Plaza Hidalgo & Jardín Centenario

Coyoacán & San Ángel


The focus of Coyoacán life is its central plaza – actually two adjacent plazas: the Jardín Centenario, with the village’s iconic coyotes frolicking in its central fountain; and the larger, cobblestoned Plaza Hidalgo, with a statue of the eponymous independence hero. It's the scene of most of the weekend fun when people congregate on its benches and in surrounding bars, restaurants, cafes, ice-cream parlours and churro joints.

The Casa de Cortés, on the north side of Plaza Hidalgo, is where conquistador Cortés established Mexico’s first municipal seat during the siege of Tenochtitlán. The south side is dominated by the Parroquia de San Juan Bautista and its adjacent former monastery.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Coyoacán & San Ángel attractions

1. Casa de Cortés

0.04 MILES

The Casa de Cortés, on the north side of Plaza Hidalgo, is where conquistador Cortés established Mexico’s first municipal seat during the siege of…

2. Parroquia de San Juan Bautista

0.06 MILES

This single-nave church and its adjacent former monastery dominate the east side of Plaza Hidalgo. First erected in 1592 by the Franciscan order, the…

3. Museo Nacional de Culturas Populares

0.11 MILES

The Museo Nacional de Cul­turas Populares stages innovative exhibitions on folk traditions, indigenous crafts and celebrations in its various courtyards…

4. Museo Frida Kahlo

0.35 MILES

Renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo was born in, and lived and died in, Casa Azul (Blue House), now a museum. Almost every visitor to Mexico City makes a…

5. Centro Cultural Jesús Reyes Heroles

0.53 MILES

The Centro Cultural Jesús Reyes Heroles is a colonial-era estate hosting art and book presentations. Take a wander around the grounds, where yuccas and…

6. Plaza Santa Catarina

0.55 MILES

About a block south of Coyoacán's nursery is Plaza Santa Catarina, with the modest, mustard-colored church that gives the square its name. Across the…

7. Museo Casa de León Trotsky

0.57 MILES

The Trotsky home, now a museum, remains much as it was on the day when one of Stalin's agents, a Catalan named Ramón Mercader, caught up with the…

8. Viveros de Coyoacán

0.69 MILES

A pleasant approach to Coyoacán’s central plazas is through the Viveros de Coyoacán, the principal nurseries for Mexico City’s parks and gardens. The 38.9…