Things to do in Chiapas

This is another great picnic spot in Tzimol. There are palapas and barbecue pits to relax by the sounds of the river and enjoy the fresh, cool air. Like Ojo de Agua, it is surrounded by ancient and impressive sabino trees. Nearby is the old bridge, a perfect backdrop to take a picture to remember your trip to Tzimol.

Getting here: You can easily get here by car or local tuk-tuks. There are signs leading to the area.

Comitán de Domínguez is an important commercial center in Chiapas and the last big city before you get to the border of Guatemala. It serves as an important jump-off point to various attractions in this region but this colonial city has a lot more to offer as well.

Various famous Mexican figures spent a great number of formative years here, such as the martyr of free expression Dr. Belisario Domínguez, and writers and poets Rosario Castellanos and Óscar Bonifaz. There are a number of interesting museums in the historical center. 

You’ll also find a rich and varied gastronomy specific to Comitán. In the markets and local restaurants you can ask for chinculguaje, pan compuesto, chamorro, chalupas, salpicón, butifarra, pellizcadas, tamales, patzitos de manjar, hoja de momon (hoja santa), pitaules (tamales with fresh beans) to name a few. You can find the hustle and bustle of authentic life in Comitan through its markets such as Mercado 1ro de Mayo two blocks from the park or the main market Central de Abastos.

Along its colonial streets and antique barrios, you can still see Neoclassical architecture in its houses and buildings. We recommend visiting its main churches such as Santo Domingo in the main square, San Sebastián, San Caralampio, San José, Templo del Calvario, each with its own architectural beauty and located in the barrios bearing their names.

Chucumaltik means “the hidden beauty” in the local indigenous language tojolabal. Here you can see the beautiful geological formations underwater millions of years in the making, petrified trees, sulfur chimneys, an underwater altar dedicated to the Virgen de los Dolores, quartz deposits, and underwater caverns. 

Its clear and crystalline waters maintain a pleasant 23-24 degrees all year round, great for swimming, snorkeling, standup paddleboarding or just relaxing in its blue waters. It’s a popular spot for scuba diving as well.

You can combine a visit to the cenote with the Uninajab natural pools and Chiflón waterfalls.

Getting here: The easiest way to get here is by car. The exit is along Highway 226, clearly marked to Uninajab. By public transport, take a colectivo from Comitán or Tzimol and head towards Chiflón. Ask the driver to leave you at the exit to Uninajab. From here, you’ll need to walk 3km to the entrance of the cenote and another 1km to the cenote. There are colectivos from Comitán that can bring you directly to the entrance but they only leave 3 times a day (7am, 12pm and 4pm) and return to Comitán at 8am, 1pm and 5pm.

The main attraction of this area is its series of natural pools. It’s a perfect place to spend a hot day and it’s a popular swimming spot for many people from Comitán. There are palapas, restaurants, bathrooms and shops.

Further ahead you can find Laguna Koila, a nice place to go swimming.

You can combine a visit to the pools with Cenote Chucumaltik and Chiflón waterfalls.

Getting here: The easiest way to get here is by car. The exit is along Highway 226, clearly marked to Uninajab. By public transport, take a colectivo from Comitán or Tzimol and head towards Chiflón. Ask the driver to leave you at the exit to Uninajab. From here, you’ll need to walk 5km to the entrance of the pools. There are colectivos from Comitán that can bring you directly to the entrance but they only leave 3 times a day (7am, 12pm and 4pm) and return to Comitán at 8am, 1pm and 5pm.

This Mayan archaeological zone is from the Classical Period and was adapted to its natural landscape to create a series of terraces on which you can find pyramids, plazas and ball courts.

It is believed that Tenam Puente served as a strategic point along the route between the Highlands of Chiapas and Guatemala and facilitated access to commercial activity, as evident in the presence of various objects found in the area such as alabaster vases, sea shells and metals. There are about 60 structures within its nuclear zone that occupy about 30 hectares.

From Tenam Puente you can enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the plains of Comitán. There are trees and plants endemic to the area and a great place to go for a walk and bird watch. 

Getting here: By car from Comitán, head towards Trinitaria and exit to Francisco Sarabia on the right. It is also easy to get here by public transport. From Comitán, take a colectivo to Francisco Sarabia and you can request for the driver to drop you off at the archaeological site.

This is one of the most visited attractions in Chiapas for good reason. You can enjoy the natural surroundings of the forest and waterfalls. It is an approximately 1200-meter hike and you can see a chain of waterfalls and cascades; the most impressive one “Velo de Novia” or Bride’s Veil is more than 120 meters high.

