Chiapas Itinerary with Top 15 Things to Do

Visit Chiapas: what to do and see?

Are you planning to visit Chiapas during your Mexico itinerary?

Good idea!

With its nature reserves, its archaeological sites hidden in the jungle, its traditional communities and its colonial towns, Chiapas offers a multitude of possibilities for an unforgettable stay.

To help you plan your trip, I’ve rounded up all the best things to do and see in Chiapas, a vast region that easily combines with the Yucatan on a Mexico tour.

You will find in my guide all the unmissable places of interest in Chiapas with practical information and my advice to make the most of your stay.

So where to go and what to do in Chiapas?

1. The archaeological site of Palenque

Among the must-see places in Chiapas is Palenque, which was one of the most important Mayan cities, along with Tikal in Guatemala and Calakmul in the state of Campeche.

As it is located in the heart of the jungle, a visit to Palenque is accompanied by the songs of exotic birds and the cries of monkeys!

The site has been declared a UNESCO heritage site and is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.

There is a lot to see in Palenque:

My advice

Visit Palenque

To visit Palenque from San Cristobal de las Casas or directly from the town of Palenque, you can also book a day trip :

The ruins of Palenque

2. Misol-Ha

Misol-Ha is a must-see in Chiapas. It is a 30m waterfall in the middle of the lush jungle, the waterfall of which forms a large pool where it is possible to swim.

Misol-Ha and Palenque were the main filming locations for the film Predator (1987) starring Arnold SchwarzeneggerHere we can see an important scene facing the Misol-Ha waterfall!

Misol-Ha is located near the Palenque RuinsAgua Azul Falls, and the Mayan site of Tonina, so it’s possible to do it all in a day.

If you prefer not to worry about transportation, I suggest you book this excursion (by clicking here!) which includes pick-up from your hotel in San Cristobal de las Casasvisit to Misol-Ha, Agua Azul and Palenque as well as breakfast.

Misol-Ha in Chiapas

3. The Agua Azul Waterfalls

Swimming stopover in the vicinity of Palenque, the Agua Azul  site is a dream come true just by its name: it means “blue water”.

Agua Azul, these are heavenly waterfalls lost in the heart of lush nature.

The Yax-Ha River, where the waterfalls come from, is actually made up of limestone, which gives the water its magical color.

Don’t forget your swimsuit because you can take the opportunity to recharge your batteries in one of the most beautiful places to see in Chiapas!

My advice
Avoid going there in the rainy season as the waters become muddy and lose their beautiful color.

Visit Blue Water

The waters of Agua Azul

4. Calm Down

Tonina is very little visited and yet I find that it is definitely one of the sites to visit in Chiapas!

There is an impressive 7-storey structure, the Acropolis, built on a hill which includes a multitude of altars, temples, houses and palaces.

It is absolutely necessary to climb the 260 stairs that lead to the top of its great pyramid because there is a magnificent panoramic view of the surroundings.

At 75m, it is higher than the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan and the Pyramid of Cholula in Puebla!

There are also two Mayan pelota playing fields and a museum on site .

With so many temples, sculptures, murals and labyrinths I strongly recommend taking a guide to discover all the secrets of Tonina.

My advice
You can take advantage of your visit to Ocosingo to taste its cheeses, including the famous queso de bola.

Visit Tonina 

The Tonina site in Chiapas

5. Bonampak and Yaxchilan

Bonampak, meaning “painted walls” in Mayan, is a small Mayan site (6th to 9th century).

It is known for the impressive murals found in the three rooms of Structure 1 or “ Temple of Paintings” which depict the life of the time (priests and nobles, war and prisoners, human sacrifices, dancers, customs, etc. ).

These murals are of inestimable value because they are the most complete representation of a pre-Hispanic civilization discovered to date!

Bonampak depended on Yaxchilan located just 20km away, on the border with Guatemala.

Yaxchilan, located on the banks of the Usumacinta River, was an important city that dominated the region. She is known for her  sculptures considered masterpieces of Mayan art.

Visit Bonampak and Yaxchilan

There is no public transportation.

This is why I highly recommend taking a day trip from Palenque.

It includes round-trip hotel pickup, guide, site entrances and river cruise. With breakfast and lunch, easily bookable here.

Musicians depicted in a Bonampak mural. Photo Mando Barista

6. Go Ecotourism in the Lacandon Forest

Welcome to a haven of peace, in the heart of Chiapas: the Lacandona forest

It is one of the most beautiful forests in Mexico which extends over 4,357 hectares!

It was declared a “natural monument” in 1992, thus protecting the animals inhabiting its lands, such as the jaguar and the eagle, symbols of power for the Mayans, but also several species of monkeys, parrots, toucans, etc.

Even inside this teeming jungle, you can meet the Lacandon community to share the daily life of its inhabitants in communion with nature.

Things to see and do in the Lacandon Jungle:

My advice
If you like adrenaline, you can take this excursion to the Lancandone forest (click to book!)  from Palenque with hiking and rafting!

