Casa del Arte Xochimilco

What it is. A casa de cultura —a community arts centre— in the Rosario quarter of Xochimilco, on José María Morelos. These centres are the backbone of cultural life in the outer boroughs: free or near-free classes in dance, music, painting, crafts and theatre, taught for local residents, with a hall used for recitals, exhibitions and neighbourhood celebrations.

Who it is for. Residents rather than visitors. It is worth knowing about if you are staying in Xochimilco for a while and want a class, or if you want to see what a Mexican neighbourhood does with its own culture away from the tourist circuit —particularly around the patron saint festivals, when Xochimilco's barrios put on some of the liveliest celebrations in the city.

Practical notes. Open daily 08:00–20:00. Programming is local and announced locally, so call the number listed to ask what is running. Xochimilco has no metro: the Tren Ligero from Tasqueña ends at Xochimilco, and from the centre of town it is a short taxi ride.