Chiapas Maya Heartland

Arrive in Tuxtla Gutiérrez and transfer about 40 minutes to the boat dock for a scenic cruise along the Grijalva River. Glide through the 900-meter-deep walls of Sumidero Canyon, watching for wildlife among the cliffs and dense vegetation. Continue by road to the colonial town of Chiapa de Corzo before driving about an hour to San Cristóbal de las Casas, where you settle in for the night.

Note: To include the Sumidero Canyon experience, arrival flights must land in Tuxtla no later than 2:30 pm.

Begin the day with an early hotel pick-up for a half-day experience, approximately 4–5 hours. Explore the colonial charm of San Cristóbal de las Casas, with its red-tiled roofs, winding streets, churches, and colorful markets. Continue to San Juan Chamula, where rituals reveal a fascinating blend of pre-Hispanic traditions and Catholic practices. End with a visit to San Lorenzo Zinacantán, a town celebrated for its traditional textiles and strong indigenous heritage.

Note: Photography of indigenous people without permission is considered disrespectful. Photos are not allowed inside the church at San Juan Chamula.

Today, you travel for 8 to 9 hours to experience both culture and nature. Visit Amatenango, a village known for its pottery traditions passed down through generations, where women shape distinctive clay pieces by hand. Afterward, explore El Chiflón, a chain of five waterfalls with powerful cascades and the chance to swim in the clear pools.

Depart San Cristóbal de las Casas and travel about four hours (160 km / 99.41 miles) to the Agua Azul Waterfalls. Spend time swimming in the turquoise pools and exploring the cascades before continuing by road to Palenque. Arrive in the late afternoon and check into your hotel.

Note: From September to November, rainfall may cause the falls to run brown instead of their usual bright blue.

Palenque was an important power center during the height of Mayan civilization that dates back to 100 BC. It is still unclear what led to the important city state’s fall around 900 AD. Nestled deep in jungles at the foot of the Sierra Madre del Sur, Palenque’s setting is as memorable as the site is important for the light it sheds on Maya traditions, rituals, ceremonies, and spirituality. A massive complex spread over 15 sq. km., only the central area has been excavated. Peruse the Templo de Las Inscripciones, a burial monument that is Palenque’s tallest building, and El Palacio, the residence of Palenque’s rulers, built in stages from 400 AD until 900 AD and restored in 1955. The palace’s tower is believed to have been constructed so Maya royalty and priests could watch the falling sun during the winter solstice.

After Palenque, continue to the Mishol-Ha Waterfall that cascades 115 feet into a pool surrounded by lush, green vegetation. An optional path winds behind the main falls that acts as a curtain and leads into a cave. Be prepared to get wet, but it is a nice break from the tropical heat. Bring your swimsuit and take a swim in designated areas during low flows.

A two-hour drive brings you to Villahermosa, the capital and economic center of the state of Tabasco. Visit the Parque-Museo La Venta to learn about the Olmec civilization. The "People from the Region of Rubber" lived here from 1500 BC to 300 BC and are characterized as influencing the subsequent Mesoamerican societies. Evidence of this is in the Olmec's practice of ritual bloodletting and playing of ball games. The museum contains colossal stone heads that were moved by archaeologists from La Venta to Villahermosa to protect them due to La Venta's oil exploration. A zoo is home to native species from Tabasco, including jaguars, ocelots, spider monkeys, deer, and other birds (including scarlet macaws and toucans) and reptiles.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to your next destination in Mexico to continue your Mexico tour or to return home.