Lake Xochimilco

Lake Xochimilco is the remnant of a much larger lake system that once covered the Basin of Mexico; today it survives as a fragmented network of canals, small lakes, and chinampa agricultural plots in southern Mexico City. It is both an ecological wetland and a cultural landscape with centuries of agricultural and urban history.

The canal network and remaining chinampas are used for small-scale cultivation and form a distinctive landscape that visitors experience by flat-bottomed boats called trajineras. The area is also noted for birdlife in remaining wetland patches and for local markets and cultural events tied to the canals.

Xochimilco developed over pre-Hispanic and colonial periods as part of the Basin of Mexico’s managed lake and agricultural system; chinampa farming techniques date to at least the pre-Columbian era and the canals remained important through the colonial period. Urban expansion and drainage of the basin reduced the original lake to its present fragmented form.

The Xochimilco canals lie in the southern boroughs of Mexico City, south of the city center, set within a heavily urbanized landscape of housing and parks but preserving pockets of wetland and agricultural plots.

• UNESCO World Heritage: Part of the UNESCO World Heritage inscription for the Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco, recognizing its cultural and ecological value.
• Trajinera rides: Trajinera boat rides operate year-round from several embarcaderos and are the most common way for visitors to experience the canal network.

What to See#

• Canals and chinampas: Canal network and chinampas - a system of canals with remaining areas of traditional floating gardens used for small-scale cultivation.
• Trajineras and embarcaderos: Embarcaderos and trajinera routes - multiple boat landing points provide commercial trajinera rides through the canals for visitors.

By metro: Take Mexico City Metro Line 2 to Tasqueña and change to the Tren Ligero (light rail) to Xochimilco station; from there, walk or take a local taxi to the embarcaderos (about 10-20 minutes). By car/taxi: Allow extra time for traffic; principal embarcaderos include Embarcadero Nuevo Nativitas and Embarcadero Cuemanco.

• Hire a trajinera from Embarcadero Nuevo Nativitas or Embarcadero Cuemanco to avoid the busiest piers.
• Go early (before 9am) or late afternoon to avoid midday sun and crowds; evenings are lively with mariachi and food vendors.
• Ask the boatman to steer toward the quieter canals if looking for traditional chinampa agriculture rather than crowded seating areas.