Mexico City was originally founded by the Aztecs in 1325 under the name of Tenochtitlán. On August 13, 1521, Spanish forces led by Hernán Cortés conquered the city and established Spanish rule over the region. At that time, the city was renamed “Mexico City” and became the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. Since then, Mexico City has grown and developed into one of the largest and most vibrant cities in the Americas.

Mexico City, The Capital of the Aztec Empire

Mexico City went from being the most important, beautiful and imposing city during the Aztecs, to being the capital of racism, classism and inequality during New Spain. Three centuries of colonialism, a war of independence, a revolution (civil war) and governed for more than 70 years by an antidemocratic regimen, left it deteriorated and oblivion.

In 1997 the first elections for Head of Government (Governor) of Mexico City were held, for the first time the population was able to elect their rulers. The first democratic elections in the Federal District (DF), the previous official name of the City, were won by left-wing political parties.

For 26 years the Capital, another name by which it is known, has been governed by the left-wing political parties and has been undergoing a new transformation, recovering its beauty lost with the arrival of the Spanish. Mexico, as the City is also known by people from the province, has gone from being one of the most insecure cities in the country to being the preferred destination to live and work not only for Mexicans, but also for foreigners. For several years now there has been a growth in the foreign population settled in Mexico City.

Governors

With the arrival of the leftist parties in the government of Mexico, the transformation of Mexico City accelerated. Driven by tacos, tequila and mariachi, the Aztec Capital recovers its strength and cultural power, getting closer and closer to what it was before the arrival of the Spanish.

Among the governors who for 26 years have represented the citizens of the capital and have been part of the transformation of the City, are the current president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador , who in 2004 was elected the second best mayor in the world. Marcelo Luis Ebrard Casaubón who was recognized worldwide for winning the award for the best mayor in the world in 2010 and is the current Secretary of Foreign Relations of Mexico. The current Head of Government, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo , who in 2007 won the Nobel Peace Prize, being part of the Intergovernmental Panel of experts on Climate Change (IPCC) of the UN.

Without forgetting the moral leader of the left-wing political parties, Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas Solórzano, the first democratically elected Governor in Mexico City and the first to create a true opposition political party in the country. Son, by the way, of one of the best Presidents that Mexico has ever had, Lázaro Cárdenas del Río, creator of the institutions that led Mexico to grow economically between the 40’s and 70’s. With the so-called “Mexican Miracle”, the first bonanza in the country after the Aztec Empire.

National Geographic

Mexico City, Capital of the Aztec Empire was named by National Geographic magazine as the best city in the world to travel to in 2019.

According to what was published by the magazine, the main reason for going to Mexico City is to try the original flavors of Mexican food, where corn is king.

National Geographic mentions that while it is true that fresh and hot tortillas are found throughout the city, it is most likely that these tortillas are made from processed cornmeal, as is the case with the ones we buy in tortilla shops. However, a growing movement in the capital of the Aztec Empire is the recovery of the use of indigenous customs in the preparation of corn.

Within the National Geographic website, Matthew Kinsey writes about why it is worth visiting Mexico City and mentions that it is having its moment. Just a five-hour flight from New York, Mexico City has become a popular weekend destination for urbanists and culture seekers. The city that has long been the center of Latin American art and anthropological history. Today, a new wave of Mexican entrepreneurs is building an irresistible culinary scene and innovative public architecture that keep this, the oldest city in the Americas, at the forefront of culture.

MitSloan

According to the MitSloan website, many attractions are necessary for digital nomads to choose a city, and Mexico City has them all.

Freedom and flexibility are guaranteed in Mexico City, you can work from anywhere, at any time and with the possibility of living adventures. Mexico DF is the second best capital in the world for digital nomads, it offers a hybrid lifestyle between being a tourist and a freelancer. Mexico DF stands out for its busy tourist and cultural activity, its accommodation options, its picturesque urban lifestyle, and the great possibilities of networking with other digital nomads. Also, for many it is the starting point to explore the whole country.

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

Digital nomads can work anywhere that has a strong and secure internet connection. However, the factors analyzed by ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) to determine in its study the 25 best cities in the world to work remotely, where Mexico City ranked second, were in addition to broadband and Internet speed, crime rates, spaces for coworking and the facilities to obtain visas, among other things.

