6 Kayak Trips in Xochimilco to Build a Day Around

1.Sunrise Kayak Tour in Xochimilco

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $28Our pick

Start before dawn in Xochimilco, paddling calm canals by single or shared kayak as birds stir and the volcanoes brighten. Choose breakfast and transport for a chinampa meal, bonfire, and rest stop. Groups max out at 10, with guides such as Luis, Beto, Teo, and René.

“The tour was well organized and the lunch was hearty and delicious! I took the guide in English, but it was useless because there were no explanations or facts. I would have liked to know more about the history of the canal or its nature, except that the guide did not say anything about it. Although it was fun and I also enjoyed seeing the sunrise and sailing in the canals, I would have really enjoyed hearing at least some interesting facts.Auto-translated”

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2.amanecer en kayak Ciudad de México

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 3 hours · from $55Top rated

Join Alan and his team for a three-hour sunrise kayak tour through Xochimilco’s canals and chinampas. You’ll get safety instruction, equipment, local history, time on the water, and entry to an ajolotario to learn about Mexico City’s remarkable axolotl.

“Alan was the best. Very kind and very knowledgable of the area as a local himself. One of the best sunrises of our lives and would highly recommend booking with him if you are considering it.”

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3.3 Hours of Kayaking at the Ancient Canals of Xochimilco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 3 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $71

Paddle for about three hours from Embarcadero Cuemanco through quiet canals, working chinampa farms, and bird-rich wetlands. Guide Grant leads this English-language outing for no more than seven people, with an early start that can bring cooler air, calm water, and sunrise light.

“Top-notch experience. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Mexico City. The scenery was beautiful, peaceful, and quiet. We got lucky to catch the sunrise, and Grant's explanation was very insightful. It was like an intriguing Mexican historical lesson combined with ecology, it was not boring it was really interesting.”

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4.Kayak at sunrise in Xochimilco: agroecological experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $107

Start early at Pier Fernando Celada for a kayak tour through Xochimilco’s canals. Guides Laila, Juan, and Diego explain chinampas, birds, farming, and axolotls, followed by a meal made with local produce. Expect cold, damp weather and a small group of up to 15.

“Such a wonderful tour, full of new information and unique experiences! Laila is so warm and inviting, providing so much context and translation assistance. The other guides (Juan and Diego) were so knowledgeable about the canals, chinampas, and farming practices. The chef (whose name i unfortunately missed) prepared us an astounding meal with products largely from the chinampa we visited.”

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5.Xochimilco at dawn in Canoe or Kayak and Organic Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $118

Leave your Mexico City accommodation around 5 am for a 40 to 50 minute canoe ride through Xochimilco’s ecological reserve. Watch the sunrise near Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl, eat a fresh organic breakfast on a chinampa, learn about local farming, and plant vegetables before returning.

“This was one of our favorite experiences in Mexico City. Rise early to get to the Xochimilco canals to see wildlife, watch the sun come up, and enjoy a meal & hot coffee afterwards. The scenery is stunning. Wear layers. Plan to get wet from paddling. There are double & single kayaks. Bring gloves & a change of clothes. It’s worth the effort to see CDMX from a different angle. Our tour was completely in Spanish so be ready to exercise your listening & speaker skills or follow the crowd.”

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6.Kayak tour in Xochimilco

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $20Best value

Paddle through Xochimilco’s Apampilco, Teshuilo, and Apatatlaco waterways with an English or Spanish guide. You’ll cross the original Island of the Dolls, look for wildlife, and see colorful trajineras at close range. Roberto, Miriam, or Daniela may lead the tour, which lasts about 2 to 3 hours.

“An interesting, different activity that shows you another panorama of the CdMx without leaving the CdMx.Auto-translated”

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