The 10 Best Xochimilco Tours in Mexico City to Party in the Colorful Boats

Ready to book your Xochimilco boat tour?

You’ve come to the right article because the Top 10 best Xochimilco Tours in Mexico City are all featured here.

As one of the best Mexico City things to do, there are so many options — but they aren’t all created equal.

Don’t have time to read the whole article? This top-rated Xochimilco: Tequila, Mezcal & Fun Tour is your best option.

The Floating Gardens of Xochimilco are a Mexico must see for most visitors — and the safest, most stress-free and best way to visit Xochimilco is on a tour.

We’ve hand-picked the highest rated tours here, so all you have to do is book.

Ready for the ultimate Xochimilco guide of the best tours in Xochimilco in Mexico?

Let’s get to it so you can get on your way to this truly unique and wonderful Mexico City day trip experience.

10 Best Xochimilco Tours in Mexico City

1. Xochimilco: Tequila, Mezcal & Fun Tour (Highest Rated Xochimilco Tour)

⭐️ RATING: 4.97 out of 5 Stars — and 2,950+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3.5 hours | 🛶 BOOK NOW

This Xochimilco: Tequila, Mezcal & Fun Tour provides guests with an unforgettable experience cruising the canals of Xochimilco while enjoying authentic Mexican drinks, food, and music.

Organized by a group of nine Mexico locals, the tour starts at Embarcadero Cuemanco.

Here, guests can try a Michelada before heading out on the water. (Michelada is a Mexican beer with hot sauce, lime and spices).

Once aboard the trajinera Xochimilco, your guide will explain the history of Xochimilco, and allow you to admire its beauty.

Next, it’s time to soak up the energy of the locale.

First up, you’ll learn how to drink and appreciate mezcal and tequila the Mexican way.

There’s no Xochimilco restaurant per so, but snacks and traditional homemade Mexican food with salsa will also be available.

There is a good chance that mariachis and traditional Mexican music groups might join in on the fun. Music, laughter, and dancing are to be expected.

Another perk of the tour is a visit to the Axolotl Xochimilco Sanctuary and other chinampas, or artificial islands, along the way.

The axolotl (pronounced axe-oh-law-tull) is an animal Xochimilco can claim as its own.

They’re found wild nowhere else in the world besides these canals, so the Museo Xochimilco that rescues them is a unique experience.

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2. Xochimilco Private Tour with Frida Kahlo Museum & Coyoacan

⭐️ RATING: 4.8 out of 5 Stars — and 325+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 6 hours | 🛶 BOOK NOW

Mixing nature, sites, and art, this Xochimilco Private Tour is an immersive tour of Aztec history and Mexico City art.

The tour begins at your hotel where a private car picks you up and takes you to the first stop of the day, Xochimilco.

You’ll explore Parque Ecológico Xochimilco (Xochimilco Ecological Park) aboard a traditional trajinera boat.

From there, you will continue on to visit the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul Museo Frida Kahlo) and Museo Diego Rivera Anahuacalli Museum.

They’re both located in the Coyoacan Mexico City neighborhood.

After enjoying two of the best museums in Mexico City, the last stop is to see the mosaic mural at the UNAM Biblioteca Central Library.

This, like Xochimilco, is a Mexico City UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This personalized and private guided Xochimilco Mexico City Mexico tour is the perfect option for anyone wanting to explore two of the most interesting districts in Mexico City — Coyoacan and Xochimilco.

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3. Floating Gardens of Xochimilco With a Local (Private Tour)

⭐️ RATING: 4.7 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5 hours | 🛶 BOOK NOW

If you want to explore the famous Floating Gardens of Xochimilco, look no further than this Private Xochimilco Tour With a Local.

The best part? This Xochimilco tour is tailored to meet your personal needs and preferences, as it’s a private tour just for you and your guests.

What you get is a custom-crafted private tour with a personalized itinerary so you get to see all the Mexico City sites you want.

