The Mexican self-portrait artist Frida Kahlo spent most of her life in Mexico City’s historic Coyoacan neighborhood. Her home, La Casa Azul, became a museum after her death in 1954. It’s now one of the most-visited museums in Mexico City. The bright blue structure is filled with photos and paintings by Kahlo and her husband, Diego Rivera; as well as folk art, artifacts and memorabilia from their (often stormy) life together. Next door, the Diego Rivera House-Studio holds the renowned muralist’s work materials, his collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts as well as personal items.
But there’s more to life in the “city of Frida” than artist studios and museums.
That’s the message from the Mexico Tourism Board. They’re enticing visitors to experience “A Mexico City Journey Inspired by Frida Kahlo.” The “journey” includes a number of culinary, cultural and artistic highlights.
It captures the growing interest in authentic travel experiences.
“It’s important to be as local as possible in every destination. That’s what clients are asking for. They want the culture, the food, the authentic traditions and they want to be with the local people. That’s true in small colonial cities and it’s true in Mexico City,” Catherwood Travels Sales and Marketing Manager Angelica Espinosa tells Travel Agent.
Mexico City’s diverse mercados (markets) are foremost among the Tourism Board’s recommendations. Suggestions include the Mercado de Coyoacan, located a few blocks to the north of Coyoacan’s main plaza. It’s known for its rows of fresh produce stalls and stands selling all varieties of tostada.
Also near the main plaza is the Mercado de Antojitos. It’s an open-air food market where vendors sell deep-fried delicacies, such as quesadillas and flautas. Other specialties include esquites; the popular street snack of boiled corn served with mayonnaise.
Xochimilco Market is one of the most traditional markets in the city. Its long corridors feature everything from exotic flowers, plants, fruits and even toys. Visitors can sample dozens of types of mole, doled out from enormous clay pots. The famous Mexican sauce is made from a base of chills and spices, and typically includes chocolate, raisins and other fruit. At Mercado del Carmen in the southern part of the city, specialties include organic produce and authentic Yucatecan desserts.
As well as the Tourism Board, top tour operators are focusing on Mexico City’s gastronomic heritage.
“The culinary movement is really booming in Mexico City. We’re seeing a lot more interest in that. We have itineraries that showcase different types of culinary experiences,” Lilliana Aviles, director of marketing for Journey Mexico, tells Travel Agent.
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| Chef Maycoll Calderon |
Journey Mexico offers a “Market Tour and Cooking Class” that visits Mercado San Juan, one of the oldest in Mexico City. Afterwards, guests take part in a cooking class and wine pairing conducted by Chef Maycoll Calderon of J&G Grill at the St. Regis Mexico City.
The company’s “In-depth Culinary Experience & Hands-On Cooking Class” includes a tour of Mercado Medellin in the Roma neighborhood. Guests sample salsas, moles, craft cheeses, single origin coffee from Chiapas, among other items. After the market tour, they take part in a cooking class followed by a Mexican wine and artisanal mezcal tasting.
“The gastronomic experience here in Mexico City is first-rate and we’re getting quite a reputation for that. We have two restaurants that are on many lists of the top fifty in the world. That is, Pujol and Biko,” Manuel Viñas, president of FCm Travel Solutions Mexico tells Travel Agent.
Though foodies may flock to the trendier eateries, the Tourism Board gives a nod to Los Danzantes. Located five blocks from La Casa Azul, the restaurant was a pioneer of Mexico’s Slow Food Movement. It serves traditional Mexican cuisine, in the neighborhood that produced Mexico’s quintessential artist.