One Way To San Cristobal

This day trip solves a specific travel problem: it starts in Tuxtla Gutiérrez in the morning and finishes in San Cristóbal de las Casas, so you can sightsee your way between the two cities instead of simply taking a bus.

Overview

Run by the operator Jalapeño, it packs the two classic Sumidero Canyon experiences into one day. You look down on the canyon from scenic viewpoints first, then ride a shared boat through the gorge itself.

The meeting point is the Soriana Híper Poliforum in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, and the tour sets off at 10:00 a.m. There is no hotel pickup. After the viewpoints, the group drives to the Chicoasén dam jetty for a boat ride of 1 hour and 45 minutes, where the listing promises crocodiles, monkeys and a variety of birds, alongside rock formations and colorful caves. The final stop before San Cristóbal is Chiapa de Corzo, a colonial town with about an hour of free time to wander the square or find something to eat.

Be aware it is a shared transport service with a Spanish-speaking driver rather than a guided tour, and it ends at Portal 9 in San Cristóbal with no drop-off at your hotel or back in Tuxtla.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Soriana Híper PoliforumThe tour starts at 10:00 a.m. from this central meeting point in Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Hotel pickup is not included.
2. Van to viewpoints (20 minutes)A short drive out of Tuxtla toward the canyon viewpoints, with the driver handling the transfers.
3. Canyon viewpoints (1 hour)Scenic stops on the way, looking down on the canyon walls from above.
4. Van to jetty (1 hour)Transfer by minivan to the Chicoasén dam jetty, where the boat departs. Exact duration depends on traffic.
5. Sumidero Canyon boat ride (105 minutes)A shared boat trip through the canyon from the Chicoasén dam jetty, past rock formations, caves and wildlife.
6. Chiapa de Corzo (1 hour)Free time in the colonial town. Food and drinks are not included.
7. Van to San Cristóbal (1 hour)Final transfer by road into the highlands. The exact duration depends on the time of day and traffic conditions.
8. Finish at Portal 9The tour ends in central San Cristóbal de las Casas. Hotel drop-off is not included.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape the day, from what to carry to how the ending works.

• No guide on land. The listed inclusions cover a Spanish-speaking driver, not a guide. One reviewer noted that you should not expect a guide to explain things during the drives or town stops. The exception is the boat, where a dedicated guide points out wildlife and formations.
• Transport is basic. More than one reviewer described the vans as worn, with damaged backrests and tight space in the rear bench seat. Transfers also run longer or shorter depending on traffic, as the listing warns.
• Bring the basics. The listing asks for a passport, comfortable shoes and clothes, sunglasses, water and insect repellent. The boat section and viewpoint stops involve sun exposure, and the tour runs in all weather.
• Food is on you. Meals and drinks are not included. Chiapa de Corzo has a local market where some travellers preferred to grab a bite rather than stop at the restaurant suggested along the way.
• Watch the ending. The tour finishes at Portal 9 in San Cristóbal, with no hotel drop-off and no return to Tuxtla. Two reviewers were caught out by this and had to arrange their own onward travel, so plan your accommodation and luggage accordingly.
• Wildlife is reliable. Multiple reviewers reported seeing crocodiles, spider monkeys and lots of birds, plus caves and the waterfall formation known as the Christmas tree. Sightings are of course wild animals, so what you see varies from day to day.

Common issues. The main complaint across reviews is the ending: the tour does not return to the start point or drop travellers at their hotels, and at least two people found the logistics confusing once left in San Cristóbal. Several reviewers also criticised the vans themselves, calling them dilapidated and uncomfortable for longer transfers, with one flagging a damaged backrest on the four-person rear seat. There is no guide outside the boat, and the driver speaks Spanish, so non-Spanish speakers may miss context. One reviewer felt the hour in Chiapa de Corzo was short, and the listing itself rules out the tour for wheelchair users, pregnant travellers and unaccompanied minors.

Common Questions