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Transformación: ARLIS/NA 51st Annual Conference Mexico City : Welcome

Helpful resources for exploring Mexico City

Welcome to the local guide for the 2023 ARLIS/NA annual conference. Each tab is a resource guide containing helpful tips and recommendations for planning your visit to Mexico City. 

Get into the groove with preparing for your trip to Mexico City by listening to this ARLIS/NA CDMX 2023 Spotify playlist.

Important: Make sure your passport is up-to-date and check in with your country's government agency to ensure you have all the proper documentation for entering/exiting Mexico. It is highly recommended that you expedite your passport if you are applying at this time. As of late 2022, Mexico City does not require the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (Tourist Card) for air travel. See the Transportation page in this local guide for more information on what to expect when flying into Mexico City's Benito Juarez airport.

Local Guide Map

A local guide map is available with a few recommendations for museums, galleries, libraries, bookstores, and restaurants around Mexico City. Many highlighted locations are near the conference hotel, but there are a few notable places further away. See the Dining Experience and Self-Guided pages for more information on exploring Mexico City. 

Tip: If your institution blocks Google My Maps and you are unable to access the local guide map, try signing out of your institution's Google account or use a browser not signed onto a Google account.

Click on locations to see the address and website for more institutional information. Museums will also have hours and admission prices listed in the description for easy access - see example below. From your mobile device, click the Legend box to navigate between map layers (libraries/bookstores, restaurants, etc.).

Image of an example for local guide map location description for museums. This description includes hours and admission costs.

Accessibility

Hilton Mexico City Reforma's list of accessibility features can be found on their Hotel Amenities webpage under Accessibility Amenities.

The tourism board of Mexico has provided a Mexico City Accessibility guide. The information is available as a PDF you can download for future use. You'll find descriptions for accessibility features for specific restaurants, parks, museums, libraries, transportation options, etc.

You can find more accessibility considerations for getting around the city on the Transportation page.

Climate and Altitude

Mexico City in April will be fairly cool and comfortable. The high will be around 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the low around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The conference will be held a couple of months before the rainy season starts in June, so chances of showers are relatively low. Check The Weather Channel or your preferred weather website/app a few days before traveling to help you pack a comfortable wardrobe.

Mexico City has an altitude of over 7,000 feet (2,000 meters). Visitors who live at lower elevations may need some time to acclimate to the lower pressure and reduced oxygen levels. Drink lots of bottled water, take aspirin or ibuprofen, and go slow the first day to help prevent altitude sickness. Refer to the CDC's Yellow Book chapter on High-Altitude Travel and Altitude Sickness for more information. For a resource in more layman's terms, REI has a basic guide on preventing and treating altitude sickness.

General Resources

Tourist Guide to Mexico City (English and Spanish)

Tourist Information for Mexico City (site in Spanish, some guides are bilingual)

Refer to various forums (ex: this Tripadvisor Mexico City Forum) and travel blogs to get a sense of various tourist experiences.