Things to do in Chiapas: Itinerary 11 days.

Located in southeastern Mexico, Chiapas is by far one of the most interesting places to visit.  Here there are majestic archeological sites -in which the vestiges of Mayan temples stand out-, cities that mix colonial and indigenous heritage and a diverse collection of ecosystems, endemic species and groups that have tried to preserve both their beliefs and their environment.

That said, this state is full of activities that allow travelers to immerse themselves in the essence of this country. Here visitors have the chance to contemplate some of the best landscapes in the country and immerse themselves in nature, lush waterfalls, rainforests, mountain ranges and beautiful communities capable of forever transforming our conception of culture.

Rutopía invites you to connect with nature and explore the treasures that Chiapas has to offer!

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Proposed itinerary

With this in mind we have prepared a sample route that will serve to give you a clearer idea of what a trip through this state is all about.

Day 1      Arrival in Villahermosa, transfer to Palenque and visit the archaeological site of Palenque.      Palenque

‍Day 2      Visit to Yaxchilan and Bonampak.      Palenque              

‍Day 3      Visit to Roberto Barrios waterfalls      Palenque              

‍Day 4      Visit to Agua Azul waterfalls and the archaeological site of Toniná.      Palenque              

‍Day 5      Visit to the archaeological zone of Tenam Puente and Chinkultic.      La Trinitaria

‍Day  6      Visit to the Tziscao community and transfer to Comitán.      Comitán              

‍Day 7      Visit to El Chiflón waterfalls.      Tzimol              

‍Day 8      Visit to the communities of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán.      San Cristóbal de las Casas              

‍Day 9      Visit to San Cristobal de las Casas.      San Cristóbal de las Casas              

‍Day 10      Visit to Chiapa de Corzo.      San Cristóbal de las Casas            

Day 11      Visit to Sumidero Canyon.      San Cristóbal de las Casas      

Day 1: Walk through the archaeological zone of Palenque. 

Today you will visit the less explored archaeological zone of Palenque, where you will have the opportunity to see how the jungle absorbed the city after its decadence and appreciate the work of excavating the ruins and converting them into beautiful archaeological sites. 

Here, you will learn about Maya myths, rituals, beliefs and the great architectural contributions of our ancestors.

The pre-Hispanic city and National Park of Palenque were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987 by UNESCO as one of the main Mayan sites that influenced other settlements in the Usumacinta Basin.

Day 2: Explore the ancient Mayan cities of Yaxchilán and Bonampak

Today you will take a boat down the Usumacinta River, the longest in Central America, to the first Mayan city: Yaxchilán, place of the green stones. 

This incredible archaeological site in the middle of the jungle was just a small village almost 2000 years ago, but it grew to become one of the most significant on the banks of the Usumacinta. 

Here, you will visit the most emblematic buildings of this archaeological site and learn all about the Maya and their great contributions. 

Your adventure continues at Bonampak, another majestic archaeological site located in the Lacandon jungle, where you can admire original 1100-year-old paintings, stelae and lintels that narrate the lifestyle and government of this pre-Hispanic city.

Day 3: Visit to the Roberto Barrios waterfalls. 

Today you will immerse yourself in the waterfalls of Roberto Barrios or also known as the waterfalls of the Bascan Valley; located a few minutes from the town of Palenque. 

The waterfalls have a staggered shape and are located in the middle of the tranquility of the Lacandon Jungle. 

During your tour, you will follow a path that goes down the side of a river and takes you to natural pools, which are shallow and characterized by their crystal clear turquoise blue water.

This is an iconic place to enjoy the beautiful scenery, admire the local flora and fauna, take pictures and swim in the turquoise waters.

Day 4: Visit the Agua Azul waterfalls and the archaeological site of Toniná.

Today you will visit the ruins that gave life to the Mayan civilization, its culture and mysticism.

 The beauty that surrounds this place consists of a large part of tropical jungle and a pleasant climate that make this site a must for anyone visiting the south of the country.

