Highest-Rated Xochimilco and Frida Kahlo Tours

Are you hoping to book a Xochimilco and Frida Kahlo tour that combines the best of Coyoacán and Xochimilco all in one day? Look no further.

I’m a Mexico travel expert who has lived all over the country and visited Mexico City on five occasions. Cruising through the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco and visiting Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul are two experiences I always recommend to people visiting Mexico City for the first time.

And given these two attractions’ location in southern Mexico City, it makes most sense to visit them on the same day with a reputable tour company.

There are a lot of Xochimilco and Frida Kahlo tours available, but don’t worry, I’ve already done all the research for you. Based on my firsthand experience and extensive research, I put together this list of the very best Coyoacán and Xochimilco tours.

Note: This article may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases through these links, at no cost to you. But don’t worry, I only share products I’d truly recommend to a friend.

The Best Xochimilco and Frida Kahlo Tours

1. Best Xochimilco Frida Kahlo Museum Tour (Private Tour)

★★★★★ 5/5 stars out of 163+ reviews

Looking for the all around best Xochimilco and Frida Kahlo museum tour? This is it!

Explore the beautiful neighborhoods of Xochimilco and Coyoacán on a private tour that can be customized to your interests.

This tour includes two full hours on a private trajinera (boat) through the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco. Most other tours rush through this part of the tour, though its personally my favorite part!

It also includes entry to Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul), which is an essential part of any Xochimilco Frida Kahlo tour.

And since its a private tour, you don’t have to worry about being forced to visit tourist traps and gift shops, which is a common practice with big group tours.

Whether you’re traveling by yourself and want a personalized experience, or are exploring CMDX with a big group, this tour is my top recommendation! But don’t just take it from me, read the hundreds of 5 star reviews:

“Armando was a highly knowledgeable and fun tour guide for the day. We enjoyed all the history and background he provided about Xochimilco, Coyoacan, and la Casa Azul. All arrangements went smoothly — all we had to do was relax and soak it all in. We’d recommend this tour to anyone.”

Review from Susan on Booking.com

Frida Kahlo Museum and Xochimilco Tour Booking Link

2. Best Budget-Friendly Xochimilco and Frida Kahlo Tour (Group Tour)

★★★★★ 3000+ 5 star reviews

If you’re on a strict budget and don’t mind traveling with a large group, this “Super Saver” tour is the one to book!

This popular tour includes a boat ride through the Xochimilco canals. Admission to the Frida Kahlo Museum is optional, so keep in mind that the base price does not include museum entry. You can either pay extra for a Casa Azul ticket or spend the time exploring Coyoacán by yourself.

The tour also includes a stop at the UNAM library where Diego Rivera and Juan O’Gorman’s murals are on display.

It’s important to note that this tour includes a lunch “stop” at a local restaurant, but lunch is not included in the ticket price. In addition, it includes stops at gift shops, which can either be a good or bad thing, depending on your interests.

All in all, thousands of people have loved this tour and its still one of the highest-rated Xochimilco and Frida Kahlo museum tours in Mexico City.

“Our guide Sergio made this tour so enjoyable. He made history fun with his storytelling and sense of humor. I felt that the tour was well organized and our guide was very accommodating to our needs. I highly recommend this tour if you want to see multiple locations and not feel rushed.”

Review from Patricia on Booking.com

Super Saver Tour Booking Link

3. Best Xochimilco Frida Kahlo Combo Tour with Teotihuacan and Guadalupe Shrine (Two Day Tour)

★★★★★ 4.5/5 stars out of 289+ reviews

This affordable and highly-rated two-day tour combines the highlights of Coyoacan and Xochimilco with a guided visit at one of the most significant archaeological sites in Mexico, Teotihuacan.

Like Xochimilco and Coyoacan, Teotihuacan is an essential stop on any Mexico City trip. By booking this tour, you instantly have two full days planned and you know you won’t miss these three important sites.

Plus, you have the opportunity to get to know other travelers better than you would on a one-day tour. This makes it the perfect Mexico City tour for solo travelers, or for anyone who likes to make new friends while traveling!

