Mexico City/Coyoacán

Metro stations are not conveniently located to the Coyoacán center – don't let the existence of a Coyoacán station (Line 3) fool you. Be prepared for at least a twenty-minute walk from any of the nearest stations: 🌍 Coyoacán, 🌍 Viveros, 🌍 Miguel Ángel de Quevedo, and 🌍 Copilco (all on Line 3). The neighborhood is safe, so you shouldn't have a problem if you decide to walk from the metro. You may also approach from 🌍 General Anaya station (Line 2); take the Calle 20 de Agosto exit for a picturesque twenty minute walk to the Frida Kahlo and Leon Trotsky museums. 🌍 Universidad serves the University City area and has connections to Pumabus. There is also a bike rental station called Bicipuma that could be useful because the area is bike friendly.

If you don't fancy a 20-minute walk from Metro Coyoacan to the main square Plaza Hidalgo, you can take a microbus also known as a pesero. These are the small green and grey buses that can be seen breaking road rules all over the city. As you leave either exit of Metro Coyoacan, cross the to the other side of the large road directly outside the metro (Avenida Universidad). Peseros will stop outside all metro stations, and all display their destinations in the front windscreen. Look for a sign saying Plaza Hidalgo, or ask the driver.

If you are coming to Coyoacan from outside the Mexico City metro area, the best bus station to arrive/depart is Taxqueña (also known as Central de Sur). The bus station is about 10-15 minutes by taxi from most locations in Coyoacan.

The Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) is Mexico's largest university. The sprawling campus, called Ciudad Universitaria, is a city unto itself and contains a number of significant landmarks, museums, and cultural attractions. The entire campus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its breakthroughs in urban planning and architecture as well as its several murals by some of Mexico's most famous artists. The campus was also a host facility for the 1968 Olympic games.

• 🌍 Rectoría de la UNAM (Rectory building of UNAM). The main campus of UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico), known as Ciudad Universitaria, was declared a UNESCO site in 2007. For David Alfaro Siqueiros fans, the rectory building is of interest because of its large three-dimensional mosaic mural El pueblo a la Universidad, la Universidad al pueblo (The People to the University, the University to the People), created by the Mexican master from 1952-1956. 

• 🌍 Biblioteca Central (Central Library) (From Metro Universidad, take a free campus bus (Pumabus): Ruta 1 to Rectoria, or Ruta 5 to Filosofia.). The building's four sides are covered by the mural Historical Representation of Culture, created by the Mexican artist Juan O'Gorman. His masterpiece has become the most iconic building of UNAM and of Mexican culture. In July 2007, UNESCO proclaimed the Central Library and the Central Campus of the University City as World Heritage. O'Gorman's mural is recognized as the largest mural in the world. (updated Jan 2018)
• 🌍 Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporáneo (University Museum of Contemporary Art), Insurgentes 3000, ☏ +52 55 5622 6972, informes@muac.unam.mx. W F Su 10:00-18:00, Th Sa 10:00-20:00. Located on the UNAM campus, this museum hosts temporary exhibits of contemporary Mexican and international artists, as well as rotating displays from its permanent art collection. M$40 (general admission Th-Sa), M$20 (general admission W and Su), 50% discount for students, free (children under 12). (updated Jan 2017)
• 🌍 Jardín Botánico de UNAM (UNAM Botanical Garden), C.U. (Cd. Universitaria) (Metro to Universitaria), ☏ +52 55 5622 9047. M-F 09:00 - 17:00, Sa 09:00 - 15:00 (closed Su). Large botanical garden showcasing thousands of plant species from across Mexico's many different ecosystems, including dry deserts, rocky mountain ranges, tropical and sub-tropical rainforests, and coastal wetlands. The gardens include an extensive collection of cacti. Visitors may be surprised at the extent of the collection (and Mexico's astounding biodiversity --- the country is home to more plant and animal species than both the United States and Canada combined). free. (updated Mar 2023)
• 🌍 Estadio Olimpico Universitario (Olympic Stadium), Av. de los Insurgentes Sur S/N, C.U, ☏ +52 55 5528 9834. The stadium actually pre-dates the 1968 Olympics for which it is named. The exterior has a large mural by Diego Rivera titled La Universidad, la familia y el deporte en México; the mural was created between 1952 and 1954. The stadium is used for university athletics and is home field for the Pumas soccer team. (updated Mar 2023)
• 🌍 Universum, ☏ +52 55 5622 7260. 10:00 - 17:00 (closed Mon). Comprehensive science and technology museum with exhibits for all ages. Paleontology (dinosaur bones), astronomy (includes a planetarium), chemistry, physics, there are even exhibits that make math look like fun! It's a large museum, so plan to spend most of the day here. M$90 (adults), M$80 (age under 12). (updated Mar 2023)
• 🌍 Espacio Escultórico, University Theater Center (CUT), Mario de La Cueva, Cd. Universitaria. M-F 08:00 - 16:00, closed Sa-Su. Sometimes dubiously described as the world's largest outdoor sculpture, the Espacio Escultórico is a round ring reminiscent of a modernized Stonehenge. It is a wide path lined with angular stone monoliths surrounding a patch of natural volcanic rock. (updated Nov 2023)

