This active Chiapas trip in Mexico combines mountain biking, rafting, and hiking as you explore the Mundo Maya (Mayan World) and experience first-hand Chiapas' traditional cultures. This is an ideal Mexico tour for travelers interested in multisport activities who also want an authentic experience with visits to local villages, Maya ruins, and remote rainforest.
Highlights
Take a cultural biking journey through the Chiapan countryside
Hike Montebello Lakes, a cluster of over 50 lakes ranging in size and color
Search for wildlife at Lacandona Rainforest, a protected area
Boat to Rio Lacantun for bird watching and wildlife viewing
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
Upon arriving at Tuxtla Gutierrez airport, you'll head straight to a boat for an exciting trip down the Grijalva River. You'll explore the stunning 900-meter-deep Sumidero Canyon, teeming with rich flora and fauna. The tour wraps up with a drop-off in San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Important: To enjoy the Sumidero Canyon tour on your arrival day, make sure your flight arrives at Tuxtla Airport by 2:30 PM. The transfer from the airport to the boat dock takes about 35-45 minutes.
Start your day with breakfast and set off on a cultural and biking adventure through the Chiapan countryside. Begin with a vehicle transfer to San Juan Chamula, where you'll explore the main church and indigenous cemetery. The biking journey to San Lorenzo Zinacantan spans approximately 10 km, with flat stretches, stony up-and-downhill slopes, and scenic pine forests. Take a moment at a beautiful overlook before descending into Zinacantan to learn about the history and traditions of the highland Maya. Visit traditional back-strap weavers, relish handmade tortillas, and share lunch with a Zinacantecan family. Don't miss the chance to sample local home-brewed Pox (Agua ardiente) before returning to San Cristobal de las Casas in the late afternoon. Enjoy some free time to explore the charming streets independently, and for dinner, choose from one of the local restaurants at your leisure.
Explore the stunning Montebello National Park, home to 59 lakes showcasing a mesmerizing array of colors and sizes. Visit 7 to 9 of these lakes, immersing yourself in the diverse local flora and fauna. Marvel at the water's hues, ranging from greens and blues to purples and blacks. Within the park lies the Chinkultic archaeological zone, featuring over 200 structures. Climb the Mirador for panoramic views that overlook the multitude of lakes in Montebello.
Drive from the Chiapas highlands into the Lacandona Rainforest. Stop at Las Nubes Waterfall on the Santo Domingo River, known for its turquoise waters, and take a 1.5-hour hike. After lunch at a local restaurant, drive two more hours to Las Guacamayas, an ecotourism center where you’ll stay for the next two nights. This lodge focuses on macaw conservation in the area. Settle into your private cabana with a hot shower and fall asleep to the sounds of the jungle, ready for tomorrow’s activities.
The Lacandona Rainforest is ideal for birdwatching and spotting wildlife, including jaguars, eagles, toucans, macaws, and wild turkeys.
Enjoy a full day in Las Guacamayas with options to tailor the experience to your preferences. If relaxation is your goal, kick back in a hammock. Alternatively, choose from various included activities. Embark on a two-hour boat trip along the Rio Lacantun for birdwatching and wildlife viewing—maybe even catch a glimpse of a jaguar if luck is on your side. Or, opt for a hike to spot the reserve's vibrant macaws. The day is yours to design based on your interests and desires.
Bid farewell to Las Guacamayas and depart to Yaxchitlan, a remarkable Maya complex perched on a scenic bend of the Usumacinta River. Explore its impressive facades and stelae, showcasing ancient Maya battles and ceremonies. Thanks to its remote location, Yaxchilan offers a quieter, more relaxed experience compared to other ruins. Enjoy the freedom to discover its hidden wonders with your local guide.
Day 7: Palenque Archaeological Site | Misol Ha Waterfall
Start your day by leaving the lodging area and hitting the Lacanja River for a half-day rafting adventure. This scenic river flows through lush rainforest, featuring small waterfalls and pools that create a mix of calm stretches and exciting drops. Most drops range from 3 to 5 feet high, with one reaching 8 feet, offering a Class II-III rating that varies with water levels.
In the afternoon, explore Bonampak, a Maya site meaning “Painted Walls.” Famous for its vibrant frescoes, Bonampak showcases scenes of royal ceremonies, battles, and sacrifices, with some of the finest murals in pre-colonial America. Keep an eye out for unfinished murals that date back to the decline of the Classic Maya civilization. In the evening, travel to Palenque and overnight.
Explore Maya history and nature at the archaeological site of Palenque and the Misol Ha waterfall. Discover the inscriptions that tell 180 years of the city’s story as you walk through Palenque. Climb the temples for stunning views of the surrounding jungle, then head to Misol Há to witness the impressive power of the waterfall.
Day 9: Transfer to Villahermosa
1 Breakfast
Transfer to Villahermosa (two hours) for a late morning or afternoon flight out of the airport to your next destination in Mexico or to return home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$5,5942-3 travelers
Rates are subject to change without notice. Book early to get the best rate.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
