If you are here, it is because you are choosing to visit one of the best places in Mexico, the incredible Chiapas and its amazing tourism. Here we have listed the best tourist sites in Chiapas.
Here you will find amazing natural sites, incredible gastronomy, a wonderful culture and, the icing on the cake, is that it is one of the cheapest states in Mexico.
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Top 10 Tourist Places in Chiapas
If we had to choose the 10 best tourist attractions in Chiapas, this would be our list:
Montebello Lakes
This is one of our favorite tourist sites in Chiapas. Without thinking twice, I could tell you that this is one of the most beautiful natural places in Chiapas.
The Montebello Lakes of Chiapas is a beautiful park that extends for 6022 hectares in which it is possible to locate up to 59 lakes.
The impressive thing about this place is its turquoise blue waters and the different shades that can be appreciated. Its beauty convinced UNESCO to declare it a Biosphere Reserve in 2009.
Definitely one of the places to visit in Chiapas.
Do you want to visit the Montebello Lakes?
- Guide for your visit: Montebello Lakes Guide
- Excursion we recommend: Montebello Lagoons + Chiflon
Palenque
Considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico and Central America, Palenque is one of the most important and outstanding destinations in Chiapas.
It is simply one of the obligatory stops when traveling to Chiapas.
To visit Palenque
- Check out our Palenque Guide
Agua Azul Waterfalls
Another place to visit in Chiapas are the famous waterfalls of Agua Azul, the colors are unique, the nature is amazing and the best of all is that you can swim and mingle with nature in a wonderful way.
Besides, they have enough services to have an excellent time.
To visit this tourist site in Chiapas
- You can check out this guide: Agua Azul Waterfalls Prices and How to visit them.
- Take one of these excursions:
The Arc of Time
Millions of years ago, when the oceans still covered the land we are about to explore, animals now known to be extinct roamed the surface.
Today, in full view of everyone, it is considered the largest entrance in the world. Its height of approximately 180 meters, has an age of more than 80 million years and is considered one of the jewels of Chiapas.
To visit the Arch of Time
- Review this Guide: Arc of Time | Complete Guide
San Cristobal de las Casas
It is known as the traveler-trap town, the stories say that even the most experienced and adventurous travelers are trapped by the charm of this magical town.
Personally, we love San Cristobal, you can do several activities in this place and it is a perfect place to make a base and get to know other important destinations.
Want to visit San Cristobal de las Casas?
- Check out this guide: What to do in San Cristobal de las Casas
El Chiflón Waterfalls
If you like waterfalls, El Chiflón is one of the most important ecotourism centers in Chiapas and one of the most important tourist attractions.
The waterfalls here are beautiful and the main waterfall is simply breathtaking.
Its height, its fall and its beauty are something you definitely have to know.
To visit the Chiflón waterfalls
- Check out this Guide: Cascadas el Chiflón | Complete Guide
- Recommended excursion: Montebello Lagoons + El Chiflon Waterfalls
Sumidero Canyon
One of the most representative tourist sites in Chiapas. The Sumidero Canyon is a classic, one of the most important attractions in the state and a favorite among travelers.
The boat tours are impressive because of the majesty of the canyon walls and the biodiversity you can observe.
With a little luck you will find monkeys and crocodiles.
To visit the Sumidero Canyon we suggest
- Review this guide: Cañon del Sumidero | Complete Guide
- Use one of these excursions
Misol Ha Waterfall
Today, the Misol Ha Waterfall is a worthy representative of ecotourism in Chiapas. It is a place where you will obtain indelible memories, marked by sounds, aromas and sensations of a magical and spectacular jungle.
It is located very close to Palenque, in fact, it is a tourist attraction in Chiapas that is combined with a visit to the archeological zone of Palenque.
The waterfall is beautiful and has a super interesting cave. I could share with you that for Instagram lovers this is a great attraction to take pictures of themselves.
As a curious fact I must share with you that this waterfall was used as a set for the movie “Predator”.
To visit Misol Ha
- Check out this guide: Misol Ha Prices, Hours and How to Get There
- We recommend these excursions:
- From San Cristobal: Agua Azul, Misol-Há and Palenque
- From Palenque: Excursion to Agua Azul and Misol-Há
Las Nubes Chiapas
Difficult to get to know due to its location; however, if you manage to get there it will be completely worth it.
For many the clouds are the most beautiful waterfalls in Chiapas, the good news is that if you decide to venture to this place, it is possible to stay at the ecotourism center “Causas Verdes Las Nubes” and, it is important to know, that one can perform several activities here.
To visit the Chiapas Clouds we recommend
- Review this guide: Las Nubes Chiapas | Complete Guide
- Use this tour: Excursion to the Chiapas Clouds from San Cristobal
Bonampak
An archaeological site in Chiapas full of mysteries.
To begin with, this place is located in the middle of the Lacandon jungle and has not been fully explored, it is an important place because it is considered one of the treasures of pre-Hispanic muralism.
To add to the mystery, you should know that the murals were never finished and it is not known why the city was abandoned while they were being painted.
To visit this place it is necessary to take an excursion from Palenque. We recommend this one: Excursion to Yaxchilán and Bonampak.
Other Places to Visit in Chiapas
Below we share with you the list of tourist places in Chiapas that you should consider visiting on your trip:
Chiapa de Corzo
One of the tourist places in Chiapas that is considered a magical town. Small, easy and quick to visit. Chiapa de Corzo is a place that is usually accompanied by a visit to the Sumidero Canyon.