In the general center of Coyoacán there is a pair of large squares, 🌍 Plaza Hidalgo and 🌍 Jardín Centenario, which together are the center for a lot of the activity in the area. On Saturdays and Sundays, there's an open-air market in the squares, mostly focusing on arts and crafts, clothes (a lot of tie-dye and T-shirts), piercings and tattoos. With a bit of selectivity, and some haggling, you can pick up a lot of interesting things here, and none of them are horribly touristy or tacky. There are also impromptu African dance performances, Aztec dancers, fortune tellers, and lots more to see. The market square is surrounded by cafes and restaurants, as well as a small 16th century church and a small public library. In the smaller streets nearby are even more cafes and restaurants, as well as stores selling antiques, clothes, crafts, and so on.

The small neighborhood around the Anahuacalli Museum has several nice cafes and a quiet charm; it is popular with university students and creative bohemian types.

• 🌍 Capilla de la Purísima Concepción (La Conchita), Plaza de la Conchita. Built in 1521 under Cortés, this is believed to be the earliest Christian building in Mexico City. As of August 2014 the chapel is undergoing restoration and is not open to the public. 
• 🌍 Casa de la Malinche, Higuera 55. Cortés had this house built for his Nahua mistress/interpreter, and many historians believe that he had his Spanish wife murdered here. Despite the house's historic and aesthetic significance, it is not marked by any plaques as many Mexicans today consider la Malinche a traitor. The building is not open to the public, but can be appreciated from outside. 