It includes pick-up from your hotel, breakfast and lunch, descent of the rapids of the Lacanja River, guided hike in the jungle, meeting with the inhabitants of the Mayan village of Lacanja Chansayab and visit to the Moctuniha waterfall.

The Lacandona Forest. Photo Schuyler Erle

7. San Cristobal de las Casas

Perched at 2,120 meters above sea level , San Cristobal de las Casas is the cultural capital of the Chiapas region.

Founded in 1528 by Diego de Mazariegos, it is a colonial town which has retained its traditional charm and authenticity, as evidenced by its cobbled streets, its numerous churches, its markets and its small colorful houses.

Its architectural importance  testifies to the grandeur of the city, which was the capital of the Chiapas region until 1892.

Things to see in San Cristobal de las Casas:

The cathedral of San Cristobal de las Casas. Photo Marcos Ferro

8. Sumidero Canyon

Both a national park, a Ramsar site and a natural wonder of Mexico, the Sumidero Canyon is definitely an unmissable place of interest in Chiapas!

It is a grandiose canyon formed 35 million years ago and crossed by the Grijalva river on which it is possible to take a boat trip to obtain a magnificent panorama of the surroundings.

You will see birds resting in the sun (there are 195 species in the area!), some monkeys and crocodiles, as well as numerous natural formations.

Its most famous attractions are the Cueva de Colores which houses a sculpture of the Virgin of Guadalupe and the Arbol de Navidad, a waterfall which actually looks like a Christmas tree!

I highly recommend also going around the viewpoints to get a view from above. It’s even more impressive!

Visit Sumidero Canyon

How to get to Sumidero
Without a car, it is complicated to access the Sumidero Canyon, and especially the viewpoints.

The best option in this case is to simply take a tour, like I did.

This is a small-group tour that includes round-trip transport, boat ride on the Grijalva River, viewpoints, and a stop at the pretty village of Chiapa de Corzo.

To book, click on the name of the excursion that suits you (the only difference is the starting point):

9. Visit Tzotzile Communities

Just a few kilometers from San Cristobal de las Casas there are two Tzotzile (Mayan) communities worth visiting:

My advice
These are autonomous communities with their own laws and here the police do not intervene.

It is very important to be respectful and not take any photos of the locals and especially not of the interior of the Church of San Juan Chamula.

It can be seen as a big offense and you risk having the camera confiscated or even physically attacked. It’s an unnecessary risk to take.

Visit San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan

You can book the excursion here.

Children of the Tzotzile community

10. El Chiflon

El Chiflon was one of the nicest surprises of my trip to Chiapas!

It is a beautiful natural site in Mexico located between the mountains and the tropical forest.

It opens 5 feed chutes for the San Vicente River : El Suspiro, Ala de Angel, Velo de novia (the most haute, 120m), Arcoiris and Quinceañera.

The water of an opaque turquoise color seems almost supernatural!

The park has been laid out so that you can see them easily by following a path of about 1km, along the river in the middle of nature. It is therefore easily accessible to the whole family.

My advice
Better to avoid the rainy season (between June and September) because instead of its beautiful turquoise color, the water is brown!

Visit El Chiflon

Without a car, the best option is really to take a day trip to El Chiflon because the distances are long!

It includes round-trip transportation from San Cristobal de las Casas, a visit to the Montebello Lagoons Park, and free time to explore El Chiflon at your own pace. To book here.

View over the foot of the Bridal Veil waterfall

11. Montebello Lagoons

The Lagunas de Montebello National Park is a large natural area of ​​60km2 which has been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

It contains 59 lakes renowned for their pretty colors which we owe to their background, the vegetation and of course the reflection of the sun.

The park is very big and of course it is impossible to see everything!

Here are the lakes that I recommend seeing at Montebello Park :

My advice
If you are traveling from San Cristobal, El Chiflon is on the way.

In addition to being a must-see site in Chiapas, it will be a strategic stop because the road is long!

Visit the Montebello Lagoons National Park

If you are staying in San Cristobal de las Casas, the easiest way is to take an excursion because there is no direct public transport and, even by car, the journey is long, and there are a lot of curves and “topes” (speed bumps).

I suggest this excursion which includes transport, a visit to the Lakes of Montebello and El ChiflonTo book, you can click on the name of the excursion that suits you:

View of Cinco Lagos at Montebello Lakes National Park

12. Visit Comitan de Dominguez

Comitán de Domínguez, in southern Chiapas, is one of the oldest towns in the region.

There are several architectural styles in this beautiful city: from Baroque to Gothic, including Art Nouveau.

Comitan is a place of gastronomy renowned throughout the country, especially for its typical alcohol, comiteco , which you can taste with butifarra, a local spicy sausage.

Things to do and see in Comitan de Dominguez:

From Comitan, explore the Mayan ruins of Tenam Puente and Chinkultik, the El Chiflon waterfalls , or even go diving in the Chucumaltik cenote !

