City Tour and Xochimilco Floating gardens
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 28 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is City Tour and Xochimilco Floating gardens worth booking?
City Tour and Xochimilco Floating gardens is a 8-hour experience in Mexico City, Mexico, from $85 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 28 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (28)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $85 per person
Mexico City is a modern important cultural city declared by UNESCO World Heritage City, former Aztec Empire City "Tenochtitlan." You will visit the main highlights, including Zócalo (main square). In the Historical Cent
What you get
About this experience
Mexico City is a modern important cultural city declared by UNESCO World Heritage City, former Aztec Empire City "Tenochtitlan." You will visit the main highlights, including Zócalo (main square). In the Historical Center, enjoy a unique walking tour at Madero pedestrian street, along with colonial and art deco palaces. Drive-by Paseo de la Reforma, where the most important city monuments make this very attractive, such as the Angel and the Diana Continue to Xochimilco, known as the “floating gardens” aboard a 1-hour boat or "trajineras," continue to Campus of University City, UNAM famous murals of Diego River, O´Gorman, and Siqueiros as well as the stadium (Panoramic View only). This tour has shared and private options. Please select the more convenient for you.
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup (selected hotels only)
- Trajinera in Xochimilco
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Not included
- Food and drinks (if option not selected)
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Fine Art Palace, a unique, eclectic architecture art deco, and Renaissance style, Carrara and Mexican marbles, an impressive Tiffany curtain, is the best cultural venue in the Historic Center of Mexico and a real jewel of the city.
Pass by without stopping
Zocalo
Enjoy the world's 3rt largest square, surrounded by Mexico's most important political power buildings; National Palace, the City Hall, the Justice Palace, and the Cathedral. Zocalo is synonymous with the main square in Mexico. Finds the remains of the Azteca Empire at Templo Mayor. The Historical Center is the most extensive colonial city declared by UNESCO in America and called the Palaces' City in the XIX century.
45 minutes here
Palacio Nacional de Mexico
The National Palace is the seat of the Federal Executive Power of Mexico; it houses the masterpieces of Diego Rivera, who painted in fresco the history of Mexico and Mesoamerica's cultures' richness.
Pass by without stopping
Museo del Templo Mayor
The Templo Mayor or Great Temple of Mexico is an enclosure that includes a series of constructions, buildings, towers and a patio, the physical space where they were located, surrounded by a wall that had doors that gave access to the main roads from the city. Only panoramic view
15 minutes here · Admission not included
Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de Mexico
The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the skies of Mexico City is the seat of the First Archdiocese of Mexico and is located on the north side of the Plaza de la Constitución in the Historic Center of Mexico City.
10 minutes here
University City
The National Autonomous University of Mexico is a Mexican public university and is the most important university in Latin America, considering its extensive academic and research work. The Campus is awe-inspiring and highlights its architecture and its integration into the environment. You will have a panoramic visit of one of the largest stone natural murals and the great work of Diego Rivera at the Olimpic Stadium. This visit is a panoramic one.
20 minutes here
Coyoacan
Walk Coyoacán in the mornings with a good coffee and feel the tranquility and magic of its environment; Walk it at noon or in the afternoon, and you will observe its artistic and popular colors, or re-visit it at night and enjoy its sounds, its music, the exclusivity of its corners, the charm of its streets, alleys and emblematic places, surrounded by colonial houses, cultural centers, restaurants, bookstores, galleries, and craft houses. Panoramic tour (time for photos in strategic locations)
Pass by without stopping
Estadio Banorte
The Azteca Stadium is a soccer stadium located in Mexico City, with a capacity for 87,000 spectators, thus being the largest in Mexico, the second in America and the seventh in the world. This visit is a panoramic one.
Pass by without stopping
Floating Gardens of Xochimilco
This neighborhood is like a town in southern Mexico City and gives way to Xochimilco's famous canals, the last remnants of an enormous transport system that the Aztecs built. You can take a promenade in colorful boats similar to the gondolas while pass browsing food vendors, artisans, and mariachis. The atmosphere is festive, especially at weekends.
80 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Mexico City
If you choose this meeting point please wait in the lobby or outside the hotel at 08:15 am
Meeting point
Mexico City
If you choose this meeting point please wait outisde the Starbucks café at 08:00 am
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
If you choose this meeting point please wait in the lobby or outside the hotel at 08:15 am
Ends at
If you choose this meeting point please wait outisde the Starbucks café at 08:00 am
Options you can book
Private City tour & Xochimilco
Private Service
Shared tour with lunch
Lunch included
Shared City Tour & Xochimilco
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Encuentro T
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately and comfortable shoes
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 28 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
6 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
28 verified traveler reviews for City Tour and Xochimilco Floating gardens. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Don’t waste your money or time!
Extremely disappointed. This was one of the worst experiences we’ve ever had. We paid over $800 for a private tour and It’s the first time I am complaining annd will request a partial refund. Our tour guide stopped providing history/details after our first itinerary stop. He continually walked ahead of us and seemed more concerned with his phone, speaking to people he knew on the different stops, etc. We turned down two stops in the tour because we wanted the tour to end as quickly as possible because we felt we could see the sights better on our own. This experience was so poor that I have lost confidence in using Viator again and will no Longer recommend to friends and colleagues.