Want to go off the beaten path around Mexico’s capital city? This is the tour for you! 

Although the main event is a ride on a trajinera through the Xochimilco Floating Gardens, there are many other things to see in Mexico City — like the Convent of San Bernardino de Siena, one of the oldest churches in Mexico City.

You can also visit the Dolores Olmedo Museum for a glimpse into the life of 17th Century Mexican socialite, Dolores Olmedo Patino.

Her hacienda-turned-museum houses the largest collection of Frida Kahlo art in Mexico City.

This is one of the best Xochimilco tours Mexico City has to offer for anyone looking to explore the hidden spots of the city in the safest and most convenient way possible.

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4. Xochimilco All-Inclusive Tour: Art, Food & Drinks

⭐️ RATING: 4.94 out of 5 Stars — and 1,250+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5.5 hours | 🛶 BOOK NOW

This Xochimilco All-Inclusive Tour is run by two Mexico City locals, Oscar and Gaby, who were both born and raised in Xochimilco.

It is perfect for visitors looking for a little bit of everything.

Your day begins with a visit to Mercado de Xochimilco, a vibrant local Mexico City market.

This large downtown Xochimilco market is technically two mercados in one, so you can shop for souvenirs and eat some food.

Xochitl Zona is the main market. Here, you’ll be able to purchase several things, including local traditional Xochimilco Mexican food like banana-leaf tamales, or tlacoyos, one of the best Mexico City street foods. 

Just across the street, there’s the Mercado de Flores (Flower Market), though it has more than just Xochimilco flowers.

Now, if you do want a flower crown to wear in your Xochimilco photos, this is the place to get it.

Besides flowers, you can sample chileatole, a Mexican corn soup you won’t find many places outside of Xochimilco, aguas frescas (fruit water), and more.

Note: Make sure to have some spare pesos on you to pay at any local mercado.

After the market, you’ll head to the Xochimilco Pier and board a trajinera. These are the colorful Xochimilco boats, which are similar to an Italian gondola, but much brighter!

On the ride, you’ll explore the canals, listen to music, eat typical Mexican food and try some Mexican beers.

You’ll also get a history lesson about the region and its cultural relevance in Mexico. 

This is the perfect tour to experience a little more of what Xochimilco has to offer.

It takes you into other parts of this unique Mexico City neighborhood with two locals, so you can go beyond the canals.

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5. Mexican Fiesta: Xochimilco Party Boat Tour

⭐️ RATING: 4.97 out of 5 Stars — and 4,300+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2.5 hours | 🛶 BOOK NOW

Are you ready for an authentic Mexican Fiesta at Xochimilco?!

This top-rated experience is all about eating, drinking, having a great time in Xochimilco — and more drinking. 

The tour starts on a trajinera boat in Xochimilco, where the music and drinks are flowing.

On this tour, unlimited beverages are provided to ensure that you have a great time — it’s basically an open bar, so go nuts!

After a couple of drinks, your guide will show you how to prepare authentic Mexican guacamole 🥑 which you’ll enjoy with other traditional Mexican snacks. 

Make sure to bring some pesos with you! Boats with vendors and entertainment, like the famous mariachis Xochimilco has, will stop at your boat.

They sell food and mariachis songs, which is part of what makes Xochimilco fun.

Throughout the boat ride, the guide will share information about the unique and historic region in Mexico City.

A stop at the Lake Xochimilco Axolotl Sanctuary is also possible, if time and weather permit.

At the end of the trip, you’ll visit a local craft market where you can buy some locally-made souvenirs.

If you’re ready to party, don’t miss out on this Xochimilco boat tour Mexico City experience.

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6. Xochimilco Canals Adventure: Gastronomy, Micheladas & More

⭐️ RATING: 4.96 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2.5 hours| 🛶 BOOK NOW

For an interactive tour filled with activities, food, drinks, and even a workshop, book the Xochimilco Canals Adventure.

