Mexico City has faced a challenging year. From the swine flu outbreak to a sluggish economy, political tensions and drug-related violence, the City of Palaces has seen scarce good news. Yet resilience is part of the capital’s identity, and through adversity it continues to reinvent itself. Often called the City of the 21st Century, Mexico City remains a sprawling political, economic and cultural hub. The nation is also preparing to celebrate 200 years of independence, a milestone that adds to the city’s spirit.
President Felipe Calderón has prioritized safety and judicial reforms alongside military-led operations targeting organized crime and drug traffickers. Measures include higher pay for the military and efforts to remove corrupt federal police officers and prosecutors, reflecting a push to restore public trust and strengthen institutions.
Despite challenges, upscale development and cultural investment continue. Hotels are drawing visitors with more competitive pricing, restaurants are presenting modern interpretations of Mexican cuisine, and neglected neighborhoods are undergoing renovation. These older districts, with their centuries-old foundations, are transforming into vibrant cultural quarters. Mexico City already boasts priceless classic art collections and a rapidly expanding contemporary art scene.
As one of the oldest cities in the Americas works to meet its challenges, now is an excellent time to visit this colorful destination. Nestled on a high plateau and bordered on three sides by mountains and volcanoes—most notably the snow-capped Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl—the city known locally as D.F. (pronounced deh EH-feh) contains extremes of wealth and poverty and everything in between. About 20 million people live in its metropolitan area.
Sharing a 2,000-mile border with the United States, Mexico is America’s largest regional economic partner. The recent U.S. downturn affected Mexico’s economy, but after two difficult years the impact has begun to ease. Although growth is gradual, the outlook for recovery is cautiously optimistic. The global financial crisis and the H1N1 outbreak caused GDP to fall and reduced tourism and investment, yet the economy rebounded in the third quarter. Manufacturing and non-oil exports are expected to support near-term growth; GDP is projected to grow modestly this year compared with the sharp decline seen previously.
A stable and prosperous Mexico is important to the United States. Shared priorities include trade, economic reform and drug-control efforts. Mexico, the United States and Canada participate in agreements like NAFTA and regional partnerships aimed at enhancing cooperation, security and economic growth across North America.
More than 18,000 companies invest in Mexico, with U.S. firms accounting for nearly half of direct foreign investment. Major U.S. exports to Mexico include electronic equipment, auto parts and chemicals; Mexican exports to the U.S. include petroleum and vehicles. Exports to the United States represent roughly a quarter of Mexico’s GDP. The country is a leading supplier of crude oil to global markets and the third-largest oil supplier to the United States; oil and natural gas together generate about one-third of Mexican government revenue.
Mexico City ranks among the top global cities by GDP and contributes over one-third of the national economy. Most major regional and international corporations base their Mexican operations here, concentrated in affluent districts such as Polanco and Santa Fe. Greater Mexico City comprises around 250 colonias (neighborhoods), though only a handful are top destinations for visitors. Recent commercial and financial growth has centered in the Santa Fe district on the city’s western edge, now one of Latin America’s largest shopping and corporate centers. Santa Fe features high-rise offices and residences, a vast retail complex, upscale shops, hotels and fine dining.
That modern zone has drawn significant foreign and domestic investment from multinational companies across industries. Santa Fe’s favorable location, lower pollution and strong security have made it attractive to residents and businesses, and its amenities draw millions of visitors annually.
Diversions
Mexico City is a cultural capital rich in attractions. For a sweeping view of the metropolis, visit the 52nd floor of Torre Mayor (505 Paseo de la Reforma), one of Latin America’s tallest skyscrapers. Built with rigorous anti-earthquake engineering, the 740-foot tower is designed to withstand significant seismic events.
The Centro Histórico showcases Mexico City’s layered history. The city began in 1325 when the Aztecs founded Tenochtitlan. The Zócalo, the district’s main square, is the largest in Latin America and among the world’s largest public plazas. Nearby, the Templo Mayor Museum and archaeological site display the ruins of the Aztec capital discovered during subway construction in the 1980s. The National Palace on Av. de la Constitución houses Diego Rivera’s famous murals; other Rivera works appear at the Ministry of Education. Visitors should carry identification for entry to official buildings.
