Xochimilco: Mexico City’s Living Aztec Heritage and Canal Experience

Where Past and present converge

This lake-spirited town located southern Mexico City, is well known for its chinampas and the trajinera rides throughout its channels, which evoke ancient times when the Great Tenochtitlán was a city that stood out among its waters. Xochimilco is perhaps the last living link of the Aztec civilization, an encounter where past and present converge to prove that history can continue to be written, without tearing the legitimate apart and incorporating the new stuff.

 

Flowers and plants are tradition in each visit to its markets and docks, because since the first inhabitants settled down, the practice of floriculture has dressed its chinampas in colors and its inhabitants have found in this, one of its main sources of employment, which is why it is nearly impossible to resist buying only one. Be assured you will go back home full of presents for everybody.

 

Such is the importance of the flowers presence in Xochimilco, that the meaning of its name is “flower field” in Nahuatl. Another one of its traditions to enhace its cult to them, is the beauty contest “La flor más bella del ejido”, where the community nominates and choose one of its inhabitants as a worthy representative of its roots; carrying out a great party with Pre-Hispanic dances in honor of Xochiquetzal, goddess of flowers and beauty.

 

Xochimilco has also been taken to the big screen, where Dolores del Rio immortalized Maria Candelaria, a flower seller with a love and tragedy story, that could only be the work of Emilio “el Indio Fernandez”, and the lens of the cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa. The landscapes full of “ahuejotes” and “cayucos” floating on the lake are an inspiring picture that we can still see nowadays, fortunately.

 

How do I get to Xochimilco?The neighborhood of Xochimilco is located 26 miles away from the Historical Center of Mexico City; it is possible to reach it by private car or public transportation. If you are ready to jump into the adventure on a trajinera, we recommend you to visit this destination between the months of February and November, so that you avoid rainy days.