“Tour guides were professional, friendly and very informative. Adequate time given at sites. Buses were top quality. Good value for money”

Review from Oscar on Booking.com

Xochimilco Frida Kahlo Combo Tour Booking Link

4. Best Xochimilco Frida Kahlo Tour With Visit to Museo Anahuacalli (Private Tour)

This full-day tour includes a boat ride through the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco and a visit to the Frida Kahlo Museum. In addition, it includes a visit to my favorite museum in Mexico City, Diego Rivera’s Anahuacalli Museum.

Built by Diego Rivera, a famous artist and the husband of Frida Kahlo, this unmissable museum was designed to look like an ancient temple. It houses thousands of indigenous art pieces from across Mexico, along with some of Rivera’s early mural sketches. If you’re curious, I have a full travel guide that explains why I love this museum.

If you have any interest in Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo or art, I highly recommend booking this tour!

In addition to seeing the Anahuacalli Museum, Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul, and canals of Xochimilco, you also get to stop at UNAM Biblioteca Central, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To round it all off, this is a private tour with hundreds of five star reviews, such as:

“Estefanía was a fabulous tour guide—she is so knowledgeable and passionate about Mexican culture! She and our driver, Carlos, were helpful and considerate and wonderful company. It feels like we spent the day in the company of friends exploring Mexico together. Seeing the murals at UNAM, enjoying the water taxis at Xochimilco, traveling the streets of Coyoacán, and seeing the Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera museums made the Mexican culture come to life. But Estefania’s way of sharing the cultural history was the very best part.”

Review from Kelly on Booking.com

Xochimilco, Frida Kahlo, and Anahuacalli Tour Booking Link

Insider Tips for Xochimilco and Coyoacán Day Trips

Before you head out on your Xochimilco Frida Kahlo tour, be sure to make note of these insider tips!

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes

Most Xochimilco and Frida Kahlo Museum tours are all-day tours with a fair share of walking. Be sure to dress comfortably for Mexico City’s weather and bring your favorite walking shoes. These Birkenstocks are my go-to because they are supportive, comfortable, stylish, and can get wet!

Don’t let a bad tour ruin your experience

It’s essential to book with a reliable tour operator on a trusted booking platform. I always recommend booking with Viator, a highly reputable tour booking platform owned by Trip Advisor that partners with local tour operators.

Show up at or before the pick-up time

Most tour guides won’t wait around for you if you’re late. Mexico City traffic can be ruthless, so be sure to leave your hotel or Airbnb early if you have to commute to a meeting location. If your guide is picking you up from your hotel or Airbnb, be sure to wait outside a few minutes early.

Bring cash for snacks, souvenirs, and other local treats

You won’t want to miss out on yummy treats and unique souvenirs during your day trip just because you don’t have cash. Be sure to pull out pesos ahead of time and bring at least a couple hundred (ideally $1000) just in case!

Make sure you have travel insurance

Whether you take a tour or travel on your own, its not worth the risk to travel without travel insurance. I always use SafetyWing, which has affordable plans, extensive coverage, and great customer service.

Also read: The Ultimate Mexico City Packing List

FAQs About Xochimilco, Coyoacán, and Frida Kahlo Museum Tours

Where is Xochimilco?

Xochimilco is a neighborhood in southern Mexico City, about 25 miles away from Centro Historico. Depending on traffic, it can take up to an hour to reach Xochimilco from the center of Mexico City.

Where is Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul located?

Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul Museum is located in Coyoacán, a colonial district in southern Mexico City. The museum is 12 miles from Centro Historico, and about a 30-minute drive, depending on traffic.

How far is Xochimilco from the Frida Kahlo Museum?

The Frida Kahlo Museum and Floating Gardens of Xochimilco are about 13 miles apart.

How much do Frida Kahlo tickets cost?

General admission costs $250 pesos Monday through Friday, and $270 on Saturdays and Sundays. Children under 6 and people with disabilities can enter the museum for free, and discounts are available to Mexican nationals, students, and teachers.

How long do you need at the Frida Kahlo Museum?

I recommend spending an hour at the Frida Kahlo Museum. This gives you enough time to see everything without being rushed.

Do you need to book Frida Kahlo tickets ahead of time?