To experience contemporary culture, explore Condesa and Roma, two restored neighborhoods known for their lively arts scenes. Condesa, with its Art Deco architecture, cafés and boutiques, resembles Manhattan’s SoHo, while Roma hosts galleries and fine Beaux-Arts buildings. Casa Lamm in Roma, an early-20th-century mansion turned cultural center, is a pleasant spot for breakfast before gallery hopping. The area’s galleries frequently feature emerging Mexican artists at accessible prices.
For a leisurely lunch popular with locals and creatives, reserve a table at Contramar. The seafood-focused menu and relaxed atmosphere make it a notable dining choice; dishes like fish tacos and the whole catch of the day are local favorites.
The city’s museums are outstanding. The Soumaya Museum, founded by Carlos Slim Helú, displays a wide-ranging collection from European masters to Mexican modernists. Chapultepec Park’s Museum of Modern Art presents works by Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Orozco, Siqueiros and Tamayo, providing an essential overview of Mexico’s artistic legacy.
Info To Go
Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) lies about eight miles from the city center. Licensed taxi services operate with standard fares; many visitors prefer hotel cars or radio-dispatched taxis for safety and convenience rather than hailing cabs on the street. Despite traffic, these options are often the most efficient ways to travel between the airport and the city.
Just The Facts
Time Zone: GMT -5
Phone Code: 52 Mexico, 55 Mexico City
Entry/Exit Requirements: Passport required for U.S. citizens. Upon arrival, complete a migratory form to be stamped by customs and presented on departure.
Currency: Peso
Official Language: Spanish. English is commonly used in business settings.
Key Industries: Government, hospitality, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, automotive, banking and finance.
Lodging
Hilton Mexico City Reforma
A five-star hotel steps from the historic downtown entrance. The Wine Bar offers an extensive international wine list and tapas-style dishes. Av. Juárez 70, tel 52 55 5130 5300.
The St. Regis Mexico City
Located in Torre Libertad, this luxury hotel provides butler service, a full spa and 24-hour concierge service. 439 Paseo de la Reforma, tel 52 55 5533 2969.
W Mexico City
A trendy hotel in Polanco featuring distinctive guest rooms and a lively nightlife scene. 252 Campos Elíseos, tel 52 55 9138 1800.
Dining
Fine, innovative Mexican cuisine is abundant across the city. Restaurants often open for late lunches around 1:30 p.m. and can serve dinner well into the evening. Meals are typically unhurried, with business breakfasts and long lunches common.
Aguilla y Sol
Chef Martha Ortiz creates inventive, refined dishes—try the shredded duck with Oaxacan mole. 127 Emilio Castellar, tel 52 55 5281 8354.
Izote
Chef Patricia Quintana offers contemporary Mexican specialties, including bread baked in a wood-fired oven. 513 Presidente Masaryk, Polanco, tel 52 55 5280 1671.
Pujol
Chef Enrique Olvera crafts dishes that draw on Mexico’s culinary heritage, with standout items like cocoa-crusted venison and short ribs with mole. 254 Petrarca, Polanco, tel 52 55 5545 4111.
Checking In With Marcelo Ebrard
Mayor of Mexico City, D.F.
How Is Mexico City Meeting Its Latest Challenges?
The city government is tackling economic, social and environmental issues through major investments in transportation, including a new metro line, and nearly $1 billion a year in environmental programs aimed at making Mexico City more sustainable.
How Is The Government Encouraging Foreign Investment?
Mexico City is developing a knowledge-based economy by investing in infrastructure, technology, research, education, healthcare and biotechnology. Partnerships among multinational companies, universities and research institutions support this strategy. The city also offers tax, property and labor incentives to attract foreign companies and maintains a high quality of life for expatriate managers.
What Are Your Favorite Places In Mexico City When You Have Free Time?
Each Sunday Paseo de la Reforma is closed to cars and opened to pedestrians and cyclists. I enjoy biking throughout the city and encourage members of my cabinet to join me monthly for bicycle commutes to their offices.