Hotels near Paseo de la Reforma and Angel de la Independencia

Paseo de la Reforma stretches 15 kilometres across Mexico City, modelled on the Champs-Elysees by Emperor Maximilian in the 1860s. The avenue's most recognisable landmark is the Angel de la Independencia (El Angel), a 36-metre victory column topped by a gilded bronze angel that commemorates Mexico's independence from Spain. The monument's base holds the remains of national heroes including Miguel Hidalgo and Jose Maria Morelos. At night, the column is illuminated in gold, and during major sporting victories or political events the roundabout transforms into an impromptu public celebration.

Walking the full Reforma corridor from Chapultepec Park to the Historic Centre takes about 90 minutes and passes the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores (stock exchange), the Torre BBVA, and the Cuauhtemoc monument. Every Sunday from 08:00 to 14:00, the avenue closes to motor traffic for cyclists, runners, and rollerbladers - a tradition that draws hundreds of thousands of participants each week. Renting an EcoBici (bike-share) costs 118 MXN for a full day, with the first 45 minutes of each ride included free.

> Pro Tip: Join the Sunday ciclovia (car-free ride) starting from the Chapultepec Park entrance around 09:00. You can cover the full boulevard and loop back in under two hours, stopping at El Angel for photos without traffic in the background.