Xoximilco Cancun

The Basics

Most Xoximilco tours leave from central Cancun and include pickup and drop-off from local hotels. At the park, you can float down the river in a Mexican gondola, ortrajinera, enjoy a meal of traditional Mexican food, sip tequila and beer, and listen to traditional mariachi and marimba music.

Xoximilco Cancun is part of a network of related parks and experiences, including Xcaret, Xel-Hal, Xplor Fuego, Xplor, Xenotes Oasis Maya, Xoximilco Cancun, Xichen, and Xenses. You can purchase packages granting admission to multiple parks.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Xoximilco Cancun is a must-see attraction for culture and nightlife lovers.

• The park is located in the jungle, so be sure to plan for mosquitos; wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and bring plenty of biodegradable insect repellent.

• Valet parking is available onsite.

• Wheelchair service is available; all boats are wheelchair accessible.

How to Get There

Xoximilco is located about five minutes by road from Cancun International Airport. While most tours provide round-trip transportation from your hotel, you can also take a taxi or drive yourself.

When to Get There

The park is busiest from December through April, when the weather tends to be sunny and warm; there are fewer crowds during hurricane season (May through October). Nights at Xoximilco are particularly magical.

Mexico City’s Xochimilco Neighborhood

The floating gardens of Xochimilco are a Mexico City must-see; the quintessential way to explore is a traditionaltrajinera boat ride around the canals and islands. Combine it with a Mexico City sightseeing tour, which will include the National University of Mexico, the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan, and the the neighborhood of Coyoacán, home to the Diego Rivera Anahuacalli Museum and the Frida Kahlo Museum.

How long is the Xoximilco Cancun tour?

The Xoximilco Cancun tour lasts for about three hours. Check-in starts at 7pm and the tour finishes at 11pm. In that time, travelers ride through canals in a gondola, enjoy a Mexican dinner and drinks, participate in games, and are entertained by a range of Mexican musicians, dancers, and entertainers.

Is Xoximilco close to Cancun?

Yes, Xoximilco is on the outskirts of Cancun. It’s 4 miles (7 kilometers) from Cancun International Airport, which takes up to 30 minutes to drive. Some tours to Xoximilco include round-trip transportation and it’s recommended that you don’t plan to drive yourself as the tour includes plenty of alcoholic drinks.

What should I wear to Xoximilco Cancun?

Mexico’s Xoximilco experience takes place in the evening, much of it is outdoors, and the climate in Cancun is hot. Therefore, it’s best to wear light clothes and comfortable shoes that are suitable for dancing (dancing is encouraged), but also provide some protection from mosquitoes, such as long, loose pants.

What time does Xoximilco Cancun open?

Check-in for the Xoximilco Cancun tour opens at 7pm and the last boarding is at 8.30pm, but it’s recommended to arrive early. The tour goes until 11pm, and operates every day, except Sundays. Travelers booking a package that includes hotel transfers will be picked up in good time to make it to the tour.

Is it worth going to Xoximilco Cancun?

Xoximilco is worth it if you like touristy attractions that provide colorful, flamboyant entertainment and good food and drinks. Xoximilco Cancun is a fun way to spend an evening with friends or family, but travelers who prefer independent, authentic experiences might find Xoximilco Cancun rather contrived.

How much should I pay for Xoximilco Cancun?

Tickets to Xoximilco Cancun start at around US$117, which includes entertainment, food, and drinks. Kids aged between five and 11 get a 25% discount. Further discounts can be found by booking in advance. Packages including hotel transfers cost more but save you the taxi fare or appointing a designated driver.

Ways to explore

The experience at Xoximilco Cancun is a dinner party with a twist—the evening takes place on flat-bottomed boats with hosts to invite guests to dine, mingle, dance, and sing. Admission to Xoximilco Cancun includes a gondola ride through “canals,” as well as dinner and an open bar featuring beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks such as aguas frescas (fruit drinks). Vegan menus are available upon advance request. Some bookings for Xoximilco Cancun also offer round-trip transportation from sites in Cancun and around the Riviera Maya—a convenient option that saves you the hassle of driving and parking.

Accessibility

The boats at Xoximilco Cancun are wheelchair accessible.

Age limits

Children ages 5 years and older are welcome at Xoximilco Cancun. A kid’s menu is available.

What to pack

Cash or credit card (for souvenirs)

What to wear

The experience is outdoors, and there are sometimes mosquitoes—wear loose-fitting clothing, comfortable shoes, and long pants.

Not allowed

Insect repellent that’s not biodegradable

Amenities

Gift shop, ATM

Address

Xoximilco Cancun is located on Highway 307, near Cancun International Airport, and generally takes between 10 and 30 minutes to reach from hotels in the city.

Driving

To reach Xoximilco Cancun by car, head south from downtown on Highway 307; the park is on the right, just south of the airport. Free parking is available on-site.

Public transportation

There’s no straightforward way to reach Xoximilco Cancun by bus, but there are taxis available onsite—and many tours include convenient round-trip transport.

Best times to visit

It’s a good idea to arrive a little early to avoid queues for the nightly departure. Registration generally opens about an hour before the experience begins.

Best days to visit

While Xoximilco Cancun is open Monday through Saturday, it’s generally quieter midweek—but the weekend brings high energy that many love.

Best months to visit

The December through April high season is busy, but with good reason. It’s a season of mild temperatures and low humidity, ideal conditions for an evening Xoximilco cruise.

Special events

Different nights at Xoximilco Cancun have different themes. Tuesdays and Fridays feature Mexican hits from the 1990s, while Thursdays are for beloved tunes by singer Juan Gabriel.