Visiting Xochimilco is probably already on your Mexico City itinerary. If it’s not, then it should be! It’s one of the coolest areas of the city, with its wide canals and colorful trajinera boats cruising them.
Even if you’re not embarking on a boat tour – which I highly recommend! – it’s a beautiful part of town to explore, especially if you take a stroll along the canals, which are the remains of a complex water system used by the Aztecs for transportation.
Xochimilco is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and nowadays has turned into a cultural hotspot, attracting visitors from all over. The traditional trajineras boats, which resemble gondolas, glide up and down the canals, taking passengers out for a scenic ride. And you could be one of them!
I’ve compiled the very best Xochimilco tours available to help you narrow down the options. From cruising the canals to watching Mariachi bands and tasting local street food, they all offer a memorable experience.
➥ Why should you trust my selections? I have 10 years of experience curating travel guides and tours, and have developed a system for identifying the very best excursions. You can trust my picks to be high-quality, led by professionals, and to offer a unique and memorable experience.
I’ve personally spent quite some time in Mexico City, and previously written about the best tours in the capital. You can expect a list of epic trips in this post.
I generally use Viator and Get Your Guide to book tours around the world. I especially recommend them for their great cancellation policy. You can cancel most activities up to 24 hours in advance and get a full refund.
In a rush? These are the top tours:
| THE BEST TOUR | Xochimilco, Coyoacán & Frida Kahlo Museum |
| BOAT TOUR | Boat Ride and Mexican Party with Drinks |
| PRIVATE TOUR | Xochimilco, Coyoacan and Frida Kahlo Museum |
| TEOTIHUACAN COMBO TOUR | Teotihuacan + Xochimilco & Coyoacán Combo Tour |
OUR PICK: The BEST Tour to Xochimilco & More
Get ready for a whirlwind adventure with this Xochimilco, Coyoacán & Frida Kahlo Museum Optional Visit. Start the tour with an informative stroll around the enchanting Coyoacan neighborhood, led by your guide.
This is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city! Discover the 16th-century mansions and cobblestone streets as you dive deep into its history and traditions. Then, pay a visit to Frida Kahlo’s house, which is now a museum about her life.
You’ll have free time to explore the rooms at Casa Azul, and learn about the artist’s turbulent life, besides admiring examples of her work.
After that, it’s time for the most fun part of the tour. You’ll visit one of Mexico’s gems, the UNESCO-listed waterways of Xochimilco, with a local. Hop aboard a colorful trajinera for a ride, and pass by floating gardens, boat vendors, and other picturesque vessels.
The tour wraps up at North America’s oldest university, UNAM, in which library you’ll get to appreciate stunning murals by Diego Rivera.
➤ Why is this the best tour? With over 5 THOUSAND positive reviews (!!!), this activity allows you to explore the best that southern Mexico City has to offer. It’s a colorful mix of culture, history, and natural beauty that guarantees a relaxing cruise on the famed canals, and educational visits to some of the best spots in the city. It’s also quite affordable, which makes it a good option for everyone.
Read what the reviews say:
“It was absolutely amazing!!!! Coyoacán is a dream!!! I recommend it 100%. I can’t wait to come back. The tour guide & chofer were both great!’’
Beatriz_D – Read more reviews
This tour includes: A guide, a walking tour of Coyoacan, entrance to Frida’s Museum, and a trajinera ride. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Best Xochimilco Boat Tours
▶️ Party animal? Embark on a vibrant Xochimilco: Mexican Party on boat with Unlimited Drinks. You’ll journey through the enchanting canals on a unique trajinera boat tour with other like-minded travelers.
Sip on beer, tequila, and mezcal, and unleash your inner chef by making your own guacamole, which you’ll enjoy paired with crunchy chips.
You’ll get to dance as you sail down the waterways, make new friends, and indulge in other local bites from the floating vendors (own expense).
The adventure includes a visit to the eerie Island of Dolls replica and a shopping spree at the Handicraft Market. Get ready to float through a slice of Mexican heritage!
This tour includes: A trajinera tour, drinks, and snacks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Hop on a boat and dive into a Xochimilco: Boat Tour and Mezcal Tasting Masterclass. Aboard the region’s traditional vessel, you’ll float along the canals as you learn to prepare Mezcal cocktails.
In a fun atmosphere, with music and scenic views, learn about the local spirit and sip the sweet and spicy drinks you’ll create.
Then, enjoy a delicious Mexican lunch on a floating island, paired with more mezcal and tequila-based drinks. Play bingo, take part in a karaoke challenge, and savor Michelada. The grand finale? A surprise Mexican activity.
