Things to Do in Xochimilco, Mexico City: Trajineras, Canals, and World Heritage Chinampas

Xochimilco is chinampas, trajineras, museums, flower and plant markets, parish churches, parks, and forests, all packed into one of the most distinctive areas of Mexico City. If you only have one day to see it, here's what you can't miss.

Trajineras and Canals

The canals of Xochimilco and the traditional chinampa farming system are a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, a living remnant of the lake-filled Mexico City that existed before the Spanish arrived. Colorful trajineras set off from its docks to cruise the canals, with routes that reach as far as the chinampas or the Island of the Dolls.

Along the way, visitors can eat, celebrate with family or friends, sing along with a mariachi band, or simply enjoy the scenery. Few things in the city are as traditional as this.

Chinampas: Living Heritage

Chinampas are artificial farming islands built on top of the canals, a pre-Hispanic agricultural technique that still produces flowers, vegetables, and plants today. Visiting an active chinampa — many offer guided tours — is the best way to understand why this system is so highly valued worldwide and why preserving it is key to the ecological balance of the city's south.

Flowers, Markets, and Downtown Xochimilco

Buying flowers is part of the Xochimilco experience, as is visiting the town center, with its magnificent Franciscan parish of San Bernardino de Siena and its colorful traditional market. Both preserve the small-town pace that Xochimilco keeps despite being part of Mexico City's urban sprawl.

Dolores Olmedo Museum

Art lovers have a must-do stop at the Dolores Olmedo Patiño Museum, a former hacienda that houses one of the most important collections of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Dolores Olmedo was a patron of both artists and a key figure in Mexican cultural life for much of the 20th century, and her house-museum — with gardens full of xoloitzcuintle dogs roaming free — is not to be missed.

Forests and Ecotourism Near Xochimilco

Bosque de Nativitas

A quieter spot, ideal for enjoying the breeze under a palapa and going horseback riding, away from the bustle of the busier docks.

Bosque de San Luis Tlalxialtemalco and Centro Ecoturístico Chinampero Michmani

If you want to dig deeper into wetland conservation, these two spots offer tours designed to teach visitors about the chinampa ecosystem and its environmental importance to all of Mexico City. For a complementary nature experience in the area, you can also visit Xochimilco Ecological Park, with trails, restored wetlands, and birdwatching.

Tips for Your Visit to Xochimilco

• Go early to beat the crowds and enjoy the canals at a calmer pace.
• Agree on a route with your group before boarding the trajinera, so you make the most of your time.
• Bring cash, sunscreen, and something to cover up with, since much of the ride is outdoors.
• Combine your visit with the Dolores Olmedo Museum or one of the nearby forests for a full day out.

How to Get There from Your Stay in Mexico City

Xochimilco is in the south of the city, so if you're staying in a furnished apartment in Polanco or Condesa, it's best to set aside half a day or a full day, given the travel time. If you'd also like to see other parts of the south on the same trip, check out our guide to what to see in southern Mexico City: San Ángel, Coyoacán, and Xochimilco.

Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Xochimilco

How much time do you need to see Xochimilco?

Half a day is enough for a trajinera ride and a visit to the town center; if you want to add the Dolores Olmedo Museum or a nearby forest, it's worth setting aside the full day.

Do I need to book a tour to ride a trajinera?

It's not essential: you can go straight to the docks and hire a trajinera right there, though it's worth confirming current prices and conditions before boarding.

What exactly is a chinampa?

It's an artificial farming island built on top of the canals, a pre-Hispanic agricultural technique still used to grow flowers and vegetables, and part of what earned Xochimilco recognition as a World Heritage Site.

Is Xochimilco a good plan for visiting with kids?

Yes, kids tend to love the trajinera ride, and pairing it with Bosque de Nativitas or Xochimilco Ecological Park adds a variety of outdoor activities for the whole family.