Xochimilco, located just 30-40 minutes from Mexico City, provides an authentic Mexican experience filled with vibrancy and unforgettable moments. Renowned for its colorful trajineras (boats), it is an ideal place to immerse in Mexican culture.
Once you arrive, you can rent a boat to explore the picturesque canals for any length of time you desire. During your journey, vendors will appear, offering delicious Mexican dishes, including tacos and tamales, as well as drinks like micheladas. Live music enhances the festive atmosphere, with mariachis and other musicians serenading from nearby boats.
A few tips: Use the restroom before boarding. Bring sufficient cash, as you will need it for the boat ride and various purchases. Costs vary based on ride duration and selections, but everything remains reasonable. Additionally, getting Ubers to and from Xochimilco is quite easy, making it a convenient day trip from the city.
Plan for at least an hour but feel free to stay longer to enjoy the lively energy of this unique destination. Highly recommended!
We absolutely adored this unique part of Mexico City. It is vibrant, historic, lively, and incredibly special. We arrived at 10:00 for a serene float through the canals. It began to fill up with Mariachi bands, food and beverage vendors, and larger groups. What a blast!
It is a fantastic nature and cultural experience. I'm unsure why some people leave negative reviews.
We rented a boat for 1 hour for two for 600 pesos ($36 USD) and enjoyed a solo trip. We witnessed how some families live a simple life near the canal in Mexico, experiencing the serenity of nature. While some groups played loud music, we chose a calm and peaceful ride through the natural scenery, capturing many beautiful photos of the landscape from the water.
I negotiated with the boatman to show us something special, which led him to take us further for an extra 30 minutes for 1000 pesos ($60 USD), extending our trip to 1.5 hours. He took us into narrower canals, providing countless photo opportunities. We loved every moment.
The boatman was very friendly despite our language barrier as we communicated through Google Translate. He explained that from the 600 pesos, he only keeps 100 pesos, with the rest going to the administration. I tipped him for his hard work, which he greatly appreciated.
We didn't wait for food boats, as our priority was to enjoy nature.
It was an hour filled with fun as we floated on our private boat. My family found the diverse trajinera vendors selling food, drinks, flowers, jewelry, and hosting Mariachi performances quite charming. They even boarded our boat while in motion to serve us. Contrary to what some say, this is not just a tourist trap. Yes, it attracts tourists, but locals also come to celebrate birthdays, weddings, and other life events. The Floating Gardens of Xochimilco give insight into what the area was like in the 1500s, though if you lack context, this gem may be overlooked. This experience serves as a reminder that the entire area was once a lake. If you're a Frida Kahlo fan, visiting could offer insights into where Frida and Diego remarried.
Great experience, but BE VERY CAREFUL when buying drinks and food. Who could have guessed that the food and drinks on the water might not adhere to food safety standards? I had a michelada and ended up with the worst stomach issue I've ever faced, resembling severe food poisoning over several days. The people were wonderful, and it was indeed a fun experience, but remember that not everything is made with food safety in mind. Bring your own food and drinks, PLEASE!
