At the southern end of the grandiose Mexico City is a network of 180 kilometers (112 miles) of canals originally constructed by the Aztecs; they used to connect with the now landfilled Lake Texcoco to the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan (now, Mexico City's Zócalo). Today, it is a relaxing, rural-like landscape that welcomes tourists, families, and groups of friends who bring their parties & gatherings to colorfully decorated wooden floats called Trajineras navigated by generations of Remeros who push the floats with thick wooden poles that bury into the canal bed. Artificial islands called chinampas are used for ornamental plant nurseries, farms, and illegally settled homes. The whole park is under an ecological revival with many local and migratory birds making this their temporary homes due to the abundance of available food. You negotiate with the men on the 'embarcadero' who take turns on whose trajinera will be used. It's a flat charge for the trajinera no matter how many people (20 max). The tours will vary from one hour (up & down main canal) to 4 hours (isla de muñecas). We did the 3 hour tour, negotiated to 1,300 mx ($65). This one stops at a native salamander relative sanctuary & isla la Llorona (crying lady) about a local legend. Touring around in this beautiful landscape enjoying food and drinks. It was well worth it and our Remeros tip was well deserved!