Airline Reservations (Back To Top)
(Most major airlines have a direct flight to Mexico City from most major cities)

AeroMexico
Reservations - (800) 237-6639

Hotel Reservation Information (Back To Top)
(Distance from IMIC & Estimated Starting Rates)

La Casino - Bed & Breakfast:
Durango #280 Esq. Cozumel
Col. Roma
Mexico, D.F., 06700
52 (5) 55-286-3001 / 52 (5) 55-211-0871 fax
informes@hotellacasona.com.mx
Distance 0.5 miles / Rate $170.00us (tax & breakfast included)

Four Seasons Hotel Mexico D.F.:
Paseo de la Reforma #500
Colonia Juárez
Mexico, D.F., 06600
52 (5) 55-230-1818 / 52 (5) 55-230-1808 fax
Distance 3 miles / Rate $250.00us

Fiesta Americana Grand Chapultepec:
Mariano Escobedo #759
Col. Anzures
México, D.F. 11590
52 (5) 52-581-1500 / 52 (5) 52-581-1501 fax
rinternet@posadas.com
Distance 4 miles / Rate $189.00us

Camino Real Mexico City:
Mariano Escobedo #700
Col. Anzures
México, D.F. 11590
52 (5) 55-263-8888 / 52 (5) 55-250-6897 fax
pcamiruaga@crmexico
Distance 4 miles / Rate $265.00us

Presidente Inter-Continental Mexico City:
Campos Eliseos #218
Col. Polanco
Mexico, D.F., 11560
52 (5) 55-327-7700 / 52 (5) 55-327-7730 fax
mexicocity@interconti.com
Distance 6 miles / Rate $200.00us

Hotel Nikko Mexico:
Campos Eliseos # 204
Col. Polanco
Mexico, D.F., 11560
52 (5) 55-281-3572 / 52 (5) 55-280-9191 fax
resnkmex@nikko.com.mx
Distance 6 miles / Rate $280.00us

JW Marriott Mexico City:
Andres Bello #29
Col. Polanco
Mexico, D.F., 11560
52 (5) 55-282-8888 / 52 (5) 55-282-8807 fax
Distance 6 miles / Rate $184.00us

Transportation (Back To Top)
(Feel free to contact Marc Russo to have transportation arranged)

Taxi's:

• From airport - Contact the hotel you will be staying at to make arrangements or be sure to hire a taxi from inside the airport, you will be given a receipt to hand to the corresponding taxi's outside.

• From Hotel - Be sure to speak with the bell captain for transportation needs.

Money Matters (Back To Top)
(The peso fluctuates between 9.00  to 10.00 to the dollar)

Banks and money exchange houses (casas de cambio) can exchange foreign currency into pesos. The major banks are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. You cannot cash personal checks at banks unless you have an account, but American Express offices will cash personal checks for card holders. It’s best to cash travelers’ checks at banks. Major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) are welcome at most establishments. Coins come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, and 50 centavos, and 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 pesos; bills come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, and 500 pesos.

Shopping (Back To Top)

Many stores and markets are located close to tourist centers, such as Zona Rosa, Polanco and the Historic Center. Real bargains are in hand-crafted silver, gold, copper, tin, onyx, leather, textiles, pottery, blown glass, paintings, and sculptures. Stores usually open at 10 or 11 a.m., and remain open until 7 or 8 p.m. Most stores close on Sunday, except those in shopping centers.

Taxes and Tips (Back To Top)

A 15% value-added sales tax is applied to most goods and services; hotels charge an additional 2% lodging tax. It is usually included in the retail price of goods. It is customary to leave waiters a 15%-20% tip. For baggage handlers and porters, calculate a dollar per person, chambermaids a dollar per day, and tour guides and drivers a dollar a day, minimum, each. Naturally, larger tips are welcome for exceptionally good service. Avoid giving U.S. coins as a tip. Taxi drivers only expect a tip when they provide an extra service.

