Things to do / Highlights
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Also referred to as the city’s lungs, Bosque De Chapultepec is a breathtaking enormous ecological space that is considered one of the biggest city parks in the world. Its name directly translates “Chapultepec forest” in English. Its vast area covers 686-hectare (277 acres) of the metropolis. With its immense size, tourists have plenty of things to do, and a day is not enough to indulge in its limitless offerings. Here are some fun things that you should not miss in Bosque De Chapultepec.
Explore the Chapultepec Castle
Nestled atop Chapultepec Hill in Bosque De Chapultepec, Chapultepec Castle is a historic site and a main attraction in the park. It was once home to Emperor Maximilian, Porfirio Diaz, and other Mexican rulers. Its elevated location provides panoramic views of Mexico City. Chapultepec Castle is also The National Museum of History. It houses significant objects that date as old as 400 years back in the past. Completed in the mid-19th century, Chapultepec Castle has transformed from a military institution to an imperial residence, and at the present time, a national museum. Inside the castle, there are 12 rooms designated for exhibits.
Go on a museum tour
The vastness of Bosque De Chapultepec offers plenty of activities for tourists. If you are into history, culture, and art, you will not be disappointed in Chapultepec Forest as it has a multitude of museums with diverse exhibits. Some of the most popular museums in Bosque De Chapultepec include The National Museum of Anthropology, The Museum of Modern Art, Casa de Largo Cultural Center, The National History Museum, and more.
Make friends with adorable animals at Zoologico De Chapultepec
In total, there are four zoos in the whole of Mexico. Zoologico De Chapultepec is one in Bosque De Chapultepec. It is home to more than 2000 animals. The animals in the zoo do not only come from South America, but hundreds of them were flown from the other side of the world. Some of the animals you’ll find in Zoologico De Chapultepec include kangaroos, Hyenas, jaguars, hippos, giraffes, and endangered species like the giant panda, Mexican wolf, and California Candor.
Enjoy a picnic by the lake
After marveling at the beauty of Chapultepec Castle and making friends with giant pandas in Zoologico De Chapultepec, you might like to relax and enjoy nature views in Chapultepec Lake. It is a scenic body of water that you will surely love. You can have a picnic in the seating area with shady trees or rent a boat and sail through the lake with the love of your life or your best friends.
What to eat
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Chapultepec Market
Bosque De Chapultepec is not only home to the Chapultepec Castle, Zoologico De Chapultepec, numerous museums, and recreational areas, but it also has a vibrant and bustling market on site. There are lots of food stalls in the market that offers different culinary delights. Mexican fare, as well as snacks, ice creams, cookies, and candies, are all available in the market. Pro-tip, try some superb Mexican street food like tacos, chicharron, torta ahogada, tamales, dried fruit balls, and mouth-watering mango with spicy salsa.
Bistró Chapultepec
Bistró Chapultepec is a charming dining spot and hangout place in Bosque De Chapultepec. It showcases a beautiful modern rustic interior design with wooden furniture, ornamental plant decorations, and floor-to-ceiling windows that showcases the picture-perfect views of the park. There are different sections in the restaurant where you can have a seat, depending on the size of your group. Plus, there’s al fresco dining for guests who want to enjoy the fresh air. Bistró Chapultepec specialized in scrumptious Mexican-European cuisine.
Del Bosque
Offering picturesque water views, Del Bosque is set in an idyllic location in Bosque De Chapultepec, close to an enchanting lake. It is an upscale contemporary restaurant that is built with expansive windows, which makes the inside a bright, cool, and cozy haven. Del Bosque offers palatable Mexican fare. Its menu has a wide array of different culinary delights, from plates of tuna carnitas to fruity drinks. Soups, salads, burgers, and cakes are also offered in this fantastic restaurant.
Things to buy
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Souvenir items
You can not leave Bosque De Chapultepec without purchasing some lovely trinkets to mark your visit to this stunning city park. Chapultepec Market does not only sell delicious street food and snacks, but there are vendors in the fair that sell souvenir items like key chains, toys, postcards, accessories, clothes, artisan crafts, and even books. Whether you’re buying for yourself or someone at home, you will never run out of souvenir ideas in Bosque De Chapultepec.
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Travel tips
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Dress code
Everyone is welcome in Bosque De Chapultepec. This park does not have many rules, and it is not strict on dress codes either. Although guests are not asked to wear a certain type of clothing, you have to take note that the park is big and it has lots of open spaces, as well as elegant palaces. You might prefer clothing that is safe for all these settings. Wear comfy shoes that will enable you to endure long hours of walk. Plus, they are appropriate footwear when you explore Chapultepec Castle. Cozy and breathable tops and bottoms are also a good choice as the weather in the park can get warm sometimes. Dresses for OOTDs are also a thumbs up, as long as they are not too revealing, especially that a park is a family-friendly place with lots of kids roaming around the area.
