Xochimilco is a spectacular city in Mexico known for its vast array of canals and the world renowned Xochimilco water gardens located in the ancient Lake Xochimilco. Located at the southern tip of Mexico City, Xochimilco has resisted the modernization and kept its ancient ways and has been declared a World Heritage. Xochimilco meaning Garden of flowers was given this name by the Aztecs.

History of Xochimilco
It is believed hat the first settlers landed in this area around 240 AD. The Xochimilcas an ancient tribe of Xochimilaco founded the ceremonial center of Cuailama, now known as Santa Cruz Acalpixca. Ancient Hieroglyphs have been discovered in the mountains range of Ajusco-Chichinauhtzin which are depictions of the ancient ceremonies.

Xochimilco used the great canals and lakes as a transportation route for business with Mexico City. Xochimilco Lake served as the main transportation route the main cities for the smaller towns to the east. Agriculture was Xochimilco’s main source of income; the goods were primarily sold in Mexico City and supplied most of the food to the surrounding cities.

The Canals have become a hot tourist attraction. The Canals are very lively, and full of vibrant colors, boats (trajineras) and people. The trajineras will tour you through out the canals and even seriante you with live Mexican music. Vendors travel around in canoes with Mexican souvenirs and goods at some great prices as long as you remember to barter a little. You can even hire your own personal floating band!

The Canals are a free place to visit but the boat rides will cost a small fee ranging from 10 pesos a person to 160 paseos per hour for an entire boat (holding up to 12 people). The weekends can become pretty busy so a week day might be your best bit if you enjoy things a little less crowded.

In the tourist sections of the canals you will find floating food and drink boats for a mid day brunch or a nice cold beer.

The boat rides are very relaxing and offer a bit of tranquility after being in Mexico City. There is two docs to ender the cannels, Division de Nortel and the Ecological park of Xochimilco. All thou both provide adequate access to the same amenities The Ecological park of Xochimilo has a cleaner safer feel to it, which is generally preferred my most travelers.

Since the early 1920’s Xochimilco has become a Mexican Tourist attraction with tourism being the cities largest industry.

Chinampa – the ancient canals created for the method of agriculture was invented in this area by the ancient Aztec people. Chinampa uses the natural water flow to growChinampa Agriculture crops in shallow rectangular strips that would fill with water and flourish crops. Sadly the majority of the Chinampas have been turned into road ways and many of the fresh water streams are now used to feed the water needs of Mexico City. Due to the substandard current water the fields are more commonly used to grow flowers rather then harvest crops

Festivals – Since the Pre-colonial times Xochimilco has had an annual festival two weeks prior to Easter honoring Xochipilli the goddess of flowers and Maculxochitl the goddess of dance. This festival represented a thanking to the gods and a way to ask for good harvests. The Canales are filled with flower covered boats as they parade through out the farmland canals.

Manny have said this to be one of the most memorable attractions of Mexico City, so be sure to make it a day out of it on your next trip.