Equally you might accept heard before, Mexicans are especially proficient when it comes to fiestas. The party spirit runs through their souls–with just about annihilation requiring a total-blown celebration of trip the light fantastic toe, nutrient and drinks. Mexico bursts with a vibrant colorful atmosphere that is, simply put, contagious.

Now imagine this: at that place is a quintessential network of gorgeous canals that reflects a rainbow-like assortment of colors. Cute trajineras (gondolas) donned with unique names glide gracefully along the Xochimilco canals, with musicians, vendors, and a gleeful vibe all around.

Honestly, going to Xochimilco is one of those things you have to do if you lot ever visit Mexico City. The Floating Gardens are insanely pop amid tourists and locals, and for good reason! I can tell yous from personal experience that this will exist a in one case-in-a-lifetime kind of experience that is impossible to recreate anywhere else.


Mexico's Xochimilco Canals:
A Guide to Riding on a Trajinera Gondola


Well-nigh Xochimilco United mexican states

Xochimilco lies 17 miles s of Mexico City, and it is more often than not known for it'due south large body of floating gardens that run through a vast lake and create the popular Xochimilco canals! The gardens don't really "bladder" per se, but they are only held together with a few roots of tree that are human-made through natural resources.

The Xochimilco canals (Xochimilco straight translating to place where flowers abound) is a destination more anything else—a Sunday escape, a floating fiesta of trajineras, a picnic and the Venice of the New Globe. The chinampas in that location (which are the floating gardens), are recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage site and are actually nevertheless used for cultivation up to this day.

Mexico's Xochimilco Canals: A Guide to Riding on a Trajinera Gondola

What is a Trajinera?

"Trajinar" which is a Spanish verb, direct translates to carrying appurtenances from one place to some other. And that'due south originally what the "trajinera" boats were for. Porfirio Diaz, the former president of Mexico, used the "trajineras" to give guests a tour of the quintessential Xochimilco and it grew to become one of the principal pastimes for Mexicans.

Most trajineras seat as many as 20 people on wooden bench tables, merely you can even detect bigger ones, usually called lanchas colectivas that fit over 60 people. And although you can pretty much take a "trajinera" ride anytime, the best time to do so is during Sundays. This is the all-time way to experience information technology as a local.

The Experience of Riding Trajineras in Xochimilco

Arriving at the Xochimilco canals is similar seeing an explosion of Skittle colors — a rainbow piñata of boats. Rows and rows of trajineras (gondolas), stacked dorsum to back and side by side, waiting for hundred of passengers which would no doubt exist arriving soon. Each doned a unique name; Viva Lupita, Margarita, Carmelita—Ms. Julietta was the proper noun of my ride.

You know what a completely normal scene is similar on the Xochimilco canals? Let me tell you what it was like for me. If you think the experience just entails beingness on a trajinera and gliding through quintessential greenery, then you're wrong. The whole experience is a multi-sensory one where a lot of different stuff happens at the same fourth dimension. A traditional family sing together, a passing grouping of rowdy young people, snacks all around, floating singing mariachis, floating taco stands, colorful ponchos and sombreros everywhere and much more (including photographers taking pictures of you!).

Brightly colored gondolas, dozens of people, huge groups, skillful food and music—what more could you ask for? Every bit you float downwards the canals back and forth, you'll too get to pass boats that sell nutrient, drinks and even souvenirs. I'thousand talking corn on the cob, sombreros and lots of beer! Honestly, if you enquire me – it'due south quite the picturesque way to spend your twenty-four hours.

Instead of just going on your usual boat ride, you actually become a multi-sensory experience that everyone tin can enjoy. As we were on the boat, a lively mariachi band actually pulled up to our side and "serenaded" us with some good old Mexican folk music. Other vessels passed united states of america forth the way, some carrying families who were celebrating a members cumpleaños (altogether)and some packing college students enjoying a twenty-four hour period away from studying. There was dancing, singing and laughing aboard them all.

