In the last decade, Mexico City has gone to great lengths to encourage, entice, and welcome domestic and international tourists. It’s an architectural haven of old and modern buildings, but seeing all it offers is challenging. It’s huge. You could rent a car but parking is troublesome, hire a taxi, which will be costly, or connect with a guided tour. However, nothing beats exploring Mexico City with an open-top Turibus. The Hop-On, Hop-Off Turibus is the ideal way to visit all the popular landmarks like the Basilica, the Frida Kahlo Museum, and numerous others.
The beauty of the Turibus is unlimited hop-on and hop-offs so you can visit the spots at your leisure. They have multilingual audio guides in nine languages: English, Spanish, France, Italy, Chinese, German, Japanese, Russian, and Portugal. Also available is an audio for kids. All buses have Wi-Fi and wheelchair access (one wheelchair per bus capacity). Pets and smoking are not allowed. They arrive at stops approximately every 20 minutes.
Warning! While enjoying the magnificent panoramic views, be vigilant for overhanging branches and getting whacked in the face. It hurts!
You can buy tickets on the website or the app, one or two-day tickets (used on consecutive days). Ensure you print the voucher for your purchase. This printed voucher, not an e-voucher, must be given to the bus driver, who will exchange it for a ticket (the voucher becomes invalid). Show this ticket to the driver every time you get on a bus. The printed voucher is mandatory. You will not enjoy the greatest way to visit Mexico City without it.
The Turibus offers four routes: Basilica Route, South Route, Polanco Route, and the Historic Route.
Basilica Route:
Majestic and sublime tracing history on a bus.
- The majestic Basilica and its surrounding buildings will awe-inspire as it has done for centuries. Second only to Rome in Catholic importance is the Basilica of Guadalupe or La Villa, as known to the locals.
- Zócalo, or central plaza, where the Spanish claimed the city. Surrounding the massive square are architectural masterpieces, such as the National Palace and the Old City Hall. You could visit during one of the many festivals hosted in the square.
- The Count of Miraville’s house. It is also the oldest of the Counts’ palaces in Mexico City.
- Plaza Garibaldi, an enormous street market and a popular spot for musicians.
- Tlatelolco, a pyramid in the Three Cultures Plaza, symbolizes the countless devastations the city has endured.
The bus starts at 10 am at Cibeles Fountain.
South Route:
With 18 stops on this route, there is much to see and enjoy.
- World Trade Center, a massive shopping and convention center.
- The Plaza de Toros, a bullfighting ring but mostly used for concerts today.
- UNAM, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, its faculties and museums.
- The Frida Kahlo Museum. The blue house of the iconic Frida Kahlo. The wait to enter is long, and the museum is rather disappointing.
- Coyoacán, its historical and commercial plaza is a must visit
- Many more plazas and markets, such as Mercado Roma, Avenidade la Paz, Mercado de Flores, Tlalpan historical center, Perisur commercial center, and Cuicuilco commercial center.
The bus starts at 11 am at Cibeles Fountain.
Polanco Route:
A shopping, museum paradise route.
- Arquímedes Campos Elíseos, a tree-lined street following the Rio de los Morales, the hacienda from the colonial era.
- Toreo Parque Central Shopping Center is perhaps the most enticing modern shopping center.
- Hipódromo de las Américas, an enormous race track for thoroughbred and quarter-horse racing.
- Soumaya Museum, a spectacular non-profit institution showcasing artists’ collections, including old and new masters’ art.
- Papalote Museum, a museum for kids with interactive touch, play, and learn concept.
- National Auditorium, a spectacular theater
The bus starts at 10 am at the National Auditorium
Historic Route:
Undoubtedly the most favored route with 19 stops.
- Museum of Modern Art, the biggest of its kind in Latin America.
- Casa Lamm Cultural center and Gallery, a training center for art and literature.
- National Museum of Anthropology, you could spend an entire day here it is so huge with so much to see.
- The Benito Juárez Hemicycle, a prominent historical monument of Greek influence.
- Mexico City Wax Museum, a heritage site housing many historical figures and celebrities, in wax, of course.
- Ripley’s Museum, for the weird and strange intrigue.
- There are many more monuments and museums along the way, such as The Monument of Independence, and Revolution, museums of Franz Mayer and San Carlos.
The bus starts at 9 am at the National Auditorium.
Besides the incredible places to visit, Mexico City’s food is second to none. Do yourself a favor, visit the markets or street vendors, and savor the city’s culture in every bite. It’s a fascinating city with something for everyone.