Your tour continues to the Agua Azul waterfalls, beautiful for the indigo color of the water, the bright green of the vegetation, the constant breeze in the air and the endless sound of the waterfall, which make this place one of the most spectacular in Mexico.

Day 5: Visit the archaeological site of Tenam Puente and Chinkultic.

Today you will explore the archaeological site of Tenam Puente, which means Fortress in Nahuatl. Here, you will find a fantastic and exceptional panoramic view of the Comitan plains. The landscape is enriched by the presence of trees covered with epiphytic plants whose growth is favored by the humidity that the hills capture from the winds.

Your day continues by the archaeological site of Chinkultic, an ancient city was famous in classical times for the production of beautiful pottery.

Day 6: Visit to the Tziscao community and transfer to Comitán.

In the morning, you will enjoy a raft ride accompanied by a local guide who will tell you about the richness of this incredible place. 

You will have the opportunity to connect with nature and contemplate the abundant vegetation. This is a unique natural landscape in Mexico, where there is a great culinary and cultural richness. Here, you will find thousands of souvenir stores that will show you this wonderful region and its beautiful way of life.

Day 7: Swimming at El Chiflón waterfalls

El Chiflón is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the state of Chiapas, as it has a staggered drop of 120 meters. 

These waterfalls give life to the San Vicente River, one of the largest in Chiapas and gives way to a series of waterfalls among which are, Ala de Angel, El Suspiro and the most popular, Velo de Novia, which has a fall of 70 meters high.

These majestic sources of life, have an intense turquoise color, and are surrounded by lush vegetation that give rise to a curtain of trees and stand out for their reed and palm groves.

Day 8: Visit to the community of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán.

On this tour you will visit two indigenous towns in the highlands of Chiapas: San Juan Chamula and San Lorenzo Zinacatán.

San Juan Chamula is a Tzotzil community of pre-Hispanic origin, located 10 kilometers from San Cristobal de las Casas, where you will visit the neighborhoods of San Juan Bautista, San Pedro, San Sebastian, which make up the ceremonial center, each with its own pantheon presided over by gigantic crosses featuring Chul Metic (Mother God) and Chul Totic (Father God).

In San Lorenzo Zinacantán known as “Place of Bats” you can admire the church San Lorenzo, of colonial origin, but remodeled in the early twentieth century and the chapels of Esquipulas and San Sebastian, you can also visit a family home where you will learn about the work of the backstrap loom, traditional cuisine and you can taste a traditional drink known as pox (corn distillate). 

Day 9: Visit to San Cristobal de las Casas

Today you will walk through the beautiful town of San Cristobal de las Casas, popular for being one of the most colonial towns in Chiapas. 

This magical town has an exuberant architectural beauty and great cultural diversity, so take the opportunity to taste a delicious café de olla and stroll through its colorful neighborhoods that offer beautiful postcards for a good photo shoot. 

Something that makes this place magical are its incredible handicrafts and local stores, not to mention the great gastronomic richness.

Day 10: Visit to Chiapa de Corzo.

Today you will explore Chiapa de Corzo: the ancient Chiapa de Indios, popular for being one of the most beautiful towns in Chiapas, with a Renaissance style and located next to the Grijalva River.

This magical town conquers travelers with its colorful traditions and beautiful buildings such as La Pila; a Mudejar style fountain made of red brick, also known as Fuente de la Reina (Fountain of the Queen). Here, you can also admire the church of Santo Domingo de Guzman and the museum of the Lacquer, which denotes the roots of this craft style in the region.

Day 11: Visit to the Sumidero Canyon

Today you will go to Tuxtla Gutierrez to reach Cahuaré, where you will board a boat to tour the legendary Sumidero Canyon.

This majestic place is an imposing natural formation whose walls began its constitution approximately 136 million years ago and reach 800 m in height. 

You will navigate on the mighty Grijalva River adorned with lush vegetation, waterfalls that fall from the high walls of the canyon into the river, as well as caves formed by nature over thousands of years. 

Rutopía helps you design the perfect trip for you to discover the best things to do in Chiapas. For other trip ideas and itineraries consult Rutopía. Request your trip now