The guides are Mexico City locals who have spent more than 20 years exploring these beautiful canals.

The adventure begins on a trajinera. As you board this colorful boat, you’ll receive a welcome gift.

During the ride, you’ll play fun Mexican games, like La Loteria, and eat traditional Mexican foods.

There’s also an on-board participation in a workshop where you will make your own Michelada cocktails.

Ingredients that you can add include lemon juice, spices like Tajin, hot sauces, and even gusano worms.

The guides will also take you to many of the chinampas, or beautiful artificial islands, where you can drink pulque (AKA “the drink of the gods”) and take some incredible photos of Xochimilco.

This is one of those Xochimilco Mexico City tours that’s perfect if you want to visit the more off the beaten path spots in Xochimilco.

Anyone looking for fun, food, drinks, and a local guide, this is the tour for you!

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7. Two Day Tour: Xochimilco, Frida Museum, Teotihuacan, Coyoacan & More

⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 days | 🛶 BOOK NOW

There are some places where one day is just not enough time to experience everything. As one of the largest cities on Earth, Mexico City is one of those places.

Thankfully, there are tours like this Two Day Mexico City Tour that can help you explore the city’s art, culture, cuisine, and history⁠ — and all in just 48 hours! 

During these two days, you’ll experience ancient history at Teotihuacan Ruins and Tlatelolco Ruins.

Teotihuacan has some of the best pyramids in Mexico, and you can actually climb them.

You’ll also visit Xochimilco canals, explore the Basílica de Guadalupe Shrine, one of the best Mexico City churches, and take a tour through the Frida Kahlo Museum to see and learn about art in the Coyoacan neighborhood.

This is one of the best Xochimilco tours for any first-time visitors to Mexico City looking to see and experience everything that it offers.

Note: Meals are not included in this tour.

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8. Visit the Xochimilco Island of the Dolls

⭐️ RATING: 4.98 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4.5 hours | 🛶 BOOK NOW

Are you looking for a spooky yet unique Xochimilco Mexico City boats experience?

Then you have to add this Visit to the Island of the Dolls in Mexico City to your itinerary.

The Xochimilco Isla de las Muñecas, or Island of the Dolls, is home to thousands of decaying dolls.

The dolls are quite creepy themselves, but this haunted island also has a dark and mysterious past.

Legend has it that in the 1950s, Julian Santana Barrera found the body of a young girl who had drowned. After finding her body, he claimed that her spirit haunted him.

He started to collect dolls to protect himself from her spirit, and eventually, collected more than 1,000 Xochimilco dolls.

Strangely enough, Julian died in 2001 of a heart attack — in the same spot where he found the girl’s body.

This is a tour like no other, and it starts in the late afternoon. You’ll embark on a trajinera and explore the canals for about an hour before heading to the island.

There, you will explore on foot and take pictures, if you dare. 

Once the sun sets and darkness starts to take over, it’s time to leave Xochimilco Dolls Island.

This is a one-in-life-time type of experience — but it is not for the faint of heart.

The Xochimilco muñecas (dolls) are some of the scariest you’ll encounter, but this is the best tour if you want to explore Xochimilco at night.

best xochimilco tours

9. Chinampas: Tour the Xochimilco Canals by Boat

⭐️ RATING: 4.98 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 7 hours | 🛶 BOOK NOW

A classic tour of Mexico Xochimilco and the man-made islands of the region, this Chinampas: Tour the Xochimilco Canals by Boat is a unique and wonderful experience that shouldn’t be missed. 

This tour is all about exploring the best of what Xochimilco DF offers, including some of its best-kept secrets.

If you want to see the real side of Xochimilco (not the party side), you have to do a Chinampas Tour.

You’ll explore the chinampas (Xochimilco islands used for farming) and taste several morels of delicious traditional Mexican cuisine favorites, as you explore each floating garden.

