Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
Band playing live at the Zócalo
Right
Guide explaining architecture to tourists
Budget Tips
!
Airline Deals
%
Entertainment
4pm, at one of the many
restaurants serving a
comida corrida
(fixed-
priced menu).
and Attractions
Several of Mexico City's
top attractions are free,
including the Palacio
Nacional
(see pp16-17)
,
Catedral Metropolitana
(see pp14-15),
and a few
of the attractions in
Bosque de Chapultepec
(see pp24-5)
. All of the
churches, parks, and
plazas have free entry.
^
Tours and Guides
The best prices are
obtained by comparison
shopping, and the Internet
is a great source for
checking ticket prices for
various airlines. If you are
flying within the country
after your arrival in Mexico
City, check Mexican
airlines for reduced rate
advance purchase
coupons, but you must
purchase them before
arriving in Mexico.
@
Package Deals
)
Location
When choosing a
hotel consider the
transportation method
you plan to use within
the city to reduce your
traveling costs.
Directory
Airlines
• Aeroméxico: 5133-
4000; www.aero
mexico.com
• Mexicana: 5448-0990;
www.mexicana.com
• Air Canada:
www.aircanada.com
• Air France:
www.airfrance.com
• American Airlines:
www.aa.com
• British Airways: www.
britishairways.com
• Continental:
www.continental.com
Travel Websites
• www.airline
consolidator.com
Best Fares
• www.bestfares.com
Cheap Tickets
• www.cheap
tickets.com
• www.exitotravel.com
• www.expedia.com
• www.hotwire.com
• www.orbitz.com
• www.priceline.com
• www.travelocity.com
Free Events
• www.mexicocity.
gob.mx
Hiring a guide or
joining a tour that
includes transportation
will often save a lot of
time and trouble, and
sometimes money as
well, especially if you are
not fluent in Spanish.
&
Public
When shopping for
the best airfares, check
the websites for
packages that include
accommodations as well.
Rates will likely be higher
during Christmas, Easter,
and the summer months.
Some hotels offer deals
that include city tours or
tickets to events.
Transportation
Sitio
taxis are reasonably
safe and are also cheaper
than hotel taxis. The
Turibus
(see p104)
is less
expensive than cabs if
you are visiting sites it
covers. The Metro
(see
p104)
also offers cheap,
efficient, and quite an
extensive service.
£
Hotel Discounts
Room rates fluctuate
depending on time of
year and if festivals or
conventions are being
held. Business hotels in
Mexico City often offer
good rates for weekends,
and some hotels in
Centro Histórico offer
discounts as well. Mid-
range and budget hotels
may offer discount for
cash payments.
$
Free Museum Day
*
Free Events
Every Sunday evening
Mexico City's Cultural
Institute presents free
concerts of Mexican
talent at the Zócalo. For
information on other such
events see
Tiempo Libre
(see p102)
and check the
mexicocity website.
(
Restaurants
Many museums offer
free admission either on
Sunday or Tuesday. Some
museums offer special
discounts to students
and teachers with ID.
Save money by
having lunch, from 2pm-
106
