Brightly painted trajinera boats in red, yellow, and blue are moored side by side along the Xochimilco canals in Mexico City. One boat is named 'Frida.' Low-rise buildings, trees, and more colorful boats line the far bank of the calm, narrow waterway.

Visiting Xochimilco Canals with Kids: How to Plan Your Trip

ByJulia Thompson

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Trying to decide whether visiting the Xochimilco canals is actually worth your time in Mexico City?

We had the same question — especially travelling with kids. On paper, Xochimilco CDMX sounds like one of those iconic “must-do” experiences… but also potentially crowded, touristy and a bit chaotic.

The reality? It turned out to be one of the easiest (and most unexpectedly fun) family days we had in Mexico City.

Brightly coloured boats drifting through the canals, mariachi music floating across the water, snacks in hand and absolutely zero need for kids to walk anywhere — it ticks a lot of boxes if you’re travelling as a family.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly what it’s like visiting the Xochimilco canals with kids, how to get there, what a Xochimilco tour really costs, and whether it’s actually worth adding to your itinerary.

  • Best time to visit: Monday-Thursday for a peaceful boat ride, Friday-Saturday for the party vibes
  • How long do you need? Half a day including travel there/back
  • How much does it cost? From MX$500-600/£25-30/US$33-40 for 60-90mins
  • What ages is it suitable for? All ages will enjoy the colourful boats and the chilled out waterways

Table of Contents

How to get to Xochimilco from Mexico City

Xochimilco is almost like a small town of it’s own – and in fact at one point it was, before it was absorbed in to the sprawl of Mexico City. If you’re planning a visit to the Xochimilco canals (or the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco as they’re officially known) then the good news is that they are not too difficult to get to.

If you’re wondering exactly how to get to Xochimilco from Mexico City without it turning into a complicated day out, there are a couple of really straightforward options.

Getting to Xochimilco on the Metro

The cheapest way to get from the historic centre, Coyoacan, La Condesa – or any of the other central CDMX districts – is via the Metro. Trains run frequently and there are stations across the neighbourhoods of Mexico City – so you’re likely to be within walking distance of one, wherever you choose as your base.

You’ll need to take the Metro to Tasquena station, which sits at the end of Blue Line 2. Here you can connect to the Tren Ligero (Light Train) which runs all the way through to Xochimilco (it’s the last stop on the line). 

Before boarding the Metro, purchase a Metro card to cover your journey. Handily the Metro card also covers the Tren Ligero. Tickets for a single journey are MX$15/£0.60/$0.80 per person – which makes this a very cheap way to get to the Xochimilco canals.

It’s also one of the most reliable ways to get to Xochimilco CDMX without worrying about traffic delays.

Be aware that if you’re travelling in rush hour (at either end of the day) then the trains will likely be very packed. If you can travel outside these hours you’ll have a much more pleasant experience (as our kids will tell you, after sitting on the floor for the whole journey home).

Getting from the train station to the Xochimilco boats

There are sign posts from the Xochimilco station down to the boat docks – or embarcaderos as they’re known. But before you even spot a sign you’re likely to first see the groups of tour guides and locals outside the station pointing the way (and encouraging you to take their tours).

You don’t need to book with any of these folk (unless you want to) – you can make your own way on foot to the boat docks. If you get lost any of the locals will be able to steer you in the right direction.

Taking an Uber to Xochimilco

As ever, taking an Uber is the easiest way to get around. However, it might be more convenient but it’s also more expensive too. Expect a journey from the historic centre to cost around MX$470/£20/US$26 one way.

And whilst Ubers in Mexico City are easy and convenient, don’t expect it to be any quicker than the Metro and the Tren Ligero. Traffic in Mexico City means that road journeys can take much, MUCH longer than you might think.

If that all sounds like more effort than you want on holiday, there are also some great Xochimilco tours that handle everything for you — more on that below.

A long row of vividly painted trajinera boats packed tightly together at the Xochimilco canals, viewed from beneath overhanging tree branches. The nearest boat reads 'Felicidades' and 'La Lupe' in bold lettering, with tables and chairs visible on the decks of the empty, docked boats

Xochimilco Opening Hours

The boat tours along the Xochimilco canals start from 9am each morning, winding up at around 6pm. 

