What we can do to have a safe vacation this summer
Collecting experiences is one of our favorite things. Memories become stories that we can tell ourfamily and friends the next time we meet at a gathering, and although we don’t have to go very far to start an adventure, we do feel that we need to get out there a bit lately. We have the rest of the summer to find a little ray of sunshine, but with the isolation still upon us, we may feel that it is getting a bit complicated. Today we will share a couple of safe options to vacation in and out of the city that we find ideal, affordable, and that follow all the hygiene rules. It is your opportunity to take a break from the home office and give yourself a moment of peace and happiness. An Airbnb on the outskirts of the city With gasoline and groceries for the weekend, renting a cabin in Morelos or Hidalgo is an excellent option to save money and spend a few days in the pool without any worries. You can devise the plan with four or five friends and split the expenses so you can save more money. Airbnb homes are an excellent option to besafe since they are cleaned frequently, and you do not need any contact with the outside world because you have all the comforts —TV room, garden, and even jacuzzi— inside the house. Also, it is a perfect time to be alone with your couple. ¡Camping¡ Looking for something cheaper? Then it would be best if you tried camping in a natural park or forest near the city. You will only have to spend on gas and some travel expenses to have a perfect night. You can even make your campfire and bring a guitar to set the mood for the evening. The best thing is that such places tend to be sparsely crowded, and contact with others would be minimal, so it’s a pretty safe and fun option for taking pictures. A hotel to explore the city Finally, we have a plan for you to change your perspective on the city a little bit. We are talking about renting a hotel room in your favorite area for one night. We assure you that the experience will change your perspective of Mexico and make you feel like a foreigner in your city. Everything will be different, from the bed to the view and the services. We suggest exploring La Condesa and its beautiful parks with your partner or a companion. This option is ideal for pampering yourself for a moment and letting others do the cleaning and cooking for you. Our favorite place would be the FlowSuites Hotel since it borders on our favorite spots in the area.
Essential Tips when traveling to and from Mexico City
Mexico City, a massive city that feels like a tiny country in itself. With culture, art, history and national tradition, it has become the go-to place for international travelers. It’s easy to see why, first time travelers become frequent visitors and even, sometimes, become residents. It takes one trip to the city to fall in love with its momentum, its people and the rich culture reflected on every corner of CDMX. Getting to and from Mexico City takes a bit of planning and preparation, while smaller cities or towns are a simple come and go scenario. There are a few things you must consider and take into account before coming, so it’s a good thing we’ve got you covered with our essential tips for the best trip to this amazing City. If you are already here, they will also be of much use. 1. Weather Preparing or dressing for unpredictable weather can be tricky, during the summer months, Mexico City wakes up to cold weather that can quickly turn hot if the sky is clear, and cold again if it starts to pour in the evening. Summer months in Mexico City mean rainy season, so take your precautions and do invest in a good sturdy umbrella, and rainboots! To make sure your outfits cover the changes in temperature throughout the day, wear layers that you can easily play around with 2. Getting around the city and traffic Uber and the metro are a great option to move around, the city has scooters and eco bikes all over the place so you can take and leave them wherever you would like. Scooters are a fun way to get to your destination and they fit practically anywhere. If you are planning on using Uber, we recommend you get a SIM card at the airport so you don’t pay extra roaming charges. As for traffic, you will quickly learn that rush hour means stuck hour. Traffic can get heavy in the morning and evening, typically from 8:00 AM to around 10:00 AM and again at 6:00 PM to around 8:00 PM. We highly recommend you plan your day and transport around those times. 3. Currencies Make sure you get enough cash at the ATM so you don’t have to go back. Even though most establishments accept all cards, cash is still king in CDMX. You will go through it fast if you are exploring the city, its street food and markets. With $3,000 MXN you will very likely have more than enough, that is around $150 USD. 4. Food, museums and cultural visits Please do try the street food, you will find the tastiest and downright best Mexican food on food trucks. Also, do not miss the vast array of restaurants to try, Mexico City is filled with top tier national and international restaurants. In terms of museums, cultural and archeological sites, decide on what places you want to visit, making sure you have the times, costs and exact locations. You can also get to know different parts of the city by Turibus, the Mexican version of the red double decker London bus. 5. Travel Insurance and security Remember to always have international travel insurance, this is important no matter where you go. If something where to happen, Mexico has good health care, but it is not cheap, so your insurance will have you covered. The good news is that medicine is somewhat inexpensive. In terms of personal security, Mexico City is a safe city especially for foreigners, but we do advise to always be mindful of your surroundings, your wallets and bags. Also, be sure to check with our concierge at FlowSuites which areas are safer than others. We recommend you steer clear of local street taxis and opt for Uber, metro, bikes, buses and scooters. Avoid isolated and dark areas at night especially if you are travelling or wandering the city alone, nothing out of the ordinary when walking in a new city. If you are ready to visit the great Mexico City don’t forget to chose the best hotel: FlowSuites. We have three locations in three of the most amazing neighborhoods. Book your next visit here.
