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Whether you need to know local public holidays or highlights through the seasons, we hope you will find the facts gathered below useful tools for your travel planning. Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you further.

General information

Mexico City is the focus of Mexico's political, cultural and economic life. The nation's capital and its largest metropolis, it has a population of over twenty-five million and covers an area of 1,547 square kilometres (597 square miles). Its wide boulevards are lined by both modern glass and steel structures and the colonial architecture of the past.

With its diverse heritage, the city offers 75 museums and 10 archaeological zones. Mexico City's historical centre is a 668-block area around the Zócalo (main square) and has been designated a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. The district encompasses more than 1,400 historic structures, including the Templo Mayor (Great Temple of the Aztecs), as well as private mansions and civic and religious buildings.

Time zone

GMT -6 hours
Central Standard Time

Language(s) spoken

Spanish

Electrical system

Local voltage is 110 to 120 volts AC. Adapters available; please request through the Concierge.

Shopping hours

Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am to 9:00 pm

Hotel Gift Shops:
Antonio Solito Boutique (Designer Clothes)
Monday to Saturday 8:00 am to 9:30 pm
Sundays Closed

Selecciones (Drug store)
La Boutique (Clothes, handicrafts, jewellery)
Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 11:00 pm
Sunday and Holidays 7:30 am to 10:30 pm

Working hours

Administrative offices are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Time and distance to city centre

15 minutes/5 kilometres/3 miles

Time and distance to shopping

• Zona Rosa: 5 minutes/2 kilometres/1.2 miles
• Zona Polanco: 15 minutes/5 kilometres/3 miles
• Santa Fe: 30 minutes/13 kilometres/8 miles

Time and distance to financial district

Zona Polanco: 15 minutes/5 kilometres/3 miles

View in–depth travel advice from Frommers.com

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Seasonal highlights

Winter

Nativity Representations and “Posadas”, December “Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe” (Our lady of Guadalupe, Patron Saint of México). Millions of pilgrims from all over Latin America come to worship at the Basílica -December 12. “Día de Reyes” (Three Wise Men), Epiphany concludes the celebrations of Christmas Season - January 6.

Spring

“Festival del Centro Histórico” (Historic Centre Festival)(March 17-30). “Semana Santa” (Holy Week), the most elaborately staged “Passion Play” in Mexico City is presented on Good Friday at Iztapalapa. Reenactments of the Stations of the Cross are also staged in the towns of Tecomitl, Tecoxpa, Oztotepec, Atocpan and Milpa Alta. - April 14-20. “La Flor más bella del Ejido” (The Most Beautiful Flower) in Xochimilco – April 6-13.

Summer

Commemoration of the Defense of Mexico and the fall of Tenochtitlan. The Celebration is held on Paseo de la Reforma, Zocalo and in front of Monument of Cuauhtemoc - August 13. “Independence Month” (September) festival takes place in the Zocalo where at 11:00 p.m. on the 15th, the president of Mexico and the crowds congregate on the square below to call out Father Hidalgo’s cry for freedom "El Grito". Parade September 16th.

Fall

“Día de los Muertos”(Day of the Dead). Altars are mounted in homes and cemeteries. Celebrations take place on Mixquic, Xochimilco and Milpa Alta- November 1st and 2nd.