Xochimilco Canals: Unlimited Tequila & Trajinera Party Mexico City

Two Local Hosts Built This Party Around Tequila, Xochimilco's Canals, and You

You float Xochimilco's canals on a decorated trajinera with unlimited tequila and beer, taste mezcal, eat golden taquitos on a chinampa island, and play traditional Mexican games with other travelers. The hosts (locals who built this around their own culture) give you the photos at the end. Plan for three to four hours on the water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Xochimilco canals and tequila tasting

• Board decorated trajinera boat
• Enjoy unlimited tequila and beer
• Learn to prepare unique cocktails
• Savor pulque drink
• Stop at chinampa for Mexican dish
• Play traditional games like lottery
• Experience mezcal tasting with ingredients
• Take souvenir song photos

The experience

"The trajinera is not just a boat. It's where Mexico happens," one of the hosts tells you before you step aboard. And they're not wrong. You're on the water in Xochimilco, one of Mexico City's oldest neighborhoods, floating past chinampas (the ancient floating gardens) on a painted wooden boat while a tequila tasting happens around you. The unlimited drinks (tequila, beer, water, sodas) keep flowing the whole time, and the boat moves slow enough that you're never rushed. About 40 minutes in, you pull up to a small chinampa island where the kitchen serves golden taquitos (fried, your choice of chicken or vegetarian), and you eat standing up or sitting on the dock, watching the water and the other boats.

The games start after that. Lottery and pyrinole, traditional Mexican games, happen on the boat, and if you don't know the slang, the other travelers and the hosts teach you as you play. There's mezcal tasting too, the kind that comes with ritual and explanation, not just a shot. Music plays. You take photos that the hosts give you at the end. The whole thing is designed to feel less like a tour and more like you got invited to something that's already happening. It's three to four hours on the water, and the pace is set by the boat, not a schedule.

If you want to add floating shack dining or extra drinks from the island cafeteria, you can pay for those on the spot. Nothing is forced. Some people book the micheladas tour of Mexico City afterward (that costs extra too), but most just float back to the dock with the sun lower and the water quieter than when they started.

What’s included

Your day on the water includes unlimited tequila, beer, bottled water and sodas throughout the trajinera ride, a mezcal tasting with traditional preparation, golden taquitos (chicken or vegetarian) served on the chinampa island, traditional Mexican games like lottery and pyrinole, live music, and digital photos taken by the hosts. Service animals are welcome, and the boat and all areas are wheelchair accessible.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 17:00

Book up to1h before

GroupUp to 26

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Irlanda Contreras

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to float Xochimilco's canals without arranging transport, timing or food separately: the hosts handle the pace, the drinks keep coming, and the games happen whether you know anyone else on the boat or not.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the unlimited drinks?

Tequila, beer, bottled water, and sodas. Mezcal tasting is included. Additional drinks at the island cafeteria cost extra.

How long is the trajinera ride?

Three to four hours total, including a 40-minute stop at a chinampa island for food.

What food do you get?

Golden taquitos (fried, chicken or vegetarian) served at the chinampa stop. Additional floating shack meals are available for extra cost.

Can children or infants go?

Yes. Infants must sit on an adult's lap. Strollers and prams are allowed. The boat is wheelchair accessible.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to Xochimilco?

The tour operates in Xochimilco, Mexico City. Public transportation is available nearby. Check with the operator for pickup details.

What are the traditional games?

Lottery and pyrinole: Mexican games played on the boat. The hosts teach you the rules and slang as you play.

Do I get photos?

Yes, the hosts take photos during the tour and give them to you at the end.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it's suitable for all physical fitness levels. The boat is stationary or moving slowly, and you sit most of the time.