This tour includes: A trajinera boat tour, a Mezcal mixology masterclass, lunch, drinks, and a souvenir. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Private Tours to Xochimilco
▶️ This unique Xochimilco Mexican Fiesta with unlimited drinks is catered to private groups of up to 15 passengers.
It blends scenic views, unlimited booze, and fun vines in a delightful trajinera boat tour, taking you on a cruise along the famed waterways.
Take in the passing views of floating gardens and markets as you sip on beer, tequila, and soft drinks. Learn to prepare Micheladas and Margaritas, Mexico’s iconic drinks, and nibble on snacks while dancing to the beats of your favorite music.
The cruise lasts 2 hours, and while it’s a private experience, you can opt to join a group.
This tour includes: A private boat tour, unlimited drinks, Micheladas and Margaritas workshop, and snacks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Jump on a vibrant Private Tour: Xochimilco, Coyoacan and Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico City.
You’ll explore Xochimilco’s ancient canals, engineered centuries ago by the Aztec civilization. Glide past beautiful scenery as you ride a colorful trajinera, followed by a trip to Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo’s former house turned museum.
Learn about their lives from your expert guide, and stop at the University to catch a glimpse of original Diego Rivera’s murals. This private tour packs a punch with exclusive access to Mexico City’s art and history, and hassle-free transfers from your hotel.
This tour includes: Hotel roundtrip transfers, a guide, a boat tour, and Frida Kahlo Museum’s tickets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Set sail on a Teotihuacan & Xochimilco Private Day Tour from Mexico City. Hop on a colorful trajinera for a canal cruise in Xochimilco, iconic for its ancient waterways.
Then, delve into Aztec history at Teotihuacan, a thriving pre-Columbian city dating back to the first century AD.
Walk along the Avenue of the Dead, and learn about its fascinating inhabitants and culture from your guide. Cap off the trip by savoring pulque, a traditional drink, and relishing a local lunch.
This tour includes: Hotel pick-up, a guide, a trajinera boat tour, Teotihuacan tickets, pulque, and lunch. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Teotihuacan & Xochimilco Combo Tour
Dive into the heart of Mexico City with this Teotihuacan & Guadalupe Shrine + Xochimilco, Coyoacán & Frida Kahlo Combo Tour.
It’s a 2-day extravaganza tour that kicks off with a wander around Tlatelolco, an area that blends Aztec ruins with modern architecture. On your way to the Teotihuacan Ruins, stop for a visit at the Guadalupe Shrine, and then delve into ancient history.
Climb up the iconic pyramids, and learn about the civilization that lived there before the Spaniards arrived.
Day two is all about color and art as you stroll through quaint Coyoacan, the neighborhood where Frida Kahlo lived. You’ll visit her former home, now a museum about her life, and the most picturesque corners of the area.
Finally, float on Xochimilco’s vibrant canals on a trajinera. With a local guide, entrance fees, and all transport covered, it’s a perfect tour for first-timers.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transfers, a guide, entrance fees, all visits, tequila tasting, and a boat tour. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Xochimilco Kayak Tour
This small-group Xochimilco: Kayak Tour will have you paddling your way through the scenery of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dive into the rich history of Mexico City’s last pre-Hispanic vestiges as you navigate the Xochimilco canals with a friendly guide. You’ll be briefly trained on how to use the kayak, and then prepare to cruise the waterways, keeping an eye out for local birds.
Enjoy a brief stop at Chinampa, where crops are grown in shallow lake beds, and visit the Axolotl Conservation Center. Get face-to-face with this adorable animal, who’s native to Xochimilco.
You can choose to kayak at sunrise, sunset, or later in the morning.
This tour includes: A kayak tour with all equipment, visits, and a guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Xochimilco Sunrise Tour
Get ready to greet the day in style with the Xochimilco Sunrise from Mexico. This 5-hour excursion starts before the sun rises, and takes you on a cruise along the lovely canals of Xochimilco.
Aboard a trajinera boat, soak up the views of the city as the day begins, and pay attention to the sounds of the morning. Your sensory journey continues in Chinampa, with a body awakening and meditation session.
Then, follow your guide around an organic orchard, learning the secrets behind the age-old farming techniques that earned it world heritage status.
Finally, enjoy a scrumptious Mexican breakfast, featuring traditional quesadillas, gorditas, salads, and salsas.
This tour includes: Private transfers, a sunrise boat tour, a yoga and meditation session, and breakfast. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