• 🌍 Museo Frida Kahlo (Frida Kahlo Museum), Londres 247 (Col. del Carmen), ☏ +52 55 5554 5999, +52 55 5658 5778 (could be out-of-date). Tu 10:00-17:45, W 11:00-17:45, Th-Su 10:00-17:45. Also known as La Casa Azul, this walled hacienda painted brilliant indigo blue, is where the much-revered Mexican artist spent the last years of her life. Admission includes access to the courtyard, a small series of galleries with ever-changing displays, and the historical portion of the house, which has been preserved from the days when Kahlo was alive. A small snack bar and museum shop are also on the premises, and lectures are given periodically. An iPod tour can be taken for an extra fee and if you'd like to take pictures or videos, an extra fee of M$30 will be assessed. Tickets tend to sell out a week (or more!) in advance, so if you really want to visit this site, reserve your ticket online early. M$320 (foreign adults), M$160 (Mexican nationals/residents), M$60 (students/teachers), M$30 (children/seniors); weekends: M$267.50 (adults), M$128.40 (Mexican nationals/residents), M$48.15 (students/teachers), M$21.50 (children/seniors), free (children under 6). (updated Feb 2024)
• 🌍 Museo Diego Rivera-Anahuacalli, C/ Museo 150 (Col. San Pablo Tepetlapa), ☏ +52 55 5617 4310, +52 55 5617 3797. Tu-Su 11:00-17:00 (last tour on Friday at 16:15). Artist and muralist Diego Rivera built this structure to serve both as his studio and a museum to hold his collection of pre-Columbian art. The imposing neo-Aztec building sits in a parklike environment that is one of the few wildlife refuges in Mexico City. Guided tours of the main structure (in Spanish only) are given every hour or so. There is also a small gallery where art, music, and dance lessons, lectures, and concerts are held; check the placard at the entrance for details on what is being offered for the month. Secondary school groups make frequent outings. M$90 (adults), M$70 (Mexican nationals/residents), M$30 (students), M$15 (seniors/children 6-10); one ticket good at both here and Museo Frida Kahlo. (updated Jan 2017)
• 🌍 Museo Casa de León Trotsky (Leon Trotsky Museum), Viena 45, Col. Del Carmen, ☏ +52 55 5554 0687, museotrotsky@hotmail.com. Tu-Su 10:00-17:00. After being expelled from the Soviet Union, and subsequently from Turkey, France and Norway, Marxist theorist Leon Trotsky was granted asylum in Mexico, where he settled in Coyoacán in 1937. He continued to be vocally critical of Stalin's policies, however, and in 1940 he was assassinated in his home. The museum preserves the house in much the condition as it was in Trotsky's last days. M$40 (adults), M$10 (concessions); M$20 (photography permit). (updated Jan 2017)
• 🌍 Museo Nacional de Culturas Populares, Av Hidalgo 289 (Colonia Del Carmen), ☏ +52 55 4155 0920, cpmncp@conaculta.gob.mx. Tu-Th 10:00-18:00, F-Su 10:00-20:00. This museum offers homage to the many different indigenous cultures of Mexico, celebrating folk art, music, gastronomy, and more. They also have an impressive bookshop with art for sale from skilled artisans from all over the country. M$13 (adults), free (concessions), free admission on Sundays. (updated Jan 2017)
• 🌍 Museo Nacional de Acuarela Alfredo Guati Rojo (Alfredo Guati Rojo National Watercolor Museum), C/ Salvador Novo 88 (Barrio de Santa Catarina), ☏ +52 55 5554 1801, fax: +52 55 5554 1784, avisos@acuarela.org.mx. Daily 10:00-18:00. Housed in the former residence of Mexican artist Alfredo Guati Rojo, the museum is dedicated to preserving and exhibiting watercolor painting, by Mexican and international artists. Pieces in its permanent collection span from pre-Hispanic to modern times, and the building is a venue for temporary exhibits. Free. (updated Jan 2017)

A 39-hectare greenspace in the heart of Coyoacan, is one of Mexico's most interesting ecological projects.

Conceived by Miguel Angel de Quevedo in the early 20th century, this park is Mexico's oldest and largest tree nursery. Angel was alarmed at the deforestation he saw occurring in Mexico, particularly in the once verdant forests of Central Mexico, in the late 19th and early 20th century so he became an advocate for re-forestation. Key to his efforts was growing young trees that could be planted in damaged forest lands. In 1913, he grew 140,000 trees in this park. It was incorporated into the Mexico national parks system in 1938. Today, more than 1 million young trees are produced here for reforestation projects in other national parks, with another 1.5 million in two other tree nurseries operated by the Department of Forestry.

The park is a beautiful, serene setting with wide walking and jogging trails, numerous benches, and interpretive kiosks that identify tree species. More than 3,000 visitors enjoy the park each day, many coming to sit and feed the squirrels, which are notoriously unafraid of humans.

