Chiapas Highlights

The highlights of Mexico's most geographically beautiful state are showcased on this fascinating tour through the Sierra Madre de Chiapas mountains and the steamy lowland rainforests. Chiapas is an ecotourism paradise where lush, jungle clad mountains hide remnants of ancient pre-Hispanic cities and beautiful colonial towns and cities thrive in the fresh, clear highland air. This is without a doubt Mexico's most deeply rooted indigenous state and is a paradise for travelers with an adventurous spirit and a desire to experience some of Mexico's most spectacular natural beauty of lush, tropical jungles, steaming volcanoes, thundering waterfalls and whitewater canyons without sacrificing comfort, staying in unique and luxurious accommodations. The opportunity to visit the modern day Maya villages surrounding San Cristóbal De Las Casas offers an amazing insight into this fascinating culture.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Villahermosa, transfer to Palenque (-)

You will be warmly welcomed upon arrival at Villahermosa airport by one of our representatives and driven approximately 90 minutes to to your hotel in Palenque.

Day 2 – Palenque Ruins (B)

One of the most impressive pre-Hispanic ruin sites in Mexico, Palenque is located in a beautiful primordial jungle setting. Containing an array of soaring, jungle swathed temples, it was first occupied around 100BC. However, abandoned around 900AD, and being in one of Mexico’s most lush, wet areas, the ruins were quickly overtaken by the surrounding jungle and remained unknown to the western world until 1746. Your private tour of the ruins today will encompass all of the major temple complexes including the amazing eight level Temple of the Inscriptions, as well as learning about the fascinating pre-Hispanic culture of Mesoamerica. Following your tour, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the jungle setting of your stylish hotel and have an evening at your leisure.

Day 3 – Misol Ha, Agua Azul (B)

This morning you will awaken to the sounds of the jungle from the comfort of your hotel. Following a delicious breakfast you will embark on a half-day trip to visit the aquatic wonders of Agua Azul and Misol-Ha. Agua Azul is a long series of glittering cascades coursing through lush valleys in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas Mountains. The powerful, shimmering falls, white water and deep, clear pools, rush through the steaming jungle. With sparkling turquoise water set against a deep green jungle background, the falls are probably one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Mexico. A short drive away is Misol-Ha. Over 100 feet high, these stunning falls empty into a deep, calm pool surrounded by tropical vegetation at the base of jungle-covered cliffs. Chiapas, with its pine forest highlands and steamy lowland rainforests filled with a huge variety of flora and fauna, is one of Mexico’s most beautiful states. Today’s three-hour drive through the mountains and jungle to San Cristóbal de las Casas will not disappoint. You will have plenty of opportunities to stop for scenic photos or so simply enjoy the spectacular vistas.

Day 4 – San Cristóbal de las Casas (B)

Following yesterday’s busy day sightseeing, you’ll probably want a lie-in this morning. After a leisurely breakfast in your stylish hotel, you will be taken on a private tour of this beautiful city. You will visit the delightful Templo and Ex-Convento of Santo Domingo, San Cristóbal’s most beautiful church, followed by the nearby fascinating Na Bolom research center of Chiapas’ indigenous cultures and natural environment. Following a lunch break where you can sample one of the city’s fine restaurants, your tour will continue to the Museum of Mayan Medicine, as well as the unique Chiapas Museum of Amber, where you will learn about this local 30 million year old pine resin. A peaceful and welcoming atmosphere, coupled with an artistic and bohemian flair, characterizes San Cristobal. The colonial streets and alleyways lined with red-roof tiles and white-washed walls beg wanderers to explore and discover the nooks and crannies; alleyways open up into picturesque arcades and plazas showing off their authentic colonial architecture and hosting churches, museums, cafés, restaurants and artisan workshops, among other delights. This evening, enjoy exploring this safe, walkable city center at your leisure.

