Tours/Mexico City/Prehispanic Xochimilco:Sailing Chinampas, axolotls, bird watching
Viator · Private tour

Prehispanic Xochimilco:Sailing Chinampas, axolotls, bird watching

5.0(15)Mexico City1 hour
VIATOR5.0(4)TRIPADVISOR5.0(11)

Description

Forget the party boats full of tourists and alcohol. Discover the real Xochimilco, sailing by boat through an incredible ecosystem of pre-Hispanic canals and islands, a journey back in time to see what Mexico City looked like in indigenous times. We will do bird watching and visit an island to learn about a sustainable and ancestral planting technique. You will meet one of the rarest species in the world, endemic to Xochimilco: the axolotl. This experience is an immersion into the intimacy and heart of one of the most authentic and magical places in Mexico City. For nature-loving travellers and curious minds who want to discover and learn about the history and ecology of this World Heritage Site instead of partying. ***All our experiences are subject to change without prior notice due to circumstances beyond our control***

Tour Options

Xochimilco at sunrise
  • Xochimilco at Sunrise: We will do our sunrise tour on the canals with coffee and bread Pickup included
Xochimilco w/round transportat
  • Xochimilco and Farm visit: We will travel by trajinera through the canals, visit a farm, meet the animals and have a brunch with the farm products Agroecological breakfast Pickup included
Xochimilco walking tour
  • no transportation: No round transportation incuded, only includes transportation from Xochimilco to Coyoacan

Itinerary

Admission included120 min

We will go to one of the most beautiful piers in Xochimilco, away from the tourist piers to enjoy the natural beauty of this place. We will take a trajinera ride and our guide will explain the incredible history of this place, we will stop on a floating island to learn about the chinampas, the unique ancestral cultivation system developed by the Xochimilcas and some of the plants that are grown here. Finally we will visit another floating island to see and learn from the axolotls.

Highlights

Local guide
We will provide a brunch with products from the artificial islands
Boat ticket at Xochimilco (Trajinera)
Boat ride

What's included

Included
Local guide
We will provide a brunch with products from the artificial islands
Boat ticket at Xochimilco (Trajinera)
Boat ride
Not included
Tips

Traveller Ratings

5.0
15 reviews
5
15
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0

Important Information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews(15)

7
712inal
June 8, 2026
Nature lovers must do !!

Experience was 10/10 it is a must if you are in CDMX ! Our guide Laila was fantastic the trip the nature the food the host ALL was amazing we saw so many birds and wild life as well as visiting the farm with farm to table produce for breakfast just incredible!

I
Ina_G
June 7, 2026
Beautiful people to enjoy CDMX with and learn so much !!!

This was hands down the best experience in CDMX. Laila was very knowledgeable and provided an immersive experience. If you want to get in touch with nature and take a break from hustle of the city then you must book this outing. We saw so many birds and the food we eat on the farm was delicious 10 out of 10. Don’t miss out on this gem !!

B
Bankthe15
April 12, 2026
Discover Natural side of Xochimilco

if you are looking to see Xochimilco canals from a historic and natural perspective, dining on 4 course meal prepared from locally grown products made by the matron of family that cares for the land, led by a tour guide Laila that has a passion and love for the land that will be infectious....just book this tour and quit browsing.

V
V1150RCpatriciap
April 4, 2026
An incredibly memorable experience

This experience was one of the best memories we made during our stay at CDMX. It was peaceful, meaningful and equally exciting! Laila is not only an incredible guide full of knowledge, but also thoughtful and engaging (even with “full-on teenagers”). Floating on the quiet canals of this World Heritage Site with a lunch at a sustainable farm on a floating island (and axolotls!!!) perfectly rounded out our visit to this world class city. If you only do one experience in CDMX, this is the one.

D
David_W
March 19, 2026
Picturesque trip back in time

Our family absolutely loved our Xochimilco tour. Leila was excellent at engaging our two kids (11 and 14). We were all amazed at the transition from the business of the city to the peaceful beauty of the chinampas, a glimpse into prehistoric Mexico City. We spotted many beautiful birds, saw all stages of axolotl, picked delicious fresh vegetables, and enjoyed them under a picturesque shaded arbor. It was an experience that we could not have had without Leila, and we’re grateful to have had such a personable and knowledgeable guide.

W
wilcoxdf
March 19, 2026
Picturesque trip back in time

Our family absolutely loved our Xochimilco tour. Leila was excellent at engaging our two kids (11 and 14). We were all amazed at the transition from the business of the city to the peaceful beauty of the chinampas, a glimpse into prehistoric Mexico City. We spotted many beautiful birds, saw all stages of axolotl, picked delicious fresh vegetables, and enjoyed them under a picturesque shaded arbor. It was an experience that we could not have had without Leila, and we’re grateful to have had such a personable and knowledgeable guide.

6
674freddyk
December 14, 2025
Informative xochimilco tour

Everybody should go on this tour. Laila is a great and knowledgable guide through the canals. You will not be disappointed!

R
R6957WCelisabethh
November 25, 2025
Wonderful, personalized experience with terrific guide!

Laila was the perfect guide for our trip to Xochimilco. She was extremely knowledgeable about the history as well as the flora and fauna, and treated our family with great care. Laila was particularly wonderful with my 7 year old son, and made a special effort to engage him in conversation about the axolotls and the water. This was a wonderful experience all around, and I highly recommend it. Thank you, Laila!

P
Poppi_R
November 10, 2025
Laila was an amazing...

Laila was an amazing guide - knowledgeable and thoughtful. With her suggestions, we tried new fruits at the market and enjoyed that part of the experience more than expected. The canal tour was peaceful, and we enjoyed seeing birds and learning about the agriculture.

S
S9474JKalexn
November 6, 2025
Relaxing canal tour with great food and enthusiastic guide

Being in a big city like cdmx can be overwhelming at first, especially if you know only a few words in the local language. I highly recommend our tour guide Laila, she expertly guided us through a busy local market, told us about the history while we ate bits an pieces of the local fruits, vegetables and cuisine. Followed by a relaxing boat ride through the canals between the floating islands. There we visited two islands: a traditional horticulture as well as the Axolotl conservatory. I can highly recommend this tour at the beginning of your cdmx holidays, you will get many personal recommendations that might change or fill your upcoming days.

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