Colonia Lindavista
Introduction
Lindavista is a neighbourhood in the north of Mexico City, part of the Gustavo A. Madero district. Its streets carry the names of cities across Latin America, giving the area its own quiet logic to navigate by.
Getting around
Lindavista sits in the north of Mexico City, and its street grid has a built-in navigational aid: the streets are named after Latin American cities, so the signs themselves tell you where you are as you walk. The colonia is served by the metro, the Metrobús, ordinary city buses, a Cablebús gondola line and taxis, and the main northern bus terminal is within walking distance. Your nearest metro station is Deportivo 18 de Marzo, roughly a nine-minute walk away; Instituto del Petróleo is another option at about a twenty-three-minute walk. Metro lines 3 and 6 serve the area, with line 5 also nearby, and Line 3 is the workhorse for connections into the centre — Hidalgo to Deportivo 18 de Marzo takes about eleven minutes, with trains departing frequently. Fares on the metro and Metrobús are inexpensive and paid per ride rather than by distance. A direct Metrobús service links Guerrero station and Indios Verdes in about fifteen minutes, running daily with frequent buses. City bus lines 104, 25 and Z1 stop closest to the colonia, with other routes passing through, and several stops are within a four- to six-minute walk. The Cablebús L1 has a station at Indios Verdes, about a seventeen-minute walk away, useful for reaching the northern hillside neighbourhoods and connecting onward.
Taxis are a quick option for short hops — a ride between central Mexico City and Lindavista takes roughly twelve minutes — and ride-hailing apps are a convenient alternative, especially with luggage or late at night. Walking works well within the colonia itself, and the Terminal Central de Autobuses del Norte is about a thirty-two-minute walk, manageable with light luggage but easier by taxi or metro. Plan around service hours: metro Line 3 starts early and the last trains run close to 1 AM, buses begin early and finish around 11 PM, and the Cablebús runs from morning until evening. If you're arriving at the airport on the eastern side of the city, the straightforward public transport route is the metro to a central interchange, then Line 3 north to Deportivo 18 de Marzo and a short walk; with luggage, a taxi or ride-hailing car will take you directly to your accommodation.
Three days in Colonia Lindavista
Day one: Start your visit in Lindavista, a residential colonia in Mexico City whose character comes from its everyday street life and its place in the broader story of the capital. Use the Metro Line to reach the area, and keep in mind that fares are low and that the Metrobús and Cablebús are useful ways to move around. Walking is a good way to get your bearings, and taxis are another option if you prefer not to walk. Take your time and let the neighbourhood set the pace.
- Arrive by Metro Line and orient yourself on foot.
- Use the Metrobús or Cablebús for longer hops.
- Keep taxi rides for when walking no longer appeals.
Day two: Head toward Indios Verdes, a transport hub where the Cablebús connects with other services, and use it as a starting point for exploring the northern part of the city. The Cablebús offers a different view of the city as you travel, and the Metrobús and Metro Line can carry you onward. Plan your day around the transport network rather than a fixed schedule, and leave room for the unexpected.
- Start at Indios Verdes and ride the Cablebús.
- Connect onward by Metrobús or Metro Line.
- Keep your plan flexible.
Day three: Spend your last day closer to Lindavista, visiting Deportivo or the Instituto del Petróleo area, and take in the everyday rhythm of the colonia. If you are continuing your journey, Terminal Central de Autobuses del Norte is the place to catch onward buses, and the Metro Line will bring you back into the city. Fares are modest, so you can move around without much expense. End your three days with a walk through the streets you have come to know.
- Visit Deportivo or the Instituto del Petróleo area.
- Use Terminal Central de Autobuses del Norte for onward travel.
- Return to the city by Metro Line.