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Did you know there is an amusement park in Chapultepec Park in Mexico City?
Yep! The new Aztlán Parque Urbano opened for business in the second section of Chapultepec Park in spring 2024. It’s all new! And it’s actually still not quite finished, as they continue to add rides and expand park attractions.
This spot has actually hosted an amusement park for over sixty years, starting with La Feria de Chapultepec, which opened in 1964. This park had a few legendary roller coasters, including the world’s tallest (Montaña Rusa) and the first three-loop roller coaster (Quimera). But La Feria de Chapultepec was shut down in 2019 after two people died in an accident on the Quimera. They dismantled the whole place.
Fast forward a few years, this new amusement park has sprung up in its place.
Unlike some other amusement parks, Aztlán feels very manageable and family-friendly. It’s also very affordable. Unless you get an unlimited pass, you only pay for the rides you take, so it is easy to pop in for just an hour or two.
I’m not super into amusement parks, but I am a sucker for a Ferris wheel, so I had to check out the one at Aztlán Parque Urbano. It’s so nice, I went twice! If it’s not too hazy, you can enjoy 360 views of Mexico City.
Read on to learn everything you need to know to plan your visit to Aztlán Parque Urbano, including how to get tickets, rides, food, and how to get there.
Aztlán Parque Urbano Tickets
Figuring out how tickets work might be the most complicated part of a trip to Aztlán. But it’s actually pretty straightforward once you figure it out, and I’m here to help you do that!
Monedero electrónico (stored value card)
If it’s your first time going to the park, just get in line for the ticket booth. Once you get to the cashier, you basically have to get an Aztlán card (monedero electrónico). The card itself is free and can be used for at least two people.
Paquetes (Day Passes)
You can pay for rides à la carte, or buy a “paquete”, which is basically a day pass for unlimited rides on everything EXCEPT the Aztlán 360. Paquetes are MX$400 for adults and $250 for kids. You’d have to go on a lot of rides to make it worthwhile!
Adding value to your monedero electrónico
When you first get the card, you can have them add value right away, or you can just get the card and add value later at one of the many kiosks throughout the park.
It helps to know in advance what rides you plan to take so you don’t add too much value to the card (I have listed ride prices below, but they are generally MX$60-120). It’s no big deal if you plan to come back to the park, but if it’s a one and done visit, you don’t want to leave any value on the card. The card is reusable and retains the value as long as you use it at least once in a year.
Remember, you can always add value at one of the kiosks in the park.
Just note that you pay for food normally (cash or credit card), so you don’t have to factor that into the value you put on the card.
Getting in and out
Once you have your card, just tap in through the turnstiles! There are usually plenty of people to help you if you need it. You also use the card to tap out of the park, so don’t lose it.
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Aztlán Parque Urbano Rides
There’s a ride for everyone at Aztlán, from heart-stopping thrill rides to a classic carousel.
I’m only here for the Ferris wheel, so that’s the only ride we went on and can recommend. But I’ve also included basic information on the other rides at the park.
Aztlán 360
If you are a Ferris wheel aficionado like I am, the Aztlán 360 Ferris wheel is the star of the show, and a definite must. It’s nice at any time of day, but try to time your visit for around sunset if you can.
As its name implies, you’ll get 360 degree views of Mexico City from your cabin dangling 85 meters up in the air. It’s probably not suitable for people with a fear of heights!
There are a few steps before, during, and after the actual ride on the wheel.
Mexico City History Exhibit
After you pay your fare and go through the turnstile, you enter right into an exhibit on the history of Mexico City.
Don’t rush through this exhibit!
It actually has a pretty succinct description of various phases of the evolution of Mexico City from Aztec/Mexica times to the present. The text is all in Spanish (perhaps Google translate can help you), but the pictures and videos tell a story all by themselves.
I think it would have been much better design to have this exhibit for people to look at while they are standing in line, rather than right at the beginning when they are rushing. But it is where it is.
Photo
Right after the exhibit, you have an opportunity to take a classic green screen picture that you have the option to purchase after the ride.
They do make physical prints, so if you don’t plan to buy the photo and that type of waste bothers you, you can just tell them you don’t want to have your picture taken and they will wave you through. One photo (paper + digital) costs MX$120, which is quite reasonable, compared to other places.
The line
Ok, so you got your picture taken, and it’s finally time for the line. On weekends or holidays, the line will be longer (shocking), but it should only be a 10-15 minute wait.
Once to you get to the front of the line, be prepared for verbal instructions in Spanish to ask you how many people in your group, and direct you to a cabin. There are plenty of people to guide you to the right place. If it’s busy, you will share a cabin with others. If not, you will get the cabin to yourself!
The ride
There are 40 cabins on the Ferris wheel, and each cabin holds 6 people.
Once you get in, they will point to the speaker on the ceiling of the cabin and tell you that you can listen to music. It’s actually via Bluetooth through your phone. We never figured out how to get it to work! But you are probably smarter.
Just enjoy the ride and views of the city as you slowly rise up and over!
The gift shop
As always, once you get off the ride, they funnel you through the shop. The first stop is to pick up your photos (they are arranged by number of people in your group), then the gift shop.
Most of the stuff in the gift shop is geared towards kids. I found it to be a disappointing selection of items. But I don’t need or want anything, so I didn’t mind too much.