🌺💀🌺 Visiting during Mexico City Day of the Dead?

Then don’t miss seeing this region during the Xochimilco Día de Muertos celebrations.

The hosts will provide a special experience to celebrate and honor the souls who have passed away during this seasonal tour.

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10. Xochimilco, Coyoacan, Stadium & UNAM Campus Tour

⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 6 hours | 🛶 BOOK NOW

For an action packed, multi-stop tour experience, this full-day Xochimilco, Coyoacan & UNAM Campus Tour will take you to all of the most popular neighbourhoods in Mexico City.

This is one of those Xochimilco tours that is perfect for anyone who’s short on time — but also wants to explore the main tourist spots in Mexico City with a local guide.

During the tour you’ll be able to take in the beauty of the murals at UNAM Ciudad Universitaria (AKA the National Autonomous University of Mexico).

The UNAM campus is a Mexico UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a must-see.

You’ll also take a picture inside the Estadio Azteca, the famous Mexico City stadium, visit the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco and explore the boho artsy neighbourhood of Coyoacan.

best xochimilco tours

Please Read: Why I Don’t Recommend Going to Xochimilco on Your Own

A note from the site owner: As someone who runs several Mexico websites, has lived in Mexico since 2018, and loves Mexico dearly, I hate to say this, but please don’t visit Xochimilco on your own.

Sadly, tourism scams have become more common as Xochimilco has become more popular.

For this reason, I whole-heartedly recommend you take a Xochimilco tour, so you don’t fall victim to Xochimilco tourist scams.

Don’t believe me? Check out this video from the popular YouTubers, The Country Collectors.

These are savvy, professional travelers, and even they got scammed in Xochimilco when they went on their own.

While it seems like it costs less to go on your own, it might end up costing double what you think it will if you’re scammed.

With a Xochimilco tour, you know what you’re paying — and you’re just plain safer doing it this way.

Also, a fun day can become a headache quickly if you don’t speak Spanish.

Some boat operators will take advantage of you for not knowing the going rates, or as soon as they realize you don’t speak in Spanish; sad but true.

Booking a private tour avoids this issue (and many others), and is the safest way to visit Xochimilco. Still want to visit on your own?

You’ve been warned, but you can head here for more info on how to do so.

Xochimilco Guide & Frequently Asked Questions

There is no Xochimilco Mexican town, just this neighborhood in Mexico City with a really fun vibe.

The Xochimilco meaning comes from two Aztec Nahuatl words, xochitl and mili, which means “where the flowers grow.”

The region is famous for its floating gardens. Also known as chinampas, they have been around since pre-Hispanic times.

These gardens are one reason Xochimiclo was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Wondering what to do in Xochimilco?

One of the most popular things is riding in a trajinera, which are the beautiful colored gondola-style boats.

These boats take you down Xochimilco River while you enjoy music, drinks, nature and food.

The Xochimilco atmosphere is filled with laughter, music, and fun⁠, and makes for an unforgettable experience.

If you do come, take some time to also visit the Mercado Xochimilco, the local market in Xochimilco.

best xochimilco tours

Where is Xochimilco located?

Xochimilco México is a borough of Mexico City located in the southeastern part of the city. You can find it on Google Maps here, or use the map below for a visual.

🗺️ Xochimilco Map

🚗💨 How far is Xochimilco from Mexico City?

It is about 15-miles (25 km) from the Zócalo, which is the Historic Center of Mexico City.

You can get there by rental car, taxi, Uber or public transport. For this, head to the Tasqueña Metro Station, then connect to the Xochimilco Light Rail (Tren Ligero).

Normally, an Uber ride will cost about $500-80 MXN pesos ($25-40 USD), one-way.

However, you might pay up to $1,000 MXN pesos ($50 USD) during peak hours.

Before you plan your visit, make sure you Google Is Xochimilco open?

Typically the Xochimilco hours are 9am to 6pm daily. However, holidays or special events may change those.

