Driving Avenida Taxqueña in Coyoacán: a driver’s guide from Mexico-City-Private-Driver.com

Hi—I’m the owner and lead driver at Mexico-City-Private-Driver.com. I’ve been driving visitors around Mexico City for years, and few places combine utility, local flavor, and the little surprises that make trips memorable quite like Avenida Taxqueña in Coyoacán in Mexico City (you may also see it written as Avenida Tasqueña, Av. Taxqueña, or simply Taxqueña). In this long-form piece I’ll share practical, street-level intelligence about the avenue—traffic patterns, parking and pickup tips, public transport links, and nearby attractions—as well as a personal “wow” story that captures why I love working this corner of the city.

Quick orientation: where Avenida Taxqueña sits in the city

Avenida Taxqueña lies in southern Mexico City, on the border of the boroughs of Coyoacán and Tlalpan. It’s part of the southern approach toward the historic heart of Coyoacán and one of several important arteries that connect the center-south neighborhoods (Coyoacán, UNAM area, and Xochimilco) with the central and northern parts of the city (Condesa, Roma, Polanco, Reforma).

For SEO and clarity, you’ll find me referring to the avenue with several variations throughout this article: Avenida Taxqueña, Av. Taxqueña, Tasqueña Avenue, Avenida Tasqueña, and simply Taxqueña. Those variants mirror local usage and map search terms.

Key transport landmarks near Avenida Taxqueña

Metro Tasqueña station (terminal of Metro Line 2) — a major interchange for passengers coming from the north and center.
Tren Ligero (light rail) terminal — connects Tasqueña with Xochimilco (the trajinera canals), making the area a jumping-off point for a classic Mexico City outing.
Major bus and taxi stands — you’ll commonly see intercity and local buses and plenty of organized taxi ranks near the station.

Street layout and how I plan pickups along Av. Taxqueña

Avenida Taxqueña is not a single tiny alley—it functions as a broad connector with multiple lanes in sections, intersections with feeder roads, and several plazas or pullouts near transit facilities. As a private driver I always plan three things when servicing clients here:

Where the safest and legal drop-off will be (curb space, away from bus stops and metro entrances).
Where the best waiting spot is (short-term parking or a nearby side street where I can stay with the vehicle without blocking traffic).
How to coordinate a quick pick-up to avoid waiting times and fines—either by texting arrival details or timing my route to their exit from a nearby attraction.

Because the avenue sits near heavy transit, I avoid stopping directly at the main metro entrance unless it’s the only option. Instead I use side streets, service lanes, or official passenger drop zones when available. If I’m handling a group with luggage, I’ll request a short-term loading permit or use the nearby hotel valet or private-parking lot to avoid fines or angry bus drivers.

Typical cross streets and connections I use

Calzada de Tlalpan and Periférico Sur — major southbound/northbound connectors that influence how fast we get to/from Taxqueña.
Avenida Universidad — useful when routing between UNAM, Coyoacán, and central neighborhoods.
Small local streets and plazas around the metro (Plaza Taxqueña, smaller side roads) — my preferred short waits.

Traffic patterns and best times to drive

Traffic here follows a fairly predictable pattern, but as with all of Mexico City there are surprises (construction, protests, events). Over time I’ve learned to read the avenue like a living thing.

Rush hours and congestion

Morning commute (approx. 7:00–9:30): heavy inbound toward central areas. If I’m taking clients from Taxqueña north to Condesa, Roma, or Polanco, I’ll usually avoid 7–9 and suggest a later pickup if the plan is flexible.
Afternoon/evening commute (approx. 17:00–20:00): can be slow, especially at junctions with Periférico and Calzada de Tlalpan. Expect 30–60+ minutes to go 10–15 km in peak traffic.
Weekends: variable. Saturday mornings can be calm; afternoons toward Xochimilco and the mercados get busy due to people heading out for trajineras and local markets. Stadium or event days (if there’s something at Estadio Azteca or nearby) create spikes.

How I beat the traffic as a private driver

I use the ring road (Periférico) and Avenida Universidad as alternates when Calzada de Tlalpan is blocked.
For guests heading to Condesa or Roma from Taxqueña, I’ll often route via Viaducto / Insurgentes or take quieter tree-lined streets when time allows to avoid the worst of the congestion.
I always check real-time traffic and metro status before leaving—sometimes the best move is to take the clients to the metro station and hand off to public transport if that saves time and they’re comfortable with it.

Parking, regulations and safety: what visitors need to know

Coyoacán—and the Taxqueña area specifically—is busy and can be confusing for drivers unfamiliar with Mexico City regulations. Here are the practical rules and the kind of local knowledge I bring to every job.

Parking rules and parquímetros

Street parking is limited: many of the central Coyoacán streets are narrow and have restricted or metered parking (parquímetros) enforced during the day. I advise clients not to rely on finding free curb parking.
Hotels and private lots: best option—ask your hotel to arrange a valet or reserved spots. When I pick up from hotels in Condesa, Polanco, or Centro Histórico and head to Avenida Taxqueña, I coordinate with the hotel desk so we don’t waste time circling the block.
Loading/unloading: if you have luggage, I’ll identify the authorized loading zones or short-term spots near attractions like the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul) to avoid fines.

Local driving regulations and safety

“Hoy No Circula”: this program affects resident-plated vehicles based on license plate endings and will affect routing for local drivers. As a private provider, I monitor restriction schedules and plan routes accordingly.
Traffic enforcement: fines can be issued for double parking or blocking bus lanes—so we avoid those behaviors and use legal waiting areas.
Pick-up safety: I always choose well-lit, populated pickup points (near metro entrances, plazas, or hotel lobbies) for evening pickups. If you’re alone and arriving late, I can meet you inside the station or arrange a secure transfer.

