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Mexico City: Gay Side of History
4.7
39 Ratings
Centro
Uncover the hidden stories of Mexico’s LGBT+ history on our exclusive tour. From Aztec temples to the Spanish Inquisition, join us for a captivating three and a half hour walk through the city’s historic center.
Duration:
3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Librería Porrúa - Rooftop balcony overlooking the Palace of the Royal Duty, the Hideaway Rooms of Frida Kahlo and Los Contemporáneos, former convents, Zócalo and the Great Aztec Temple’s ruins.
- Museo del Templo Mayor - The Templo Mayor (Spanish for “Great Temple”) was the main temple of the Mexica (former Aztec) people in their capital city.
- Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de Mexico - The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven is the cathedral church of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mexico.
- Sagrario Metropolitano - The Metropolitan Tabernacle (Spanish: Sagrario Metropolitano) was built by Lorenzo Rodríguez during the height of the Baroque period between 1749 and 1760, to house the archives and vestments of the archbishop.
- Zocalo - The central plaza. The heart of city and country. The meeting place since the 16th century.
- National Palace - The National Palace (Spanish: Palacio Nacional) is the seat of the federal executive in Mexico. Since 2018 it has also served as the official residence for the President of Mexico.
- Centro Cultural Espana en Mexico - The Centro Cultural de España (Cultural Center of Spain in Mexico) is located at 18 Guatemala Street in the historic center of Mexico City. In the late 1990s, this old mansion just behind the Cathedral was in ruins when the Mexico City government ceded it to the Spanish government. When restoration work was finished, the new Centro Cultural de España was inaugurated by the King of Spain with the President of Mexico in 2002.
- Ex Old Customs - The Old Customs Building is located on the east side of Santo Domingo Plaza between Republica de Venezuela and Luis Gonzalez Obregon Streets just to the north of the main plaza of Mexico City. The land here originally belonged to several nobles, including the Marquis of Villamayor. The Royal Customs office was in charge of the regulation of imported merchandise into New Spain and taxing the same, becoming the largest source of revenue for the government.
- Plaza de Santo Domingo - Plaza Santo Domingo is flanked to the west by the Portal de Evangelistas, which is a Tuscan colonnade with round arches. Scribes with typewriters and antique printing machines work in this Portal.
- Antiguo Palacio de la Santa Inquisición - The Spanish Inquisition was the civilian institution in charge of executing convicted homosexuals between 1521 and 1821.
- Santo Domingo - The Church of Santo Domingo is located on the north side and faces the Santo Domingo plaza. This monastery was established soon after the Dominicans arrived to New Spain in 1526.
- ALLEY OF MIRACLES - The starting point of El Camino Real, from Old Mexico to New Mexico, a trading route and a safehaven for gay male couples.
What's Included
- Digital LGBT+ map of the Historic Center and extra resources
- Local guide
- Downloadable PDF copy of e-book RAINBOW MEXICO: Bridging Forgotten Pasts and Vibrant Futures
- Bottled water
- Tea and coffee
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Discover the Hidden Rainbow of Mexico City’s Past!
Embark on an eye-opening journey through the vibrant LGBTQ+ history of Mexico City with our exclusive “Gay Side of History, Plazas and Temples” tour. This isn’t your ordinary walking tour - it’s a time-traveling adventure that will challenge everything you thought you knew about Mexican culture and history!
- Minimum age is 18 years
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- You will walk for 1 mile in 3 hours.
Location
República de Argentina 15
República de Argentina
We meet at Number 15, República de Argentina Street, curbside, right outside of the door marked with #15. It is the main door and it is not at the corner. It is at the heart of Mexico City's Historic Center.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(39 Ratings)
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Ralph_h
Jun 11, 2024
Amazing Historical Tour - This is an amazing historical tour, so much information about LGBTQ+ history in Mexico, and a lot of Mexican history. I highly recommend this tour to all LGBTQ+ travelers, as you won't find a more informative tour. 3.5 hours sounds long, but it went by so quickly. Carlos is knowledgeable and great at answering questions.
Review provided by Viator
Danted269
May 23, 2024
Knowledgeable History - This is the 2nd tour I’ve had with Carlos in the past 3 years… had to bring my new husband to experience the same tour I did as he’s actually Mexican. He was overwhelmed with awe and emotion for this great city’s history and tragic past for the gay culture. I’ve also sent friends whom had the same positive experiences.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
13harlanp
Apr 27, 2024
Top choice to start your stay in Mexico - The tour was finely crafted to reveal insights into the experiences of LGBTQ folk both before and after the meeting European and American cultures. Learning about several Mexican LGBTQ leaders and the lifestyle choices that allowed nameless others to survive during dangerous times brought the history to life. This tour should be a first day experience for every LGBTQ visitor to Mexico.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Picod801
Apr 12, 2024
Highly Recommend - This tour was packed full of very interesting information that I cannot wait to tell my friends and family about back in the U.S. The tour guide was very knowledgable and even was able to include facts about the regions we were from but in a way that was still very relatable to the tour. I cannot wait to come back to book another tour again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rick_r
Apr 3, 2024
What you don’t learn in school - Our tour guide, Carlos, provided one of the most interesting, insightful tours we’ve ever had. His ability to put modern LGBT life in the context of Mexican history was exactly what we’d hoped to find. If you’re hesitating to sign up, don’t! It was worth every peso.
Review provided by Viator
Jacobo
Jan 23, 2024
SUPER RECOMMENDED!! - To begin with, the guide is someone worth knowing and taking advantage of all the knowledge he has not only on this topic but also on various aspects of Mexico City. I recommend it both for the tour and for any activity that the guide offers you. Thank you Carlos for a unique and unforgettable experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Masaonthego
Dec 17, 2023
Highly recommended!! The highlight of our trip in Mexico City - Carlos’s extensive knowledge of history and his skill at relating it to his audience made this a fascinating tour. He enabled us to see, appreciate and understand Mexico and its culture. We were still talking about all we had learned from him later in our visit. Highly recommend this enjoyable and informative tour whether it’s your first time to Mexico or your hundredth.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
517bryceb
Nov 29, 2023
great tour - We had a really great time on the tour. We learned a ton, and we got to check out some cool parts of the city. The guide was very warm and willing to offer us plenty of suggestions to make sure we had a great trip to CDMX. I recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephen_g
Nov 10, 2023
A great historical introduction - Thank you! The guide was both very knowledgeable and entertaining at the same time. We learned a lot.
Review provided by Viator
Geoffholter
Sep 28, 2023
Outstanding Tour - Outstanding tour. Carlos is very knowledgeable and engaging. I highly recommend this tour if you want to learn about Mexico's history and gay people.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
