Mexico City Travel Guide (Mexico City, Mexico)

For all its size and frantic pace, once you're used to it Mexico City is surprisingly easy to get around, with an efficient and very cheap public transport system as well as reasonably priced taxis.

You'll want to walk around the cramped streets of the centre, but remember the altitude - walking gets tiring quickly, especially for the first day or so. If you're heading for Chapultepec or the Zona Rosa, you're better off taking the bus or Metro - it's an interesting walk all the way down Reforma, but a very long one. As for the outer suburbs, you've got no choice but to rely on taxis or public transport. You'll save a lot of hassle if you avoid travelling during rush hour (about 7-9am & 6-8pm).

Tours that take in the city and often include the surrounding area are available from most of the more expensive hotels, and from specialist operators such as Gray Line, Londres 166 (tel 5208-1163); Maxi Tours, Amberes 69 (tel 5525-6812); and American Express, with various locations around the city (tel 5326-2877).