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Coyoacan
Coyoacán started off life as a village but is now a buzzing district of central Mexico City and a historical and cultural hub of the region. It still keeps its ancient ‘town’ feel, with the original plazas and narrow cobbled streets preserved - so it’s a great place to visit to gain insight into the old Mexico City.Cultural hub
The neighborhood is a bustling maze of fantastic restaurants, bars, markets, and museums, and is particularly lively at the weekends. Browsing the artisan markets is a must-do if you visit Coyoacán – there are plenty of local crafts to buy including paintings, souvenirs, and trinkets. Many different spots in the town host markets, but a great place to start is the Plaza del Centenario, a 16th century square with a magnificent fountain and sculpture.
Food and Entertainment
Coyoacán at the weekend has almost a festival atmosphere, with mimes, musicians, dancers, and storytellers entertaining passersby everywhere you look. It’s an ideal place to get a taste of the real Mexico, with street vendors selling local snacks such as esquites (flavoured corn kernels), corn-on-the-cob with chili and cheese, and hot quesadillas. The locals are very friendly and willing to chat, so just ask if you’d like something in particular – there’s even one street vendor famed for making animal-shaped pancakes!
Museums
The borough is also blessed with a number of museums well worth visiting, including the Frida Kahlo Museum. This is actually located within the house where the famous Mexican artist was born, lived, and died - a building of such startling cobalt it is called the Blue House. The museum is a must-see for fans of Kahlo’s work, containing a collection of her art as well as personal items, clothes, and memorabilia. Space is an intimate reflection of the life she lived within those walls, and the political movement she and her husband were involved in.
Other museums in Coyoacán are the Museo Diego Rivera-Anahuacalli, containing artwork by Diego Rivera (Kahlo’s husband); the Museo Leon Trotsky, the house of the Marxist theorist; and the Museo Nacional de las Culturas Populares, a fascinating homage to ancient indigenous culture.
Getting There
The only problem with visiting Coyoacan is that it’s not as easy to reach as many other Mexico City boroughs. The metro will not take you anywhere near the historic center of Coyoacan (the part you will want to explore), and you will need to get off at Coyoarney is only around 10 minutes, costing 10 pesos. can station and catch a microbus or ‘pesero’. This is well worth the hassle though, as you’ll experience an exciting part of Mexico City life.
Budget
- Affordable
Best For Whom
- Mature Travellers
- For Her
- Leisure Travellers
- For Him
- Low Handicaps
- Families With Teenagers
- Backpackers
- All Ages
- Students
- Groups
Best For What
- City
- The Local Experience
- Fine Dining