Mexico City is a haven for everything from food and culture to history and geology. There’s plenty to see inside the city, but its surrounding areas are arguably home to even more compelling nature and remnants of ancient civilizations – the perfect day trip for the traveling geo.
A little more than an hour south of the country’s capital, Xochimilco is what remains of an extensive Aztec lake and canal system. Its name combines the native Nahuatl words “Xochitl” and “mili,” and roughly translates to “where the flowers grow.” The site was historically known for its floating gardens, which the Aztecs cultivated atop artificial islands to supply Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City) with fruits, vegetables and other crops. The islands allowed the Aztecs to farm on the lake and the canals provided irrigation.
When the Spanish conquistadors arrived, they reshaped the lake and dismantled Tenochtitlan, but the floating gardens and canals in Xochimilco remained. Now, the area is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and local farmers still practice some of the native farming traditions.
Geologically, a 2020 study published in the Journal of South American Earth Sciences says of the area:
“The Xochimilco and Chalco sub-basins are separated by a shallow structural high (interpreted as due volcanic flows) against which lacustrine sediments abut. A conspicuous anticline shaped structural high (adjacent to Xico tuff ring) divides the Chalco sub-basin into two depressions. The top of the basaltic basement matches with the upper volcanic unit horizon. In the western trough, the basement gets deeper from east to west (from 336 meters at the structural high, to 660 meters to the west). Immediately east of the anticline-shaped structural high, the basement is located at 510 meters. Beneath the Xochimilco trough (at 180 meters approximately) the volcanic basement shallows up smoothly northwestwards. In the eastern part of the Xochimilco sub-basin, the shallow lacustrian sediments are relatively thin. Northwestwards of the Tulyehualco well, their thickness diminishes.”
How to Visit
Getting there: From Mexico City, you can take a bus out to Coyoacán, an area south of the city near a university and plenty of good eateries, cafes and markets. From there, Uber will be a bit cheaper than heading to Xochimilco directly from the heart of Mexico City. Traffic is notoriously horrible around most of Mexico City, so plan to give yourself plenty of time to get to the docks.
Timing: If you are hoping to experience peace, nature, wildlife and fewer visitors, I’d recommend booking a sunrise or early-morning kayak tour. Alternatively, if you’re hoping to enjoy and learn about the area festively while sipping tequila or your beverage of choice, any of the afternoon boat tours will provide new friends and a fun, lively experience. While you’re cruising on the boat, various drink vendors and mariachis will pass by.
Wildlife: Xochimilco’s wetlands are home to some species only found in that area. They are also a stop for many of North America’s migratory birds.
Native plant species include the water hyacinth, bulrush, Mexican water lilies and ajile. The latter is a crop people in the area grow for consumption, but it also helps enrich the soil. Tilapia and Mexican tetra swim in the canals, fueling the local fishing economy. Perhaps the water’s most famous inhabitant is the critically endangered axolotl (see sidebar), a salamander found only in Xochimilco’s canals. You could also see a Mexican gray wolf, ocelot, a few types of egrets or Mexican box turtle walking the area.
Pit stop: If you have time to stop for a coffee in Coyoacán, I’d recommend Cuhtli. The café offers a number of breads, pastries and other breakfast options as well as coffee drinks. The location also has a great ambiance for remote work or to meet up with other travelers.