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Coyoacán: What to do in the coolest neighborhood in Mexico City

Of all the possible tours in Mexico City My favorite neighborhood has always been Coyoacán, because it feels like you’re in a small town in the countryside. All this within one of the most populous cities in the world. Everyone always recommends that you go to this picturesque neighborhood, but no one tells you exactly what to do in Coyoacán, a tourist area in the south of Mexico City that preserves its charm and small-town flavor.

The center of Coyoacán is not suitable for those who want to avoid the hustle and bustle, because it is always very crowded. Even on a Monday, you will find almost everything open, even the bars and cantinas. But let's start from scratch, because before you know what to do in Coyoacán, you need to have a clear idea of ​​how to get there. Let's go!

Rafael Couto
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How to get to the center of Coyoacán?

taxi to coyoacán summary

By car (Uber)

Forgive me if you prefer the comfort of a car, but getting to Coyoacán this way is very complicated, but not because you will get lost, the route is simple. The craziest part is the traffic in the center and finding parking, which, if you can find it, will be expensive and far from the center. If you want to go by Uber, it might be a good idea, but Coyoacán is far from the city center. downtown Mexico City.

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By minibus

It's an option that requires a bit of work, but it works. You can take it from the Taxqueña metro station (line 2), Miguel Ángel de Quevedo metro station or Coyoacán metro station (line 3).

By subway

If you’re going to Coyoacán with comfortable shoes, this is the best option. From the Coyoacán metro (line 3), you have to walk a few blocks to the center. However, after crossing Río Churubusco Avenue and taking Mexico Avenue, the panorama changes completely and the tourist scene begins among beautiful mansions that seem stuck in time. There’s no way to get lost, just ask anyone in the Centenario Garden.

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What to do in Coyoacán?

There is a lot to do in Coyoacán and a lot to see. There are a huge number of restaurants, bars, cantinas (old-fashioned pubs), bookstores, parks, shops and galleries. Here are some of the most interesting things to see in this neighborhood.

Visit the church and convent of San Juan Bautista

What to do in Coyoacan

Convent of San Juan Bautista

Inside it is charming and outside it will make you want to get married there. Franciscan monks built it and it took 30 years to complete the two stages of construction. They started in 1522 and finished in 1552.

Its beauty has withstood several reconstructions, renovations, the opening of new streets, the existence of a cemetery and even an orchard.

Take the classic photo at Coyote Fountain

coyoacán mexico city

Coyoacán in Nahuatl means “place of coyotes” because it used to be a place where many of these animals were concentrated.

A legend tells that a Franciscan friar from the old convent of San Juan Bautista once saved the life of one of the coyotes and, in gratitude, brought him chickens from time to time.

The Coyote Fountain is located in the Jardim Centenário and is a work by artist Gabriel Ponzanelli. Here you will find numerous street artists, from mimes to musicians.

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Have your palm read at the Centennial Garden

coyoacan history

And right there, in Jardim Centenário, everything happens. It is surrounded by restaurants, ice cream shops and bars and is a good meeting point, especially if you are lucky enough to find an empty bench to sit and enjoy the atmosphere.

Don't be surprised if you come across a fortune teller who offers to read your palm or tarot, a seller of balloons or caramel apples.

It is called the Centennial Garden in commemoration of the first 100 years of Mexico's independence during the government of Don Porfirio Díaz. It is definitely worth spending a few hours here!

Eating at the Coyoacán Market

Coyoacan Market

The Coyoacán Market, located on Ignacio Allende Street, is famous for its variety of fancy stalls and Mexican decorations, depending on the season.

But a must-see is the food and breakfast. The hard part will be deciding between a good barbecue, Dona Lucha's quesadillas, a trio of the most famous toasts or a good shrimp cocktail at Octopus Garden.

Visit the Blue House, Frida Kahlo Museum

You don't have to be a fan of his work. Frida Kahlo to visit the house museum, although it is recommended to visit it during the week to enjoy it better.

Although Frida Kahlo had different homes in Mexico and abroad, it is said that she always returned to her old family home in Coyoacán, where she also lived with Diego Rivera.

The house became a museum in 1958, 4 years after Frida's death, today you can see some of her work there and learn many of her interesting stories.

It is located at Londres 247, in the Del Carmen neighborhood, just a few steps from the center of Coyoacán. They are open on Tuesdays from 10am to 17pm, Wednesdays from 11am to 17:30pm and Thursday through Sunday from 10am to 17:30pm.

Visiting this museum is one of the most popular activities to do in Coyoacán.