• 🌍 Viveros de Coyoacán National Park (Parque Nacional Viveros de Coyoacán) (Metro line 3 to the Viveros/Derechos Humanos station). Free. 

• 🌍 Café Ruta de la Seda, Aurora 1 (cross street Pino, across from Parque Santa Catarina), ☏ +52 3869 4888, info@caferutadelaseda.com. Daily 08:00-22:00. Look for a small, green stucco building, without even a sign over the door, with the only indication that it's a cafe in this residential neighborhood are the tables and chairs out on the sidewalk. True to its hippie, progressive environment, this tiny cafe serves organic pastries and coffee, and has some Indian food on the menu (samosas, mango lassi). Try the green tea cake with ice cream, also made of green tea. M$20-$50. 
• 🌍 Café El Jarocho, Calle Cuauhtémoc 134 (corner of Caballocalco/Allende and Cuauhtémoc), ☏ +52 55 5554 5418. Su-Th 06:30-01:00, F Sa 06:30-02:00. This is a very old, family-owned coffee roaster's shop, and there are now at least three locations in Coyoacán. They have really good and cheap coffee, bad and cheap tortas (sandwiches in French bread), and reasonably standard American-style donuts. There are benches on the sidewalk just outside the Jarocho shops where you can sit to drink your coffee, or you can do like everyone else in Coyoacán and just stroll around the park with your Jarocho foam cup in your hand. On weekends, expect to wait in line to order your coffee. A long wait in line for coffee, a bag of fresh churros, and a conversation in Coyoacán's plaza is a quintessential Mexico City date. M$10-20. 
• 🌍 Bizarro Café, Cuauhtemoc 168a (between Centenario and Aguayo), ☏ +52 55 5659 8453, bizarromx@hotmail.com. M-W 09:00-24:00, Th-Sa 09:00-02:00, Su 03:00-24:00. A comfortable goth hangout. There is a really good bakery next door. M$30-100. 
• 🌍 La Selva Café, Jardín del Centenario 4 (next to the church atrium, at the back of the archway), ☏ +52 55 5554 4070. Open daily. A perennial student hangout, also serving baguettes and cakes. M$50-100. 

• 🌍 El Morral, Caballocalco (20m N of Plaza Hidalgo). Daily. Very good Mexican food. Don't miss the chiles en nogada, large chiles stuffed with ground beef, raisins, and nuts, and covered with a nut cream sauce. Their hand-made tortillas are fantastic. Service can be a bit slow though. M$100-300. 
• 🌍 El Jardin del Pulpo, Mercado Coyoacan, Malintzin 89 L24-25 (catty-corner from La Casa Azul). Daily 10:00-18:00. The "Octopus's Garden" is a casual marisqueria, or seafood place, featuring ceviche, seafood paella, whole roast fish, and even fish and chips. Dining is cafeteria-style at long tables under an awning. If you want fresh juices, agua frescas, or ice cream, those are available from two shops next door. M$50-300. 
• 🌍 Los Danzantes, Plaza Jardin Centenario 12 (on the corner of the main market square), ☏ +52 55 6585 2477, coyoacan@losdanzantes.com. M-W 12:30-23:00, Th 12:30-24:00, F Sa 09:00-01:00, Su 09:00-23:00. Somewhat pricey modern international cuisine with twists on traditional Mexican dishes. They also bottle and sell their own brand of mezcál. Try the seafood-chipotle chili soup, the goat cheese-filled chicken breast with chipotle chili sauce, and, if you can afford the $200 price tag, the escamoles (ant eggs) sol azteca as a starter (small, but can be shared between two people). M$250-500. (updated May 2016)
• 🌍 La Coyoacana, Higuera 14 (60m W of Plaza Hidalgo), ☏ +52 55 5658 5337. M-Sa 13:00-24:00. Very good Mexican food and good drinking with the locals; Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera used to spend time here. Don't miss the "Mole," "Michele's favorite" or carne tartara. Their hand-made tortillas are fantastic. Service is good, make friends with the Meseros; they are cool. Mariachis and a garden terrace also appeal. M$100-300. 
• 🌍 La Bipolar (La Bipo), Malintzin 155, ☏ +52 55 5484 8230. Su-Tu 13:00-23:00, W 13:00-24:00, Th-Sa 13:00-02:00. A tacky-fun restaurant/cantina owned by Mexican actor Diego Luna. Good place to go for drinks and a light meal. Try the shrimp burrito. M$50-100 for main course. 
• 🌍 Taro, Av Universidad 1861 (a block and a half from Miguel Ángel de Quevedo, going towards the UNAM campus, across the street from the Novo bookstore and the Pasteur pharmacy), ☏ +52 55 5661 4083. M-Th 13:00-22:30, F Sa 13:00-23:00, Su 13:00-21:00. Probably the best Japanese food in Mexico City, owned by Japanese. Many Japanese people come here for lunch and dinner, so they attest to the authenticity of the meals – you won't find maki rolls with cream cheese here. Don't miss their spicy octopus entrée and the ice-cream tempura for dessert. M$150-300. 