Dress and Weather (Back To Top)

Mexico City’s weather is mild in winter; dry and hot in April and May. The rainy season starts in late May or June, lasts through September, and generally consists of sunny mornings followed by cloudy afternoons with rain or thundershowers. Remember, Mexico City is 7,300 feet above sea level. Mornings and evenings can be cool, especially in the winter, but temperatures seldom fall below 45ºF. Casual attire is suitable for sightseeing, but dining in the better restaurants and hotels is a dressy affair.

Telephones (Back To Top)

Most public phones require phone cards, which can be purchased at newsstands and convenience stores. Public phones marked “Lada” allow you to make long-distance calls.

Medical Emergencies (Back To Top)

There are excellent hospitals with modern facilities and English-speaking personnel. The American-British Cowdray Hospital (ABC) – tel. 5230-8000- is affiliated with Baylor University Hospital of Dallas Texas, and is a member of the American Hospital Association. Hospital Angeles del Pedregal –tel. 5652-2011- is also excellent. American Express offers card holders Global Assistance and will make arrangements at tel. 5531-4306.

Entertainment & Site Seeing (Back To Top)
(Please check with concierge at your hotel about tours or transportation for any of the following events.)

- Downtown - (Back To Top)

The Zocalo (Highly recommended for history of Mexico)
The main plaza is the second largest in the world, after Moscow’s Red Square. To the North is the Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest church in Latin America, contains numerous art treasures. To the East is the National Palace, with the offices of the Presidency, featuring Diego Rivera’s stunning mural “Epic of the Mexican People in their Struggle for Freedom and Independence”. On the West side of the Zocalo there is an arcade with numerous jewelry shops. The Southern flank is occupied by the twin buildings of the City Hall.

Templo Mayor Ruins and Museum
Off the Nort-East corner of the Zocalo stand the impressive ruins of the Great Aztec Temple, destroyed by the Spanish conquerors, who used the stone to build the cathedral. It marks the ceremonial center of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the ancient Aztec empire.

Madero Street
Some of the oldest and most distinguished buildings of the city line this street, like Iturbide Palace, the Church of San Francisco, and the House of Tiles, now occupied by Sanborns, with a mural by Orozco along its stairwell.

Palacio de Bellas Artes
Mexico’s principal opera house, the Palace of Fine Arts, is an architectural masterpiece inside and out. The interiors are a beautiful blend of art deco and art nouveau styles. Its Tiffany stained-glass curtain is spectacular. It holds impressive murals and temporary exhibits. Open 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Alameda Park 
This charming colonial-era park today with numerous fountains has a massive marble monument that honors beloved President Benito Juarez, “Mexico’s Abraham Lincoln”.

Museums:

Franz Mayer  A splendid collection of applied art in a handsomely restored 18^th century building with a delightful patio and café.

National Art Museum   Art from pre-Hispanic to modern times in a magnificent turn-of-the-century building

Diego Rivera Museum   Especially built to house Rivera’s famous mural “Dreams of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park”.

Mexico City Museum   Housed in a colonial masterpiece, documents the history of the nation’s capital since pre-Hispanic times.

San Carlos   The Academy of Art during the 18^th century, has a fine selection of European art, part of which was donated by the King of Spain in its time.

San Ildefonso   The house of the first University in Latin America, this former Jesuit college is a beautiful showcase for early Mexican mural art, especially by Orozco.

- Uptown - (Back To Top)
 (IMIC is located in this area of town)

Zona Rosa
South-East of Reforma Avenue, between Niza Ave. and the Independence Monument (called “El Angel” or “The Angel”), is a 24-square block area with smart boutiques, antique shops and gourmet restaurants shared with fast-food outlets, souvenir stalls and showy nightspots.

Chapultepec Park
2,100 acres of woods, fields, playgrounds, man-made lakes with small boats for rent, a fine zoo and an amusement park with a huge roller-coaster. This park is also home to the museums of Anthropology Modern Art, National History, Rufino Tamayo, and the Papalote Children’s Museum. The presidential residence, Loss Pinos, is here, also.