Aztlán 360 costs MX$120 per ride. It’s the most expensive ride at Aztlán.
Montañas Jurasicas
Jurassic Mountain is considered EXTREMO! On this ride you are strapped into the bottom of a pterodactyl-shaped hockey stick attached to a central pillar. The fun part starts when you start to move forward around the pillar while your hockey stick starts to spin around in every direction. There must be a barf bucket somewhere near the exit.
Montañas Jurasicas costs MX$100 per ride. You couldn’t pay me to get on that ride.
Carrusel de Chapultepec
The Chapultepec Carousel is considered a family-friendly ride. It is a beautiful classic carousel, straight out of central casting. They even make snow around Christmas time!
Carrusel de Chapultepec costs MX$60 per ride.
La Mocha
La Mocha is considered a family-friendly ride. It is a low speed, small roller coaster with four curves—kind of a beginner’s roller coaster. It is designed to look like a mining town train.
La Mocha costs MX$60 per ride.
Molinillo
Molinillo is considered a family-friendly ride. It is basically the local version of spinning teacups.
Molinillo costs MX$60 per ride.
Remolinete
Remolinete is EXTREMO. It is one of those rides where you are strapped into a seat and it spins you around a pillar.
Remolinete costs MX$60 per ride.
Don Goyo
Don Goyo is EXTREMO. It’s one of those horrible rides where you are strapped into a chair and they slowly pull you up a tall tower…then you freefall down 50 meters. Ergh.
Don Goyo costs MX$80 per ride.
Marometas
Marometas is EXTREMO (but according to their website, it is family-friendly to extreme…I don’t know how that works). It is one of those rides where you are strapped into a wheel on a track. Then you spin around while the wheel simultaneously glides in all directions on the track.
Marometas costs MX$60 per ride.
La Rocola Chocona
La Rocola Chocona is family-friendly. It’s bumper cars! These bumper cars are located in the lower section of the park, around the back.
La Rocola Chocona costs MX$60 per ride.
Future Rides
There are more thrilling rides “coming soon”, including some more impressive coasters.
Food at Aztlán Parque Urbano
Look, you aren’t coming to Aztlán for the food. But as far as amusement park options go, it’s not bad. There’s something for everyone.
The food on offer is mostly (maybe all?) chains, including some local chains. Last I checked, these were the options:
- Chili’s (yes, really)
- Churrería Porfirio
- Peltre Lonchería (we like this one!)
- Porco Rosso
- Señor Burger
- Starbucks
- Subway
- Sushi Roll
- Sushiitto
- Titanes del Taco (lower level, near the bumper cars)
How to get to Aztlán Parque Urbano
Parque Aztlán is located in the eastern corner of the second section of Chapultepec Park (less visited by tourists). So it’s not the easiest place to get to…but it’s really not that hard either.
Metro
The closest Metro stop is Los Pinos Constituyentes. It’s about a 15-20-minute walk to/from Aztlán, including taking a bridge over the highway. There are ramps on either side of the bridge. Directions to the Metro stop are fairly well marked on the Aztlán side of the highway, not so much on the other side. You’ll probably need to use your maps to get to Aztlán from the Metro.
We have walked in this area during the day and the early evening. There aren’t a lot of people so it might not feel as safe; that said, we didn’t have any problems.
Cablebús Linea 3
If you are planning to ride the cablebus, it’s a great to combine it with a visit to Aztlán.
The Los Pinos station for the new Cablebús Line 3 is just up the block from the Los Pinos Constituyentes Metro, so it’s basically the same directions as above.
Ride-sharing (Uber)
If you are not up for the Metro or just tired of walking, Uber (or other local options) will be your best bet.
When choosing your destination, look for the Avenida de los Compositores address. They should drop you off right at the front entrance.
Taxi
There are taxis waiting around the park entrance to take you home. If an Uber is too long a wait, you could consider taking a taxi. Just know that “they” generally recommend that tourists avoid taking taxis in Mexico City. There are precautions to take with taxis, and definitely do not take any taxi that is not of the pink and white variety.
I would just check the Uber price first to see what is reasonable before agreeing on a fare (knowing that a taxi will typically be more expensive).
Drive
If you are crazy enough to drive by choice in Mexico City, driving is a good option to get to Aztlán.
Parking seems like a bit of a nightmare—expect to wait in line to get in or out on busy days.
Aztlán Parque Urbano Hours
Aztlán Parque Urbano is open as follows:
- Tuesday to Friday, noon to 8pm
- Weekends from noon to 10pm
They are generally closed on Mondays, but hours vary during holidays, so check the website before you go!
Final Thoughts
If you love Ferris wheels as much as I do, then a quick trip to Aztlán Parque Urbano is a must! If it’s not too hazy, you’ll have great views of Mexico City that you won’t get anywhere else.
Make an afternoon of it and combine your trip to Aztlán with a ride on Cablebús 3, a visit to learn all about corn at Cencalli Casa del Maiz y la Cultura Alimenteria, a stroll through the second section of Chapultepec Park, lunch at Bistro Chapultepec, and a visit to Diego Rivera’s Fuente de Tlaloc sculpture and (formerly) underwater murals at Museo del Cárcamo de Dolores.
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