AboutClaudia Reyes-Hull Expertise I have lived in both the US and México. I am familiar with both cultures and languages. I now reside in the mountain town of Coatepec, Veracruz but have traveled extensibly (with and without kids) throughout Mexico and can answer to general questions on culture, travel, people, etc.
Experience Mexican National with experience as a guide for professional architects from the US and Worldwide. Extensive travel through Mexico with and without kids.
Education/Credentials Masters degree in Architecture
Certified translator/ interpreter English/Spanish
Art Teacher
Personal Chef
Question Hi, I have a 10 hour layover in Mexico City on my way back to NYC from Peru, from 6:30 am to 4 pm. Any suggestions on what to do near the airport or a good place to eat? I think I'd be incredibly bored if I just stayed in the airport that whole time.
Answer Hey, Anisa:
You can do a little sightseeing in Mex City, it all depends what are your main interests and how much are you willing to spend. You will probably be able to leave the airport by 8a.m. (if your plane arrives by 6:30). You probably will have to put your stuff in storage at the lockers in the airport, I am not sure you can check them in that early for the NYC flight. (Remember you have to go through customs in Mexico).You can take a SITIO taxi (those are the safe taxis) from the airport to many places.
I recommend you choose from a) Centro Histórico, b)Reforma/Chapultepec, c)Coyoacán or d) Xochimilco.
At the Centro Histórico you can have breakfast at the Gran Hotel at the zócalo or any other rooftop restaurant and you get a great view of the Cathedral, government palace and plaza. From there you can walk towards Bellas Artes Opera House and to the Alameda Central (the biggest park downtown). You can eat lunch at either the Hotel de COrtez (just across from the Alameda) or go up the Torre Latinoamericana -one of the tallest buildings in Mexico City to get a great panoramic view from the lookout. Then you can walk back downtown and check out La Casa de los Azulejos which houses a store called Sanborn's that has a nice restaurant (if you have not had lunch# and nice gift shop. Or you can head to the Templo Mayor after breakfast which is a great archeological site right downtown.It will be time to go back to the airport no later than 2 p.m. since you have to beat the traffic, check luggage and go through customs again.
In the Reforma scenario, you can take a Taxi to the Restaurante del Lago in Chaputepec #Chapultepec is the largest forest inside the city, it is also a park that contains a lake, a zoo, a castle, a theme park, etc.# Have breakfast at the Lake #El Lago# and then you can make your way towards the Castle #French built castle where the First/and last French Emperor lived in Mexico# and finally towards Paseo de la Reforma. The avenue Reforma has a cool exhibit of benches that are usable sculptures. Walk down Reforma to the Monument of Independence #Angel de la Independencia#. You can go up to the lookout there. Finish up behind the US Embassy on the street of Río Lerma for lunch where some of the best restaurants are located, this is the neighborhood of Polanco where most embassies are located. Again, it is time to head back to the airport.
The Coyoacán starts at Sanborn's in downtown Coyoacán. Coyoacán is a neighborhood South where the arts flourished in the early 1800's amongst the country homes of the rich #not in the country anymore, since it is very central to the city now...#. This Sanborn's store is located in an old colonial mansion and you can get a table on a balcony. If it is a Saturday, then you can browse around on the hippie market at the plaza. If it is any other day, you can go to the many museums and galleries around there including Frida Kahlo's home. You can also walk to the Market a couple of blocks over from the Plaza. For lunch, there is a myriad of restaurants in the Plaza which are all pretty good. I recommend the Mezcaleria. Also very recommendable are the ice creams and the coffee across from the Market at El Jarocho. There is a SITIO taxi stop behind the church so you can get back to the airport.
Finally, if you decide to go to Xochimilco, it is the farthest south. Take a Taxi to the docks and take a Chinampa #raft) and have Brunch on the boat/raft as you tour the canals of Xochimilco. It is wonderful to see the gardens all built over rafts on the lake/lagoon hundreds of years ago. Since it is a long ways from the airport and the tour takes time, be prepared to head back as soon as you disembark.
Hope you find an itinerary that suits you.