Chapultepec Castle
Housing the National Museum  of History, this beautiful castle was once the residence of Maxilimilian of Hapsburg. It holds murals by Orozco, Siqueiros and O’Gorman. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

National Museum of Anthropology
One of the finest museums of its kind in the world., its exhibits include all ancient pre-Hispanic cultures and ethnologic groups of the country, with original archeological pieces. Open 9 a.m.to 7 p.m.

Rufino Tamayo Museum
Holds the personal work of one of Mexico’s most renowned 20th century artists, together with his personal collection 0f around 300 pieces by many other outstanding artists,  in a modern and sophisticated environment. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Modern Art Museum
An excellent permanent collection of modern Mexican Masters, including Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Velasco, Siqueiros, and Tamayo, as well as rotating exhibits by national and international artists. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Papalote Children’s Museum
One of the largest and most technically sophisticated “touch-and-do” museums in the world with 250 interactive exhibits. Also IMAX screenings of breathtaking films on Mexico, the Maya, nature and aeronautics. Open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 6 p.m. daily. Thu open 7 to 11 p.m. also.

- North - (Back To Top)

Plaza of the Three Cultures
On a single site, pre-Hispanic Aztec ruins, a Spanish colonial church, and a modern skyscraper represent the major periods of Mexican history.

Teotihuacan

Located 31 miles northeast of the capital, this fascinating archaeological site with its Sun and Moon pyramids and Avenue of the Dead inspires today the same feelings of reverence and awe as yesterday. Its two museums display regional artifacts. Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Morning tours recommended to have enough time to look around.

Shrine of Guadalup
One of Mexico’s most visited shrines. This is where the Virgin of Guadalupe is said to have appeared before a humble Indian named Juan Diego, an event that is credited with precipitating the conversion of Indians to Catholicism. The old building is a museum, while the new one houses de sacred image of the Virgin. Basilica open 6 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. daily.

- South - (Back To Top)

Coyoacán

Originally a small town outside Mexico City, Coyoacán today is a residential area with numerous colonial mansions and a lively plaza and colorful marketplaces.

Frida Kahlo Museum

Londres 27, Coyoacán.  This house was the charming home of the artist and her husband, painter Diego Rivera. It holds works by both of them and others in a typically Mexican environment.  Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.

San Angel

This picturesque residential zone is famous for its colonial mansions, Diego Rivera’s Studio/Museum, Ex-Convento del Carmen, Bazar del Sábado handcraft market, and Plaza de San Jacinto with its outdoor marketplace and Saturday art fair, cozy antique shops and international and Mexican cafes.

Dolores Olmedo Museum

In Xochimilco, this stately mansion is the house of numerous important works by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. The beautiful ambience constitutes a very gratifying experience. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Diego Rivera Studio/Museum

Known as the Anahuacalli (House of Anahuac), this massive pyramid-shaped building made of volcanic stone was the painter’s studio and home of his collection of pre-Hispanic figures. Very interesting for art-lovers, you can see its typical altar to the dead in November. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

National Autonomous University of Mexico

Unique, the university campus proudly has several of Mexico City’s most important murals by its contemporary artists, an impressive cultural center, Universum, its modern and attractive science museum, and Nezahualcoyotl Concert Hall, acknowledged as one of the world’s best. It is the alma mater of more than 300,000 students.

Polyforum Cultural Siqueiros

In the World Trade Center Complex, it is the home of “The March of Humanity”, reputedly the largest mural by famed Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros. There are light and sound shows weekends at 11:30 a.m., 12:45 and 5 p.m.

Xochimilco

The famed “floating gardens” from Aztec times, its colorful trajineras (Mexican-style gondolas) are a floating party carrying mariachi musicians or marimba bands, taco and beer, flower and candy vendors. Especially crowded on Sundays.