The southernmost state of Mexico, Chiapas is an intriguing mixture of colonial-style towns, scenic highlands and tropical jungles as well as ancient Mayan ruins and colorful indigenous villages where the descendants of the Maya still live. The tropical Chiapas hosts both great historic attractions such as the ruined Mayan city of Palenque and the colonial town of San Cristóbal de las Casas, and natural sights as the Sumidero Canyon and Agua Azul waterfalls. Chiapas also offers a variety of activities from shopping to hiking and birdwatching.
The state of Chiapas in Southeast Mexico is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the south and Guatemala to the east. Although the state is rich in natural resources, its population is mostly poor rural farmers. 40% of the inhabitants in Chiapas are Indigenous people, mostly of Maya ancestry. They have revolted against the central government in Mexico in the years 1994 and 2000, but political violence in Chiapas is nowadays rare. Chiapas has several popular tourist areas, but overall level of tourism here is still relatively low compared with many Mexican beach resorts.
Colonial towns. The capital city of Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutierrez is a modern city with little historical attractions but affordable shopping and one of the best zoos in the world. The nearby smaller colonial towns of San Cristóbal de las Casas and Chiapa de Corzo are popular places to visit, offering great possibilities for souvenir shopping in Chiapas. Especially San Cristóbal offers many hotels and restaurants, as well as colorful Indigenous culture and hiking in nearby villages, whereas Chiapa de Corzo offers boat trips in Grijalva River and into the nearby Sumidero Canyon, a place with pristine jungles, wildlife and waterfalls.
Outdoor activities & attractions. Trekking in Chiapas is a popular activity especially in the highland areas around San Cristóbal de las Casas, and wildlife and birdwatching are also popular in places like the Sumidero Canyon, El Triunfo Cloud Forest Reserve and Lagunas de Montebello National Park near the town of Comitan. The Agua Azul waterfalls and Laguna Miramar are other popular natural attractions to see in Chiapas, and kayaking and rafting trips are also available. The colonial town of Comitan is a nice place to visit in Chiapas for anyone interested in historical sights. Chiapas also hosts many colorful festivals and Tuxtla Gutierrez and San Cristóbal de las Casas have a few interesting museums.
The state of Chiapas in Southeast Mexico is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the south and Guatemala to the east. Although the state is rich in natural resources, its population is mostly poor rural farmers. 40% of the inhabitants in Chiapas are Indigenous people, mostly of Maya ancestry. They have revolted against the central government in Mexico in the years 1994 and 2000, but political violence in Chiapas is nowadays rare. Chiapas has several popular tourist areas, but overall level of tourism here is still relatively low compared with many Mexican beach resorts.
Sights and activities in Chiapas: Mayan ruins, Indigenous cultures, shopping & trekking
Chiapas is home to a variety of historic, cultural and natural attractions. The ancient Mayan city of Palenque in Northern Chiapas is a World Heritage Site surrounded by a national park. Palenque is a popular place to visit, but there are also other, less visited but as impressive ruined cities in Chiapas, including the recently discovered Tonina close to the town of Ocosingo, and Bonampak and Yaxchilan in the eastern rainforest region of Lacandonia.Colonial towns. The capital city of Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutierrez is a modern city with little historical attractions but affordable shopping and one of the best zoos in the world. The nearby smaller colonial towns of San Cristóbal de las Casas and Chiapa de Corzo are popular places to visit, offering great possibilities for souvenir shopping in Chiapas. Especially San Cristóbal offers many hotels and restaurants, as well as colorful Indigenous culture and hiking in nearby villages, whereas Chiapa de Corzo offers boat trips in Grijalva River and into the nearby Sumidero Canyon, a place with pristine jungles, wildlife and waterfalls.
Outdoor activities & attractions. Trekking in Chiapas is a popular activity especially in the highland areas around San Cristóbal de las Casas, and wildlife and birdwatching are also popular in places like the Sumidero Canyon, El Triunfo Cloud Forest Reserve and Lagunas de Montebello National Park near the town of Comitan. The Agua Azul waterfalls and Laguna Miramar are other popular natural attractions to see in Chiapas, and kayaking and rafting trips are also available. The colonial town of Comitan is a nice place to visit in Chiapas for anyone interested in historical sights. Chiapas also hosts many colorful festivals and Tuxtla Gutierrez and San Cristóbal de las Casas have a few interesting museums.
Chiapas travel tips and practical information
In general, Chiapas has a humid tropical climate.
Photo: gripso_banana_prune, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
However, this large Mexican state includes both hot and humid lowland areas with rainforests and highlands with cooler temperate climate. The coastal areas in Chiapas are drier than the inland regions, and the mountain areas in Chiapas are foggy and humid with cloud forests. There is a rainy season in Chiapas from May to October, and a dry season from November to April, which is the best time to visit Chiapas.
Traveling to Chiapas can be done by air or by road. The capital city Tuxtla Gutierrez has an international airport with regular flights to Chiapas mainly from elsewhere in Mexico, and there are regular buses to Chiapas from many parts of Mexico as well as from Guatemala.
Public transport in Chiapas is handled by buses, minibuses called colectivos that follow specific routes, and pick-up trucks called camionetas. Taxis are available in the main cities and tourist areas, but make sure you agree on the price before getting in one of them. Shared taxis called combis are also available. Car rental in Chiapas is offered in main cities such as Tuxtla Gutierrez. Taxis can also be hired for touring.
Visitor services. Hotels in Chiapas can be found in and around the major touristic sites in the region, such as Palenque, San Cristóbal de las Casas and Chiapa de Corzo, and in the major cities. Restaurants in Chiapas serve mainly tasty Mexican cuisine. Nightlife options are available in major cities and tourist areas of Chiapas. While some educated people and those working in tourism business can speak English, people in many rural areas do not even speak Spanish. Some Spanish skills are definitely needed for traveling in Chiapas.
Safety. While not exactly an unsafe destination, Chiapas has a history of political violence and poverty. Some gang-related violence also occurs, but in general, these problems do not affect visitors. EZLN, The rebel Zapatista Army of Chiapas has controlled some rural municipalities since the year 2000, but these are generally safe to visit as well. However, petty crime does occur in the towns and banditry is not uncommon in the rural areas of Chiapas, so it is best to avoid walking alone after dark and to ask for local advice before heading off to unknown areas.
