Chapultepec is a district of Mexico City. "Chapultepec" means "Grasshopper Hill" (Chapul - Grasshopper, Tepec - Hill) in Nahuatl, the language of the "Aztecs". The hill and surrounding district has much significance in Mexican history. The Bosque de Chapultepec (Náhuatl, "hill of the grasshoppers") is Mexico City's principal park and, with an area of 4sq.km/2.5sq.mi, its largest.

Get in

You can easily walk from Polanco, Zona Rosa, Condesa. Nearby Metro (subway) stations include:

  • 🌍 Auditorio Line:  7 
  • 🌍 Chapultepec Line:  2  3 

See

Museo Nacional de Antropología
Tlaloc, outside Museo Nacional de Antropologia
Castillo de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Castle)
  • 🌍 Castillo de Chapultepec y Museo Nacional de Historia (MNH) (Chapultepec Castle), Bosque de Chapultepec I (metro Auditorio line #7 orange or Chapultepec line #1 pink), ☏ +52 55 4040 5215. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. Over its history, it has been the home of the Spanish Viceroys, a military college, a scene of historic battle during the Mexican-American War, the palace of Emperor Maximilian and Empress Carlotta, the national observatory, and the presidential palace. It is now a museum. You can walk up the winding hill road, or take the tram that departs every twenty minutes for a fee of $13 MXN. There are two parts to the museum: the Alcazar (with the exhibits on the life of its former residents – the emperor and the presidents), and the Castillo (now the Museum of National History). Both are decorated with remarkable murals depicting the nation's and the site's history. Don't miss the Roman-style gardens and observatory on the roof of the Alcazar. The castle also boasts a fine view of Mexico City and its surroundings. $75 MXN (adults), free (seniors over 60, children under 13, teachers); free on Sundays for Mexican citizens and foreign residents (ID required); fee for video camera and flash photography is not permitted; audioguide 65 pesos. While visiting the site, you can leave your bag in the locker room near the entry to the site (at the bottom of the hill); the fee to use a locker is 10 MXP (as of 2013). Storing your bag is mandatory if it contains any food or even a water bottle. 
  • 🌍 Museo Nacional de Arte Moderno (Museum of Modern Art), Paseo de la Reforma s/n, ☏ +52 55 8647 5530. Tu-Su 10:30-17:30. It showcases temporary exhibitions of Mexican and international art, and has a permanent collection of work by artists including Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, David Siqueiros, José Orozco, and Leonora Carrington, among others. $80 MXN. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 Museo Nacional de Antropología (National Anthropological Museum), Av Paseo de la Reforma y Calzada Gandhi s/n, ☏ +52 55 5553 6266. Tu-Su 09:00-19:00. Considered to be one of the top museums of its kind in the world, this enormous complex has permanent exhibitions highlighting the development and cultures of Mexico's many indigenous peoples. Also, the museum itself is famous for its architecture. It is possible to spend days here to see everything – delegate two hours at least and be sure not to miss the Aztec sun stone. Bags must be checked; and personal photography is permitted (no flash or tripods). If possible it is best to avoid visiting on Sundays, when it is usually mobbed. A restaurant and gift shop are also located in the museum. $85 MXN (Dec 2022) (adults), free (seniors over 60, children under 13, teachers); free on Sundays for Mexican citizens and foreign residents (ID required). (updated Dec 2022)
  • 🌍 Museo Rufino Tamayo, Paseo de la Reforma 51, ☏ +52 55 5286 6519, . Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. The collection in this modern art museum was donated by the late Oaxacan-Zapoteca artist Rufino Tamayo and his wife, and includes works by Picasso, Rothko, and Miró, as well as by Tamayo himself. $70 MXN. 
  • 🌍 Sala de Arte Publico Siqueiros (David Alfaro Siquerios Museum), Tres Picos 29, ☏ +52 55 8647 5340. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. This museum showcases the works of famed Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siquerios. $12 MXN (adults), free (students/teachers/seniors/children under 12); free admission on Sundays. 
  • 🌍 Museo de Historia Natural y Cultura Ambiental (Museum of Natural History), Segunda sección del Bosque de Chapultepec, Circuíto Correr es Salud s/n, ☏ +52 55 5515 6304, . Tu-Su 10:00-17:00. Exhibits a history of evolution. $23 MXN (adults), $11 MXN (teachers/students/children 3-12), free (seniors/disabled/children under 3), free admission on Tuesday. 
  • 🌍 Monumento a los Niños Héroes (Monument to the Heroic Cadets). This impressive white marble monument stands at the entrance to Chapultepec Park in front of the Castillo. It honors six youths who gave their lives defending the stronghold from US troops in 1847. Free. 
Luis Barragán house and studio
  • 🌍 Luis Barragán House and Studio (Casa Luis Barragán), Gral. Francisco Ramírez 12, Ampliación Daniel Garza, Miguel Hidalgo, CDMX, ☏ +52 55 8104 0688. M-F 11:00 - 17:00, Sa Su 11:00-14:00. The home and studio of the famed Mexican architect Luis Barragán has been turned into a museum dedicated to his life and work. The house looks plain from the outside, but inside it opens up and exemplifies Barragan's modernist design philosophy of integrating light, and nature with open, aesthetically pleasing spaces and surfaces to create a serene and functional living space for humans. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. M$400 (adults), M$300 (Mexican citizens), M$200 (students). (updated Apr 2023)
Panteon de Dolores
  • 🌍 Panteon Civil de Dolores, Av. Constituyentes, Chapultepec. 08:00 - 17:00. Largest cemetery in Mexico, site of the Rotunda of Illustrious Persons. The cemetery has over 1 million grave sites. People are just dying to get in here! (updated Jun 2023)

Do

Lago de Chapultepec

Chapultepec Park has many natural walking paths through the trees. Vendors line the paths in many areas where you can buy souvenirs, juices, tacos, ice cream, toys, and even lucha libre masks.

