This was such a fun experience!…read more We got here early, so we were able to avoid some of the crowds that I've heard can impact the experience. It felt both relaxing and hype as we passed other boat with vendors, hopping on and off too offer food, beer and music. The group I was with welcomed the mariachi band who hopped on (for a modest fee) which really took the vibes up a notch. I also ordered a Michelada that was the size of my head with chamoy and tajin, which was novel yes but also delicious! Overall, the vibes were 10/10 - a fun and memorable experience!

Xochimilco is such a fun and unique experience-super lively, busy, and full of food and music…read moreeverywhere. We took an uber from Mexico City to Xochimilco which is about 1 hour or so. I recommend going into the area and getting a certified boat. The trajinera prices are per boat, not per person. As of April 2026, it's about $750 pesos per hour. I'd suggest doing at least 2 hours so you can really enjoy it without rushing. While you're on the canals, you'll be approached by mariachis, locals selling food and drinks, and honestly just about anything you can think of. You can also bring your own food and drinks onto the boat, plus a speaker if you want to set the vibe. Definitely a more fun experience if you go with a group of people! Also, your best bet is to visit Coyoacan while in the area, it's about 30 mins.

When in Mexico City, don't let anyone tell you that this unique, scenic, traditional, loud,…read morecrowded, boisterous adventure is too "touristy." Yes, it's (overly) glitzy at times, possibly too popular/busy, especially on holidays/weekends, but it's sooooooo MEXICAN!! Take the day trip from the city, either on your own (helps to speak SOME Spanish) or with a group and go with the FLOW!! We took an Uber from the Centro Historico and made our way to where we needed to be. Well, we actually got lost a few times, but managed to find this location (there are several launching points...) and managed to get a reasonably good deal for a two hour "ecological" tour, which meant we had some quality time in the lesser congested areas, and even saw some beautiful birds!! Our guide was super informative, and we really saw quite a bit in the two hours we were out there. We didn't do much eating and drinking, but saw many others taking advantage of the holiday season to have BIG fiestas on the water!! Xochimilco is definitely an EXPERIENCE... Andale!! In spite of the crowds, glitz, possible price gouging (it'll probably happen, get over it, it's how they make a living!!) it's WELL worth it!!

Xochimilco is a historic canal district in Mexico City, famous for its colorful boats (trajineras)…read morethat offer festive tours through the waterways. Xochimilco is a popular destination for tourists visiting Mexico City, even though it's a hike from the center of the city (you'll likely spend an hour getting to Xochimilco). We didn't visit on our first trip to Mexico City, but we did make a quick stop to tour the Xochimilco canals on our second visit to CDMX a few weeks ago. We visited with a tour group, which I recommend. I've heard it can be difficult to arrange things on your own. I believe it. When we visited, the market at this portion of Xochimilco had just been torn down (they are rebuilding it in time for the World Cup next summer), and it made for a confusing site. Without our guide, we definitely wouldn't have known where to go. There are lots of ways to experience and enjoy Xochimilco. For a lot of people, it's a party. You can eat, drink, and listen to mariachi music. I've heard it can be quite an experience and people can turn this into a party. You can also have a more historical- or ecological-focused experience, which is what we did (several groups focus on this kind of visit, including some that take you out at sunrise to experience it). Our tour guide taught us the history of Xochimilco (the waterways here were a main transportation venue from the pre-Hispanic period until the 20th century) and some of the ways people are trying to focus on improving the environment in the area (bringing back agriculture/chinampas and attempting to preserve habitat for the axolotl - Google it, it's amazing). If you're hoping for a particular experience, I highly recommend checking with a tour guide who can help you pick the portion of Xochimilco and ensure you get the experience you're most interested in. It's an interesting place, but given its distance from the city center, I wouldn't say it's a must visit for first time tourists to the city.

Area in close walking distance to the Frida Kahlo Museum, and the renowned churro place…read more We left the hotel early, got dropped off with one hour before our ticket admitting us in so we walked to a Panera that Doc spotted on the ride there. We entered a church, had lunch in the area and did some shopping. Doc bought a bracelet I liked from a vendor and a T-shirt from a man across the street from the museum for me. I bought some bracelets and pouches from a man on the street. He could speak English and said his family was Aztec. He made the bracelets and his grandmother made the pouches. Many locals with their dogs and tourists were enjoying the nice warm weather. We saw people being blessed with special smoke or sage. Many shops and eateries on nice streets. There was one two story restaurant that looked very pretty and romantic with couples eating on the outdoor balcony.

