Xochimilco Tours | Boat Tickets, Times, & More
Mexico is one of the best hot holiday destinations in North America and the world. Xochimilco is located in the southern region of Mexico City and lies on Lake Xochmilco. The canals of Xochmilco make for an enchanting and colorful experience, allowing you a taste of history, culture, and cuisine while floating.
Lots of locals and ex-pats flock to Xochimilco over weekends and holidays to escape the normality of everyday work life. Tours on Xochimilco boats are the best way to have an outdoor celebration on the canal while learning about the area’s rich history.
Highlights:
- Enjoy a boat tour of the canal
- See the fabulous floating gardens
- Drink tasty cocktails in the birth country of Mezcal
- Possibly see the endangered axolotl
- Get serenaded by a mariachi band
Know before you book:
- The liveliest days are also the busiest, so be prepared for crowds
- You can bring snacks and drinks or buy some on the tour
- Have cash and loose change for bathrooms and any purchases
- Keep out of the water, as it is not the cleanest
- The tours can get loud when very busy
Did you know that the Aztecs once occupied Xochimilco? They created chinampas, manmade fields that now float down the famed canal water system. In 1987, Xochmilco was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beauty and historical significance.
The famous water tours are done on trajineras, which are vibrantly colored flat-bottomed boats. The Xochimilco canals are lined with visitors, vendors, and even musicians. You can buy trinkets and souvenirs or get some tasty tamales and chicharrones, all while vibing to traditional music.
Some of the most beloved spots in Xochimilco are the Floating Gardens, Mercado de Xochimilco, and the famous Isla de las Muñecas (Island of the Dolls).
Water tours are widely sought-after, but there are great land tours too. You could take a romantic stroll through Bosque de Nativitas, hike through Cerro de Xochitepec, and see thousands of artifacts and fossils at the Archeological Museum of Xochimilco.
Table of Contents: (Jump to)
Xochimilco Tour Prices
Xochimilco tour prices can start around MXN 730 (US$42) and go up to roughly MXN 3 036 ($174). The prices of tours are subject to change based on group size, time, date, season, and availability. Some tours have optional add-ons like transport and museum passes that can be added during booking.
Xochimilco Tour Times
Certain tours commence at the designated assembly points as early as 8 am to account for pickups and introductions. The trajineras and most locations start operating at or after 9 am, so tours will start quite early.
Trajineras will operate as long as there are boat tour requests. Most visits end around 7 pm, and while Xochimilco is open to visits at night, day tours are more popular.
Monday – Friday: 9 am – 7 pm
Saturday – Sunday (and Public Holidays): 10 am – 6 pm
Best Time to Go to Lake Xochimilco
Xochimilco is open all week, but some days are better than others. Visiting between Monday and Friday can be quieter with fewer crowds. Weekends are more lively and fun due to more activity.
Most people might spend some holidays at home with family but the Semana Santa Holy Week garners Xochimilco many visitors.
Admiring the History and Culture of Xochimilco
Xochimilco is a historical wonder. What is presently a popular tourist spot for travelers and weekend getaway for locals was once a thriving community working towards growth and sustainability.
Tours of the charming neighborhood and water canals showcase the remnants of a vibrant history and society. Whether you’re gliding down the floating gardens of Xochimilco or perusing the markets, you’re in for a treat.
Tours of Xochimilco, Mexico
Most tours of Xochimilco will include a boat ride. Touring on the trajineras allows visitors to relax and enjoy the tranquil yet exciting ambiance.
There are quite a few tours that cover both Xochimilco and Coyoacán. You essentially get two tours for the price of one, and a lot of them are customizable. You can choose from extra options like museum tickets and private pickups for an added cost.
Tip: With optional features like museum passes, be sure to select the applicable options when booking the tour.
Full Day Xochimilco, Coyoacán and Frida Kahlo Museum Tour
Xochimilco and Coyoacán are a match made in heaven when touring through Mexico. This 10-hour tour shows the beauty of the two gems with some fantastic stops on the trip.