In summary, of the 25 capital cities chosen by digital nomads to work remotely, 14 are in Europe, 6 in Asia, 4 in America and one in Oceania.

Why Visit Mexico City?

There are many reasons to travel to Mexico City. Here I mention some of the most prominent:

Culture and history: Mexico City is a city with a rich history and cultural heritage. From ancient pre-Hispanic civilizations to Spanish colonial buildings, there is much to explore and learn in Mexico City.

Gastronomy: Mexico City is known for its delicious gastronomy, which includes dishes such as tacos, chilaquiles and tamales, as well as drinks such as tequila and mezcal. There are many restaurants and street food stalls where you can try authentic local food.

Contemporary Art and Culture: Mexico City is a vibrant cultural and artistic center, with a constantly evolving contemporary art scene. There are many museums and art galleries showcasing contemporary art, as well as music and film festivals throughout the year.

Nightlife: Mexico City is known for its vibrant and exciting nightlife, including nightclubs, bars, and restaurants open late into the night.

Shopping tourism: Mexico City is a great destination for shopping tourism, with a wide variety of options, from street markets to luxury stores.

Tourist attractions: Mexico City has a large number of tourist attractions, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Templo Mayor and the National Museum of Anthropology.

Mexico City Tourist Places

Below is a brief description of the main tourist places in Mexico City:

San Ángel: It is a neighborhood that is characterized by its historic center, full of old houses and cobbled streets. Here you can find art galleries, restaurants and craft shops.

Santa María la Ribera: It is a neighborhood with art nouveau and neomudéjar architecture, and it stands out for its Kiosco Morisco, a historical monument in the center of the neighborhood. It also has the Railway Museum and the Aldama Theater.

Coyoacán: It is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city and is known for being the birthplace of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Here you can visit the Casa Azul, the National Museum of Popular Cultures, the Coyoacán market and a wide variety of restaurants and cafes.

La Merced: It is one of the largest markets in the city and one of the oldest neighborhoods. Here you can find a wide variety of fresh products and enjoy delicious Mexican food.

Tlalpan: It is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city and has a wide variety of museums, parks and restaurants. Here is the Tlalpan Forest, one of the green lungs of the city.

Mixcoac: It is a neighborhood with old buildings, squares and cobbled streets. Here you can enjoy traditional Mexican food restaurants.

Tacuba: It is a neighborhood with historical buildings, such as the Palace of the Counts of Miravalle and the Church of San Gabriel.

La Villa: It is one of the most sacred places in the city and is visited by millions of people every year. Here is the Basilica of Guadalupe, one of the most important Catholic sanctuaries in Mexico.

Xochimilco: It is a neighborhood with canals and chinampas (artificial islands) that date back to pre-Hispanic times. It is known for its trajineras (colored boats) and its floating gardens.

Milpa Alta: It is a neighborhood with a great gastronomic offer and traditions such as the preparation of pan de muerto (a traditional Mexican bread) and the celebration of the Fiesta de la Nieve (a typical frozen dessert of the city).

Polanco: is one of the most exclusive and elegant neighborhoods in Mexico City, located in the Miguel Hidalgo mayor’s office. Known for being a high-class residential area, where you can find some of the most impressive residences and mansions in the city. In addition to its architecture, Polanco is a popular shopping destination, with a wide variety of high-end fashion stores and fine-dining restaurants, including several international food outlets. It is also a cultural neighborhood, home to numerous museums and art galleries. The Soumaya Museum, for example, has a collection of more than 66,000 works of art by artists such as Salvador Dalí and Vincent Van Gogh. Polanco is one of the most luxurious and sophisticated neighborhoods in Mexico City, attractive to those looking for exclusive and elegant experiences.

Ciudadela Market: It is one of the most popular markets in Mexico City, located in the Ciudadela neighborhood, near the historic center. It is a place much visited by tourists and locals due to its wide variety of Mexican handicrafts and souvenirs, from textiles and ceramics to jewelry and hats. The market is an ideal place to find authentic and original products, made by artisans from all over Mexico. In addition, the Mercado de la Ciudadela has several Mexican food and drink stalls, such as aguas frescas and tequila, where you can enjoy the local gastronomy while browsing the stalls and buying Mexican souvenirs. It is a vibrant and colorful place that captures the essence of Mexican culture and is worth visiting.

Mexico City Maps