner.

• Tokyo

  address: Calle Londres
  Excellent food at reasonable prices. Don't miss the $60 set menu (M-F only).

• Cafe Ventura

  address: corner of calles Hamburgo and Genova
  A nice place to have breakfast or lunch. You can sit inside or on the patio. They have great meal specials for about 50 pesos. For breakfast try the chicken chilaquiles, or you can just get pancakes.

• La cicciolina

  phone: +52 55149553
  address: Rio Nilo 90
  La cicciolina, is a Bistro, Café and Gourmet Shop just one block from "El Angel" at the heart of México opened by a German/Argentinien couple, they make personalized Pizza, they way you tell them and have everyday a special menu. Also nice place to have a coffee and little talk, don't miss their Illy coffee and offers gourmet.

• Bar Milan

  address: Calle Milan, Col. Juárez
  Popular with a bohemian crowd, Bar Milan has a very relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. It has a tendency to get overcrowded however. Plays electronic music and rock We-Th, more Spanish language rock and Latin music Fr-Sa. The mojito is the specialty cocktail. Note: Cash needs to be changed into milagros, the in-bar currency, before use, bartenders and waiters don't accept cash. Larger-denomination milagro bills can be changed back when leaving.

• El Colmillo

  address: Calle Versailles, Col. Juárez
  Run by British expatriates, this is one of the best electronic music clubs in the city. Relatively large dancefloor and lots of places to sit downstairs, lounge upstairs. Theme nights, upstairs often plays hip hop, reggae, funk, downstairs tends to be psychedelic trance or house. Often very few people before 1AM or so.

Dance

• Lipstick

  phone: +52 5514-4920
  address: Amberes 1 (cnr Paseo de la Reforma)
  This nightclub is one of the hottest in the gay community. It has a 1st floor and a terrace, it has lots of screens on which you can see the videos of the song that's played.

Gay-friendly

Hostels

• Hostelling International Zona Rosa

  address: Cerrada de Hamburgo # 156, building 5, Col. Juárez
  Awesome location, very nice staff, within walking distance to the Metro at Insugentes and many other area attractions. hi

Mid-range

• Best Western Royal Zona Rosa

  phone: +52 55 9149 3000
  address: Amberes 78, Col. Juárez
  A bit pricey if booked direct. Two in-house restaurants, as well as penthouse poolside bar. Standard room sizes, very clean, with TV, desk, and minibar (fee for minibar use). Free wi-fi throughout the hotel. Since the hotel is a 17-storey tower, and the rooms are on floors 5 and up (ground-4th fl.: parking garage), street noise is not an issue.

• Hotel El Ejecutivo

  phone: +52 5566 6422
  address: Calle Viena, 8
  Excellent value for $50 USD – must book on the website for this deal. It will cost over $100 USD if you walk up. Just print your receipt and present it at the front desk. Rooms and restaurant are clean and in new condition. Bell hop (Mauricio) is very helpful with anything you need.

• Hotel Geneve

  phone: +52 55 5080 0800, +52 55 5080 0831
  address: Londres 130, Col. Juárez
  This top end hotel is in the heart of Zona Rosa, making it a prestigious address to stay in. While the hotel has been around since 1907, constant renovations maintain its luxurious interior with dark wood paneling and corkscrew Solomonic columns.

• Holiday Inn Express

  phone: +52 55 9150 5900
  address: Paseo de la Reforma 208
  Inexpensive but surprisingly good value with clean rooms, friendly staff and a great location, just across the street from the WTC. Price includes a free continental breakfast.

• Hotel NH

  address: Liverpool 155, Col. Juárez
  Modern hotel with a great location. First rate service and the staff are very professional. Hotel has an outdoor heated swimming pool, fitness center and wireless internet access.

• Hotel Plaza Madrid

  phone: +52 55 5705 0836
  address: C/ Madrid 15
  70s Sheik Hotel. Free wi-fi in the lobby. Excellent breakfast buffet and full bar until 23:00.

Splurge

• Embassy Suites Mexico City - Reforma

  phone: +52 55 5061 3050
  address: Paseo de la Reforma 69, Col. Tabacalera
  Recently opened, the Embassy Suite offers up a desirable stay. The suites are larger than average, with 2 large flat panel TVs in each room, and a spectacular view from the 17th floor. The building contains an indoor pool and the free breakfast is mouthwatering and delicious, with the cook preparing fresh and local treats. Price also includes 2 hours of free cocktails with light snacks every night.

• Sheraton María Isabel

  phone: +52 55 5242 5555
  address: Paseo de la Reforma 325, Col. Cuauhtémoc
  Decent, but not impressive 4 star hotel located in the heart of Zona Rosa, next to the HSBC tower and facing "El Ángel" (Monumento a la Independencia) in the heart of the banking district. The bedrooms are of a good size and it has a good gym and pool.