There are cabañas, a restaurant, ziplines, a museum, iguanas observation, bathrooms, palapas and parking.

Getting here: It is 34km from Comitán or 24km from Tzimol via Highway 226. It is easy to get here by car or colectivo which drops you off directly at the entrance of the waterfalls.

Here you can find various ancient Mayan structures from the late Classic period that were built to adapt to the steep landscape. If you climb all the way up, you’ll reach the Acropolis from which you can observe surrounding lakes and forests and peek down from a cliff that overlooks a cenote. You’ll find the Plaza Hundida (Sunken Plaza), a ball court and Plataforma de las Lajas (Platform of the Stone Slabs), built from the largest cut stones in the whole of Mesoamerica (2.6 x 40 metres).

Getting here: By car from Comitan, head towards Trinitaria/Lagos de Montebello. Along the same highway you’ll find a town called Hidalgo from which you’ll see signs to the archaeological site. You can also get here by public transport. From Comitán, take a colectivo that goes towards Lagos de Montebello. Get off at the Ejido Miguel Hidalgo exit and walk 2km to the ruins.

The main attraction of this national park is its mass bodies of water and its lush forest with a great variety of flora and fauna. It is said that there are approximately 59 lagoons in this network of lakes and they are known for their variety of colors.

There are two main routes in the park. The first is within the national park where you’ll find Lagos Esmeralda, La Encantada, Bosque Azul, Ensueño y Aguatinta surrounded by a lush pine forest. There are cabañas, restaurants and trips to lesser-known lagoons like Paso del Soldado. The other route goes to Cinco Lagos, Lago Internacional, Tziscao, Lagos de Montebello, Cañada, Pojoj, Tziscao y Dos Lagunas.

Lago Tziscao is one of the larger lakes in the area and it borders Guatemala. The local indigenous community here is Chuj. There are cabañas, camping areas, handicrafts, restaurants and rafts. You can go for walks, mountain bike and explore the area.

Getting here: By car from Comitán, head towards Trinitaria and along the highway you’ll find signs to Lagos de Montebello. There are also colectivos that go directly to the park but it’s easier to explore the different lakes if you have your own car.

Located in the town of Cristóbal Colón, Los Lagos de Colón is a network of about 44 natural pools across 350 hectares. Its clear waters make it a great spot for swimming, snorkeling and even scuba diving. It is located next to Lagartero archaeological zone. 

There are restaurants, cabañas, palapas, bathrooms, changing rooms, camping areas, parking, internet and local guides for hire.

Getting here: From Tuxtla, San Cristóbal o Comitán, travel along the PanamericanaHighway 190 towards San Gregoria Chamic Frontera Comalapa/Ciudad Cuauhtémoc where you’ll find the exit to Lagos de Colon clearly marked. The distances are: from Tuxtla 216 km / 4 hours; San Cristóbal 160 km / 3 hours; and Comitán 70 km / 1 hour. By public transport, take the colectivo  from Comitán to San Gregoria Chamic Frontera Comalapa/Ciudad Cuauhtémoc. Get off at the exit to Lagos de Colón and take a local taxi to the lakes.

These ruins are by Lagos de Colon. It is a small site but set in a beautiful surrounding. You have to walk through a small forest and cross a few streams and lakes to reach the site. The ruins are located in a ceremonial zone known by locals as El Limonal due to the large number of lemon trees. Here you’ll find the main plaza surrounded by four pyramids of differing sizes.

Pyramid Number 2 is the largest of them, measuring 10.50 meters in height. Its two main stages of construction can be seen in stucco, limestone and hard white rock. The ball court can be found south of Pyramid Number 1 and with enclosed end zones as with many ballcourts, creating the well-known double T-shape. 

Getting here: See the directions to Lagos de Colón.

This is the border between Mexico and Guatemala and an important point for travellers looking to cross from Chiapas to Guatemala by land. There are options to travel to various points in Guatemala such as Quetzaltenango, Panajachel, Lake Atitlán or Antigua or you can also easily travel with a tour agency from San Cristóbal. Take note that the Mexican migration office is 4km from the actual crossing so it’s crucial to get your passport stamped to register your departure from the country. 

Getting here: From Comitán travel along Highway 190 towards Ciudad Cuauhtémoc by car or by public transport. It is recommended that you check the necessary requirements before crossing the border in your own vehicle. 

