Xochimilco & Coyoacán: Canals, Colors & Culture
$ 59.00 USD
Welcome to Xochimilco, the vibrant, floating heart of Mexico City's ancient past. A visit here is one of the most unique and joyful things to do in Mexico City. Far from being just a simple boat ride, Xochimilco is a sprawling network of canals, a living agricultural heritage site, and a non-stop fiesta on water.
As expert guides to this region for over 20 years, We are here to show you the very best Xochimilco attractions and how to combine them into the perfect Xochimilco day trips. Let's dive into the color, music, and culture of this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site.
Before it was a city of asphalt, the Valley of Mexico was a massive lake. The Aztecs built their empire here using chinampas—man-made agricultural islands that we know today as "floating gardens." Xochimilco is the last living remnant of this pre-Hispanic landscape. A visit here is a colorful journey back in time.
While the area is vast, the experience can be distilled into a few essential activities. Here is our curated list of the top things to do in Xochimilco.
This is the number one, non-negotiable experience in any Xochimilco day trips. You'll board a brightly painted, flat-bottomed boat called a trajinera and a local oarsman will guide you through the historic canals. As you float, you become part of a lively spectacle: mariachi and marimba bands float by, offering songs; vendors in small canoes paddle up to sell you everything from roasted corn and cold beer to beautiful flowers and artisan crafts. It’s a joyful, sensory immersion into Mexican culture.
Before or after your boat ride, a visit to the Mercado de Xochimilco is a must. This bustling market is a feast for the senses, overflowing with exotic flowers, fresh produce, and incredible street food. It’s a fantastic place to try authentic local dishes and one of the most vibrant things to do in Xochimilco.
From your trajinera, you will glide past the famous chinampas. While they don't actually float, these incredibly fertile man-made islands are the reason Xochimilco exists. Seeing this ancient agricultural system still in use is a fascinating glimpse into the ingenuity of the Aztec civilization.
To make the most of your visit, a little expert planning goes a long way.
Day trips from Xochimilco by your own can be a bit chaotic, involving navigating to the correct pier and haggling for a fair price for your boat ride. A guided tour eliminates all this stress. It ensures you have a safe, high-quality trajinera experience waiting for you, so you can simply relax and enjoy the fun.
The smartest way to structure Xochimilco day trips is to combine it with the nearby cultural hub of Coyoacán. After the high-energy fiesta on the canals, a peaceful afternoon exploring the charming cobblestone streets and art-filled plazas of Coyoacán provides the perfect contrast. Our tours are expertly designed by locals to give you this perfectly balanced experience.
We offer two fantastic, all-inclusive day trips from Xochimilco to Coyoacan that feature the best of Mexico City south zone.
This tour is the definitive southern Mexico City experience. It combines a festive trajinera ride in Xochimilco with a deep dive into the bohemian, historic neighborhood of Coyoacán. It's a day of perfect contrasts.
For art lovers, this tour is a dream. It includes the wonderful Xochimilco boat tour, a visit to Coyoacán, and tickets to the iconic Casa Azul, the Frida Kahlo Museum. This is one of our most popular Xochimilco day trips.
The number one attraction is the trajinera ride through the canals. Other key attractions include the bustling local market, the chinampas, and the slightly spooky (but now famous thanks to Lady GaGa and Tim Burton) Island of the Dolls.
To fully enjoy the boat ride and explore the surrounding area without rushing, you should plan for at least a half-day trip. Our full-day tours combine it with Coyoacán to make the most of your time in the southern part of the city.
Given its location, there are no "day trips from Xochimilco" to other major sites. Xochimilco is the destination of day trips that begin in the central parts of Mexico City.
Now that you know the best things to do in Xochimilco, you're ready to plan your adventure. Let us handle the logistics so you can immerse yourself in the color, music, and culture of this unforgettable place.
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