University City (CU) Why visit it?

Surely you heard that in CDMX there is no time to get bored, you find many very interesting proposals, discover one of them in “University City (CU) Why visit it?”.

From a walk along Reforma Avenue, a tour of its main attractions in the Historic Center or a getaway to one of its most emblematic neighborhoods such as Coyoacán, added to special dates and festivities such as the Day of the Dead celebrations, there are thousands of proposals to enjoy in CDMX.

Among them and although it is not such a popular option, a visit to the internationally recognized CU University City is well worth it; declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in June 2007, in its extension you will discover incredible sites that you cannot miss.

Where is the CU University City located?

The CU is located south of Mexico City, in the area called El Pedregal de San Ángel.

To have a reference of the distances, it is about 45 minutes from the Zócalo of Mexico City, 7 km from the center of Coyoacán, 6 km from the Azteca Stadium, 18 km from the Bosque de Chapultepec.

What’s in CU University City?

Getting to know Ciudad Universitaria can take several hours and if you want to get to know it in depth, you may spend a couple of days…

Inaugurated in November 1952, it has an area of ​​730 hectares; It is worth noting that a third of the CU is occupied by the Pedregal de San Ángel Ecological Reserve, with some 237.3 ha.

Its enormous extension made necessary an internal transport system, which today is made up of 12 routes and also offers bicycle loans with a system similar to that of its library.

In this property, the National Autonomous University of Mexico UNAM, dictates 120 careers and 92 master’s and doctoral study plans; It has 350 thousand students and 40 thousand academics.

In addition to the buildings that occupy the faculties, rectory, library, etc., it has ample recreational spaces, Olympic swimming pools, basketball courts, volleyball and more.

It is an ideal place to enjoy walks, practice sports, visit different exhibitions both in its halls and museums and those that are outdoors; also on weekends the cultural agenda is wide and varied, with numerous proposals for a perfect plan.

Main places to visit in the CU

Central Garden, The Islands

You can start the tour on the esplanade of its main patio, created in the style of pre-Hispanic ceremonial spaces; From there you can see the variety of buildings that make up its faculties, the Rectory Tower, you will also find numerous murals and outstanding facades such as the one with the elements of the periodic table of the Faculty of Chemical Sciences, etc., quite an experience.

Central Library

It is one of the most representative sites of UC, with a huge mural that tells the story of Mexican culture, using natural stones from all over the country.

The building has 10 floors and inside it has more than half a million books; It also has a map library, a newspaper library, among other attractive proposals that surprise more than one visitor.

University Museum of Contemporary Art (MUAC)

Noted for its design, it is the place where contemporary art exhibitions are held with Mexican and international samples. It also offers activities and workshops for students and the general public.

You can check their exhibition schedule at the following link.

University Olympic Stadium

Important site for the history of the country since it was the venue for the 1968 Olympic Games and the place where for the first time a woman, the Mexican Enriqueta Basilio, lights the Olympic flame.

It is currently the home of the Pumas, a Mexican first division team.

Walking through its interior is very striking and you can also admire the murals by Diego Rivera, outstanding works within the cultural legacy of the artist.

University Cultural Center

It has several venues such as the Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Forum, the Miguel Covarrubias Hall, the Nezahualcóyotl Hall and the Juan Ruiz de Alarcón Theater, places where the most diverse artistic activities are carried out.

Dance, theater, music, cinema, even concerts by the UNAM Philharmonic Orchestra, are part of its proposals.

It also has a good bookstore and cafeteria, a place you can’t miss.

Botanical Garden

Beautiful place to walk, it has more than 1600 species of plants that grow in the forests, deserts and jungles of Mexico, including agaves, cacti, dahlia and orchids; there are also sections dedicated to medicinal, aquatic, tropical plants, endangered species, etc.

In addition to a pleasant walk, you can encourage yourself to have a picnic; ask for the tour guided by experts from the Institute of Biology, visit the store where they sell craft products made from plants and if you dare you can adopt a plant.

University Science Museum

It offers an interesting tour where you will find two lunar rocks brought by the first and last NASA expeditions, its main attraction.

It has permanent exhibitions on water, universe, sexuality and mathematical imaginary. It also has workshops for children, courses and other very interesting activities.

Sculpture Space and Sculpture Walk

The work of the sculptor Federico Silva, this space dates from 1977 and includes a kind of crater 100 meters in diameter, surrounded by 64 rectangular prisms, with a height of four meters and inside there is volcanic stone from Xitle, an ancient volcano that gave rise to to the area.

In its surroundings you will find the Mario de la Cueva Circuit with monumental sculptures that emerge from the bushes, the work of different artists; among them The Serpents of the Pedregal and Eight Rabbit, the Crown of the Pedregal and Variant of the Key of Kepler.

The Salmonella Corridor

Another of the emblematic sites of the CU University City is this extensive corridor where numerous food and beverage vendors are concentrated; It is true that the name is not attractive, but the food is tasty and has adequate control.

Recently remodeled, it offers comfortable spaces and a pleasant atmosphere to delight yourself with some delicious Mexican snacks.

If you want more elaborate dishes, check out the gourmet restaurants located in the CU.