"Colonia Roma" a Mexico City Travel Page by gomexico

It’s understandable that first-time and infrequent visitors to Mexico City often prefer to base themselves in the city’s Centro Historico district (close to the “Zocalo”), but for some travelers who want to stay in one of the city’s less hectic and more Residential areas – while not sacrificing access to places of interest – basing themselves in the 103 year-old Colonia Roma may better suit their needs/wants.

Developed in the early 1900’s by the foreign community in Mexico (primarily from the U.S. and Britain), this is a district rich in cultural history and fine examples of the architecture of the Porfiriano period.

Home to art galleries, fine restaurants, small street side café’s, bars and clubs with live music . . . “the SoHo of Mexico City" (which many foreigners often refer to Colonias Roma and Condesa as) . . . it’s a relatively calm district sprinkled with, wide tree-lined boulevards, parks and monuments.

Although many of the large homes in the district have been converted for use as offices, restaurants and art galleries - the area is still, primarily, residential (however, many buildings in the colonia were severely damaged by the two major earthquakes that struck the city in the late 1980’s – for the colonia was constructed on the old lakebed, and the foundations of many buildings were insufficient to withstand the vibrations).

Colonia Roma is well served by public transportation – many bus routes dissect the district, and 5 or 6 stations of the vast Metro system are within a short walk. Centrally located in the city, popular tourist destinations are within easy reach.

I don’t’ think the various guide books cover this area very well. The colonia is home to scores of hotels, most of them economical (economical for many/most foreign travelers).

One of my favorite Avenidas in Mexico City is the broad, tree-lined and monument-dotted Avenida Alvaro Obregón that cuts-through the north section of the colonia.

I've included some hotel suggestions for Colonia Roma in the Hotel tips section of my travel guide.