Yes. Tickets sell out weeks and often months in advance. Thankfully, its easy to book a tour that includes entry to the Frida Kahlo Museum if tickets are sold out.

Can you take pictures at the Frida Kahlo Museum?

You can take pictures at Museo Frida Kahlo, however, you have to pay a $30 peso fee before entering.

Is the Frida Kahlo Museum worth visiting?

If you are a fan of Frida Kahlo or are interested in learning more about her life, the Frida Kahlo Museum is certainly worth visiting. The museum is located at the home where Frida spend most of her life, called Casa Azul (Blue House).

Many the rooms are preserved exactly how she left them, including the daybed where she painted many of her famous self-portraits while she was bedridden. Other rooms feature the art of Frida Kahlo, her clothing, and other personal items.

What can you expect from the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco?

Riding a traditional trajinera through the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco a truly unique experience. The neighborhood’s famous canals connect the areas’s chinampas (floating gardens), which are artificial islands.

As you glide through the canals on gondola-like boats, you’ll pass by floating vendors selling everything from Mexican candy and soda to enchiladas and beer. You’ll also be greeted by cheerful mariachis and boats full of smiling local families.

The canals go on for miles, and if you go by yourself, you can pay a boat driver to push you around for hours. While most visitors only ride the flat-bottomed boats for an hour or two, others book five-hour long outings, drifting deep into the countryside.

How much cash should you bring to Xochimilco?

If you’re going with a tour, I recommend bringing at least a couple hundred pesos in cash in case you wan to buy snacks and drinks along the way. If you’re visiting on your own, bring enough cash to pay for the boat ride.

What does Xochimilco mean?

Xochimilco means “garden of flowers” or “place of flowers” in the indigenous Nahuatl language.

Are the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco worth visiting?

Yes! Drifting through ancient canals in a colorful trajinera pre-hispanic boat is a great way to experience a side of Mexico you won’t find elsewhere in Mexico City.

If you’re traveling as a couple, boating through eye-catching Xochimilco makes a perfect date. If you’re traveling with a group, you’ll have loads of fun. And if you’re traveling solo, a group tour of Xochimilco is a wonderful way to meet and bond with other solo travelers.

The scenery is serene and the floating mariachis and food vendors are the cherry on top of the experience!

Is the UNAM Bibloteca Central worth visiting?

The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)’s Central Library is a bit of a hidden gem in Mexico City. Located on the largest university in Latin America, the library is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a stunning mural facade with incredible details. The UNAM campus features art from several other famed Mexican artists, including Diego Rivera.

The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México’s Central Library and other art displays are certainly worth exploring if you have time. I would not consider it an essential place to visit in Mexico City, but for those who are interested in art and history, UNAM’s campus is worth a stop.

Is Teotihuacan worth visiting?

Yes! Pre-hispanic city of Teotihuacan is one of the most interesting places to visit near Mexico City. This extensive archaeological site features striking pyramid, temples, other buildings that give you a sense of what life was like before colonization.

Be sure to visit Teotihuacan with a tour guide as its the best way to learn about the city’s history. If you’re up for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, consider a hot air balloon flight over Teotihuacan.

Is Coyoacán worth visiting?

Yes! The picturesque landscapes of downtown Coyoacán make it a neighborhood you cannot miss when visiting Mexico City. With bright tree-lined streets and gorgeous colonial architecture, Coyoacán is a pleasant place to explore. Some even consider this colorful neighborhood to be the cultural heart of Mexico City, given its significance during the time of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

Is Xochimilco worth visiting?

Yes! Xochimilco is another charming historical neighborhood with cobbled streets and colorful colonial architecture. While most visitors only spend long enough in Xochimilco to visit the neighborhood’s famous canals, this picturesque neighborhood has so much more to offer.

What else is there to do in Mexico City?

★ Climb to the top of Torre Latinoamericana for one of the best views in Mexico City
★ Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Roma Norte, one of Mexico City’s most tranquil neighborhoods
★ Explore Chapultepec Park, the Anthropology Museum, and Chapultepec Castle
★ Eat churros at sunset in Parque Mexico in Condesa
★ Ride the Mexico City CableBus over nontouristy colorful neighborhoods