Wheelchair accessible
Most parts of the park are wheel-chair accessible and the museums and dining spots in it also have facilities that aid disabled guests. Officially, Bosque De Chapultepec is wheelchair accessible park and a fun place to explore, even for people who are physically challenged.
How to get there
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Remember that Bosque De Chapultepec is enormous. You have to be sure which part of the park you want to head over to, especially if you’re only visiting for a day. It is divided into three sections. Primera Seccion is where the zoo, Chapultepec Castle, and most museums are located. La Feria de Chapultepec Mágico, dining spots, Mexico’s national cemetery, the lake, and other museums are in Segunda Seccion. Parks with lush forestry and wildlife nests in Tercera Seccion.
By bus
Public transport is a popular mode of transportation in Mexico City. If you are a tourist who is on a tight budget, you will find bus transport very convenient. Going to Bosque De Chapultepec? Go to Izazaga - Callejon San Miguel* and hop on a bus that stops at **Cetram Metro Chapultepec. From Cetram Metro Chapultepec, it will only take you 12 minutes to reach the park. Also, there’s a night bus in Chapultepec - Metro Balderas that travels to Constituyentes - Gobernador Tiburcio Montiel. From there, it’s only a 3-minute walk to Bosque De Chapultepec. Be sure to ride on a bus with 34-A signage.
By subway
If you choose the subway, the train that stops in a station nearest to Bosque De Chapultepec is LINE 1.
Take a cab
If you have an extra budget, hail a cab for a more comfy ride to Bosque De Chapultepec. It’s easy to find cabs in Mexico City as they are everywhere. Just be prepared to pay a metered fare.
Book a ride
Ride-hailing apps are also accessible in Mexico City. If you are the techy type and someone who likes instant gratification, book a ride from any pre-downloaded app on your phone. Lyft, Uber, Rideshares, and Ride Guru are all available in Mexico City.
Bosque De Chapultepec information
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Bosque De Chapultepec
Address: Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City, Mexico
Official website: Bosque De Chapultepec
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 8am- 5pm (closed on Mon)
Department of tourism: Visit Mexico City
News & updates for Bosque De Chapultepec: Bosque de Chapultepec park, cultural center of Mexico City / Mexicos City’s Chapultepec Park wins “Large Urban Park Gold Award”
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FAQs
Is Bosque de Chapultepec bigger than Central Park? ›
The known as the green lung of Mexico City, with its 686 hectares, is two times bigger than the Central Park of New York. Apart from being an oasis of peace in the bustling City of Mexico, this park offers a whole host of leisure and cultural options.
How do you get to Bosque de Chapultepec? ›The park is easy to get to via public transportation. Chapultepec metro station provides easy access to the park from Mexico City Metro Metro Line 1 and Mexico City Metrobús Line 7, while Constituyentes metro station and Auditorio metro station provide access from Mexico City Metro Line 7.
How much does it cost to get into the Chapultepec Castle? › What is the largest park in Mexico City? ›Mexico City's Chapultepec Park is the oldest and largest urban park in Latin America, and one of the oldest urban parks in the world.
Why is it called Chapultepec? ›The place-name of Chapultepec comes from the Nahuatl language chapul (in) -saltamontes-; tepe (tl) -cold or mountain. The c at the end is a suffix that denotes the name of the place: on the hill of Chapulín. The Chapultepec forest has a history that goes back three thousand years.
Is Chapultepec closed on Monday? ›The park's first section is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 5 am to 8 pm during Daylight Saving Time, and 7 pm the rest of the year. On Mondays, the first section is closed for maintenance. Sections 2 and 3 are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How much does it cost to get into the National Museum of Anthropology? › What is the original name of Mexico City? ›Tenochtitlán. Tenochtitlán, ancient capital of the Aztec empire. Located at the site of modern Mexico City, it was founded c. 1325 in the marshes of Lake Texcoco.
How many acres is Chapultepec park? ›Review: Bosque de Chapultepec
New York has Central Park, London has Hyde Park, and Mexico City has Chapultepec Park, a 1,700-acre plus space home to museums, botanical gardens, a large lake, and a zoo.
See the Animals at Chapultepec Zoo
The zoo is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 4:30 pm, closed on Mondays. This zoo contains seven different biome areas and nearly 250 species of animals from Mexico and around the world. Admission to the zoo is free.
