Travel Guide CHIAPAS Contetns DISCOVER CHIAPAS 01 CHIAPAS PROFILE 02 CHIAPAS ATTRACTIONS 03 CHIAPAS DINING 11 CHIAPAS SHOPPING 13 CHIAPAS NIGHTLIFE 15 THINGS TO DO IN CHIAPAS 16 DISCOVER CHIAPAS One of the most fascinating states for visitors to Mexico, Chiapas offers warm hospitality, magical sights and attractions, and a rich cultural heritage, all of which are aspects that you can see in every city and town. Discover its grandeur as you explore the archeological sites and immerse yourself in its natural beauty. In recent decades, Chiapas has experienced a great deal of tourism and business development, with places like Tuxtla Gutierrez, Tapachula, Palenque, and Comitan playing a leading role. Here you can enjoy a quiet family vacation or participate in a variety of outdoor recreational activities, like extreme sports, hiking, rappelling, and rafting, among others. As a result of extensive planning and investment, Chiapas now hosts events like the International Mesoamerican Fair of Tapachula and the Sumidero Canyon Marathon. This versatile state also has facilities for world-class conventions, including the Convention Center and the Polyforum, making this a destination with a variety of options for travelers. NATURAL BEAUTY AND CULTURAL RICHES The natural beauty of Chiapas is one of the main reasons that people consider it to be an attractive vacation destination. The biodiversity that exists here makes it a great option for travelers seeking spectacular scenery and adventure. Examples of this include the Sumidero Canyon, a geological fault with steep rock walls that flank both sides of the Grijalva River; the Tacana Volcano, which rises more than 13,000 feet above sea level; the Montebello Lakes, the Agua Azul waterfalls, and the Lacandon Jungle. The history, cultural heritage, and customs of Chiapas are also worth highlighting. This is one of the states with the highest concentration of ethnic groups and indigenous communities in the country, and the residents of Chiapas have preserved their traditions and way of life. It is also home to important Mayan archeological sites, like Palenque, Yaxchilan, and Bonampak. 1 CHIAPAS PROFILE Possessing spectacular natural attractions and rich biodiversity One of the leading proponents of the culture and customs of Mexico Home to numerous ethnic groups Features cities and towns with different types of climates Exquisite cuisine known all over the country Important Mayan archeological sites 2 CHIAPAS ATTRACTIONS Chiapas is a state so diverse that it attracts and captivates travelers from all over the world. Its beauty is perfectly showcased in its many religious, cultural, and natural attractions. These are some of the places you don’t want to miss when you visit Chiapas. SUMIDERO CANYON Designated a National Park in 1982, the Sumidero Canyon is full of mysticism and stunning natural beauty. You can tour the nearly 14-mile-long Grijalva River, which flows between the rocky cliffs with their whimsical formations that enliven the canyon and rise to heights of more than 3,000 feet above water level. This site has lush vegetation and a variety of animal species, including crocodiles, spider monkeys, and waterfowl. In addition, along the walls of this geographical fault, which originated approximately 12 million years ago, you can see caves where they have found cave paintings that are now part of the history of mankind. 3 AGUA AZUL WATERFALLS Located 40 miles south of Palenque, these waterfalls are formed by the Agua Azul River, which joins with the Shumulha River. The waters create an indigo blue hue that together with the lush green vegetation, the constant breeze, and the sound of the water, makes this site one of the most spectacular and unforgettable in Mexico. During your visit to the waterfalls you can also go camping, swimming, and take amazing photos. You’ll also find local handicraft vendors for if you want to take home a souvenir. COMITAN DE DOMINGUEZ This small town was established as an indigenous village by the Dominican monks and grew into one of the most important settlements in the region, thanks to its colonial haciendas and historic buildings. Here you can follow in the footsteps of Fray Matias de Cordova along the Independence Route. Comitan is an interesting destination that attracts history buffs. 4 PALENQUE The great cities of Mayan culture were built in the jungle region of Chiapas. The way that this civilization sought their deities, their architectural talents and beautiful sculptures are beautifully reflected in the Palenque archeological site, a place where the buildings are perfectly preserved. You’ll be amazed by the Palace, an intricate structure with patios, walkways, and towers. Also called the Temple of the Inscriptions, this structure stands out not only for its refined architecture, but also because in 1949 they found a huge mausoleum guarding the tomb of King Pacal, surrounded by offerings and jade items that are currently on display at the National Museum of Anthropology and History in Mexico City. YAXCHILAN Renowned for the vast number of carved sculptures with precision and attention to detail, this city belonging to the Mayan civilization is another important tourist and cultural attraction in the state of Chiapas. It is located a few yards from the Rio Usumacinta, which makes it a sanctuary where manmade and natural wonders exist together. 