DK Travel : Mexico City : Xochimilco Floating Gardens

Xochimilco Floating Gardens

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Every weekend, visitors and the residents of Mexico City flock to Xochimilco to relax, party, and have fun. Aboard colorfully decorated trajineras (flat boats), they enjoy the beauty of these ancient canals built by the Aztecs. The floating gatherings are attended to by food and beverage vendors, musicians, and craft merchants.
A pedicab is a fun way to reach the embarcaderos from Xochimilco village.Bus tours to the floating gardens provide an instant group of friends. Many of the vendors and musicians wear brilliant costumes or native clothing. Photographers are expected to pay for taking their pictures. Have a floating picnic and sample the food offered by vendors on boats. Widened for the 1968 Olympics, the canals near Cuemanco are favored by kayakers and rowing teams

Top 10 Features

1. Boat Ride

1. Boat Ride

A boat trip through the canals in a colorful trajinera is the best way to experience the floating gardens of Xochimilco. Explore the festive commercial area as well as the quieter places farther from the landing.
2. Embarcaderos and Trajineras

2. Embarcaderos and Trajineras

The flat-bottomed boats are painted with colorful flower motifs. Several embarcaderos (boat jetties) are found near the center of town. Nativitas is the largest and busiest.
3. Floating Mariachis

3. Floating Mariachis

Mariachi groups and marimba bands travel up and down the canals. On being hired, the leader boards your boat to dance and sing, accompanied by a boatload of musicians tied alongside.
4. Shrines

4. Shrines

At the embarcaderos and along some canals can be found small, well-decorated shrines filled with flowers honoring the boaters’ patron saints.
5. Floating Food Vendors

5. Floating Food Vendors

Vendors in small boats offer food for your table. Many have kitchens onboard with hot soup pots or grills to serve freshly cooked favorites. Other boats supply beer and soft drinks.
6. Flowers for Women

6. Flowers for Women

It is traditional to give flowers to the women in your party, and flower sellers float past offering a selection of colorful blooms.
7. Floating Crafts Vendors

7. Floating Crafts Vendors

Brilliant rugs, colorful ceramics, and all manner of handcrafted items and jewelry are also available for sale on small boats. Vendors float by, holding their wares up for all to see, and will come alongside, when invited, to give you a closer look at the selection on offer.
8. Flower Gardens and Nurseries

8. Flower Gardens and Nurseries

Flower gardens, greenhouses, and nurseries are found all along the banks of the canals. The flowers grown here are shipped to Mexico City and throughout the Americas.
9. Parque Ecológico de Xochimilco

For a different experience, head to embarcadero Cuemanco where you can float in relative peace and quiet through protected areas of pristine natural beauty. It is also popular with birdwatchers.
10. Waterside Markets and Restaurants

The embarcadero Nativitas has a bustling shore-side market selling souvenirs and some good restaurants that can be easily reached by boat.

Practical Information

A pedicab is a fun way to reach the embarcaderos from Xochimilco village.Bus tours to the floating gardens provide an instant group of friends. Many of the vendors and musicians wear brilliant costumes or native clothing. Photographers are expected to pay for taking their pictures. Have a floating picnic and sample the food offered by vendors on boats. Nativitas and Caltongo, the main embarcaderos, are near the center of Xochimilco; embarcadero Cuemanco leads to Parque Ecológico de Xochimilco 5676-0810 Metro 2 to Tasqueña; then Light Rail to the outskirts of Xochimilco village; taxi or pedicab to the embarcaderos 150 to 200 pesos www.xochimilco.df.gob.mx