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Chiapas is a place of wonder. The rich culture and history are enough to intrigue even the weakest of minds, but the beauty of the southern Mexican state has made it a tourist destination in Mexico that is much different from the popular spring break destinations such as Cancun. The following is a description of just 3 of the major attractions that bring visitors to Chiapas.

The Ancient City of Palenque

No different than the rest of Mexico, Chiapas has its share of ancient Maya archeological sites. Palenque, the most popular site in Chiapas and one of the best known sites in all of Mexico, is located in the dense rainforest of Chiapas, near the Usumacinta River, which once made it a major city for the Maya. The site offers a variety of Maya architecture, sculptures, and art. Architectural addicts (and anyone else remotely interested) love climbing (yes, you can climb!) the ancient palace, temples, and ball court, as well as checking out the impressive aqueduct that was built centuries ahead of its time. The ancient site is large enough to take an entire day to explore, yet archeologists predict that 90% of the ancient city is still covered in the surrounding rainforest!

The Beautiful Waters of Agua Azul

Las Cataratas de Agua Azul (Blue Waterfalls) are located only 69 kilometers from Palenque and offer visitors both beautiful scenery and a refreshing place to cool off. The perfectly clear, sparkling blue water cascades from a large waterfall down level after level of smaller falls. Near the falls you will find venders that provide anything you could possibly think of—from souvenir-type items, to traditional clothing and bags, to the freshest mangos around. And don’t bother packing a lunch or a snack; aside from the fresh fruit you will find small restaurants and food stands that sell anything from panuchos and empanadas to hamburgers and potato chips. Order yourself a bottle of Coca-Cola with real sugar, and you have a low-cost meal fit for an adventurous king.

San Cristobol de las Casas

Known as the “cultural capital” of Chiapas and one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico, San Cristobol de las Casas offers visitors a wide variety of culture, tradition, scenery, history, and more! Located up in the mountains, tourists accustomed to the thick air of the dense rainforest should be sure to bring longer, warmer clothing to accompany the crisp, refreshing air that encompasses the beautiful, scenic city. The city is largely fashioned in a European-colonial style, with cobblestone streets, a large plaza in the heart of the city, and colorful colonial architecture—featuring gorgeous churches that lie both within the city and farther up the mountain, overlooking the city and surrounding area. Also be sure to check out the Maya museum, complete with replicas of structures from Palenque and original artifacts found from surrounding sites of ancient Maya cities. The city hosts an abundance of hotels for guests, as well as tours and information centers.

During the day visitors have a plethora of sights to see, including many colonial-era churches, as well as intriguing museums, such as the museums of jade and amber, and the markets which feature anything from crocheted placemats with a traditional design to backpacks and bookmarks with your name burned into them. The streets are lined with restaurants which offer any type of ethnic food you can think of, all of which are very reasonably priced.

At night the plaza is filled with venders selling anything from traditional clothing pieces to souvenirs and traditional performances, such as dancing and dramatic readings of poetry are performed. Night clubs featuring live music, salsa dancing, and discos which feature techno-inspired music are also a way to liven up the night. 

Since the Zapatista uprising in the 1990’s, San Cristobol de las Casas has also served as a major tourist hot-spot for travelers interested in indigenous rights as well as political activism.

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