Plaza del Zócalo (map) is the common name of the main square in central Mexico City. Prior to the colonial period, it was the main ceremonial center in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan.

It has been a gathering place for Mexicans since Aztec times, having been the site of Mexican ceremonies, the swearing-in of viceroys, royal proclamations, military parades, Independence ceremonies, and modern religious events such as the festivals of Holy Week and Corpus Christi.

The site is just one block southwest of the Templo Mayor, which, according to Aztec legend and mythology, was considered the center of the universe.

The modern Zócalo in Mexico City is 57,600 m2 (240 m × 240 m). It is bordered by the *Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral (map) to the north, the National Palace (map) to the east, the Federal District buildings to the south and the Old Portal de Mercaderes to the west, the Nacional Monte de Piedad building at the north-west corner, with the *Templo Mayor site (map) to the northeast, just outside view.

In the centre is a flagpole with an enormous Mexican flag ceremoniously raised and lowered each day and carried into the National Palace. There is an entrance to the Metro station “Zócalo/Tenochtitlan” located at the north-east corner of the square but no sign above ground indicates its presence.

Prior to the conquest, the area that the Zócalo occupies was open space, in the center of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan. It was bordered to the east by Moctezuma II’s “New Houses” or Palace (which would become the National Palace) and to the west by the “Old Houses”, the palace of Axayacatl (1469–1481) where the Emperor Ahuitzotl, Moctezuma’s uncle and immediate predecessor also lived.

Metro (subway systems) • Metrobús • Trolley buses • Tren Ligero (Light rail) – The city government operates the Metro and Metrobús bus rapid transit system, which are cheap and reliable but can be very crowded during rush hour. It also operates a light rail line, RTP bus system and electric trolleybuses.

Buscaturuta (“Busca Tu Ruta,” or “Find Your Route”), which serves all of Mexico, uses a Google Maps interface and allows you to search with incomplete addresses.

⇒ Also сheck оut мore info: Getting Around (thecity.mx)

BUS: mexicoautobuses.com + ClickBus. If traveling by bus, be sure to take the express (first class) buses (directo, sin escalas, primera clase), if available ⇒ ADO, Primera Plus, and ETN.

TRAIN: Amtrak (San Diego, Yuma, Del Rio и El Paso). The only available passenger train is the Chihuahua al Pacific Railway (CHEPE) operated by Ferromex between Los Mochis and the city of Chihuahua, through the Copper Canyon.

AIRPORT: aeropuertosgap.com.mx – operates 12 airports in the Pacific region of Mexico. + Benito Juárez International Airport • Licenciado Adolfo López Mateos International Airport.

FERRY: Ferries Mexico – Offers information on ferry services in Mexico, including routes, schedules, and fares.

The most detailed Mexico City travel guide to the historic center! We go for a walk from the Zocalo to Alameda Central, the most important square and the most important park in downtown Ciudad de Mexico, showing you all the areas you should visit. From the Metropolitan Cathedral and Templo Mayor to Torre Latinoamericana and Palacio de Bellas Artes, you’ll be amazed to discover how culturally rich and well-maintained Mexico City’s historic center is.

⇒ video source: Renata Pereira / youtube.com /

A foreign national wishing to enter Mexico must obtain a visa unless they are a citizen of one of the 68 eligible visa-exempt countries.

Chichén Itzá is the largest of the archaeological cities of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico.

The multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pray for and to remember friends and family members who have died.