The tour begins in the quaint historical district of Coyoacán before progressing to the Frida Kahlo Museum (a museum pass can be purchased with the tour booking in advance or at the door on the day).
Next, head to the Xochimilco Floating Gardens before ending the exciting tour at the National University and Olympic Stadium.
What we liked: The options to include a private pickup from select areas around the city.
- Guide (English or Spanish)
- Ride in a colorful trajinera
- Transport from central meeting points
- Ticket to Frida Kahlo Museum (option must be selected when booking)
- Food and drinks
If you’d prefer a smaller group, this tour is excellent as it has a maximum traveler capacity of 30 people. The meeting points are near public transport and, therefore, easy to reach. You can customize the tour to best suit your budget without missing out on a fun and memorable time.
Check Price & Book
Mexico City: Xochimilco Boat Tour With Lunch and Drinks
If you’re interested in bottomless drinks, laughs, and memories, this tour is perfect for you. Fully bilingual guides take you on a boat-based tour of Xochimilco’s canals.
This two-and-a-half-hour tour has plenty of fun things to do. Hear all about the history of the canals while playing board games, such as Loteria (Mexican Bingo), and even stand a chance at winning a prize or two. You can get some lunch at one of the floating restaurants before heading back to your boat to complete the tour.
What we liked: Being able to partake in fun games and activities led by attentive guides.
- Local bilingual guide
- Drinks and lunch
- Mexican snacks and candies
- Mexican board games and karaoke music
- Souvenir gift
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Tips (gratuities)
One of the most fun features of this tour is the workshop towards the end. You will get to learn how to make a Michelada cocktail and enjoy the finished product (in addition to lots of other complimentary drinks). You are taken back to the meeting point by the end of the tour.
Check Price & Book
Two-Day Combo Tour of Xochimilco,Teotihuacan, Guadalupe Shrine, Coyoacán, and Frida Kahlo Museum
One of the best parts of this tour is how much it covers. Mexico has so many important and beautiful sites to visit, but it’s hard to see everything with a limited amount of time available.
Day one of this tour starts at Tlatelolco before heading to Zona Arqueologica Tlatelolco, where you can learn about the history of Mexico. You then move to Plaza de las Tres Culturas and the Basilica de Santa Maria de Guadalupe before visiting the Teotihuacan Pyramids.
Day two starts at Coyoacán. You then get to visit the Frida Kahlo Museum and browse through the colonial district. Next, a Xochimilco boat ride showcases the beautiful Xochimilco canals and takes you to the final stop on your tour, the UNAM Central Library.
What we liked: Fitting six must-see spots into a short two-day tour.
- Professional guide
- Roundtrip transport from central meeting points
- Entrance tickets
- Tequila Tasting on Teotihuacán Tour
- Visit of Tlatelolco
- Food and Drinks
This tour is perfect for first-time visitors to Xochimilco as it covers multiple locations, includes entrance tickets to different venues, and provides transport for the entire duration of the tour.
Check Price & Book
FAQs About Xochimilco Tickets and Tours
Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable and fun journey but still have a few qeuries about Xochimilco Tours? Keep on reading to get some answers to those burning questions.
How Do I Get to Xochimilco From Mexico City?
You can get to the gorgeous region via bus, tram, metered taxi, Uber, or car (rental). The safest and easiest option would be to use a taxi if you are not comfortable with public transport. Getting to Xochimilco from Mexico City can take less than 30 minutes.
Are Xochimilco Tours Safe?
Xochimilco tours are very safe if done by a credited and registered company. The best way to avoid scams and ill-conducted tours is to do your research beforehand to find a safe, fun, and reasonably-priced option perfect for you.
Is Xochimilco a Good and Safe Place?
Xochimilco is one of the best travel destinations in Mexico. The beautiful neighborhood has a rich history and breathtakingly gorgeous landscape (land and water) that can be explored via foot or boat. Xochimilco is also relatively safe for tourists and locals, although wandering around at night without a guide is ill-advised.
Specification: Xochimilco Tours | Boat Tickets, Times, & More
|
There are no reviews yet.