14 July 2008
Pukka Living Guide to: MEXICO CITY
It’s huge, it’s fun, it’s sexy: welcome to Mexico City! One of the largest metropolitan cities in the world, it’s recently transformed itself into a hip capital harbouring a creative crowd gracias to the ever increasing number of art galleries, designer shops and boutique hotels. No wonder even British artist Damien Hirst (of the sliced cow fame) chose it as his home.
GET THERE
No direct flights available. But you can transfer at London (British Airways, +90 212 317 6600), Paris (Air France, +90 212 310 1919), New York (Delta Airlines, +90 212 310 2000), Madrid (IBERIA, +90 212 469 8020 ), or Amsterdam (KLM, +90 212 230 0311).
SEE
Start from the Zocalo, (the center of the city and the world’s third largest square), visiting “Catedral Metropolitana”, “Templo Mayor”, and the site of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. With a string of vendors and shoe polishers tugged behind you, you’re sure to feel every bit gorgeous like Selma Hayek.
The Museo Nacional de Antropologia (Av. Paseo de la Reforma, Chapultepec Park. Closed on Mondays) is a journey through the history of Aztecs, so take your time.
Outside the city, on the way to the ruins of the ancient city of Teotihuacan, be sure to visit ”La Colleccion Jumex“, the biggest collection of contemporary art in Latin America. (By appointment only: +52 55 5775 8188).
SAY ‘ART’
Mexico City is full of little gems, so just walk with open eyes and enjoy. The streets of Coyoacan in the southern part, for example. With a great market and the house of the iconic Frida Kahlo (Londres 247, Colonia del Carmen. +52 55 5554 5999) everything reveals delightful secrets. For those serious art birds, a visit to Casa Lamm (Alvaro Obregon 99, Colonia Roma. +52 55 5511 0899) is a must—they also happen to have a fantastic restaurant. Also don’t forget to check out Palacio de bellas Artes (Av. Juarez, Centro Historico. +52 51 30 0900) and OMR Gallery (Plaza Rio de Janeiro 54, Colonia Roma, +52 55 5207 1080).
SHOP
A great hunting ground for interesting artefacts is San Angel area with its ‘Bazar del Sabado‘ (which takes place on Saturdays (Plaza San Jacinto 11).
Are you into local stuff? Then go to Colonia Condesa and check out apptly-named Local—a store full of the best by contemporary Mexican fashion designers (Amsterdam 248, Colonia Condesa, +52 55 5564 9148).
Shopaholics who must get their Chanel fix even on holiday can head to Masaryk in Polanco (Av. Presidente Masaryk) for Adolfo Dominguez, Chanel Etro, Gucci, Frette, Loewe, Valentino and friends.
It’s nice to shop like there’s no tomorrow, but have you bought anything for the folks back home? And what if they’re not into tequila? Then pick up a cool Guayabera—traditional Mexican shirts, at Casa de Guayaberas Carr (Calle Lopez 13, Centro Historico, +52 55 5521 2729). For kiddies, Arroz con Leche (Pasaje Polanco, Julio Verne 112, Local 21. +52 55 5281 4038) sells loveliest dresses, pants and shirts made by Mexican artists.
EAT & DRINK
Ready for lunch, eh? You’re in the heart of quesadillas, tortillas, and nachos land, so it couldn’t be easier. First go to Contramar for delicious seafood, especially tuna toastadas. Yumm… and check out for top Mexican heartthrob Gael García Bernal who frequents this hip beach shack. Double yummm…(Av. Durango 200, Colonia Roma. +52 55 5514 9217). Also, don’t forget to try their great Pacifico beer! Or go to La Opera, a traditional cantina (5 de Mayo 10, Centro Historico. +52 55 5512 8959). Both places open for lunch only between 1-6 p.m.
And where ever you want, try the typical quesadillas, chile relleno de queso oaxaqueno (cheese filled with chille), the curiously mixed-up polo en mole (chicken in spicy chocolate sauce) and all the other great Mexican fare.
For a great night out, start by having a drink at Covadonga (121 Puebla, Colonia Roma)—so part of the local scenary that it’s also called as “Cantina” by locals. No wonder, they serve tapas and you can see the young creative crowd mingling with each other, and playing Domino. Then head to Zinco, the greatest jazz club in the city, where, with some luck, you’ll get to listen to one of the Marsalis bros (20 Motolinia, Centro Historico. +52 55 5518 6369).
SLEEP
The best place is Hotel Habita (Av. Presidente Masaryk 201, Colonia Polanco. +52 55 5282 3100). With its minimalist and modern interiors, a rooftop swimming pool and a great lounge, it’s a design maven’s heaven. Also to check out to check-in is the hip Condesa DF (Av. Veracruz 102, Colonia Condesa. +52 55 5241 2600), and the old-world enchantress Camino Real (Mariano Escobedo 700, Col. Anzures. +52 55 5263 8888), which also has a pool. And if all this sightseeing and shopping and eating&drinking didn’t wear you down, go visit the beautiful city of Oaxaca, or hit the beaches of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo and stay at the achingly romantic La Casa Que Canta, the no.1 boutique hotel in Mexico and all of Central and South America by the sea and a fav address for weddings and honeymoons (Camino Escenico a Playa La Ropa, Zihuatanejo, Guerrero. +52 755 555 7000).
