Mexico City South, Mexico City

The south part of Mexico City is composed by 5 boroughs which are Milpa Alta, Xochimilco, Tlahuac, Tlalpan, and Coyoacan. Many interesting sites are located in this part of the city. Beautiful parks and woods, water gardens, museums, theaters, markets, culture, history, and fun are just some of the examples of the diversity that can be found in this side of the city.

For instance, Tlalpan, the largest borough in Mexico City is where the volcanic mountain peak and National Park Ajusco is located. Besides, the amusement park Six Flags is here too. And an important House of Culture with a theater presents different cultural and artistic shows continuously.

In this part of the city, important educational institutions, both private and public, offer their services. One of them is The National Autonomous University of Mexico, accessible via Insurgentes Avenue.

Covering an area of 122 square km, the Xochimilco borough is the third largest in the city. Xochimilco dates from pre-Hispanic times; this word means cultivated field of flowers. Nowadays, Xochimilco offers a series of canals where tourists can ride boats or "trajineras" to enjoy the beautiful landscape. Musicians and food are also part of these rides that both tourists and locals enjoy a lot.

Another interesting site in Xochimilco is the Cuemanco Canal, which was built in 1968 due to the Olympics that took place in Mexico.

Nearby Xochimilco you can also visit Mixquic, a town famous for its celebrations on November 1st and 2nd regarding the All Saints Day and The Day of the Dead.

In the south of Mexico City is the National Center of Arts, which is the touchstone for various artists such as musicians, graphic artists, performers, and cinematographers. Diverse art related events, usually free of charge, are held in this architecturally attractive space.

Coyoacan is a word which means place of coyotes and is one of the most beautiful boroughs of Mexico City. It is also located in the south, though a little bit to the center. One of its most important streets is named Francisco Sosa. This street has beautiful houses with interesting colonial architecture. Besides, many bookstores, cafes, and clubs are situated here.

Several museums are located in Coyoacan. For example, the Frida Kahlo Museum, once hers ad Diego Rivera´s house, is really worth visiting; the National Museum of Watercolor; the Museum of the Interventions, the Museum of Popular Cultures; and the Museum and grave of Leon Trotsky are in Coyoacan too.

The archaeological zone of Cuicuilco on Insurgentes and Periferico Avenue features a 25-meter pyramid. It was an important pre-Hispanic ceremony center.

Other interesting place is the Coyoacan Market where all kind of handicrafts can be bought. And in this zone a major attraction is the Aztec stadium, which is the only soccer field where two final world-cup matches have been held.

South of the city is the zone named San Angel. It used to be a residential neighborhood for the aristocracy. Within this zone, many historical buildings can be found, like de San Jacinto Church, a sixteenth century baroque building, the Ex-convent of El Carmen, built in year 1615, and the Ex-hacienda of Goicoechea, finished in the nineteenth century with a marvelous chapel and colonial gardens.

The Saturday bazaar is a popular place where people come to buy handicrafts and to see the work of artisans. Besides, Art Museum Carrillo Gil on Revolution Avenue is an interesting museum displaying permanently samples of the work by Rivera, Siqueiros, and Orozco, as well as that of current young creators.