Coyoacan
A Village Like Colonial District Of Mexico City That Was Hernan Cortes' First Capital, With Leafy Plazas, A Market Of Food Stalls, A Street Of Cafes, A Sunday Crafts Fair And The Nearby Frida Kahlo House And Trotsky Museum. A Mexico City Neighbourhood To Wander For A Half Day, Busy At Weekends · Coyoacan, Ciudad de México
Coyoacan is an old village swallowed by Mexico City, in the south of the capital, and it still feels like a town of its own. Hernan Cortes based himself here after the fall of Tenochtitlan, and the leafy Plaza Hidalgo and Jardin Centenario, with the parish church of San Juan Bautista and the Casa de Cortes, make the heart of the district. The Mercado de Coyoacan is famous for tostadas, and the churro stands around the plaza are a ritual. On Saturdays and Sundays, a handicraft fair spreads across the plaza, street musicians play and families fill the benches. It suits wanderers, food lovers, history fans and people with a free half day. It is worth the detour for the atmosphere alone, ideally on a weekday for calm or on a Sunday for energy. It is not worth it if you dislike crowds, since weekends are packed and pickpockets work the thickest parts. Frida Kahlo's house is a separate ticketed visit nearby, so book it ahead and keep time for the plaza.
Coyoacan, the old village district in the south of Mexico City around Plaza Hidalgo, Plaza Centenario and the Jardin Hidalgo, near Metro Viveros; coordinates approximate, Coyoacan, Ciudad de México, Mexico
The plazas, church exterior and streets are open all day and are FREE to walk at any hour. The Mercado de Coyoacan is usually open daily from morning to late afternoon, with food stalls busiest at midday. The handicraft fair runs on weekends, commonly Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The parish church opens for worship and short visits, and may be CLOSED during services or between masses. The nearby Trotsky museum and other museums set their own hours and often close on one weekday, commonly Monday, so confirm before you go.