Plenty of canoes filled with vendors and souvenirs glided by, selling everything from blankets to flowers to libations. Of course, when you lot've been on a boat for a while, it's hard to turn down a delicious Micheladas (a beer Bloody Mary) and elotes  (grilled corn slathered in a flossy chili and lime sauce with cheese, information technology'due south a classic Mexican street food or in this case 'h2o nutrient').

Though you lot can buy food on the h2o or bring your own, our dejeuner was catered by a local eating house and brought on lath prior to departure. Mariachis played in the background as nosotros ate soft tortillas frilled with refried beans, peppers and cheese.  A plate of very addictive chicharrones (fried pork rinds) was passed around and cervezas were plentiful.

Mexico's Xochimilco Canals: A Guide to Riding on a Trajinera Gondola

Lunch on Mexico's Xochimilco Canals: A Guide to Riding on a Trajinera Gondola

After you're done on the water, return to the dock where souvenir shops in the mercado expanse wait. I skipped the shopping and headed straight for the the Danza de los Voladores (dance of the flyers) show that was happening in a courtyard nearby. This Mesoamerican trip the light fantastic ceremony, consists of flyers climbing to the top of a 30-meter pole. Secured by ropes they then launch themselves to the ground, mesmerizingly spinning around the pole all the manner to the bottom. I got dizzy just watching.

Dance of the Flyers at Xochimilco, Mexico

A trajinera trip along the Xochimilco Canals is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to really experience the local life showtime-paw. You'll get to come across the eternal fiesta enjoyed past Mexicans all the time, and you'll get to have a dissimilar type of sight-seeing other than normal guided tours.

Essential Tips for Visiting the Xochimilco Canals

Xochimilco Canal Tours –You can take a tour with GetYourGuide that will have you through a tranquil boat trip along the h2o and a visit to Frida Kahlo's house (Casa Azul). You lot'll also get to explore the quaint streets of Coyocan later on a hectic twenty-four hour period on the h2o.

There'due south also another tour by Viator that will take you through the streets of Coyocan, the National Autonomas Academy of United mexican states to run into murals of Diego Rivera and more than, go to the Frida Kahlo Museum, and then float on a trajinera down the Xochimilco culvert! An expert guide will tell you all nigh the interesting history surrounding you.

If you lot choose to find your own way to the Xochimilco Canals and not volume a bout, you tin negotiate with the boat owners upon arrival or arrange your trip through your hotel. If you do not make prior arrangements, arrive early every bit they tend to go very busy. A gunkhole ride should cost around $500 Mexican pesos ($26 USD) per hour for the unabridged gunkhole, not per person.

What to Bring –You won't demand to bring much – merely make sure you take cash. If you lot're not wanting to spend money on food and drinks, then I recommend packing upwardly on some snacks for the ride!

Other things to practise Nearby – To keep with the in one case-in-a-lifetime theme, my summit recommendation is a visit to La Isla de las Muñecas. The Island of the Dolls is something straight out of a horror novel—an entire island dedicated to one-time dolls. There are hundreds of old dolls (deteriorating besides) that are creepily hung over the trees. It's no surprise that people actually call back that this place is haunted.

Other Things to Know

  • It tin be quite crowded, specially on the weekends, and so if you are looking for a more tranquil feel effort visiting early in the morning on a weekday.
  • It's best to book the trajinera for at to the lowest degree 2 hours. This way you'll be able to venture farther abroad and explore more.
  • Make certain you bring cash with you, they do not accept credit cards.
  • A trip is best enjoyed with a large and lively group!
  • Pack a libation full of beer and snacks if you tin can.
  • Bring speakers! If can then liven upward your gondola with your own music. Check out these portable travel speakers.
  • Semana Santa, Holy Week, is definitely the busiest week of the yr.
This mail service was provided in a partnership with Become Eat Give & United mexican states Metropolis Tourism. All opinions my own. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my links, I earn a committee that helps to keep this blog running—at no extra cost to you. Y'all tin read my total disclosure here.

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