Including travel time to and from Xochimilco you’ll need at least half a day to explore the canals. But remember that how long you want to spend on a boat tour is completely up to you. 

You’re likely to spend an hour minimum on the water, but you can also opt for a much longer trip on the canals if you’ve got more time and cash to spend.

How much does a Xochimilco boat tour cost?

A standard 60-90mins Xochimilco tour along the canals should cost you around MX$500-600/£25-30/US$33-40. This will get you a private wooden boat to yourself. 

This is almost certainly NOT the price you will first be quoted when you arrive and ask for a boat. You’ll need to put your negotiation skills to the test to get the price down a bit (I’ll be honest, ours are sketchy at best but we still managed it a bit at least).

Note that a small tip is also *kind of* expected to, so factor another MX$50-100/£2.50-5/US$3.30-6.60 in to your budgeting. 

Drifting on the Xochimilco Canals: Our Experience

Once you’ve negotiated your price and how long you want to hire the boat for, you’re off. The first part of the canals takes you through the more urban stretch. We loved checking out all the graffiti art on the walls as we passed by (the boys in particular loved the animal related pieces). 

Once the canal starts to open up you’ll find yourself in the greener, more country based section – which is beautiful. There are ramshackle huts, little wooden houses, stalls and sections of old toys and dolls on display. It all feels a bit random but it’s really interesting to observe as you glide along the water.

We visited on a Friday afternoon; as we discovered, this comes with a totally different vibe to the quieter weekdays. Groups of locals hire the boats for birthdays, after-work drinks – or just any kind of celebration imaginable from what we could see. 

This makes for a very happy, vibrant and loud atmosphere on the water with music, laughter and the sounds of people having fun filling the air. Mariachi bands cruise between the canal boats playing songs for a fee. Little vendors on tiny vessels zip from boat to boat selling sweets, cold drinks and little souvenirs. 

It’s a real party vibe, but one that we found pretty family-friendly at the same time. If this isn’t your thing, then visiting Monday-Thursday means you’ll get a much quieter time drifting along the Xochimilco canals – without the celebrations around you.

The boats are covered so there’s plenty of shade on board. Whilst you can buy snacks and drinks from the vendors on the water, our tip would be to visit Xochimilco Market on your way to the docks. 

Wandering the huge market is an experience in itself. You can buy all kinds of foodstuffs in here – and it’s all at pretty good prices. We stacked ourselves up with cheese quesadillas (always a hit with the kids), hot buttered corn-on-the-cobs, exotic-looking sweets, cold drinks and loads of fresh fruit. 

Cruising the waterways, sipping a cold drink and nibbling on some delicious quesadillas and fruit was a pretty fabulous experience. And also, if you’re visiting Xochimilco with kids, no-one wants hungry, grumpy kids on board.

Our boat ride lasted for around 90mins which felt pretty perfect. 

Note that if you want to visit the Isla Munecas (Island of the Dolls) you’ll need to take a longer tour (minimum 2 hours) as it’s further from the dock.

The view from the bow of a yellow and red trajinera boat cruising the tree-lined Xochimilco canals in Mexico City. Several other brightly painted and occupied trajineras are visible ahead on the calm waterway, with a gondolier poling a red and green boat on the right.

Best Xochimilco Tours (if you don’t want to DIY)

If you’re happy navigating public transport and negotiating prices, doing Xochimilco independently is totally doable (and cheaper).

But — and this is a big one if you’re travelling with kids — sometimes you just want things to be easy.

That’s where booking one of the best Xochimilco tours can make a lot of sense.

Instead of figuring out how to get to Xochimilco from Mexico City, navigating the docks, and haggling over prices, everything is organised for you — transport, timing, and your Xochimilco boat ride included.

We seriously considered this option ourselves, especially after a long stretch of travel when decision fatigue was very real.

When booking a Xochimilco tour is worth it

A pre-booked Xochimilco tour is a great option if:

  • You’re short on time and want a smooth, half-day experience
  • You’re travelling with younger kids and want to avoid complicated logistics
  • You’re not comfortable negotiating prices on arrival
  • You want transport included (especially useful in a city as big as CDMX)

What to expect from a Xochimilco tour

Most Xochimilco tours include:

  • Return transport from central Mexico City
  • A set-length boat ride along the Xochimilco canals
  • A fixed price (no haggling required)
  • Some include extras like food, drinks or a guide

This can take a lot of the uncertainty out of visiting Xochimilco canals — especially if it’s your first time in Mexico City.