Fun, lively area! Came on a Sunday and there were tons of people outs and about…read more Pros: -many restaurants to choose from -vendors galore where you can buy souvenirs -there are a few free Wi-Fi spots in this area -we saw performers dancing near the church Cons: -none

What a dream to have visited Xochimilco! We got trajineras at around 10am. It wasn't packed yet so…read morewe got in right away and rented the trajinera for three horas at $600 hourly . We rented a speaker for 550 pesos hourly. I'm sure we could have negotiated but we choose not too. We thought it was a good price. There are people selling food, snacks and Miches in little boats! We bought food , traditional tlacoyos which were yummy. We got a bunch of quesadillas as well for 1200 total. It was about 10 of us which is about 7 US dollars for each and we were stuffed! Great experience except when having to stop at a restroom. 10 pesos to use and no running water which was uncomfortable. The bathroom was not a great sight. I'm so happy I got to get on a trajinera!

For a DIY day trip to Xochimilco's canals, you can get there by using public transportation (though…read morethe journey is long and may require a few transfers), or taking an Uber. If you're not going to Xochimilco on a guided tour, you'll need to hire your own trajinera, or boat. The current going rate for a boat is 600 pesos per hour. Embarcadero Cuemanco is where we went. Apparently Nuevo Navitas is more of a party scene, which I didn't realize, but then we got the whole it's closed scam and our uber driver started taking us somewhere else which is apparently an even bigger scam. If you go to Embarcadero Cuemanco you can ask them to stop at the axolotyl place, it was cool to see the little lizards and they had bathrooms (10 pesos) too. A really nice way to spend a few hours!

From the owner: combinamos el bosque con la cercanía de la ciudad, único , casa estilo tutor, laberinto a base de…read morearbustos, salones para eventos sociales, jardines, campamento, alimentos, estacionamiento, sanitarios, seguridad y más

If your travels take you to Mexico City, and you won't get the opportunity to visit other regions…read moreof this wonderfully diverse country, be sure to take some time out of your busy touring schedule (I'd say at least 2-3 hours or more) to explore every nook and cranny of this awesome crafts market. Even if you don't buy a thing (impossible!!) you'll feel like you've taken a whirlwind tour of some of the most beautiful and artistically productive areas of the country... I love the colors, the feel of "discovering" a great bargain or a unique piece of craftwork. It may seem like there's a lot of repetition here (and there is...) but if you take the time, and really check out all the hidden nooks and crannies, you're bound to find a true, one of a kind gem (or twelve...)!! I could spend a week in here!! There's a cafe mid way through the market, and restrooms toward the back. Don't miss the non-craft (foods, spices, etc.) vendors around the perimeter, don't waste too much time trying to bargain/heckle, as most of the prices are super reasonable (though some vendors will give you great deals for volume buying) and one of your purchases before leaving CDMX might just be another suitcase (or three!) to bring home all your WONDERFUL finds here at the Ciudadela Market!! ANIMO!!! Shop here, DON'T wait til you're leaving at the airport, and see lesser-quality work for 3x the price!!

You know the drill... you tell family and friends where you're jetting off to and all of a sudden…read moreEVERYONE needs you to bring them back a souvenir. In Mexico City you can get all your tías, tíos, primos, vecinos what they asked for at La Ciudadela. This art market is huge! Once you walk in through the front gates you will notice that the layout is just like a little city. You have about 8-10 "streets" which have multiple stores on each one. I was soooo amazed at all of the high quality pottery, jewelry, sculptures, hand embroidered Oaxacan dresses that met my eye. At this point, I had a big problem since I knew I wanted more than I could hold in my luggage. I found beautiful hand embroidered table clothes from Hidalgo and Oaxaca that were priced very well considering the intricate work. I also bought 2 hand painted pieces -- a pitcher and a vase -- that cost me less than $20USD for both. The vendors are open to haggling with you, but keep in mind that these people are artisans and should get paid at market value. I didn't feel comfortable haggling with them since the prices were already more than reasonable. On the outskirts of La Ciudadela you'll find additional stores that sell iron works, hand blown glass work, and more. I wish I had more time to comb through the whole area but shame on me for leaving my visit to the morning I was flying out. I can easily see spending 2-3 hours here checking out all they have to offer. Note that you need to bring Mexican pesos when shopping here. If you get hungry or thirsty there's a cool little food stand near the front gate where you can get yummy quesadillas and gorditas. There's a really neat park across the street as well where you can take a breather and recharge for more shopping. This place is a must for all that are visiting MX City. You not only have a one stop shop for your cool souvenirs but you support local artists and their crafts.