A Xochimilco travel guide is one of the books that you can definitely not afford to miss in case you are thinking about visiting the vibrant capital of Mexico. Hiding in the southern corner of Xochimilco Mexico City, the colourful system of canals gives an idea about the traditions of centuries ago which somehow remain alive nowadays. Imagine music floating over the water, colourful boats passing by gardens floating in the water and people living the Mexican lifestyle. We are going to find out all about in this Xochimilco travel guide the best-known traditional trajinera rides as well as the cultural gems located nearby, and we will not be able to forget the experience.

What Makes Xochimilco So Special

Any good Xochimilco travel guide begins with a single fact, as this is a place that is unlike any other in the world. Canals and the Xochimilco floating gardens that were referred to as ‘chinampas’ can be traced to the time of the Aztecs.

As soon as you walk across the docks of Xochimilco Mexico City, you can feel the festive power. The families have their celebrations over the weekend, the mariachi bands flow around playing music, and the vendors row along the river selling tacos, beverages and souvenir items.

That is precisely the reason why all the Xochimilco travel guides advise you to have your time here. Take your time and do not hurry through the canals; experience the scenery, meet people and have the water slow you down.

Experience the Famous Traditional Trajinera

The best thing about any Xochimilco travel guide is the ability to ride a traditional  trajinera. These are wooden boats which are painted in bright colours and named romantically, sometimes comically.

Your boat is controlled by your captain with a long pole, and he manages to pass in the canals. The most common type of boat tour is a 2-hour one, which is the right duration and time to explore, frankly speaking.

The following are some of the things that you usually go through in a ride:

• Live mariachi music floats on the canals.
• Sellers of fresh street food.
• Drinks and snacks boats.
• Past the green Xochimilco floating gardens.
• Sellers of hand-made crafts.

A boat tour lasts 2 hours and is rather calm and, at the same time, active, like a floating festival. This is the reason as to why all Xochimilco travel guides suggest taking friends or family.

The Story Behind the Floating Gardens

The floating gardens of Xochimilco are more than a mere pretty scene; they are an old system of agriculture dating back several hundred years. Aztecs cultivated their lands on rectangular sections of mud, reeds and vegetation at the lake, where their crops could grow.

These gardens are now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and they continue to be an iconic part of Xochimilco Mexico City.

To a great extent, they are an embodiment of strength. Although the itineraries of the Mexico City sightseeing tours have been changing, these floating gardens only remind the visitors of the rich history of the region.

Pair Your Visit with Nearby Cultural Gems

Among the greatest suggestions in any Xochimilco travel guide is to do a canal tour along with the local sites. The history, art and culture are overcrowded in the southern parts of Mexico City.

Must-Visit Spots Nearby

National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) – UNAM is also one of the most successful universities in Latin America, which is known because of its murals and extensive campus.

Coyoacán – A beautiful colourful neighbourhood with small beautiful houses, markets, and plazas.

Diego Rivera Anahuacalli Museum – This museum is made of volcanic stone and contains the personal art of Diego Rivera.

Frida Kahlo Museum – Also known as the Blue House, this museum gives a close experience about the life and work of Frida Kahlo.

A well-planned Mexico City sightseeing tour often combines these places with Xochimilco, making for a day full of culture, art, and history.

Exploring Beyond Xochimilco

In case you are already delving into Mexican culture, you can consider visiting Teotihuacan. This is an old archaeological site that is situated right outside the city and is known by its giant pyramids.

Teotihuacan commonly comes along with the Mexico City sightseeing tour of many travellers, generally visiting both the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon and then proceeding southwards to Xochimilco.

The combination is frequently suggested in a fine Xochimilco travel guide since it demonstrates the two opposite sides of the history of Mexico: ancient peoples and modern traditions.

The Atmosphere You’ll Never Forget

Whether you believe it or not, anyone who has trailed a Xochimilco travel guide will also tell you the same thing: the ambiance is inimitable.

Colourful boats are floating over the thin canals, and laughter rings over them. Artists get onto boats in mid-ride and perform to passengers. The air is filled with the smell of the grilled street food.

And that is what makes the Xochimilco Travel Guide experience so special. It is all about relating to Mexican culture in a manner that is spontaneous and happy.

Tips for Planning Your Trajinera Ride

You have to keep in mind a few practical things before you jump on a traditional trajinera, which the Xochimilco Travel Guide will recommend.

Best time to visit: Weekends are festive and active, whereas weekdays are peaceful.

Boat pricing: Renting of boats is normally on an hourly basis and not per head. Most of the travelling people would appreciate a 2-hour boat tour.

Bring snacks and drinks: In spite of the suppliers floating by, bringing your picnic to the ride might make the ride even better.

Arrive early: The docks in Xochimilco Mexico City, are bustling fast, particularly during holidays.

Conclusion

Having had a chance to wander around the canals, it is understandable why this is considered by every Xochimilco travel guide as one of the most magical experiences within Mexico City. Whether it is speeding by xochimilco floating gardens in a standard trajinera or combining your sightseeing with such sites as the Frida Kahlo Museum or the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the ride is cultural and celebratory. When you do a Mexico sightseeing tour, you should not exclude a 2-hour boat tour of Xochimilco Mexico City, and this is one of the tours that can be easily organised through platform sites such as Viator.

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