3 Hours of Kayaking at the Ancient Canals of Xochimilco

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

3 hours 15 minutes

Mobile ticket

We follow canals through the 800-900 year old chinampa system of agriculture, the last remnant of the original lake from prehispanic times. These lush water trails form a green maze of wildlife, mountain views, and still-functioning island farms unlike anywhere in the world. It is a calm paddle with plenty of time for pictures, birdwatching, and exploration.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

We'll leave from Embarcadero Cuemanco for a 3 hour calm kayak trip into the beautiful agricultural section of Xochimilco, taking lesser-known small canals full of bird and fish life and passing the still working island farms (chinampas) that have been here since the prehispanic period.

What‘s Included

Kayaks

Lifejacket

Dry Bag

Options

3 Hours of Kayaking at the Ancient Canals of Xochimilco

Reviews

5.00

18 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Peaceful, personalized paddling
tofu dog,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Had an excellent morning paddling around Xochimilco's canals with Grant. He is a one-person operation and a treasure trove of information about the past and present of the area -- human settlement and use, flora and fauna. This was a legitimate three-hour, 4.5-mile paddle, with no pit stops, so be prepared to work! One thing I really appreciated was the 7 a.m. start, which allowed us to get a bit more sleep in the night before. A lot of the other operators pick you up from the city center at 4:30 a.m., whereas for this operation we could just grab a Didi rideshare at around 6:20 a.m. and get to the docks in plenty of time. Group size is limited to 7 guests, so it's a very personalized, conversational experience. The canals are so peaceful and quiet in the early morning hours -- just a couple other kayaking groups and the local wildlife to share the water. Grant even threw in some excellent recommendations for local food spots! Highly recommend.
Must do in Mexico City
Rachel C,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Grant was an amazing guide. He was super chill and very knowledgeable! We learned so much on the tour and saw so many incredible flora and fauna. Dawn is the perfect time to go it was so beautiful.
Beautiful morning on the water
Monique F,,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
This is an excellent way to see the Xochimilcos. I’m still in awe that this beautiful nature area exists within the city. Grant is so knowledgeable about the area, its history and current affairs. I can’t recommend this highly enough!
Beautiful Landscape, Informative Tour!
Stuart M,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This tour was a fun, peaceful, educational, and fascinating look at the natural world around Mexico City. Grant was an excellent guide, tailoring the tour to the interests and desires of our group. He shared abundant information about the history surrounding the canals, the use of the land for farming, and the past and present dynamics impacting the ways that the Mexican people interact with the waterways. We arrived early to begin our tour before the larger boats and groups of tourists entered the water. This early start was well worth it, as the canals were serene, wildlife (especially Herons) was abundant, and the temperature was comfortable throughout. Wear layers, and with care you will be comfortable and stay dry!
Greg Grant Gig
Jennifer H,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Grant is your guide. His love for the area and personal enjoyment of kayaking the waters shows, while he takes you through background and current issues affecting the islands and canals. Highly recommend.
Xochimilco October 31
24zacharyz,,Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Really magical experience! Grant is an excellent guide and kayaks are the best way to experience the canals. Would recommend highly!
Excellent way to explore the canals of Xochimilco!
Julia A,,Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What a gorgeous morning exploring the canals! We saw tons of birds and learned a lot about the local culture and agriculture. Grant us a terrific guide. He let us set the tone of the experience which was highly appreciated. If you want a quiet (non-touristy) experience without all the extras (we opted out of the creepy doll island!) this tour is for you.
DON'T pass this getaway opportunity~~~ Must do
hong c,,Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
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.
Awesome experience
S6186CGcatalinam,,Sep 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
No one else had booked on the date I chose, so it ended up being just Grant and me. He knows the area, culture, and history extremely well, and I learned a lot. He’s also very mindful and gave clear, helpful instructions throughout. Communication was perfect—fast, efficient, and always on time. I highly recommend it — you’ll be in great hands with him.
Great back-to-nature excursion
Elizaread,,Aug 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was such a great way to experience natural Mexico City! Grant was engaging and intelligent in his information sharing, as well as being flat-out nice. We had a great time and recommend this to anyone who wants to see Mexico City outside the city.