Here you can taste typical regional dishes, buy Chiapanecan handicrafts and take pictures with the famous structure of the central plaza.
The Lacandon Jungle
Visiting the Lacandon jungle is something that is done from Palenque, it is an adventure activity where it is necessary to be accompanied by a Lacandon (indigenous of the area).
If you are looking for an ecological experience that gives you the feeling of being an explorer, visiting the Lacandon Jungle is one of the must do things to do in Chiapas.
The Sima de las Cotorras
This tourist place in Chiapas can only be visited at certain times of the year, the experience is unique and unmatched; however, this place is not so famous because the difficulty to visit it is high and the price to do so is also high.
If you are on the right dates, are adventurous, have the budget and a good condition, this is a very worthwhile experience that will mark your life.
To visit the Cotorras Chasm it is necessary to book this excursion: Excursion to the Cotorras Chasm and El Aguacero waterfall.
Las Guacamayas Ecotourism Center Chiapas
It is said that this place is one of the most protected and best preserved in Mexico.
As its name suggests, this center was created with the objective of protecting scarlet macaws. The most interesting thing is that you have the possibility to live with these animals in their natural habitat.
Definitely one of the tourist attractions in Chiapas that must be visited, Las Guacamayas has everything, excursions, restaurants where you can eat typical dishes and, of course, macaws.
San Juan Chamula
One of the most mysterious towns in Chiapas that you can visit, San Juan Chamula is a place with indigenous customs out of the ordinary, it is governed by its own laws and no one messes with it.
You can visit this place and learn a lot about the inhabitants and customs of San Juan Chamula but we recommend visiting it with a guide or tour because going on your own can be dangerous.
To visit San Juan Chamula
- We recommend using one of these excursions:
- From San Cristobal: Excursion to San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán
- From Tuxtla: San Juan Chamula + Zinacantán Excursion
Las Cascadas Roberto Barrios
Another place to visit in Chiapas. The beautiful waterfalls Roberto Barrios
To visit the Roberto Barrios Waterfalls
- Review this Guide: Roberto Barrios Waterfalls | Complete Guide
Tuxtla
Although we would not consider it as one of the best tourist attractions in Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutierrez is one of the main cities in the state and is a place that works very well as a base point to visit several attractions.
To visit Tuxtla Gutierrez
- Check out our guide: What to do in Tuxtla Gutierrez
What to do in Chiapas
Apart from discovering the tourist destinations in Chiapas, there are some activities and experiences that we recommend you to do:
Pox route
On this tour you will discover one of the most traditional drinks of Chiapas, the Pox. A drink that was used since the Mayan civilization.
It is worth it because it allows you to learn about the Pox making process and gives you the opportunity to try different flavors of Pox.
Pox is a drink that you will hardly find in other places and that is why we consider this experience as one of the things you must do in Chiapas.
Where? This route is taken from San Cristobal de las Casas.
Cacao Tour
With this activity you will learn everything you need to know about one of the most representative products of Mexico, Cocoa.
In case you didn’t know, Cocoa is fundamental to make chocolate and in this tour you will discover the different types of use and percentages of Cocoa used in each type of Chocolate.
And so that you don’t get left with a craving, the tour includes a tasting of 10 varieties of cocoa.
Where? This tour is taken in San Cristobal de las Casas.
Learning about amber
If you visit San Cristobal de las Casas you will notice that amber is a product that is regularly found in stores.
There are amber museums that we recommend visiting and there is also a tour that allows you to enter an amber workshop.
For us this tour is one of the things to do in Chiapas because it includes a tour of the magical town (quite complete) and a visit to a shop-workshop where you can see how amber is worked.
Where? San Cristobal de las Casas.
What to eat
There is a great variety of dishes that you can try in Chiapas, if you are one of those travelers who are interested in knowing the gastronomy of the tourist destinations you visit, we recommend you to check this article: 14 Typical dishes of Chiapas that you must try.
Either way we leave you with our Top 3 dishes you should try in this destination:
- Chiapaneco Tamale
- The Pox
- Mole Chiapaneco
Where to Sleep
The ideal places to base and stay in Chiapas are:
- San Cristobal de las Casas: The best of the 3 options. Apart from being a magical town where you can do several activities, it is also ideal as a base point to visit almost all the tourist sites in Chiapas that we recommend above.
- Tuxtla: Close to the Sumidero Canyon and not as touristy as San Cristobal, you can find lodging more easily.
- Palenque: From my point of view staying in Palenque is more for those who are traveling on roadtrip or from one place to another. In short, it is a good place to stay if it is on your way or in your travel plan.
*(We suggest you check our hotel recommendations by clicking on the destination where you plan to stay).
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Resources to organize your trip
Here are the applications and companies that we use when we travel. These are our favorites and the ones we recommend:
- Skyscanner: Skyscanner is our favorite flight search engine. They are the best option to find the best prices and the best deals on airline tickets.
- Hostelworld: For those who stay in hostels this is definitely the best platform.
- Booking.com: We like to use Booking to book our accommodation because of the ease of use and the great offer it has.
- Civitatis – Definitely the best option for booking tours, excursions and activities. No matter where you travel, Civitatis offers tours in Spanish all over the world.
- Heymondo: Heymondo offers convenient and affordable insurance plans designed for all types of travelers. It is the best and easiest to use insurance option.
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