Sumidero Canyon, Chiapas, Mexico

Chiapas

Dominated by the volcanic Sierra Madre de Chiapas, Chiapas State is a rich agricultural region situated in the southernmost corner of Mexico, bordering Guatemala to the east and the vast Pacific to the south-west.

This relatively unexplored state offers rich pickings, playing host to a broad range of natural environments, many colonial towns and villages, and areas of great historical interest.

Such attractions include Lacondon; Mexico’s largest area of rainforest – also home to the pristine waters of Laguana Miramar, many ancient Mayan sites including Bonampak, Palenque & Yaxchilan, the dazzling falls of Agua Azul and the dizzying depths of Sumidero Canyon, to name but a few.

Agua Azul waterfall, Chiapas, Mexico
Chiapas, Mexico

A little bit more about Chiapas

Chiapas’s myriad of wildlife is considerable too with spider monkeys, tapir, ocelot, jaguar, swamp crocodile, more than one thousand species of butterfly and hundreds of different birds including the harpy eagle and endangered red macaw, which, if lucky, can be observed leisurely by canoe along one of many rivers.

Also worth a visit is the lively state capital of Tuxtla Gutierrez, the beautiful bohemian town of San Cristobal de las Casas and the many indigenous villages of the Chiapas highlands – mainly of Mayan descent and each with their own unique style of costume.

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Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Hotel BO £££££

  • Mexico
  • Boutique

Hotel BO is a design innovation in San Cristobal. Step through a large, ancient wooden door set into one of San Cristobal’s historic central buildings to discover a funky boutique interior that blends modern design with local materials and traditional themes, creating a colourful and artistic interior that is unlike any other in this city.

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Casa Mexicana £££££

  • Mexico
  • City

Located in downtown Tapachula, Casa Mexicana is a welcoming boutique-style hotel. A restored building, with thick adobe walls and old wooden beams, Casa Mexicana offers old-world charm. The hotel is painted in rich colours and accented with Mexican furnishings and decorated with unusual Mexican Art, some pieces may raise an eyebrow or two. Each room is named after ten famous women in Mexican history and all are individually decorated.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Sue Grimwood

I was inspired to travel south from an early age. My form teacher when I was nine made us listen to tapes from Shackleton’s expeditions, I didn’t know it at the time, but it obviously left a deep impression on my psyche.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

John Faithfull

Over multiple trips, John has immersed himself in the natural and cultural highlights of this huge country. He has had close encounters with grey whales off Baja’s Pacific coast, swam with whale sharks in the Caribbean, attended shaman rituals in Chiapas and sought out some of Mexico City’s finest Mezcalerias.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.

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