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What are trajineras?

Xochimilco trajineras (pronounced trah-he-nare-uhs) are brightly colored, flat-bottomed wooden boats that famously take travelers through the many canals in Xochimilco.

Each boat has a unique name, and can carry as many as 20 people. There are also bigger boats, called lanchas colectivas, that can fit as many as 60 people onboard.

These two types of boats are the only way tourists can enjoy Xochimilco. You may see the occasional local resident who will kayak Xochimilco, but these aren’t readily available to visitors.

The word trajineras comes from the Spanish verb “trajinar,” which means to carry food from one side to another.

This was what the Xochimilco trajineras were initially used for.

However, they are now mostly used as party boats to tour the area.

Still, the trajinera boats are a unique thing to do in Xochimilco, and something you won’t want to miss.

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Do you need reservations for Xochimilco?

The trip to Xochimilco can be made without booking a tour — but we don’t advise it — and you can see why here.

However, if you want a more interactive tour that is more than just the one-hour, basic Xochimilco boat ride through the central canal, book an experience with any of the tours Xochimilco Mexico listed above.

It is a unique region home to incredible beauty and amazing sights.

Going on trajineras, visiting the floating gardens, buying food from local vendors, and enjoying mariachi music make for an unforgettable experience.

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Can you visit Xochimilco on your own?

Yes, you can visit Xochimilco CDMX Mexico on your own — but we don’t advise it — and you can see why here.

If you still want to risk it, don’t mind some prep work and have patience, it is certainly possible to visit on your own.

Let’s answer some questions about how to get to Xochimilco from Mexico City, the DIY way.

🚦 How to Get to Xochimilco Mexico City on your own

To get to Mexico City Xochimilco by public transport, you must take Mexico City Metro Line 2 (the Blue Line) to the end of Tasqueña Station.

Next, take the Tren Ligero (AKA Xochimilco Light Rail, or Xochimilco Train) to the Xochimilco Metro stop, which is the last station.

⚠️ Note: Tren Ligero does not accept Metro tickets, so make sure to buy a CDMX reloadable card that you can use for the trip.

From the Xochimilco stop on the Metro, you can walk, call an Uber or take a taxi to the Xochimilco Embarcadero.

This is the boat dock, but might not be where you need to go if you’re meeting someone at another prearranged place.

If you need more info on how to get to Xochimilco Mexico City, look up the Lake Xochimilco maps area on your navigation app.

Xochimilco is a large area, and you want the lake area specifically.

Also, make sure to confirm your route with the Metro station or train attendant before starting the journey.

Don’t be that person who’s wishing you would have Googled “Xochimilco how to get there” before you began the trip!

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How much time do you need in Xochimilco?

Xochimilco is a popular day trips type of destination.

In fact, it’s one of the best Mexico City day trips and best Mexico City things to do, as it’s technically within city limits, but ends up being a full day excursion.

To even get there from Downtown Mexico City, and back, plan for about two hours of travel time.

Tours at Xochimilco range from 1-5 hours, so this usually ends up being a full day.

📆 What’s the best time to visit Xochimilco?

If you like to party, the best days to visit are during the weekends or major Mexico holidays.

Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest days at Xochimilco, filled with food vendors, mariachi bands and the largest floating party you’ve ever seen. 

For a more tranquil and culturally-focused experience, this Chinampas Tour of Xochimilco is the best way to visit Xochimilco.

If you don’t like crowds, loud music and lots of drunk people, this is the way to go.

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However, if you book an exciting tour with a local guide, the experience will be memorable.

Any of the Xochimilco tour Mexico city options listed in this article are great choices.

We don’t recommend any of the generic hour-long Xochimilco canal tours that only transit along the main canal.

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What is the Xochimilco weather like? 

Xochimiclo has a warm tropical climate in summer, and a springtime climate in the rest of the year, and both a wet and dry season.

