2026 The City Green Exploring the Urban Eco-Reserve of Xochimilco
Description
Gain insight into the history and culture of Xochimilco Ecological Park on this full-day tour from Mexico City. A small group ensures a more personalized experience. Explore the UNESCO-listed canals via a traditional vessel and visit a working island to learn more about the area’s agricultural heritage. Then, enjoy an included family-style meal made from local ingredients after a longer visit to the local market.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Will start the day in central Mexico City with amazing coffee and pastries at Hagamos Composta Cafe, the community center with the largest independent composting project in the country. We will then depart in a private van to the UNESCO heritage site of Xochimilco, a place for a pleasure cruise and also a vital agricultural resource. We’ll learn more about Xochimilco's culture and food and meet the people who maintain its one-of-a-kind agricultural system.
Our first stop will be the vast market of the area of Xochimilco. We’ll try different pre-Columbian dishes such as tlacoyos (oval-shaped corn-meal patties filled with fava beans, cheese, refried beans, spinach, potatoes and more) handmade by local women who set up shop every morning at one of the aisles. As we explore the market we’ll learn more about the different kinds of produce that are grown locally in the chinampas.
We will track the market's local products back to their source as we ride our own trajinera through part of the ecological reserve that is particularly rich in flora and fauna. Will traverse the canals – through part of the ecological reserve. As the boat glides through the canals that connect the chinampas, we’ll have an onboard tasting of seasonal products fresh from the market. After docking, we’ll return to central Mexico City by private van.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(3)
The amount of history information given made this tour strong. The information was given in a way that was easy to understand and remember. The food we tried was fantastic and visiting a chinampa only to learn that the money from this tour helps fund them made me feel so great to be a part of that.
Thank you for the wonderful review and for supporting our mission of Honest Tourism. We are thrilled that you enjoyed the fantastic food and historical context while helping to fund and preserve the traditional chinampas. It is exactly this kind of human connection that keeps these vital culinary traditions alive.
This was an AMAZING tour! Our guide, Victor, had an impressive knowledge about Mexico/CDMX, it's people and culture. He was passionate about sharing his insights, and had a playful sense of humor and enthusiasm which elevated the whole tour experience. The tour was equally divided between the Xochimilco market and canals, with time for a café breakfast, substantial lunch, and snacks on the boat (including the best guacamole I have ever had!) I particularly enjoyed floating the chiampas canals, it's a tranquil and fascinating area and a great respite from the business of Mexico City. I definitely recommend the tour, they hit a great balance of adventure, information, and tasty food.
Thank you for the review! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring the tranquility of the chinampas and the bustling daily life of the market. Your participation helps us continue our mission to support local families and preserve these beautiful, centuries-old culinary traditions. We hope to share more stories of the city's unsung heroes with you in the future.
Do not hesitate to sign up for this tour! Paco, our tour guide, was excellent! The entire tour is well laid out and paced for all ages. Being able to explore and try foods from individuals the guide has developed relationships with is priceless. Our group had a total of 8 people and we split off 4 and 4 with two guides, which made the atmosphere and size very personable. The length of the tour is also excellent as it allows you to return to Mexico City with time to prepare for dinner. Highly recommend!
Thank you for the review and for supporting the unsung culinary heroes of Mexico City. We are so glad you were able to experience the genuine human connections and daily life that make these neighborhoods so special. It is a privilege to share these honest, traditional stories and preserve the craft of these dedicated artisans alongside travelers like you.