San Cristóbal de Las Casas is a Magical Town. It is a colonial town known for its indigenous culture, especially Tzotzil y Tzeltal and its international community. This beautiful town has several pedestrian walks where you can observe the rich culture, gastronomy and history of San Cristobal. 

You can also discover all this through its churches, markets and museums such as Mercado Cultural, Catedral, the main square, or Plaza 31 de Marzo, Templo and Exconvento de Santo Domingo, Na Bolom Museum, Amber Museum and Arco del Carmen among others. There is an array of handicrafts made by the local community.

Getting here: From Comitán take Highway 190 by car or public transport (colectivos o bus). There are very frequent departures.

This is a ecotourism site located along the Santo Domingo River with waterfalls, natural pools, imposing canyons and natural look-out points. It is within the borders of the Lacandona jungle and at the edges of Biósfera Montes Azules. 

There are magnificent waterfalls which you can admire from the hanging bridge or by a guided walking tour where you’ll visit El Mirador, El Túnel, La Cama de Piedra and El Laberinto.

There are a variety of activities such as rafting, hiking night tours, speleology (cave exploration) and local guides for hire to observe and identify local flora and fauna of this tropical forest. There are cabañas, restaurants and camping areas.

Getting here: It is 130km from Comitán and can be reached by travelling along the South Frontier Highway. Before you each the Santo Domingo Bridge, there is an exit to the left that takes you pass Nueva Jerusalén and Gallo Giro then Las Nubes. There are signs clearly marked all the way. You can also take a colectivo from Comitán via Transportes Tzovol. Its terminal is about 2 blocks from the Central de Abastos market.

Its name comes from the indigenous language Tzeltal. It means the House of Stone or the Place of the Rise of Stone Structures in Honor of Time, which are accurate descriptions of this site.

The Acrópolis of Toniná and its 260 steps are one of the tallest structures in the Mayan world. It is built over 7 platforms and consists of 13 temples. At 74 meters high, it is taller than the Sol Pyramid in Teotihuacán and experts have determined it to be about 700 years old.

Getting here: It is about 10km east of Ocosingo or 85km from San Cristóbal. Head towards Rancho Guadalupe where you’ll find an exit Northeast that’ll take you to Rancho Toniná. You can also easily get here by colectivo from Ocosingo.

The Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport (IATA code: TGZ), is located in the municipality of Chiapa de Corzo, about 35 km from Tuxtla Gutiérrez.

Getting here: The airport is 149km from Tzimol or about 3 hours. The easiest way to get there is by car via Highway 226 (La Angostura) or Highway 190 through San Cristóbal de Las Casas. There are buses and colectives from San Cristóbal that can take you to the airport.

Laguna Miramar is one of the most beautiful lakes in Mexico, covering about 16 km2. It is located in the southeast of Biosfera de Montes Azules Reserve. There are islets within the lake on which you can find archaeological ruins.

It is truly a wonder of the Lacandon jungle with its surrounding exuberant, evergreen jungle where you can explore caves, see ancient cave drawings, observe turtles in their natural habitat and listen to howler monkeys echoing through the night. You can take a tour on a canoe to get to the crocodile lagoon or archaeological ruins and see the flora and fauna of the place. 

Camping is the only option at the lake but you can rent everything you need in town. There are basic amenities for camping like pots and pans, water and bathroom at the campsite.

Getting here: From San Cristóbal de las Casas, head south along Highway 190. In about 108 km there is an exit towards Emiliano Zapata. Then it is a drive along an unpaved highway towards San Quintín.

By colectivo from Comitán, take a  colectivo near the town center to Las Margaritas. From Margaritas take another colectivo to Emiliano Zapata. It’ll take about 6-8 horas travelling on paved and unpaved roads.

From San Quintín, you’ll need to walk 2-3 hours to get to the lake.

Sumidero Canyon is a nature destination about 5km from the state capital, Tuxtla Gutiérrez. It is a sanctuary for a variety of wildlife and lush vegetation that call the canyon their home.

To admire the beauty of this canyon, you must take a boat tour from which you can see impressive caves, towering walls of rock and animals such as crocodiles, vultures, storks, spider monkeys, pelicans and deer to name a few. 

During the tour, you’ll also visit the Chicoasén Hydroelectric Dam, one of the most impressive feats of Mexican hydraulic engineering.

It is also possible to do an alternative tour by car, visiting its various look-out points from above the canyon. There are 5 points in total: La Ceiba, La Coyota, El Roblar, El Tepehuaje and Los Chiapa which are all located along the length of the canyon. 

