At La Kanoa we paddle through two different lagoons within Xochimilco, each with its own character. If you’re deciding which one to book, here are the real differences between the two.
Laguna del Toro: the short, family-friendly route
This is our “Sunrise Basic” tour: 2 hours, meeting at 6:00 AM, easy difficulty. It’s the most accessible route in our lineup — ideal if you’re traveling with young children, older adults, or simply want a first kayaking experience without committing half your morning.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Difficulty: easy
- Price: from $400 MXN per person
- Best for: families, groups with kids, first-time kayakers, pets (weight and leash restrictions apply)
- Optional breakfast: +$150 MXN on a chinampa
Laguna Tlilac: the longer route, with the axolotl exhibit
This is our “Sunrise Plus” tour: 4 hours, meeting at 4:30 AM, medium difficulty. Besides the tour itself, this route includes a volumetric axolotl-head art exhibit right on the lagoon — the axolotl is an endangered salamander endemic to Xochimilco, considered a deity by the Aztecs for its ability to regenerate parts of its body. This is the route we recommend if you’re interested in the cultural and natural side of Xochimilco, not just paddling.
- Duration: 4 hours
- Difficulty: medium
- Price: from $600 MXN per person
- Best for: nature, art and photography lovers; anyone who wants to watch the sun rise from the water, not just arrive once it’s already up
- Optional breakfast: +$150 MXN on a chinampa
Which one should you pick?
If your priority is comfort, timing, and something suitable for the whole group (including young kids or pets), Laguna del Toro is the simpler option. If instead you want a longer experience, watching sunrise from the kayak before the sun is even up, and seeing the axolotl exhibit, Laguna Tlilac is worth those extra two hours.
Either way, gear (kayak, paddle and life jacket) and a guide are included, the kayaks are very stable double sit-on-tops, and you can add drone footage as a separate service.
Still torn between kayak and trajinera? Read kayak or trajinera in Xochimilco: which should you choose? first — or if you’ve already decided, check schedules and book directly in our kayak tours section.