Is Castillo Chapultepec free? ›
Free admission:
This station has direct access to Bosque de Chapultepec.
Location and How To Get There
Take the Mexico City metro Line 1 to Chapultepec station, enter the park, pass the monument to the Niños Heroes and you will find the ramp leading up to the museum. Auditorio metro station is also fairly close.
Comprising 153,075 acres, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is the world's largest urban national park.
Why is Mexico City built on a lake? ›Origins of Mexico City
Mexico City was founded by the people now called Aztecs – but who called themselves Tenochcas – in 1325. The Aztecs built their city on a rock in Lake Texcoco, mostly because the more prime locations along the shore were already taken.
Yes — For the majority of travelers, Chapultepec Park is safe.
How safe is Mexico City? ›Exercise increased caution due to crime. Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico City. Use additional caution, particularly at night, outside of the frequented tourist areas where police and security patrol more routinely. Petty crime occurs frequently in both tourist and non-tourist areas.
What is Chapultepec famous for? ›Chapultepec was the scene of the last-ditch Mexican resistance in the war between Mexico and the United States (1846–48). U.S. forces under General Winfield Scott, having seized Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico, advanced on the capital.
What is there to do on a Monday night in Mexico City? ›- 1- See A Ballet Folklorico Performance.
- 2- Lucha Libre.
- 3- Drink Cocktails In A Rooftop Bar.
- 4- Delve Into Archaeology At Teotihuacan.
- 5- Visit The Witch Market In Mercado de Sonora.
- 6- Discover Museums.
- 7- Learn To Salsa.
- 8- Listen To Traditional Mexican Bands.
Most museums are closed on Mondays so as a tourist it's a good time to organize an alternative tour (like those from Eat Mexico for exploring street food or Journeys Beyond the Surface for culture and history) or head out to visit one of Federal District's more far-flung attractions (think the floating gardens of ...
Is Teotihuacan open Mondays? ›
Opening Days & Times: Open 365 days a year, 9 am to 5 pm. (Teotihuacan is one of the country's very popular sites which do not close on Mondays.)
What do you do in the National Museum of Anthropology? ›National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropologia) in Mexico City contains the world's largest collection of ancient Mexican art and also has ethnographic exhibits about Mexico's present-day indigenous groups. The museum has 23 permanent exhibit halls.
What museum has the Mayan calendar? ›Don't miss the Mayan Calendar - Review of Museo Nacional de Antropologia, Mexico City, Mexico - Tripadvisor.
How much does it cost to go to a museum in Mexico City? ›The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday (closed on Mondays) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is 75 pesos (around $4). Free guided tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday at 10:30 a.m., 12:30, 1:30, 3 and 5 p.m. To avoid crowds, you may want to skip visiting on Sundays when Mexican residents receive free admission.
What do most Mexicans call Mexico City? ›The municipality was abolished in 1928, and the name "Mexico City" can now refer to two things. Officially, the name "Ciudad de México" is used by the Distrito Federal (D.F.). The D.F. is a federal district serving as the capital of Mexico and which is administered by the Mexican Federal Government.
Is Mexico City the oldest city in the world? ›Mexico City is a city of superlatives. It is both the oldest (founded in 1325) and the highest (7,350 feet) metropolis on the North American continent.
Is Mexico City bigger than New York? ›Mexico City is the largest city in North America followed by New York City and Los Angeles. Mexico City is capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of Mexico.
Are dogs allowed in Bosque de Chapultepec? ›Bosque de Chapultepec
Covering 1,695 acres, it is the largest and oldest urban park in Latin America. The park is split into three sections and on Sundays, dogs are allowed to roam without a leash in the first section between 9am-3pm.
Later, the Aztecs came and, overwhelmed by the natural beauty of the area, chose Chapultepec Hill as the repository for the ashes of their rulers. Nezahualcoyotl, the prince of Texcoco, built a summer palace east of the hill around 1428; today he is honored with a statue and 600-foot-wide fountain in the first section.
Is Chapultepec park open today? ›The park's first section is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 5 am to 8 pm during Daylight Saving Time, and 7 pm the rest of the year. On Mondays, the first section is closed for maintenance. Sections 2 and 3 are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What is the richest neighborhood in Mexico City? ›
Polanco is often called the "Beverly Hills of Mexico", having one of the country's densest concentrations of luxury shopping, with the most upscale restaurants, high-net-worth individuals, upscale hotels, and diplomatic missions and embassies. It is one of the most expensive real estate markets in Latin America.