Chiapa de Corzo is a Magical Town and it is considered one of the oldest cities on the American continent. It was the first city in Chiapas founded by the Spanish conquistadores in 1528 and is host to the most important festival in Chiapas, La Fiesta Grande featuring the Parachicos Dancers. It is held annually from the 4th to the 23rd of January.

Getting here: The boat tours depart from Chiapa de Corzo. It is easy to get here by car or by public transport.

The Agua Azul river cascades down limestones that form impressive rapids, falls and pools where you can swim (during the dry season and with precaution). You can appreciate its blue color, after which it is named, from November to May in its spectacular cascades measuring 3 to 19 meters and explore its trails, look-out points and natural pools. It covers a large area so it is recommended that you keep exploring beyond the first few look-out points where there are usually more people.

You can find all kinds of tourist amenities like cabañas, camping sites, local Chiapaneco restaurants, handicraft stands, and bathrooms. You can also hire local guides to get to know the place better. 

Getting here: From Ocosingo, take the highway toward Palenque (Highway 199). In about 58km, there is an exit on the left to the waterfalls.

This is an unmissable experience for all nature lovers. The importance of its natural resources within its limits has spurred numerous conservation efforts. You can access the jungle in pristine conservation by various trails. Tourist destinations within the jungle include Palenque Archaeological Zone, Welib-Ha, Yaxchilán Archaeological Zone, Misol-Ha Waterfalls, Roberto Barrios Waterfalls, Metzabok, Nahá, Tres Lagunas, Lacanja Chansayab, Bonampak Archaeological Zone, Agua Azul Waterfalls, El Salto Waterfalls among many others.

There are many activities in this area such as trekking, cave exploration, boat trips, kayaking, rafting, camping and other interactive activities to enjoy nature. The jungle is home to over 70 species of mammals in this area such as howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars; 306 species of birds such as the rainbow-billed toucan and scarlet macaw; and various other reptiles such as the boa constrictor, milk snakes and pit viper – making it a perfect place to observe flora and fauna in its natural habitat.

Getting here: It is located east of Chiapas, about 300km from Tuxtla Gutiérrez.

Misol-ha Waterfalls is a popular tourist destination featuring a 45-meter free-falling waterfall that includes a walk to the look-out point, caves and jungle trek. It is surrounded by lush green jungle. Fun fact! Arnold Schwarzenegger swam in its cool pools while filming the 1987 movie, Predator.

There are cabañas, restaurants and parking in the area.

Getting here: It is 203.7km from Comitán. You can get here by the Federal Highway 199 to Ocosingo where you will find a clearly marked exit towards the waterfalls. From the exit, travel a further 1.5km.

This major archaeological zone covers an area of about 16km2 and features one of the finest examples of Mayan architecture, sculptures, roof combs and bas-reliefs. This can be observed in over 200 architectural structures and constructions such as the Temple of the Inscriptions where the tomb of Pakal the Great was discovered, the Palace, Temple X1, Temple of the Foliated Cross, Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Count and ball court among others. 

Getting here: It is recommended to travel by day to reach Palenque. From Tuxtla or San Cristóbal by car, travel along Federal Highway 199. There are buses to get to Palenque too. From Comitán, you can also travel via Highway 307 (South Frontier Highway) by car or switch colectivos at Benemérito de Las Américas.

Bonampak is about 30km from Yaxchilán Archaeological Zone. It was a ceremonial centre in the heart of the jungle and whose splendor is attributed to Knot-eye Jaguar I. The site itself is quite small in comparison to other archaeological sites but is most famous for its colorful and best preserved Mayan murals. The site dates back to the Late Classic period (c. AD 580 to 800).

Getting here: Travel via Highway 199 from Palenque drive south and exit to highway 307 towards Benemerito de Las Americas. At km-97 there is a clearly marked exit to Bonampak in San Javier. The site is about 4 km away.

Yaxchilán is a splendid sight to behold rising from the deep evergreen jungle. It is well known for its well-preserved sculptured stone lintels above the doorways of the main structures. The lintels contain hieroglyphic text which narrates its powerful history and rivalries. The ancient Mayans built the site on the peninsula encircled by the Usumacinta river. The site covers a large area which includes the Grand Plaza, Grand Acropolis, the West Acropolis and the South Acropolis. 

Getting here: Access to the archaeological zone is by boat only from Frontera Corozal. Travel via Highway 199 from Palenque drive south and exit to highway 307 towards Benemerito de Las Americas. 30km from Bonampak, there is a clearly marked exit towards Frontera Corozal and Yaxchilán where you can buy boat and entrance tickets to the site.