Paseo de la Reforma – pt 1 [CDMX]

Our adventures in Mexico City continue with some incredible shots from the heart of CDMX. We’re visiting one of the most famous streets in Mexico City, spending today talking about Paseo de la Reforma. This tree-lined boulevard cuts diagonally through the city. It is over 100 years old and today is home to many of the tallest skyscrapers in Mexico City. It is the perfect place to go for a walk, as there are many sculptures and art exhibits to be found during the walk. It’s hard to say you’ve been to Mexico City if you haven’t taken a walk along Paseo de la Reforma.

This street is central to the fabric of the heart of Mexico City. We spent a lot of time walking around the city during our most recent visit to Mexico City. Our temporary home was located in a central location in nearby Santa María la Ribera. Because of this, it was inevitable that we would end up along Reforma quite often. We took our dog out for these great big walks and Reforma was the perfect destination. This is one of the longest streets in Mexico City and is is a can’t miss sight to experience the madness of Mexico City. It is one of our favourite experiences in the city.

Mexico City has lost a little bit of it’s buzz during the pandemic. This most recent visit at the end of this summer gave us a much different view of the city than our previous two trips. Many places like Museums were still closed as we had arrived as the city had just been released from a lockdown. We wanted to spend as much time outside as possible and our energetic dog gave us an excuse to walk.

What makes Paseo de la Reforma so amazing?

This street was designed to resemble many of the greatest avenues in Europe, like those found in Paris. Constructed in the late 1800s, while the country was under the command of Emperor Maximillian, it was meant to connect the center of the city to the castle at Chaputlpec. The street was once meant to honur the Emperor’s Wife, but was changed from Paseo de la Emperatriz to Paseo de la Reforma by the government led by Benito Juarez. It’s importance remains evident today.

There are many incredible monuments and sculptures along this route worth stopping by during your adventures in the city. It is like an outdoor museum. These exhibits are hidden under the trees along the pedestrian areas. Most interesctions have statues and fountains. Despite being one of the busiest roadways it is also somehow peaceful.

In 2017 when we first visited Mexico City, there were many large sized skulls that decorated the sidewalks (this was just before the day of the dead). This has become a yearly event, even this year during 2020. We were happy to hear they have kept this tradition alive, even during the pandemic.

If you have a chance to visit Mexico City in the future, don’t miss out on Paseo de la Reforma.

Paseo de la Reforma [CDMX]