5 BONAMPAK This archeological site also belongs to the cities of the Usumacinta River basin and is located in the heart of the Lacandon Jungle, about 19 miles from Yaxchilan, a city on which it was dependent for some time. When you visit this site you can learn more about the daily life of its ancient inhabitants from the colorful paintings on the walls, which date from the year 790. COFFEE ROUTE This route is an ecotourism project created by the coffee plantations in the Soconusco region in southwest Chiapas. There are tours of the coffee plantations and the nature reserves in the jungle, passing by rivers, streams, and waterfalls, and observing several species of animals native to the region. The tours are ideal for travelers looking for adventure, fun, and full immersion in nature. The Coffee Route seeks to create a unique experience and encourage ecological awareness in each individual. 6 CHIAPA DE CORZO This small town is located in the center of the state of Chiapas, just 10 miles from Tuxtla Gutierrez. Chiapa de Corzo is home to several museums, like the marimba museum, the Lacquerware museum, and the former convent of Santo Domingo. It’s also known for the production of handicrafts, which includes embroidery, traditional clothing, and hand carved wooden items. TAPACHULA Tapachula occupies part of the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Pacific Coastal Plain, which is why it has a varied terrain. The changing climate makes it possible to enjoy warm days and temperate evenings with varying degrees of humidity, something all visitors will enjoy. Its architecture is characterized predominantly by vivid colors on the facades of the buildings with patterns carved in wood and wrought-iron balconies. From certain parts of the city you can admire the Tacana Volcano, which rises more than 13,400 feet above sea level and straddles the Mexico-Guatemala border. Tapachula is also famous for its coffee plantations and its beautiful natural scenery. 7 SAN JUAN CHAMULA This picturesque town is inhabited mostly by indigenous groups with well-preserved customs and whose main income comes from agriculture, tourism and the production of handicrafts. San Juan Chamula is located six miles from San Cristobal de las Casas, so you can easily take advantage of their close proximity and visit both on your vacation. ZOOMAT The Miguel Alvarez del Toro Regional Zoo is located in the southern part of the city of Tuxtla Gutierrez, in the reserve known as El Zapotal. Zoomat takes you on a tour along more than a mile and a half of walkways to see some of the species of animals that are native to the state of Chiapas, including some endangered species. Here you can see wild boars, grisons, deer, badgers, ocellated turkeys, and black jaguars, among others. It also has an audiovisual room, a café, and a dining room. 8 THE LACANDON JUNGLE With an area of more than two million acres, or 13% of the entire territory of the state, the Lacandon Jungle is another stunning attraction in Chiapas. In this vast ecosystem also known as the “Desert of Solitude” you can enjoy all kinds of activities, including everything from relaxing hikes and birdwatching, to exciting adventures like rafting, which is why this is such an attractive destination for lovers of ecotourism. The Lacandon Jungle is home to 70 species of mammals and more than 300 birds, making it one of the most diverse natural areas in the country. It is inhabited by the Lacandon Maya indigenous group. 9 SAN CRISTOBAL DE LA CASAS Founded in 1528, San Cristobal is named after its first bishop, Bartolome de las Casas, who was a fervent defender of the rights of the indigenous people in the area. This town is home to the Temple of Santo Domingo, an intricately detailed baroque structure that now houses an excellent museum of Mayan culture. Today, San Cristobal de las Casas is a classic colonial town with a renowned and vibrant indigenous heart. It has cobblestone streets, red rooftops, impressive churches, and small tree-lined city squares. There are several traditional indigenous villages in the area surrounding San Cristobal, where no fewer than 10 different dialects are spoken. TUXTLA GUTIERREZ This city has experienced constant growth throughout its history without losing its essence, and proof of this is its modern infrastructure. As the capital of Chiapas, it retains the charm that characterizes the neighboring towns, offers a variety of restaurants and cultural attractions, and has an optimal environment for doing business.