Contributed by Eveline Hailer.
GET THERE
No direct flights available. But you can transfer at London (British Airways, +90 212 317 6600), Paris (Air France, +90 212 310 1919), New York (Delta Airlines, +90 212 310 2000), Madrid (IBERIA, +90 212 469 8020 ), or Amsterdam (KLM, +90 212 230 0311).
SEE
Start from the Zocalo, (the center of the city and the world’s third largest square), visiting “Catedral Metropolitana”, “Templo Mayor”, and the site of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. With a string of vendors and shoe polishers tugged behind you, you’re sure to feel every bit gorgeous like Selma Hayek.
The Museo Nacional de Antropologia (Av. Paseo de la Reforma, Chapultepec Park. Closed on Mondays) is a journey through the history of Aztecs, so take your time.
Outside the city, on the way to the ruins of the ancient city of Teotihuacan, be sure to visit ”La Colleccion Jumex“, the biggest collection of contemporary art in Latin America. (By appointment only: +52 55 5775 8188).
SAY ‘ART’
Mexico City is full of little gems, so just walk with open eyes and enjoy. The streets of Coyoacan in the southern part, for example. With a great market and the house of the iconic Frida Kahlo (Londres 247, Colonia del Carmen. +52 55 5554 5999) everything reveals delightful secrets. For those serious art birds, a visit to Casa Lamm (Alvaro Obregon 99, Colonia Roma. +52 55 5511 0899) is a must—they also happen to have a fantastic restaurant. Also don’t forget to check out Palacio de bellas Artes (Av. Juarez, Centro Historico. +52 51 30 0900) and OMR Gallery (Plaza Rio de Janeiro 54, Colonia Roma, +52 55 5207 1080).
SHOP
A great hunting ground for interesting artefacts is San Angel area with its ‘Bazar del Sabado‘ (which takes place on Saturdays (Plaza San Jacinto 11).
Are you into local stuff? Then go to Colonia Condesa and check out apptly-named Local—a store full of the best by contemporary Mexican fashion designers (Amsterdam 248, Colonia Condesa, +52 55 5564 9148).
Shopaholics who must get their Chanel fix even on holiday can head to Masaryk in Polanco (Av. Presidente Masaryk) for Adolfo Dominguez, Chanel Etro, Gucci, Frette, Loewe, Valentino and friends.
It’s nice to shop like there’s no tomorrow, but have you bought anything for the folks back home? And what if they’re not into tequila? Then pick up a cool Guayabera—traditional Mexican shirts, at Casa de Guayaberas Carr (Calle Lopez 13, Centro Historico, +52 55 5521 2729). For kiddies, Arroz con Leche (Pasaje Polanco, Julio Verne 112, Local 21. +52 55 5281 4038) sells loveliest dresses, pants and shirts made by Mexican artists.
EAT & DRINK
Ready for lunch, eh? You’re in the heart of quesadillas, tortillas, and nachos land, so it couldn’t be easier. First go to Contramar for delicious seafood, especially tuna toastadas. Yumm… and check out for top Mexican heartthrob Gael García Bernal who frequents this hip beach shack. Double yummm…(Av. Durango 200, Colonia Roma. +52 55 5514 9217). Also, don’t forget to try their great Pacifico beer! Or go to La Opera, a traditional cantina (5 de Mayo 10, Centro Historico. +52 55 5512 8959). Both places open for lunch only between 1-6 p.m.
And where ever you want, try the typical quesadillas, chile relleno de queso oaxaqueno (cheese filled with chille), the curiously mixed-up polo en mole (chicken in spicy chocolate sauce) and all the other great Mexican fare.
For a great night out, start by having a drink at Covadonga (121 Puebla, Colonia Roma)—so part of the local scenary that it’s also called as “Cantina” by locals. No wonder, they serve tapas and you can see the young creative crowd mingling with each other, and playing Domino. Then head to Zinco, the greatest jazz club in the city, where, with some luck, you’ll get to listen to one of the Marsalis bros (20 Motolinia, Centro Historico. +52 55 5518 6369).
SLEEP
The best place is Hotel Habita (Av. Presidente Masaryk 201, Colonia Polanco. +52 55 5282 3100). With its minimalist and modern interiors, a rooftop swimming pool and a great lounge, it’s a design maven’s heaven. Also to check out to check-in is the hip Condesa DF (Av. Veracruz 102, Colonia Condesa. +52 55 5241 2600), and the old-world enchantress Camino Real (Mariano Escobedo 700, Col. Anzures. +52 55 5263 8888), which also has a pool. And if all this sightseeing and shopping and eating&drinking didn’t wear you down, go visit the beautiful city of Oaxaca, or hit the beaches of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo and stay at the achingly romantic La Casa Que Canta, the no.1 boutique hotel in Mexico and all of Central and South America by the sea and a fav address for weddings and honeymoons (Camino Escenico a Playa La Ropa, Zihuatanejo, Guerrero. +52 755 555 7000).
Contributed by Eveline Hailer.
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