One of the questions we get most often before someone books a sunrise tour is what to wear. Makes sense — heading out at 4:30 or 6:00 AM isn’t the same as paddling at noon, and Xochimilco has its own microclimate from being surrounded by water. Here’s the list we give our groups.
The key factor: the temperature rises fast
It’s cold at sunrise — especially between November and February, when Xochimilco mornings can be pretty crisp — but as soon as the sun is fully up, the temperature climbs quickly. So the trick isn’t “bundle up a lot”, it’s dressing in layers you can take off as the tour goes on.
What we recommend bringing
- Quick-dry, breathable clothing (like athletic or swim gear): it works best with the canal’s humidity, whether you splash a bit while paddling or work up a light sweat.
- A light long-sleeve layer: protects against the early cold and, later, the sun — no need to change shirts mid-morning.
- Long pants or leggings: besides warmth, they give you more comfort and protection sitting in the kayak.
- A light jacket or windbreaker you can easily take off and stash once the sun is up.
- A cap or hat with a strap (so it doesn’t fly off) and sunglasses.
- Sunscreen, even on a cloudy day — the glare off the water burns too.
- A towel or a change of clothes: in case you get wet paddling or it rains.
- Your camera or phone in a waterproof bag if you want peace of mind — the sunrise scenery, with mist over the canal and the chinampas, is one of the most photographed moments of the whole tour.
What you don’t need to bring
You don’t need your own kayak gear: the kayak, paddle and life jacket are all included in the tour. You don’t need previous experience either — our kayaks are double, sit-on-top style (you can’t sink even if it flips) and very stable.
Traveling with kids or a pet
If you’re bringing kids, the same layering logic applies — better one sweater too many than one too few at 6 AM. And if you bring your pet, make sure they’re comfortable too: a short-haired dog can feel that early-morning cold just as much as a person does.
Adding breakfast?
If your group adds the optional breakfast on a chinampa (+$150 MXN), you don’t need to bring any food — just water if you’d like some on hand during the tour, before you reach the chinampa.
Haven’t booked yet? Check the schedule and pricing for our sunrise kayak tours, or first compare the two routes in our Laguna Tlilac vs. Laguna del Toro guide.