Our honest take – if we were doing this trip again with younger kids (or on a tighter schedule), we’d probably book a tour just for the ease of it.

That said, doing it independently gave us more flexibility — especially being able to stop at the market and take things at our own pace.

👉 Take a look at the best Xochimilco tours here to compare prices, inclusions and availability for your dates.

Seen from the deck of a trajinera boat on the Xochimilco canals, the famous Isla de las Muñecas (Island of the Dolls) comes into view — dozens of weathered, eerie dolls and doll parts hanging from trees and fencing along the muddy bank. A child with red hair watches from the foreground. Signs reading 'No Tirar Basura' and 'No Pasar' are visible among the dolls.

Tips for visiting the Xochimilco canals (with kids)

  • Be prepared to haggle. Boat captains are likely to start at a much higher price than you should be paying so you’ll need to negotiate it down to a reasonable level
  • Build enough time in to your visit to stop by the Xochimilco market first – stock up on drinks, snacks and delicious fresh fruit in advance. If you’re visiting Xochimilco with kids then you don’t want to get half way through a boat ride just to be faced with hungry kids on board!
  • Want a quiet experience? Go on a weekday. Looking for more atmosphere? Try a Friday or Saturday.
  • Payment for boats is cash only; make sure you have change

So, is Xochimilco worth visiting?

For us — absolutely yes.

It’s not the most polished or peaceful experience in Mexico City, and it does take a bit of effort to get there. But that’s also part of what makes it memorable. The mix of colour, chaos, music, food and local life makes visiting the Xochimilco canals feel like something completely different from the rest of the city.

There’s no long walking, no strict schedule, and plenty to keep them entertained — whether that’s spotting passing boats, snacking their way through the journey, or just soaking up the atmosphere.

If you go in with the right expectations (and a few snacks in your bag), a Xochimilco tour can easily become one of your favourite family travel memories in Mexico City.

Whether you opt for a loud, slightly chaotic weekend visit or a peaceful escape on a weekday, the Xochimilco canals are absolutely well worth a half-day of your time in Mexico City.

FAQs about visiting the Xochimilco canals

Is Xochimilco worth visiting with kids?

Yes — it’s one of the easiest family-friendly activities in Mexico City. There’s very little walking involved, the boats are shaded, and the colourful, lively atmosphere keeps kids entertained throughout.

How do you get to Xochimilco from Mexico City?

The cheapest way is via Metro + Tren Ligero (Light Rail) to Xochimilco station. Alternatively, an Uber is easier but more expensive and not necessarily quicker due to traffic.

How much does a Xochimilco tour cost?

Expect to pay around MX$500–600 for a 60–90 minute private boat. Prices are negotiable, and you’ll likely need to haggle when you arrive.

What are the Xochimilco opening hours?

Boat tours typically run from around 9am to 6pm, although exact times can vary slightly depending on the dock.

What is the best time to visit Xochimilco canals?

For a quieter, more relaxed experience, visit Monday–Thursday. For a lively, party-style atmosphere with music and crowds, Friday–Sunday is best.

Do you need to book a Xochimilco tour in advance?

No — you can easily arrange a boat when you arrive. However, if you prefer a more structured experience, there are several pre-booked Xochimilco tours that include transport and fixed pricing.

Planning a Mexico City trip with kids and not sure how to fit everything in?

We’ve mapped out exactly how we did it — including family-friendly activities, where we stayed, and how we made it all work without exhausting everyone.

👉 Drop your email below and we’ll send you our full Mexico City family itinerary (so you can skip the overwhelm and get straight to the fun part).

Julia Thompson is the writer behind Thompsons vs The World, a family travel blog dedicated to providing advice and guidance to travel-loving families who want to see the world. Having travelled extensively pre-children (for both work and play) Julia was determined to build a life full of adventure and wonder for her two boys. These family adventures range from campervanning across the UK and Europe to leaving 'real-life' behind for a year on a family gap year that crossed three continents. A natural planner, she loves nothing more than a good Lonely Planet and organising the next adventure :)

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