In the final days of 2024, I found myself with a brief 24-hour layover in Mexico City en-route to Oaxaca.
While such a short window could never do justice to this sprawling metropolis of over 20 million people, it offered an intriguing glimpse into one of Latin America’s most dynamic cities.
My exploration was limited to the adjacent neighborhoods of Hipódromo, Roma Norte, and Roma Sur – areas that sit just south of downtown and are known for a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
My favorite element of these districts was the fascinating architectural tapestry – where brutalist modernism meets classical Mexican design.
Perhaps the streetscapes tell the story of the city’s evolution through the decades.
What immediately struck me was how Mexico City defies easy categorization.
The urban fabric here weaves together elements reminiscent of various world cities: New York’s energy and scale, Tokyo’s urban complexity, and surprisingly, the infrastructural character of Vietnamese cities like Hanoi and Da Nang.
The main difference being that here, cars and pedestrians dominate the streets rather than the endless stream of motorbikes in Vietnam and Thailand.
The Hipódromo and Roma neighborhoods reveal Mexico City’s more privileged face.
Tree-lined streets host an impressive array of cafés, restaurants, and cocktail lounges that could rival those found in New York or Tokyo.
These gorgeous neighborhoods exude a peaceful atmosphere that might surprise those who only know Mexico City and Mexico through headlines of violence and crime.
What particularly caught my attention was the serenity – these neighborhoods maintain an unexpected quietness despite being in the heart of one of the world’s largest urban areas.
The streets were clean and mostly free of litter, in stark contrast to my home in New York.
However, the journey to Felipe Ángeles Airport, the city’s newer international terminal north of the center, offered a stark contrast.
Through the window of my Uber, I witnessed the city’s other reality – areas marked by poverty and aging infrastructure.
This juxtaposition serves as a powerful reminder of the economic disparities that exist not just in Mexico City, but in many major urban centers globally.
Some parts of the city even reminded me of Houston, Texas – a surprising connection that speaks to how urban development patterns can cross borders and cultures.
Yet Mexico City maintains its distinct character through its vibrant street life, historic architecture, and the way it seamlessly blends the old with the new.
While 24 hours barely scratches the surface of what Mexico City has to offer, this brief trip left me eager to return.
As I boarded my flight to Oaxaca, I hope this brief encounter with Mexico City is just the beginning of a future longer discovery of this fascinating metropolis.
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