Are museums free on Sundays in Mexico City? ›Sunday is an excellent day to visit museums in Mexico City if you're a resident or hold a temporary residency visa, as many of the capital's museums will allow you free entry.
Are there pandas in Mexico City zoo? ›Currently two female giant pandas live at the zoo: Shuan Shuan and Xin Xin. The pandas at Chapultepec are special in that China does not have ownership. The original pair were given to Mexico and subsequent pandas have all been born prior to the change in policy from gifting to loaning.
How old is the Chapultepec Castle? › Are there any castles in Mexico? ›The Chapultepec Castle, at the heart of Mexico City's homonymous park, is actually the only castle in all of Latin America. If you're visiting the city, this place is a must. If you want to know why, keep reading and find out.
What was the name of the Mexican fortress on the hill? ›The fortified castle of Chapultepec sat on a rocky hill overlooking causeways leading to Mexico City's two western gates. It was the last obstacle that U.S. Major General Winfield Scott had to secure before attacking the city, defended by the 15,000-man army of General Antonio López de Santa Anna.
When was Chapultepec Castle built? › What does Chapultepec mean in English? ›Chapultepec, (Nahuatl: “Hill of the Grasshopper”) rocky hill about 200 feet (60 metres) high on the western edge of Mexico City that has long played a prominent role in the history of Mexico.
Is Chapultepec Park open today? ›The park's first section is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 5 am to 8 pm during Daylight Saving Time, and 7 pm the rest of the year. On Mondays, the first section is closed for maintenance. Sections 2 and 3 are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What is the original name of Mexico City? ›Tenochtitlán. Tenochtitlán, ancient capital of the Aztec empire. Located at the site of modern Mexico City, it was founded c. 1325 in the marshes of Lake Texcoco.
What is the name of Mexico City main square? ›
Plaza de la Constitución
Marking the central node of Mexico City, this breathtakingly large square is flanked by a huge flagpole bearing the Mexican flag. Prior to the Spanish invasion, El Zócalo was the principal ceremonial site for the Aztecs.
Mexican forces, including military cadets of the Military Academy, defended the position at Chapultepec against 2,000 U.S. forces.
Which famous ruler established the Bosque de Chapultepec park? ›Later, the Aztecs came and, overwhelmed by the natural beauty of the area, chose Chapultepec Hill as the repository for the ashes of their rulers. Nezahualcoyotl, the prince of Texcoco, built a summer palace east of the hill around 1428; today he is honored with a statue and 600-foot-wide fountain in the first section.
Are there any castles in Mexico? ›The Chapultepec Castle, at the heart of Mexico City's homonymous park, is actually the only castle in all of Latin America. If you're visiting the city, this place is a must. If you want to know why, keep reading and find out.
Is Castillo Chapultepec free? ›Free admission:
This station has direct access to Bosque de Chapultepec.
Bosque de Chapultepec
Covering 1,695 acres, it is the largest and oldest urban park in Latin America. The park is split into three sections and on Sundays, dogs are allowed to roam without a leash in the first section between 9am-3pm.
New York has Central Park, London has Hyde Park, and Mexico City has Chapultepec Park, a 1,700-acre plus space home to museums, botanical gardens, a large lake, and a zoo.
Is Mexico City the oldest city in the world? ›Mexico City is a city of superlatives. It is both the oldest (founded in 1325) and the highest (7,350 feet) metropolis on the North American continent.
Is Mexico City bigger than New York? ›Mexico City is the largest city in North America followed by New York City and Los Angeles. Mexico City is capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of Mexico.
What food is Mexico City known for? ›Mexico City is best known for its variety of street foods like tacos, tortas, pambazo, and tlacoyos. Mexico City also has many well-known traditional sweets including churros with hot chocolate and sweet bread. There are endless opportunities to find these foods within Mexico City.
What language did the Aztecs speak? ›
Nahuatl was the lingua franca of the Aztecs, who ruled Mexico between the 14th and 16th centuries before they were conquered by the Spaniards. It is still spoken by nearly 1.5 million Mexicans, but otherwise is largely unknown.
What is the heart of Mexico? ›Deep in Mexico's central state of Guanajuato are two unique colonial cities—San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City—marked by cobblestone streets, turn-of-the-century mansions, and convivial plazas. They are destinations steeped in a rich history and lavished with modern-day luxuries.
What is underneath El Zócalo in Mexico City? ›Around and beneath the Zócalo
To the east lies the Palacio Nacional, to the north the Cathedral, to the south the Federal District municipal buildings and to the west commercial buildings. The four sides thus represent four important forces in Mexico City.