A LUXURY JOURNEY TO CHIAPAS
Chilly pine-forest highlands, steamy lowland jungles and centuries-old colonial cities exist side by side in Chiapas, Mexico’s southernmost and most fiercely independent state.
The remnants of ancient kingdoms still rise from the forest floor, and modern-day Maya communities continue to live, worship and speak in their ancestral languages.
Days might begin with coffee in a highland café in San Cristóbal de las Casas, followed by market visits or jungle hikes, and end with candlelit rituals in traditional villages. Remote lodges and hidden fincas provide stylish bases from which to explore the region’s rainforest rivers, waterfalls and ancient ruins.
What to see and do in Chiapas
At the heart of Chiapas lies San Cristóbal de las Casas, a 16th-century stronghold of cobbled streets, red-tiled rooftops, artisan markets and hidden galleries.
Just beyond the city, Chiapas opens into wilder terrain: rafting jungle rivers, swimming beneath cool, jade-green waterfalls, and glide by boat through the vertiginous cliffs of Sumidero Canyon.
For the historically curious, Chiapas holds some of Mexico’s greatest Maya sites. Palenque, set deep in the rainforest and half-swallowed by jungle, is the best-known. Toniná, etched into a steep hillside, is quieter but no less commanding. Yaxchilán, reached by boat along the Usumacinta River, is perhaps the most atmospheric of the lot.
Beyond Chiapas
Most trips to Mexico will begin in the capital, but where next?
-
How long should I spend in Chiapas?
Give it at least three or four days. Base yourself in San Cristóbal de Las Casas and use it as a springboard to explore the surrounding highland villages and journey into the jungle for waterfall swims and Maya ruins.
-
What’s the best time of year to travel to Chiapas?
Plan for December through to early August. Late August to November brings rain – dramatic, beautiful, but unhelpful for getting from A to B. March to May is hot and dry, especially in the lowlands, though the highlands stay cool and breezy. Winter is often the sweet spot: clear skies, crisp mornings, and green as far as the eye can see. Whatever the month, pack for variety.
-
How do I get to Chiapas?
The simplest route is to fly into Tuxtla Gutiérrez, then drive up into San Cristóbal de Las Casas, a winding, scenic climb of about 90 minutes. Overland from Oaxaca is possible, but it’s a nine-hour drive and not for the faint-hearted. If you’re heading from there to Palenque, ditch the six-hour road and take to the skies. A private charter gets you there in 40 minutes, skimming misty peaks and emerald canopy, and is far more in keeping with the romance of the place.
CONTACT US
Get in touch to start planning your Mexico journey.
Conde Nast Traveler Specialists every year since 2017
