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Top 10 Sensational Facts about Xochimilco

Trajineras in Xochimilco by Jflo23/

Xochimilco is one of the 16 delegations into which Mexico City is divided. Just 22 km from the capital city.

This location offers all its visitors an experience not to be missed, Canals, flowers, and a peaceful atmosphere.

Colorful gondola-like boats take visitors on cruises while food vendors, artisans, and mariachi bands float past.

The atmosphere is festive, especially on weekends. Tourists can also visit the eerie, purportedly haunted Island of the Dolls.

1. The unbelievable Xochimilco known as the floating gardens is a tourist attraction 

Mariachis en Xochimilco by Juan Carlos/

Going to Xochimilco Mexico City is one of the trips that you just have to make when you’re in this part of the world.

The photogenic, brightly colored gondolas, or Xochimilco Trajineras, that cruise up and down the waterways are what have made it so popular among both foreign and Mexican tourists.

When people talk about visiting Xochimilco, what they’re usually referring to is the network of canals known as the floating Gardens of Xochimilco rather than the surrounding area.

2. To get to the remarkable Xochimilco one can use public transport or uber from a hotel

It’s relatively easy to get to Xochimilco Mexico City on your own on public transport, there’s so much more to do here than just ride on the famous Xochimilco trajineras.

How to get to Xochimilco by public transport depends on where you’re starting from.

If you’ve not used the metro system in Mexico City then don’t worry, it’s just the same as the metro anywhere in the world.

From Tasqueña there is a dedicated train called the Tren Ligero which starts in Tasqueña and finishes in Xochimilco.

3. The interesting Parque Ecológico de Xochimilco is the ideal place to relax

Paseo en trajinera. Xochimilco by Juan Carlos/

Among the chinampas, the ‘Parque Ecológico de Xochimilco is the ideal place to relax in a small corner of paradise.

The park is committed to the rehabilitation of several areas of the reserve. In 2019, so begins the recovery of 54 hectares of land through a reforestation program.

At ‘Parque Ecológico de Xochimilco’ we find the typical chinampero and humid landscape with its unique ecosystem.

4. The exquisite famous floating gardens of Xochimilco are an island 

Built-in the 16th century by the Spanish on the ruins of Tenochtitlan, the old Aztec capital, Mexico City is now one of the world’s largest and most densely populated cities.

However, the actual construction of the famous floating gardens of Xochimilco was slightly different.

The so-called gardens are named chinampas, and far from floating, they’re islands that remain permanently in situ.

They were constructed by the local population, way back in pre-hispanic times, they would pack mud and silt from the bottom of the lake high enough until it broke the surface.

They’re held together with the roots of trees, so though they’re man-made, they’re created entirely from natural resources.

5. The unbelievable Tajineras make your Mexico trip unskippable 

Trajineras en canal de Xochimilco by Luis Alvaz/

A ride on board a trajinera in Xochimilco is one of those essential, unskippable Mexico City experiences.

The Trajineras are the colorful canal boats that you’ve undoubtedly seen in pretty much every guide to Mexico City.

These boats are the biggest draw of the floating gardens of Xochimilco and can be rented out by the hour.

Trajineras are flat-bottomed wooden boats, colorfully painted and decorated. Most of them have a name, which can be read from the top of the iron frame at the front.

The standard rates for a trajinera in Xochimilco range from about $20 to USD 100 depending on the length of your ride, it starts at one hour.

6. Isla de Las Munesco the interesting Island of dolls is a tourist attraction 

The Venice of Mexico is the unsettling Isla de las Muñecas aka the Island of the Dolls. This small slice of Xochimilco was never supposed to draw tourist attention.

Don Julian Santana Barrera was the caretaker of the island. The story goes that Julian found a little girl drowned in mysterious circumstances but he was not able to save her life.

It’s a homage to a young girl who drowned in the canals, A local man started to hang up dolls on the island to appease her memory.

Since then, the reputation of the island has grown and grown, becoming a key sight for visitors to the area.

The locals are very faithful that the Isla de las Munecas is a charming place. Since Julian died in 2001, it has become a tourist attraction, where visitors bring more dolls.

7. The remarkable Pulque drink is a Mesoamerican beverage one can grab for 20 Pesos

Pulque is a Mesoamerican beverage with a relatively mild alcoholic content, oddly frothy appearance, and sometimes unpleasantly viscose texture.

It also has a strangely impressive nutritional content, it’s also a must-try drink when in Mexico, especially as it can’t be exported due to its temperamental nature.

One of the best spots to grab a quick glass of pulque is in Xochimilco as numerous vendors float by and will sell you a cup for around 20 Mexican pesos.

8. Xochimilco is a fascinating home of water-bound musicians known as Mariachis

Xochimilco is also home to plenty of water-bound musicians too, predominantly mariachis. If you fancy hearing a track or two, you’ll first have to negotiate a price.

If you want to add some Mexican authenticity to the experience, this is an easy way to do it, but if you’re on a budget you’re probably better off just catching snippets of their songs as you float.

9. The astonishing Lake Xochimilco has been a cornerstone of Mexico City 

Trajinera from Xochimilco by Silvia Andrea/

Lake Xochimilco has certainly been a cornerstone of Mexico City’s history since ancient times.

The Source of freshwater, the lake was of paramount importance for cultivation and hunting in particular.

In 1987, UNESCO recognized Lake Xochimilco as well as the chinampas as a world heritage site.

10. The amazing Chinampas will be found in the shallow areas of the lake in Xochimilco

The term chinampas refers to the Mesoamerican agricultural technique that consists of the construction of artificial islands surrounded by water and made of mud, pebbles, and branches.

In Xochimilco, you’ll surely find them in the shallow areas of the lake along your trip onboard the typical boats called ‘trajineras.

Among the crops, we have spinach, chard, radishes, parsley, cilantro, cauliflower, celery, mint, rosemary, and salad.