Mexico City
Mexico City is a vast, high-altitude capital with a historic centre of baroque churches, grand hotels and plazas. Two films have used it, once for an opening pursuit and once for a hotel scene.
Walk the Zócalo, then take a taxi to the Gran Hotel for a drink under its stained-glass ceiling.
Where Bond filmed
Mexico City
1Casino Espanol de Mexico
Centro Historico, Mexico City
The interior of Sanchez’s Casino de Isthmus was filmed at the Casino Espanol, a private social club on Calle Isabel la Catolica. Wikipedia lists it as the casino interior, while the theatre across the old centre supplied the exterior.
- Scenes
- Interior of the Casino de Isthmus
- Today
- It is still a social club and restaurant in a historic building.
- Visiting
- It is a members’ club, so entry is likely restricted. The building can be seen from the street.
2Estudios Churubusco
Coyoacan, Mexico City
Estudios Churubusco was the production base for the film. Shooting began here, and it mostly doubled for the Republic of Isthmus. Interiors were built on its soundstages, and its backlot was also used. Pinewood Studios handled only post-production and sound re-recording, which made this the first Bond film with no UK filming.
- Scenes
- Interior sets for Isthmus, Sanchez’s offices and base, and backlot street scenes
- Today
- Estudios Churubusco is still an active film and television studio complex in Mexico City.
- Visiting
- This is a working studio, so access is normally restricted to productions. The street entrance can be seen from outside.
3Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico and Biblioteca del Banco de Mexico
Centro Historico, Mexico City
The exterior of Sanchez’s El Presidente Hotel was shot at the Biblioteca del Banco de Mexico, according to Wikipedia and IMDb. Location guides place its lobby at the Art Nouveau Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico, with its Tiffany glass ceiling. Reports differ on exactly which spaces appeared on screen, so treat the pairing of exterior and interior as the commonly cited one.
The Gran Hotel Ciudad de México, on Avenida 16 de Septiembre, is used for the opening sequence, and its Art Nouveau stained-glass lobby is recognisable on screen. The Banco de México library is listed alongside it for related sequences, though the exact scenes are fan-sourced.
- Scenes
- El Presidente Hotel, where Bond and Pam Bouvier stay in Isthmus City
- Scenes
- Bond and his companion in the opening sequence.
- Today
- The Gran Hotel is a working hotel on Calle 16 de Septiembre, and its Tiffany stained-glass canopy is still its best-known feature.
- Visiting
- The lobby and the Tiffany glass ceiling can usually be seen by walking in. The library exterior is a separate address in the same downtown area, so check its location before you go.
4Teatro de la Ciudad Esperanza Iris
Centro Historico, Mexico City
The theatre’s facade stood in for the exterior of Sanchez’s Casino de Isthmus, which is also his headquarters. One location guide says the street is so narrow and busy that the facade was rebuilt in the studio for the close-ups of Bond climbing the building to plant an explosive.
- Scenes
- Exterior of the Casino de Isthmus and Sanchez’s headquarters
- Today
- It is a working municipal theatre on Calle Donceles, with concerts, dance and opera.
- Visiting
- The exterior can be viewed freely from the street. Interiors are generally open to ticket holders for performances.
5Zócalo and Centro Histórico
Mexico City
The film’s long opening take during a staged Day of the Dead parade was shot in and around the Zócalo and the Centro Histórico in March 2015. The square was closed for a helicopter fight sequence that required around 1,500 extras.
- Scenes
- The pre-title Day of the Dead parade and helicopter fight.
- Today
- A huge public square surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral and National Palace. Mexico City now holds a real Day of the Dead parade, inspired in part by the film.
- Visiting
- Open all day, free. Visit around late October to early November for Day of the Dead events; expect crowds.
Positions marked approximate are matched from stills and published location guides. Opening arrangements, fees and access change often. Confirm locally before you travel.