IMO, the best time to visit the region is from late-October to mid-April.

The wet season, from about May to September is muggy, hot and mostly cloudy, and being in the summer, the temperatures are warm.

The hottest month to visit Xochimilco is May, and the rainiest is September.

What should I wear to Xochimilco?

You should avoid short dresses and flimsy shoes, as you’ll be climbing in and out of boats.

A long dress, midi-length sundress, flowy pants and sturdy but comfortable shoes are recommended.

If you visit Mexico in the summertime, remember to bring lots of sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.

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How much is a mariachi at Xochimilco?

One song usually costs about $200 pesos ($10 USD), and three songs should run you $500 pesos ($25 USD) — quite the bargain for a personal, live concert from talented musicians.

Though it will cost you a few pesos, one of the best things to do at Xochimilco is request music from mariachi bands, so don’t miss this opportunity!

Make sure you have some spare money in your pocket to pay for the songs though, because the mariachi don’t take credit cards.

Is Xochimilco safe?

Although Xochimilco is far from the Downtown Mexico City Center, it is an easy and safe trip for the vast majority of visitors.

Note: The safest way to visit is on a tour; see why here.

It is definitely considered safe to explore during the day time, however, you’ll want to take precautions at night (and even visit with a local, if you know one).

For those doing Mexico City solo travel, most people will tell you Xochimilco should not be explored during the nighttime unless you’re meeting a local or some friends when you get there.

Brief History of the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco

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Usually in Spanish the X, as in Xochimilco, is often replaced by a Spanish J sound. This is pronounced like an H in English, not a J.

For this reason, you might hear the name Xochimilco pronounced as ho-chee-mill-co — but this is not a Spanish word, it’s an Aztec word, so that would be incorrect. 

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These man-made islands were created in pre-Hispanic times as a way for farmers to grow crops on plots of land they built in the lake.

The floating gardens of Xochimilco Mexico City are incredibly unique things to see and experience.

best xochimilco tours

What are chinampas?

Chinampas (pronounced chin-amm-pas) are the floating Xochimilco gardens. They were used in pre-Hispanic times by the Aztecs to grow crops on shallow lake beds.

Today, the chinampas Xochimilco are one of the few remaining examples of this tradition still in existence today.

Chefs from some of the best restaurants in Mexico City even buy crops from these farmers.

🤔 How were the chinampas made?

Centuries ago, the Aztecs sunk cane frames into the shallow lake bed.

They then filled those up with sediment, vegetables, and mud to create the man-made islands of Xochimilco.

best xochimilco tours

The Xochimilco CDMX we know today is part of Mexico City.

The area around the canals was built by the Spanish Conquistadors on the ruins of the old Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan.

Final Thoughts: Best Xochimilco Tours in Mexico City

We’ve reached the end of a very comprehensive guide to Xochimilco Mexico City — which includes historical info and all the best tours to Xochimilco.

I hope it was useful in figuring out the best way to visit Xochimilco.

In case you skipped to the end (we all do it sometimes!) here are my top Xochimilco tours, with options for every kind of traveler:

• 🎉 Best party cruise: Xochimilco: Tequila, Mezcal & Fun
• ⭐️ Best Xochimilco private tour: Xochimilco Private Tour
• 🇲🇽 Best cultural experience: Chinampas Tour of Xochimilco Canals
• 👻 Best off the beaten path tour: Xochimilco Island of the Dolls

🇲🇽 Best Mexico City Tours

Looking to take some more tours in Mexico City?

As one of the biggest cities in the world, tours are so convenient because you don’t have to worry about planning anything — you just show up and enjoy!

Here are all of my recommendations for CDMX tours:

• Best Mexico City food tours
• Best Mexico City taco tours
• Best Mexico City lucha libre tours
• Best Mexico City mezcal tours
• Best Teotihuacan hot air balloon tours
• Best Grutas de Tolantongo tours
• Best Teotihuacan tours