Description of the attraction
Xochimilco (translated as "flower place") is a suburban area of Mexico City, the third largest. It covers an area of 122 square kilometers and is located 18 kilometers south of the city center.
Xochimilco is world famous for the ancient Aztec canals - chinampas. Here you can ride the local trachinera gondolas along the ancient canals. The main business of these places is the cultivation of flowers and plants. There is always traditional Mexican music performed by mariarchi and marimba. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations.
In 1987, the Xochimilco canals were included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Xochimilco is often referred to as the "Venice of Mexico", although it is debatable which canals were laid earlier. This place was once a lake with islands, where flowers were grown for ritual Indian rituals. Flora cultivation is the most popular activity here, and boat trips are a favorite pastime for residents and visitors of Mexico City.
The canals stretch for 176 km, 14 of them are tourist. Many ornamented boats run on them and are run by embarcaderos - local boatmen - with long poles. In addition to pleasure boats, you can also find shuttles with sellers of popcorn and souvenirs, or barges with mariachi musicians in sombrero, performing the famous Besame Mucho and Gvantanamera to order.
Xochimilco has its own Ecological Park, which was opened in 1993, its area is 1, 737 hectares. On its territory there is a huge flower market with a stunning variety of flowers.
It is better to come to Xochimilco on weekends and for the whole day to feel its atmosphere saturated with local flavor.