• 🌍 Taquería Aguayo 1, Aguayo, approx. No. 14 (about 100m north of Plaza Hidalgo). Just off of the Plaza Hidalgo, this little hole in the wall has some of the best traditional food in Mexico City. Their flautas are especially delicious, both the cheese (queso) and steak (barbacoa) variety. A tight squeeze (they don't seat very many), but well worth it, and very clean. An order of flautas (brings 4) is $28 MXN ($7 apiece – best deal anywhere for something this good); quesadillas and tostadas are $7 each, and tacos $10; they also offer tortas and other traditional dishes. Very fast, efficient service. Located on Aguayo, north of the Plaza Hidalgo. If you are in the Jardín Hidalgo, with your back to the garden/kiosk and facing the colonial Casa Municipal, head left in front of the Casa Municipal and make a right on Aguayo (round the corner where the Banamex is). Stay on the right sidewalk; the taquería will be past the Restaurant El Tizoncito and Rosticería Molinos, and across the street from a BANORTE. A red awning hangs in front; the name is found only on the menu board inside. M$5-12. 
• 🌍 Las Nieves de Coyoacán, Carrillo Puerto (across the street from Plaza Hidalgo, 30 meters from Jardín Centenario). Daily. One of the best sorbets in the city. Try the ones made from exotic fruits: guanábana, zapote, maracuya, tuna (cactus fruit). The coconut-flavored paletas (popsicles) are also a treat. M$20-50. 
• 🌍 Tepoznieves (Nieves el Tepozteco), Av Francisco Sosa 1, Local 1 (a few steps away from Las Nieves de Coyoacán). Daily 09:00-21:00. Features excellent flavors such as Beso de Angel (angel kiss), Mil Floes (thousand flowers) and spicy sorbets! (updated Jan 2017)
• 🌍 Churrería General de la República, Ignacio Allende 38 (near cross-street Cuauhtémoc). Churros are not too popular in Mexico City, but there are a number of places in Coyoacán (including street stands) that have them. The Churreria is a good place with excellent churros and you can fill it with a number of ingredients, like chocolate, fresa (strawberry), durazno (peach), lechera (milk), zarzamora (blackberry) and more. M$7-$10. 
• Street food. The main plaza, at different times of the year, might have street food vendors that sell extremely good flautas (long, deep fried tacos), as well as buñuelos (deep fried sugar-coated bread), esquites, and elotes (corn with chile, mayonnaise, lime, and cheese). 
• 🌍 El Chupacabras, Close to Metro Coyoacán (Under the highway at the intersection of Churubusco and Universidad). Open 24 hours. These are some of the most famous street tacos in Mexico City. Their speciality is the chupacabra taco, a combination of pork, beef and a 'secret ingredient'.