Traveling
in Mexico City: The Ins & Outs of Getting Around
by Jean Sutherland, http://www.spasoftheworld.com/spas/
If
you have never traveled to Mexico City before, getting around
can be a bit overwhelming. There are many ways to travel within
Mexico City, and the methods, rules and day-to-day getting from
Point A to Point B can be frustrating.
This
article will give you the necessary information you require
to get around in Mexico City, while ensuring your travel plans
are still pleasant, exciting and fruitful. So let's get started!
It's an exciting journey you are about to embark upon.
Traveling
in Mexico City, a General Overview
The naming conventions used for Mexico City’s streets and
neighborhoods can be very exasperating to the out of town traveler
if you aren't sure what everything means. The most important
thing to remember when trying to find a certain location is:
Patience. Many times, streets that 'should' be in a certain
place, just aren't.
Numbered
streets are usually (but not always) designated as North/South
(norte/sur) or East/West (oriente/poneinte). A block can be
numbered, depending on how far it is from an arbitrary starting
point. However, you'll notice during your travels that many
Mexican addresses have only "s/n" (sin número)
listed after the street name, which means, literally, "no
number". And yet other addresses have a kilometer designation
in the address, indicating that they are located a certain number
of kilometers down a major street, such as a highway.
All
addresses in Mexico City are written with the street name at
the start, then the street number. The postal code (código
postal) is listed before the name of the city, not after. Apdo.,
or apartado, means box, and Postal, or A.P. means post-office
box number. And finally, most addresses include the neighborhood
(colonia, or col.) that the residence is in.
Traveling
in Mexico City, By Bus
The bus system in Mexico City is used extensively by locals
and travelers to the area. It is often crowded, and pickpockets
are an issue. Never show a wallet on the bus, and make sure
to carry change with you if you plan on using this method of
transportation.
When
boarding the bus, tell the driver where you plan on going, and
the driver will tell you the fare. Sometimes bus stops will
have signs above them, telling you where you are; many times,
you’ll know it’s a stop only because there are people
waiting by the side of the road. Buses are rarely on time in
Mexico City; if you plan on traveling later in the day or at
night, alternate methods of transportation are recommended.
Traveling
in Mexico City, By Car
Driving through Mexico City’s streets, especially for the
traveler, can be a harrowing experience. One way streets abound,
and rush hour is like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
Millions of people, literally, are sharing the road with you.
Renting
a car is possible in Mexico City, but poses different risks
for the out of town traveler. Driving on Mexico City roads is
not only dangerous because of the lack of skill used for travelers
(many get their license not by taking a test, but by paying
someone off), but treacherous because of the unusual and poorly
maintained roads.
Another
option is to hire a taxi, or limousine, to chauffeur you around.
Ask the travel hotel you are staying at in Mexico City for recommendations,
or for the closest cab stand (sitio).
Jean Sutherland is the owner of the informative website http://www.spasoftheworld.com/
& http://www.spasoftheworld.com/spas/index.html
She has worked in the travel industry for over 10 years and lived
in Mexico for 3 years. Please also look at the Mexican Animal
Shelter site she supports. http://www.anitasanimals.com
