Metro Chabacano

Metro Chabacano is a major Metro transfer station, uniting Lines 2, 8, and 9. In central Mexico City, it locally serves the neighborhoods of Asturias in Cuauhtémoc and Vista Alegre.

Early in the colonial period, this section of what was southern Mexico City was planted in fruit trees by Catholics who controlled most of the land. Their apricot trees, with seedlings imported from China, did particularly well. This was especially true as the Piedad River (now encased within the Miguel Alemán Viaduct) flowed to the immediate south. A street named for the trees thus lent it’s name to the station. That also explains the station logo.

Unique for a triple-transfer station, all the platforms in Metro Chabacano use a platform model developed in Barcelona. Exit platforms are between the two entrance platforms on either side of the tracks. Don’t be surprised when the opposite doors of the Metro train open for you to exit.

• City residents recognize the station from the 1990 film, Total Recall, for the multiple scenes filmed here.
• The station is also home to three gigantic murals. “Civilización y Cultura” (pictured above) is by Portuguese artist, José de Guimarães. This work was donated by the Metro in Lisbon.
•  Two more giant murals documenting the history of Mexican Rock Music were completed by Jorge Luis Flores Manjarrez. These are visible in the Line 2 area of the station.

The station is convenient to the Parque El Pípila and the Casa de Cultura Alfonso Reyes, just north of the station.