Things to Do in Mexico

At the historic heart of one of the world's most populous cities, is the first and largest cathedral in the Americas, seat of the Archdiocese of Mexico, and a wonder to behold. The Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral - or Catedral Metropolitana - is a symphony in stone, composed over 4 centuries into manifold facades, displaying textbook Neoclassical, Renaissance, and wedding-cake ornate Mexican Baroque (Churrigueresque) styles.

Within its fantastic bulk are sheltered some 16 chapels, several alters and retablos, a fine parish church, and a choir, each an inspired work of art replete with gold gilt, fine paintings, and sculptural details. Above it all, 25 bells - measured in tons - ring and sing to the city all around.

The cathedral sits atop a far more ancient foundation, originally built for a temple to Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec God of war. His pyramid was destroyed by the Spanish, who built their cathedral in its stead. As the thirsty city emptied its underground aquifer, however, this massive monument began to sink into the subsoil. It was stabilized in the 1990s, but still lists to one side.

A relatively small Mixtec/Zapotec ruin, Mitla is notable for the detailed and well-preserved geometric stonework that decorates the buildings. The setting is pretty, with a cactus garden and shaded benches. From the ruins you can see the domed Church of San Pablo, built in the 16th century when the Spanish pillaged stones from Mitla. At the gates to the ruins, a small artesanía (folk art) market is home to aggressively competitive vendors, a situation that can yield great deals. Outside the gates, a clean and efficient comedor (diner) serves authentic Oaxacan specialties.

The name Mitla comes from the Náhuatl word Mictlan, which means place of the dead or underworld. An ancient ceremonial center, Mitla includes two cross-shaped tombs, a promenade of hefty stone columns, and an elevated suite of ornately-decorated rooms that were once occupied by the Zapotec high priest. Although theories on the subject differ, Mitla was likely built by the Zapotecs, occupied by the Mixtecs, reclaimed by the Zapotecs, and finally conquered by the Aztecs, who took control in 1494.

Formerly known as Exekatlkalli (the "House of the Winds") the Mural Diego Rivera was once the home of Dolores Olmedo, the final lover of Mexican master artist Diego Rivera. He spent the last years of his life with her here, and in 1956 created his final mural.

It is an outstanding piece, made of mosaic tiles, and depicts at its center Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent of the Aztec religious pantheon. Other figures include a frog (a reference to Dolores' pet name for him) and a hammer and sickle, symbolizing his continued commitment to communist ideals.

There were plans to turn the Mural Diego Rivera into a museum, and for several years the interior was conserved, including several sketches and paintings by Rivera. However, the house was recently sold, though the Mural Diego Rivera, outside, remains in public view, the cultural pride of Acapulco.

For three days a year this quiet mountain village just south of Mexico City becomes the ultimate cultural destination. Between October 31 and November 2 residents gather to commemorate the Day of the Dead, a celebration of loved ones who are no longer living. Travelers make the voyage from Mexico City to the rolling hills of an otherwise quiet countryside to experience this truly unique festival.

Graves are decorated with flowers and skeletons and fragrant incense wafts through the air as residents sing songs honoring those who have passed. Colorful murals cover typically empty walls and stalls selling strong drinks, spicy food and tokens for the dead line the bustling streets. Halls of the local church come alive with traditional artwork and intricate masks to commemorate those who are no longer living. While the journey from Mexico City can be long due to traffic, experiencing this once-a-year festival is well worth the trip.

The National Museum of Art’s collection of traditional Mexican crafts may be smaller than what’s found at the National Museum of Anthropology, but it still remains a popular destination for travelers to Mexico City.

Built between 1905 and 1911, the historic structure boasts an impressive entrance with richly detailed ceilings, Corinthian columns and intricate iron staircases. An expansive network of galleries and halls displays work from the 16th Century to the 20th Century, including early paintings by Diego Rivera and landscapes by Velasco. Artwork shows the progression of national development through traditional Mexican artistry. While the permanent collection is impressive, temporary exhibits are often worth the trip.

No trip to Mexico City is complete without a stop at Murales de Diego Rivera. Here, visitors can see the country’s most famous work of art by perhaps the nation’s most beloved artist. The massive fresco “Dream on a Sunday Afternoon in the Alamdea” was painted in 1947 and originally housed in the grand ballroom of the Hotel del Prado, before damage from a major earthquake sent the mural to its current location.

Measuring 15 meters by four meters, Rivera’s well-known mural depicts epic moments in Mexico’s history and includes famous political leaders as well as commonplace citizens. A nearby sketch identifies the multiple historic figures represented in Rivera’s masterpiece, and while it’s possible to see the fresco in a matter of minutes, visitors should allow at least an hour to truly enjoy the rich details this great work has to offer.

A Zapotec ceremonial center, Monte Albán crouches on a leveled mountain top. For a thousand years, the rulers of the city extracted wealth from the plains below. Today, the ruins offer panoramic views of the modern city of Oaxaca sprawling across the giant Oaxaca valley.

Monte Albán is the oldest city in the Americas. In addition to being unusually ancient (dating back to 500 BC), the site is unusually extensive. In its heyday, the city covered 25 square miles. Expanses of Monte Albán aren’t yet excavated, but it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to explore all the restored tombs and temples in one afternoon; the ruins encompass enormous plazas, a ball court, a mysterious monument known as the observatory, a network of underground tunnels, and a profusion of dank tombs, which were once decorated with bright frescoes and filled with treasures of gold and jade.