Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
the United States
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
Canals · Cidade do México, Cidade do México
Xochimilco
Network of pre-Hispanic canals and chinampas in the south of the city, a World Heritage Site, travelled on the colorful boats called trajineras.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Xochimilco
Xochimilco is what remains of the lake system of the Valley of Mexico. The canals, which total about 170 km, cut through the chinampas, cultivated islands made by ancient peoples with mud and soil on stakes, still used to grow flowers and vegetables. The site has been part of UNESCO World Heritage along with the Historic Center since 1987.
The traditional ride is on a trajinera, a flat-bottomed boat painted in bright colors and propelled with a pole. Trajineras depart from authorized docks such as Nuevo Nativitas, Cuemanco and Belén, and the price is per boat and per hour, with posted rates. Along the route you’ll see boats selling food, flowers and mariachi or marimba music.
On weekends the main canals fill up with groups of friends and families celebrating. On weekdays the ride is quieter. Longer trips reach areas of working chinampas and the Island of the Dolls, where a resident hung dolls from the trees for decades.
In Cuemanco is the 1968 Olympic rowing course and the Xochimilco ecological park. Xochimilco’s center has the 16th-century church of San Bernardino de Siena and a market.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Two hours by boat; half a day including travel.
Best time
Morning on a weekday for a calm ride; Saturday and Sunday for the festive atmosphere. In rainy weather, from May to October, prefer the morning.
How to get there
In the south of the city, about 20 km from the center. Metro line 2 to Tasqueña and the Tren Ligero to Xochimilco station; from the docks, a taxi or rideshare/car is the simplest way.
Tip
Agree the price and duration before boarding and check the dock’s official rate chart.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Xochimilco
How does the trajinera ride in Xochimilco work?
You rent the entire trajinera by the hour at an authorized embarcadero; they hold large groups. Prices follow a posted table. During the ride boats pass by selling food, drinks and music.
What is the best day to go to Xochimilco?
On weekdays the ride is calm. On weekends the canals fill with partying groups, with mariachis and food, which many people seek.
What are the chinampas of Xochimilco?
They are farming islands made by the ancient peoples of the Valley of Mexico with mud, soil and stakes, surrounded by canals. Many still produce flowers and vegetables.