Have a coffee at El Jarocho

What to do in Mexico City

The traditional El Jarocho café opened in 1953 in a small location on Calle Aguayo, although today you can find branches in Coyoacán.

It started out selling seeds, grains and fruits from Veracruz, but its owners, Don Gil and Doña Bertha, realized that something was missing to please their customers' palates.

The business grew rapidly under his son Víctor and today the herbal teas, hot chocolate and, most importantly, the delicious Milanese cheese cake are also famous.

Find a branch on Av. México or Cuauhtémoc Street, in the center of Coyoacán, and if you want to go early in the morning, go to the branch at Calz. Taxqueña 1535, open 24 hours.

Trying a coffee from El Jarocho is definitely one of the most delicious things to do in Coyoacán.

Buy handicrafts at the Mercado de Artesanías de Coyoacán

Coyoacán Crafts Market

One of the most popular things to do in Coyoacán is to buy everything, whether in shops and boutiques, at craft stalls or at the Mexican artisans market, located in front of Hidalgo Garden, on Felipe Carrillo Puerto Street.

Even on weekends, you can take part in craft workshops such as pottery, woodworking, glass painting, weaving, embroidery, etc. for a small fee. You can't miss the scale wooden boat building workshop.

You can also find clothes, jewelry, books, sweets and food on its two levels. It opens every day and closes around 23:00 pm.

Have an ice cream in La Conchita square

Plaza La Conchita Mexico City

Plaza de la Conchita is not right in the center, you have to walk through some small streets, but visiting it to enjoy the tranquility is one of the best things to do in Coyoacán.

There is the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception Church La Conchita, built by order of Hernán Cortés on a pre-Hispanic ceremonial center. Every December 8th, the patronal feast is celebrated and it is only on this day that great excitement can be seen in the area. Both the square and the church have been officially Historic Monuments of Mexico since 1932.

The ice creams on Calle Higuera are a tradition and a classic to enjoy on the benches in the square and on Calle Fernández Leal is the bookstore of the Elena Garro Cultural Center, where artistic and cultural presentations are held.

Take a ride on the Coyoacán tourist tram

Mexico City Tours

This tram is unmistakable. It is not a double-decker truck with a recorder that tells the views of the places of interest, it is really an old tram and no matter if it is the first time you visit Coyoacán, it is always a pleasant surprise.

The 35-minute tour will take you to iconic places that have marked the history of the neighborhood and, in the evening, you can book the stories and legends tour.

The traditional route begins on Felipe Carrillo Puerto Street, between the Hidalgo and Centenario Gardens, continues along Aguayo to Londres Street and continues to Río Churubusco on Abasolo Street to reach the León Trotsky Museum.

It continues along Gómez Farías to Plaza de la Conchita and returns to the center of Coyoacán via Fernández Leal and Avenida Hidalgo. Afterwards, it takes you to the Coyoacán nurseries and enters the center again via Francisco Sosa Street, where the Church of Panzacola is located.

It passes near the Watercolor Museum and reaches Plaza de Santa Catarina and the Casa de Cultura Jesús Reyes Heroles, ending at the same place where the tour began.

You can take a tour starting at 10am or 18:30pm if you prefer to learn about the legends of Coyoacán. The cost of the tour is 65 Mexican pesos for adults and 50 for children.

Have lunch and drink a Mezcal at Los Danzantes Coyoacán

The Dancers Coyoacán

Since its opening two decades ago, at the end of the last millennium, Los Danzantes has become the representative restaurant of Coyoacán, both for its Mexican cuisine menu – which was renewed at the beginning of 2018 – where its dishes inspired by Oaxaca (by chef César López) stand out.

You can't miss the mezcal line of the same name, now ranked among the most recognized of this variety of drinks, which also offers other agave distillates, such as raicilla from Jalisco and bacanora from Sonora.

Located in the Centenario Garden, it features typical Mexican décor – without going overboard, which is appreciated – which has made it very popular with people visiting the historic center of Coyoacán. (Its managers also operate the more casual Corazón de Maguey restaurant in downtown Coyoacán.)

If you want more information about Coyoacán or Mexico City, leave your comment or write directly to Mexico Guide Instagram.

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Rafael Couto

Journalist, entrepreneur and travel enthusiast. He lived in Mexico for 15 years and during this time had the opportunity to travel throughout almost the entire country and the Caribbean. He created the Mexico Guide to show Brazilians the best of the land of tequila and mariachis through his own experiences. Follow the Mexico Guide on this adventure!

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