Public transport access and why the area matters

One reason Av. Taxqueña matters so much to visitors is that it’s a true multimodal hub—metro, light rail, buses, and taxis converge here. That makes it easier to combine a private ride with a local experience that many drivers never offer.

Metro and Tren Ligero

Metro Line 2 (Tasqueña terminal): the line runs north to Cuatro Caminos. If your itinerary includes downtown Zócalo, Pino Suárez, or Monumento a la Revolución, this is a logical interchange.
Tren Ligero to Xochimilco: the light rail starts at Tasqueña, delivering you to the canals and the trips on trajineras—one of the most iconic “wow” experiences in CDMX. I often combine a private transfer to Tasqueña with timed tickets for the light rail so my guests avoid line-ups.

Why I sometimes pair private driving with public transport

Despite being a driver, I don’t always insist on door-to-door car rides. Sometimes the fastest, most authentic experience is to drive a short distance to a transit hub (like Tasqueña), leave the car in a safe long-term parking area, and continue by train or trajinera. This is especially useful for large festivals, when car traffic toward Xochimilco is near a standstill.

Nearby attractions I recommend (and how I sequence them)

Avenida Taxqueña’s central role means you can build elegant half-day or full-day routes that include culture, food, and markets without feeling like you’re stuck in traffic all day. Here are my favorite combinations I offer to guests.

Classic Coyoacán half-day (Frida plus market)

Start at Av. Taxqueña (pick up at hotel in Polanco / Condesa / Reforma).
Drop-off at the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul) — the entrance is on Calle Londres (tip: online timed tickets sell out; I book these in advance).
Walk through Jardín Centenario and the Coyoacán market for coffee, churros, and crafts.
End with a quick drive past the Museo Nacional de las Culturas Populares or Anahuacalli (depending on time).

Xochimilco + Coyoacán day trip

Drive to Tasqueña and I’ll coordinate a seamless transfer to the Tren Ligero so you hit the trajineras early and avoid the midday crowds.
After 90–120 minutes on the canals (with food and mariachi if desired), we return to Coyoacán for lunch and a stroll through the plaza.
Because I time the return to the car, you won’t be stuck while the canals get crowded in the afternoon.

Extended cultural route: UNAM + Coyoacán + San Ángel

Start in the morning with a drive around the UNAM campus (Murals, Olympic Stadium) using Avenida Universidad.
Continue to Coyoacán (Taxqueña area) for Casa Azul and the market.
Finish in San Ángel or drive back north to Condesa/Roma—this route gives a taste of university life, bohemian Mexico City, and colonial art spaces in a single day.

Insider driver tips: things I know because I drive this route every week

Shortcuts and micro-timing

Timing entries to Casa Azul: the museum opens in the morning and late afternoon slots clear out faster. If clients want fewer crowds I plan to drop them 15–20 minutes before opening.
Use of secondary streets: many drivers try to cut across the same side streets; I vary my micro-routes to avoid bottlenecks near the metro terminal.
Event awareness: weekend markets, local school schedules, and sporting events change where we can legally stop. I monitor municipal event calendars to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Practical pickup and drop-off spots I recommend

When dropping guests at the Frida Kahlo Museum, I usually use Calle Francisco Sosa or Plaza Centenario for safe curb access.
For metro transfers at Tasqueña I use the official taxi rank or a small plaza to avoid bus lanes.
Late-night airport-bound pickups from the Taxqueña area are done off the main avenue in a well-lit lot to load luggage safely.

Benefits of hiring a private driver to visit Avenida Taxqueña and Coyoacán

As the owner of a private-driver service I can say this plainly: the difference between a rushed taxi ride and a carefully planned private transfer is the difference between a trip and an experience. Here’s what I bring to the table:

Time-saving routing: I plan around traffic, metros, and market hours so you spend time at sites—not in the car.
Coordination with attractions: I can pre-book entrances (like Frida Kahlo Museum slots), reserve restaurant times, and coordinate with mariachis or trajinera owners if you want a special moment.
Safety and convenience: I know where to legally load and unload; I’ll avoid fines and keep your itinerary relaxed.
Local storytelling: as we drive I’ll share context you won’t read in a brochure—little histories, best local vendors, and the social rhythm of neighborhoods like Condesa, Roma, and Polanco as they compare to Coyoacán.

Custom routes I often propose for visitors staying in Condesa, Roma or Polanco

Below are three practical examples of full-day routes I plan for clients, including how I incorporate Avenida Taxqueña as the hub or gateway.

From Condesa/Roma: culture and canals

Pickup on Avenida Ámsterdam or Plaza Río de Janeiro (Condesa).
Drive south via Av. Insurgentes or Periférico, time the arrival to Tasqueña before the light rail lines get crowded.
Tren Ligero to Xochimilco + trajinera ride (90–120 min).
Return to Coyoacán for late lunch and Frida Kahlo Museum (prebooked tickets).

From Polanco: museums, markets, and a relaxed afternoon

Pickup in Polanco (hotel curb) and head south via Reforma/Periférico.
Stop at Museo Frida Kahlo

Martin - Mexico City Private Driver
Martin Weidemann is a digital transformation expert and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience leading fintech and innovation projects. As a LinkedIn Top Voice in Digital Transformation and contributor to outlets like Forbes, he now brings that same expertise to travel and mobility in Mexico City through Mexico-City-Private-Driver.com. His focus: trustworthy service, local insights, and peace of mind for travelers.