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Mexico City: Know Before You Go Part of the Places of a Lifetime series from Traveler magazine

Local experts recommend books, music, and films that give you a feel for the city. Also: travel basics, the best websites and local media, cultural tips, recipes, advice on shopping for local handicrafts, and walking tours of the city.

Photo: Catedral Metropolitana
Revelers make merry in the zócalo, outside the Catedral Metropolitana.

The Basics
Nuts-and-bolts information to plan your trip, plus a checklist of essentials to include when you pack.
Get the Basics

Cultural Tips
Cultural dos and don’ts, plus a handy phrase book that introduces you to the language and local argot.
Learn Cultural Tips

Books
Great reading that provides a sense of the city, from the Traveler online Ultimate Travel Library.
Get a Reading List

Music
Compilations and classic songs that put you in mind of the city, from our city playlist.  
Experience the Local Music

Movies
Movies that capture the atmosphere of the city.
Get Movie List

Recipes
A sampling of signature regional dishes, with complete instructions for preparation.

Links and Media
Our favorite Web links and the best local media.
Get Links and Media

Authentic Shopping Guide
The best local handicrafts and artisanal items, from our online worldwide Authentic Shopping Guide.
View Shopping List

Walking Tours
Three select walks that reveal the best of the city.

Mexico City Multimedia

Know Before You Go: Mexico City

Related Features

Photo: Catedral Metropolitana

Photo Gallery: Magnificent Mexico City

Marvel in Mexico city, the oldest metropolis on the American continent.

Photo: Ice rink

Best of Mexico City

Our Mexico City guide has plenty of information on festivals and sites you shouldn’t miss, plus expert reviews of restaurants, hotels, and entertainment.

Photo: San Cristobal Cathedral

Country Profile: Mexico

Mexico straddles the southern part of North America, with coastal plains along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts rising to a central plateau. Northern Mexico is desertlike, while the south is a mountainous jungle containing Maya and Aztec ruins.

All About Mexico City

All Places of a Lifetime

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Sacred Places of A Lifetime

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