Do not stay inside! Here are some museums that open on Monday in Mexico City
Do you have only one day off on your business trip (and that day is a Monday?). There are museums in Mexico City that open their doors to entertain all types of visitors. If what you want is a bit of culture on a Monday, these museums are for you. Harry Potter Museum This museum is quite a spectacle and the best part: it opens on Mondays. Asher Silva (AKA Asher Potter) holds the Guinness World Record for having the largest Harry Potter collection. When he bought his first wand in 2001, he never imagined that his love for the magician would end up turning his house into a museum with more than 4 thousand pieces of J.K Rowling memorabilia. His entire house is made to exhibit the collection that he cataloged in 50 categories. In addition to being amazed by a super imposing collection, you will enjoy a museum like no other. Find it at: Gabriel Mancera 1260. Col. Del Valle. Open: Monday to Friday from 12 a.m. to 7 p.m. / Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mexican Antique Toy Museum You are going to go crazy with the largest collection of toys in the world. The MUJAM has more than 45 thousand pieces that always dazzle and fill their visitors with nostalgia. There are toys from many parts of the world. It has a special room where toys made exclusively by Mexican hands are displayed. They are pieces worthy of admiration that are already part of Mexican popular culture. It is a perfect museum to learn a little about the history of life in Mexico through its toys. Find it at: Doctor Olvera 15. Col. Doctors. IG: @museodeljuguete Open: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays 9 to 16 hrs Sundays 10 to 16 hrs. National Center of the Arts (CNA) This center is not a museum, but you can find many cultural and educational activities such as concerts, plays, exhibits, courses and workshops. It is a forum that is used for the public to enjoy all kinds of art, it is eclectic and has impressive green areas. It is ideal to see an exhibition while enjoying the outdoors and its huge gardens. Sometimes they have craft sales, book fairs and festivals. It’s a perfect place to spend a free Monday. Find it at: Av. Río Churubusco 79 Col. Campreste Churubusco. Open: Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. TW: @cenartmx Mexican Design Museum If you want to kill two birds with one stone, you should visit this museum on your free Monday. It is right in the center of Mexico City, on the pedestrian street of Madero. It is built on the palace of Hernán Cortés and its current facade was designed at the end of the 18th century. It has an exhibition hall where pieces of local design are exhibited, a cafeteria and a shop that is worth your time. It is perfect if you want to buy souvenirs to take back home, it has super original and fun stuff, do not leave without going to see it. As you leave the museum, you can walk to the Cathedral, stroll through the Zocalo or go up the Torre Latino. It is a super plan for a Monday and if you want to enjoy the city center with fewer people than usual. Find it at: Madero 74. Historic Center TW: @MUMEDIAmigos Open: Monday: 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Wax Museum As fun as it is classic, the Wax Museum in Mexico City has replicas of more than 200 famous people that are distributed in 14 themed rooms. You can see politicians, artists, athletes and even businessmen like Steve Jobs. If you want to see them up close, it is a perfect place to start. You can also dip your hand in wax and buy souvenirs in the store. It is located in Colonia Juarez, which is one of the most popular, and if you want a bite to eat after, you will find a thousand options. Be sure not to leave without admiring the old and beautiful facades of the houses in the area. It is a must! Find it at: Londres 6, Col. Juárez. TW: @museodecera Open: Monday to Sunday 11 – 19 hrs. Museum of Torture Only for people with strong stomachs. This museum, also located in Mexico City’s center is impressive. It has a collection of horrible artifacts from one of humanity’s darkest times: the Inquisition. You’ll find artifacts that were used to punish heresy. In those times you were tortured (sometimes to death) for things like being a “witch», being an alcoholic, being Protestant, gay and many other things that the church did not tolerate. There are 75 different artifacts on display that were used for public humiliation, torture or the death penalty from the 16th to the 18th century. It is a piece of history that you cannot miss. Find it at: Tacuba 15, Col. Centro Histórico Open: From Monday to Sunday 10 – 18 hrs.