Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bosque de Chapultepec
Since the arrival of the Aztecs, Chapultepec has
been a special place for residents. Today this 1,600-
acre (648-hectare) green urban park includes
woodlands, forest, lakes, gardens, and walking
paths, and provides an abundance of activities for
the entire family. Los Pinos, at the edge of the park,
is the official residence of Mexico's President.
£
Hot-Air Balloon
Rides
This tethered balloon rises
400 ft (123 m), offering
awesome views of the
park and Mexico City. On
a clear day, it is the ideal
place to take panoramic
shots of the city.
Top 10 Features
1 Museo Nacional de
Antropología
2 Castillo de Chapultepec
3 Hot-Air Balloon Rides
4 Zoológico de Chapultepec
5 Monumento a Los Niños
Héroes
6 Papalote Museo del Niño
7 Museo Tecnológico de la CFE
8 Lago de Chapultepec, Lago
Mayor, and Lago Menor
9 La Feria de Chapultepec
0 Museo de Historia Natural
Paddle Boats, Lago de
Chapultepec
Sunday is the busiest
day in the park.
The Turibus route
winds through the
park with stops near
the major attractions.
Dine with a view of
the lake at Meridiem
on Lago Mayor
(see
p87)
, or enjoy the
excellent café at the
Museo Nacional de
Antropología.
$
Zoológico de
Chapultepec
This excellent zoo houses
more than 2,000 animals in
natural habitats, and is
renowned for its successful
captive breeding of giant
pandas. Broad shady paths,
excellent viewing areas,
and well planned rest stops
and food courts make this
a nice place to spend a few
hours. Rare animals like
Mexican naked dogs and
native wolves can be seen
here
(see p84)
.
•
Map D4
• Main entrance at the
west end of Paseo de la
Reforma
•
Museo Technológico
de la CFE: Map C5;
Section 2, Bosque de
Chapultepec; 5516-0965;
9am-5pm Daily; Free
• La Feria de
Chapultepec: Map C5;
Section 2, Bosque de
Chapultepec; 5230-2121;
Low Season 10am-6pm
Tue-Sun; High Season
10am-8pm daily; Adm
•
Museo de Historia
Natural: Map B6;
Section 2, Bosque de
Chapultepec; 5515-2222;
10am-5pm Tue-Sun;
Adm, free Tue
!
Museo Nacional de
Antropología
Mexico's largest museum,
this archeological treasure
trove has 12 halls filled
with brilliant artifacts that
relate each significant
chapter in Mexico's pre-
Hispanic human history
(see pp8-9)
.
@
Castillo de
Chapultepec
The former residence of
Mexican presidents, the
stunning castle
(see p24-5)
with sweeping terraces
and manicured gardens,
now houses the Museo
Nacional de Historia.
22
Chapultepec means grasshopper hill in Náhuatl, the language of
the Aztecs