  • 🌍 Lago de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Lake). There are actually two lakes that are connected, a bridge spanning them at mid-point. Lounge around the shore, or rent a canoe or paddleboat to explore. 
  • 🌍 Zoologico de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Zoo), Calle Chivatito s/n, ☏ +52 55 5345 8187, . Tu-Su 09:00-16:30, closed 25 Dec and 1 Jan. The zoo is most famous for its family of pandas, and has had a good success rate in breeding them. Free. 
  • 🌍 Jardín Botánico (Botanical Garden), Paseo de la Reforma, ☏ +52 55 5553 8114. Tu-Su 09:00-18:00. 5.3 hectare garden showcasing more than 300 species of native Mexican plant life. Free. 
  • 🌍 Pista el Sope (el Sope), Parque Chapultepec, Secc. II. Daily 05:00-19:30. Wide running tracks and trails with mixed elevations. Groomed, chipped clay surface. Warm up area. Very popular among local runners and fitness enthusiasts. (updated Nov 2022)
  • 🌍 Auditorio Nacional, Paseo de la Reforma 50 (Next to the Auditorio Metro station), ☏ +52 55 9138 1350. Venue for performing arts and popular entertainers. Shows include things like the Nutcracker Suite, Placido Domingo, and Disney on Ice. Seats 10,000. Tickets available through TicketMaster. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 Campo Marte, Av. Paseo de la Reforma (Metro to Auditorio), ☏ +52 557 375 8454. Officially a military sports field owned by the Ministry of Defense (SEDENA), this is a well-known polo field where prestigious international matches have taken place, including the World Polo Championship in 2008 and the Prince of Wales Cup in 1993 (attended by Prince Charles, now King Charles). The regular polo season runs from November through April. Information about polo events and teams is available through the Federacion Mexicana Polo]. (updated Jul 2023)

Buy

  • Mercado el Chorrito, Gob. Melchor Muzquiz S/N, San Miguel Chapultepec (Metro station Constituyentes, then 1 block southeast on Av. Lira). Large public market, lots of food vendors. (updated Nov 2022)

Eat

  • 🌍 Alfredo di Roma, Campos Elíseos 218 (in the Hotel Presidente Inter-Continental), ☏ +52 55 5327 7766. M-Th 13:00-23:30, F Sa 13:00-24:00, Su 13:00-19:00. This is a charming and luxurious restaurant which serves slightly expensive Italian fare that is surprisingly worth it. Be sure to try the Fettuccini Alfredo or the Torre de Pisa, which is mouth-wateringly delicious. 
  • 🌍 Bistro Chapultepec, Lago Mayor, Secc. II, Bosque de Chapultepec (inside Chapultepec Park, Section 2, on the lake), ☏ +52 5273 3599. 7:30-19:30. Elegant lakeside dining in Chapultepec park, outdoor dining area available. Menu is more American or European than Mexican, which may appeal to some travelers. Reservations accepted. (updated Nov 2022)

Sleep

  • 🌍 Fiesta Americana Grand Chapultepec, Mariano Escobedo 756 (Colonia Anzures), ☏ +52 55 2581 1500, fax: +52 55 2581 1501. The location of the Fiesta American Grand Chapultepec is perfect, being close to the restaurants of Polanco and Condesa. Rooms are clean, quiet and very comfortable. From US$150. 
  • 🌍 Four Seasons Mexico City, Paseo de la Reforma 500, ☏ +52 55 5230 1818, fax: +52 55 5230 1818. From US$320. 
  • 🌍 Hotel Camino Real Polanco, Mariano Escobedo 700 (Colonia Anzures), ☏ +52 55 5263 8888, fax: +52 55 5263 8889, . This 5-star hotel surpasses hotel expectations to be somewhat of a work of art. It combines modern architectural profiles with obvious pre-Hispanic pyramid reminiscences. It has been the headquarters for two soccer World Cups and for the Olympic Games. It's a true example of opulence and well worth the indulgence. 
  • 🌍 JW Marriott Mexico City, Calle Andrés Bello 29, ☏ +52 55 5999 0000. One of the premier Mexico City hotels, the JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City rises 26 stories high in the exclusive Polanco District. Located in the heart of the business and entertainment sector, this flagship Mexico City hotel is within walking distance to Auditorio Nacional, the city's financial hub, and some of Mexico's best shopping, dining and night life. From US$179. 
  • 🌍 Marquis Reforma, Paseo de la Reforma 465 (Colonia Cuauhtémoc), ☏ +52 55 5229 1200 x4152, fax: +52 55 5229 1212, . This 5-star hotel is one of Mexico City's finest. Built in the Art Deco style, it has an exclusive feel through its high standards of fittings and furnishings. Ice sculptures are frequently used as decorations in this area. There are excellent views to be had of the woods and castle of Chapultepec, as well as the Glorietta de Diana Cazadora. From US$219. 
  • 🌍 Green Park Hotel, Av Costituyentes 99, Col San Miguel Chapultepec,. Comfortable upscale hotel with traditional furnishings. Located adjacent to Chapultepec Park. (updated Oct 2022)

Connect

See parent article for Mexico City.

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