The Subway

Learn about the subway in Mexico

Also Appears In: Lessons for Your Flight To Mexico Getting Around (Mexican Spanish) Discovering Your Roots (Mexican Spanish) Living in Latin America Throwback Thursday Culture File: Mexico

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Lesson Transcript

Culture File: Mexico - Lesson 14: The Subway

Hello, and welcome to the Culture File: Mexico series at SpanishPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring essential cultural information about Mexico, Mexican Culture, and Mexican People. In this lesson, we will talk about Mexican folklore and traditions. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 14 - The Subway

Currently, only the three biggest and most economically active Mexican cities have a subway or metro system. These cities are Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara.

The subway that runs under the Mexican capital, Mexico City, has twelve lines that span from one side of the city to the other. This train system has been well-crafted in terms of engineering and design. Many cultural sights can be found at each connecting station, including things such as works of art, or "arte", museums, or "museos" and photographic exhibits, or "exposiciones fotográficas". Even if you don't have the time to stop and explore the station, you will at least be able to enjoy these sights in passing.

As is the case in most big cities, riding the subway in Mexico is quite the experience. During the early hours, such as 5.00 in the morning, train cars are separated by sex. During rush hours, or horas pico, there’s the chance that 1) you won’t be able to get on; 2) you won’t be able to get off; 3) you’ll get off where you don’t want to; and 4) you’ll get into a car you didn’t intend to. The experience can be very frustrating if you’re in a rush or have somewhere to be by a certain time.

On the other hand, the commercial world inside the subway system is fascinating. Within stations, you’ll find an array of stores, including clothing shops, bookstores, and newspaper, magazine and food stands, to name a few. Moreover, during your trip you’re sure run into a number of street vendors, or "vendedores ambulantes", which are selling candies, chocolates, CDs, pens, purses, or even musical performances, and all of this is just inside the station!

Though rush hour may be a bit unmanageable, the subway is still the fastest, safest, and most navigable mode of transportation you will find in Mexico City. It is very useful, as it can be easy to get lost in one of the largest metropolises in the world.