Torre Latinoamericana (Latin-American Tower), Mexico City
The iconic Latin-American Tower (Torre Latinoamericana) is one of Mexico City's most noticeable landmarks. Indeed, at a height of 166 meters (545 feet), this was once the tallest building in the capital. Inaugurated in 1956, the high riser was designed to house the headquarters of the insurance company La Latinoamericana, Seguros, and is named after it.
The skyscraper gained prominence as a feat of engineering successfully built in a highly active seismic zone and on soft soil, too. Its foundation reaches deep into the earth and the whole structure is flexible to sway along with the ground movement. True to its design, the tower withstood, without damage, a series of earthquakes: first in 1957, of a 7.9-magnitude; then in 1985, of an 8.1-magnitude; and finally, of a 7.1-magnitude in 2017.
The public observation deck on the 44th floor offers the highest vantage point in Mexico City and is well worth visiting. On clear days, it affords tremendous views of the city in every direction, sometimes as far as the snow-capped volcanoes Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl in the southeast. If you're feeling little vertigo, take heart – despite its potentially dangerous location, the Latin American Tower is deservedly recognized as a symbol of safety in Mexico City.
In perspective, there are plans to give it some facelift, using new materials on the exterior, while strictly maintaining the original look which may not be altered.
The skyscraper gained prominence as a feat of engineering successfully built in a highly active seismic zone and on soft soil, too. Its foundation reaches deep into the earth and the whole structure is flexible to sway along with the ground movement. True to its design, the tower withstood, without damage, a series of earthquakes: first in 1957, of a 7.9-magnitude; then in 1985, of an 8.1-magnitude; and finally, of a 7.1-magnitude in 2017.
The public observation deck on the 44th floor offers the highest vantage point in Mexico City and is well worth visiting. On clear days, it affords tremendous views of the city in every direction, sometimes as far as the snow-capped volcanoes Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl in the southeast. If you're feeling little vertigo, take heart – despite its potentially dangerous location, the Latin American Tower is deservedly recognized as a symbol of safety in Mexico City.
In perspective, there are plans to give it some facelift, using new materials on the exterior, while strictly maintaining the original look which may not be altered.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Mexico City. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Torre Latinoamericana (Latin-American Tower) on Map
Sight Name: Torre Latinoamericana (Latin-American Tower)
Sight Location: Mexico City, Mexico (See walking tours in Mexico City)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Mexico City, Mexico (See walking tours in Mexico City)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Mexico City, Mexico
Create Your Own Walk in Mexico City
Creating your own self-guided walk in Mexico City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historic Center Walking Tour
Mexico City is the oldest capital in the Americas and is one of the two founded by indigenous people. Originally known as Mexico Tenochtitlan, the city was built by the Mexicas (aka Aztecs) in 1325. According to a legend, the Mexicas' principal god, Huitzilopochtli, pointed out the site of the future settlement with an image of a golden eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus, devouring a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Zona Rosa Walking Tour
Zona Rosa, or "Pink Zone" in English, is a vibrant neighborhood near the historic center of the Mexican capital which is known for its lively atmosphere and diverse cultural scene. The neighborhood's name comes from the pink-colored tiles abundantly used to pave the local streets.
The area rose to prominence in the early 20th century as a residential district for the wealthy... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
The area rose to prominence in the early 20th century as a residential district for the wealthy... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Coyoacan District Walking Tour
Translated from the Nahuatle language as “The Land of Coyotes”, Coyoacán is a relatively quiet neighborhood in the southern part of Mexico City. Formerly a rural village, over the years Coyoacán has become a rich pocket of art and history in the capital, closely associated with some iconic figures of the 20th century and the tumultuous times in which they lived.
One of its most famous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
One of its most famous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Chapultepec Park Walking Tour
Nicknamed "the Lungs of Mexico City", Chapultepec Park is a vast oasis of lush greenery in the heart of the Mexican capital, sprawling over 686 hectares of land, providing a vital source of oxygen for the city. Rich in natural beauty, historical landmarks, and vibrant atmosphere, throughout centuries, this park has inspired various works of literature, poetry, and visual art, further... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Historic Center Food Tour
A combination of history and tradition in Mexico City permeates all aspects of life, including food. For centuries, food and drink have been an inseparable part of the city's culture. Within Mexico City's bustling historic center, you can find a variety of culinary gems that offer a taste of what we call diverse Mexican cuisine.
One of the must-visit spots here is the San Juan Market.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
One of the must-visit spots here is the San Juan Market.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
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