Day 5 – Visit to Indigenous Villages (B)

Today will be a fascinating day exploring the surrounding indigenous villages and delving deeper into the local culture. You will visit the town of San Juan Chamula, home to an independent Tzotzil group known as Chamulans, who carry out some unique, traditional religious practices. The Templo de San Juanin the plaza is painted white, decorated with a vivid green and blue arch. Inside the dark interior, candles, incense, a pine needle carpeted floor and traditional worshipers make a powerful impression. The nearby town of San Lorenzo Zinacantán is the main village of the Tzotzil Zinacantán people, where men wear pink tunics, embroidered with flower motifs and ribboned palm hats, while women wear pink and purple shawls over embroidered blouses. Amatenango Del Valle is a pottery village, demonstrating traditional, pre-Hispanic methods where a fire is burned around the clay, not inside a kiln. Following this leisurely tour, you will return to your hotel.

Day 6 – Cañon del Sumidero (B)

Following breakfast, today’s tour will continue to El Aguacero, a beautiful series of waterfalls that plunge into the sheer Rio la Venta canyon. This afternoon, following a lunch break in the pretty jewel of a colonial town of Chiapa de Corzo, you will take a private 2 hour boat tour through the Cañon Del Sumidero, a sectacular fissure in the earth, with a river running through the bottom of the canyon’s towering, 800m high rock walls.

Day 7 – Farewell to Chiapas (B)

This morning a private car will transfer you to Tuxtla Gutierrez airport and your flight home.

Hotels listed below are given as suggestions only to illustrate the standard of hotels used. 

Palenque - Luxury - Villa Mercedes

A modern retreat inspired by the surrounding tropical forest, Villa Mercedes has an exceptional location 5 minutes from the archaeological site of Palenque and a few miles from spectacular landscapes, lakes and waterfalls. Surrounded by exotic natural beauty and gorgeous gardens, the hotel has been designed for families and business travelers. Featuring 92 comfortable and modern 4-star rooms and suites for you to enjoy, as well as facilities that include a refreshing pool, temazcal (traditional Mayan sauna), spa and restaurant, among many other elements that make Villa Mercedes a great choice among hotels in Palenque.

Palenque - Deluxe - Quinta Cha Nab Nal

Located three kilometers from the archaeological site of Palenque, this luxury hotel evokes a Mayan palace complex of the classic period. Traditional pre-Hispanic design, updated with modern sophistication awaits you. The rooms are set amidst luxuriant jungle flora and the swimming pool reflects the typical waterfalls found in the ruins of Palenque. This is without a doubt the most luxurious hotel in the Palenque area, featuring beautifully decorated large rooms, with king-size beds, comfortable sitting areas and Botanicus and Sak Pó toiletries in the bathrooms.

San Cristóbal De Las Casas - Luxury - Casa Felipe Flores

Casa Felipe Flores is a delightful boutique hotel located in the center of the historic district of San Cristóbal de las Casas, two blocks from a main pedestrian walkway filled with restaurants and bars leading to the main plaza. This historic landmark features authentic Mexican and Guatemalan furniture throughout, Talavera tile, original artwork and collectibles and books representing the Maya region of Chiapas. Guests can relax in three flower filled courtyards, or on the rear sun deck. Each room features a fireplace for those chilly mountain evenings.

San Cristóbal De Las Casas - Deluxe - Hotel Bo

Hotel Bo is one of the newest, most stylish boutique hotels in San Cristóbal de las Casas. Tastefully decorated in muted hues, the hotel is an oasis of peace and tranquility, just a five-minute walk from the main plaza. The rooms are modern and luxurious, centered around a relaxed garden setting and all feature flat screen televisions, Egyptian cotton sheets and Etro toiletries. The hotel’s Lum restaurant serves creative, modern Chiapan and Mexican cuisine. This is one of our favorite places to stay in the city, and we’re sure you’ll agree.

Pricing

From $3075 per person (Luxury Hotels) or $3535 per person (Deluxe Hotels), for a private tour based on two people traveling in low season sharing a room.

Hotels listed above are given as suggestions only to illustrate the standard of hotels used.

Price Includes:

All hotels as described in the itinerary
Services of Blue World Journeys’s representatives while in Mexico
All transportation as described in the itinerary in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking driver / guide
Private sightseeing and entrance fees
Meals as described in the itinerary
Bottled water in the vehicle during all transfers 

Price Excludes:

International flights
Travel insurance
Meals other than those listed in the itinerary
Gratuities for guides and drivers
Sightseeing other than described in the itinerary
Additional room charges of a personal nature in hotels (eg: room service, laundry, phone calls, etc.).