Visit Comitan de Dominguez

You can also take a day trip to Comitan de Dominguez that includes pick-up from your hotel, lunch, and a visit to the Las Nubes waterfalls in the Lacandon forest.

To book, click here on the name of the tour that suits you:

Comitan de Dominguez

13. Visit a coffee hacienda

Coffee was brought to Mexico in the 18th century. Today, it benefits from a controlled designation of origin in certain regions of the country, notably including Chiapas, which is the largest coffee producer in Mexico.

There are several coffee fincas that open their doors to travelers. Beyond tasting, you can do several ecotourism activities, hiking, horse riding, mountain biking, and sleep on site!

You can follow the Coffee Route which will allow you to discover the fincas IrlandaArgoviaHamburgo and La Chiripa, in addition to discovering natural attractions such as the San Francisco waterfall.

14. Tuxtla

Tuxtla Gutiérrez is the capital of Chiapas.

In addition to being a vibrant city, it has an airport, so it is both a good starting point or final stop for a trip to Chiapas.

Things to do in Tuxtla Gutierrez:

And to taste the famous Chiapas coffee I recommend Café Avenida, an emblematic place located on Avenida Central!

Here’s a great overview of everything Tuxtla has to offer!

15. Taste the Specialties of Chiapas

Besides its famous coffee, Chiapas is full of typical dishes and drinks.

Examples include sopa de pan (a soup with bread, egg and banana), tamal chiapanecoqueso relleno (a queso de bola d’Ocosingo, stuffed with pork).

We cannot forget the tascalate, a drink made with grilled corn, cocoa, achiote and cinnamon. Refreshing!

Finally, there is Pox. It is a liquor made from corn, sugar cane and wheat, used during Mayan ceremonies for 2000 years.

It’s quite strong (39% and 53%), I recommend starting with a fruity version like those found at La Posheria de San Cristobal.

The delicious Chiapas tamale at the Eden restaurant in San Cristobal de las Casas

Practical map of Chiapas

Here is a map to help you locate the main attractions of Chiapas more easily !

Accommodation in Chiapas

San Cristóbal de las Casas

Comitan de Dominguez

Tuxtla Gutierrez

My advice for visiting Chiapas

1. Rent a car

Having visited Chiapas without a car the first time, I do not recommend it because the distances are long and public transport is limited.

In general, going there is not that complicated because it is often possible to ask the driver to get off between 2 stops. The problem is the return!

Especially since Chiapas is not like the Yucatan Peninsula where we come across buses or colectivos all the time.

The good news is that there are plenty of options for day trips from San Cristóbal de las Casas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, and Palenque to see the must-see sights of Chiapas.

2. Calculate your distances carefully

Journeys can be very long in Chiapas (4, 5, 6 hours between 2 sites) and it is important to be aware of this so as not to find yourself in the middle of nowhere after dark.

3. Never drive at night

For safety reasons, everywhere in Mexico it is recommended not to travel at night.

Chiapas is no exception and especially on the 199 (Palenque-San Cristobal and the 307 (Palenque-Bonampak, Yaxchilan)

This is also the reason why it is important to calculate your distances and times well.

4. Have a map in hand

With so much forest and isolated places, the GPS signal and the network are easily lost.

Of course, it’s always a good idea to download the maps in advance, but the best is the physical map.

Old school, but reliable.

5. Be well equipped

In Chiapas, in the same day, you can be cold, then sweat because of the heat and the humidity.

This is why it is very important to always have both light clothing and a good sweater.

Without forgetting an effective mosquito repellent  because they are insatiable in the region!

How to get to Chiapas?

There are no direct international flights to Chiapas, so the first step is to take a flight to Cancun or Mexico City.

There are 3 airports in Chiapas : Tuxtla Gutierrez (the most important), Palenque and Tapachula.

From Mexico City:

From Cancún:

How to get around Chiapas?

By Car

The majority of travelers visit Chiapas by rental car because the advantages are numerous: freedom, speed, flexibility of routes and schedules…

By Bus

The ADO bus is a good way to get around Chiapas because it serves many destinations, the seats are comfortable and there are even a few night buses.

The best is to buy the ticket in advance on their website because they are often cheaper than at the station.

By Colectivos

Colectivos often make the same routes as buses, but departures are more frequent

And the big advantage, which is very practical, is that it is possible to ask the driver to get off (eg: El Chiflon, Misol-Ha, Agua Azul).

By Plane

As I explained above, there is an airport in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Palenque and Tapachula.

But there are no flights between these destinations in Chiapas.

Is Chiapas Dangerous?

Chiapas has had a turbulent history with the Zapatista movement, it’s true. But today Chiapas is safer than many other Mexican states.

We can therefore calmly walk the streets and visit the sites, but of course, it is always important to take basic precautions as with any trip.

It is very important to never take the road at night.

When is the best time to go to Chiapas?

To fully enjoy your trip to Chiapas, it is best to go there in the dry season (January to June) and avoid the rainy season (May to September). It’s ideal for admiring the turquoise water!

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