Although Mexico City is the largest urban centre in the world, with crazy traffic, pollution and safety issues, that shouldn’t keep the average Canadian traveller away.

Not according to Canadian couple Anni and Brad Adams, who a year ago, accepted administrative positions there with an international school.

Today they are fledgling chilangos (Mexico City natives), who have fit right into the Distrito Federal, the sprawling national government district that encompasses the city.

Forget wrapping your head around the district’s size and population of 21 million. Instead, the couple suggests embracing its chaos and culture.

“Mexico City is a crazy, colourful, noisy city with charming people and an incredible history that rivals Europe’s,” says Anni, adding it’s one of the most vibrant places in the world.

But what about personal safety? According to Brad, they are cautious when they are out in crowds but overall, they feel safe and travel in and around the city extensively. In the last few years, crime levels have fallen drastically. The Mexican government even hired former New York mayor Rudolf Giuliani as a consultant to address the real and perceived dangers.

They suggest Canadian visitors should begin with a walk through the zocalo, the third-largest main square in the world, and the heart of this historic city. In this plaza alone, you can gain a good understanding of Mexico’s history from the Templo Mayor (the ruins of the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan) to the Metropolitan Cathedral (built on the site razed by Hernan Cortes) and then to the National Palace (where the murals of Diego Rivera graphically and boldly illustrate Mexican history).

Historical heavyweights aside, the district is an opportunity to experience some of the country’s unique cultural diversions such as the Lucha Libre, where masked wrestlers perform precisely choreographed stunts. Every Tuesday and Friday, the Lucha Libre —think Jack Black in Nacho Libre for the basic idea — takes over Arena Mexico. (Arena Mexico: 189 Calle Dr. Lavista, Col. Doctores; cmll.com).