Response from the operator: Hi Tatiana, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are truly sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations, especially for a private tour. This is certainly not the level of service we aim to provide. Your comments regarding the guide’s lack of engagement and attentiveness are very concerning, and we will be addressing this situation directly with our team to ensure it does not happen again. We completely understand how disappointing this must have been, particularly when you were looking forward to a personalized and enriching experience. Your feedback is extremely valuable to us and helps us improve. Kind regards,
via Viator
Fun Exploration and a Blast of a Boat Trip
This is a full day of exploring in Mexico City. There are several stops for walking, connected by bus trips. Our guide Sergio was full of interesting information and answered many questions along the way. We thought a high point was the canal boat trip. Dozens of boats , colorfully painted, bumping along into each other. Mariachi music blasting away.
Response from the operator: Hi Maria, thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the full day exploring Mexico City We’re glad the Xochimilco boat ride was a highlight for you — it’s always a fun and colorful part of the day. Thank you for joining us and we hope to welcome you again on another tour soon! 🌸🚤
via Viator
Beware
The first part of the morning, walking to the Zocalo was good and the guide informative. The second part of the trip in an older van manual transmission was jerky and uncomfortable for a long journey to the Xochimilo. The trip on the boat was very disappointing, the food expensive and very poor. It was not worth $250 CDN.
Response from the operator: Hi Alison, thank you for your review. We’re glad you enjoyed the morning portion of the tour with the guide. We’re sorry the transportation wasn’t as comfortable as it should have been — we’ll be reviewing this to improve the experience for future guests. As for the food at Xochimilco, we understand tastes differ, and we’re sorry it wasn’t to your preference. This part is optional and not included in the tour. Thank you again for your feedback and for traveling with us.
via Tripadvisor
Poorly planned
The tour guide was noticeably less knowledgeable than others we had had during our trip to Mexico. While other guides even shared the interesting findings of their dissertations with us, this guide confused basic historical names and facts. We had initially booked the tour in Spanish, but agreed to take it in English since one of the people in our initial group of four did not speak the language. However, her English was almost unintelligible and it made for a very poor experience. Regarding the organization of the tour, the entire thing felt improvised and rushed. By the tour guide’s own admission, she had no knowledge of how many people were in the group, which led to her trying to leave one other person behind, and then actually leaving me and my husband behind at one point. She failed to communicate delays or give instructions. I had included a lunch fee with the initial booking, but she had no idea. I had to check the booking again just to make sure. By that point we were fed up and left the tour early and arranged for our own transportation back to the hotel. This tour stood out as the worst experience in the whole trip.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are sorry to hear that this tour did not meet your expectations. Your comments have been shared with our local partner for review, as maintaining clear communication, proper coordination, and overall service quality is very important to us. We appreciate you highlighting these points and regret that this experience did not reflect the standard we aim to provide to our guests.
via Viator
A Festive Day Exploring Mexico City and the Canals of Xochimilco
Our tour guide, Dante, and our driver were excellent hosts throughout the day. We explored the historic center of Mexico City and Coyoacan before heading to Xochimilco. There, we boarded a colorful trajinera, a flat bottom boat guided along the canals with a long pole. Shortly after, two additional trajineras pulled alongside ours to serve lunch and drinks. The lively congestion on the canals made the experience unforgettable. Trajineras packed with tourists, mariachis, vendors, and people dancing created a festive, high-energy atmosphere that made this tour even more memorable.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your wonderful and detailed review! We’re delighted to hear that Dante and our driver made you feel well taken care of throughout the day. It’s great to know you enjoyed exploring the Historic Center, Coyoacán, and the vibrant experience of Xochimilco. The lively atmosphere on the canals—music, food, and celebration—is truly unique, and we’re happy it made your tour so memorable. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you again for another unforgettable experience in Mexico City!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $85 to $538
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 10
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
City Tour and Xochimilco Floating gardens: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Mexico City.
How much does City Tour and Xochimilco Floating gardens cost?
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Prices start at $85 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Mexico City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does City Tour and Xochimilco Floating gardens take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Mexico City is not rushed.
Is City Tour and Xochimilco Floating gardens worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 28 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Mexico City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule City Tour and Xochimilco Floating gardens?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is City Tour and Xochimilco Floating gardens suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book City Tour and Xochimilco Floating gardens?
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Around 10 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Mexico City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Mexico City and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does City Tour and Xochimilco Floating gardens start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Mexico City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Mexico City?
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On Outty we rank every Mexico City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Frida Kahlo VIP [Museum Tickets Included] Walk, Markets & Churros, Local Foodie Adventure CDMX: Tacos & more with Sherpa Food Tours, Mexico City Historical Centre Food Tour with 7 Tastings & Drinks. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Mexico City?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Mexico City?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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