Eco Tour, Bilingual, 6 Hours

This six-hour outing from San Cristobal de las Casas pairs a boat trip through Sumidero Canyon with a stop in Chiapa de Corzo, the first colonial city founded by the Spanish conquistadores.

Overview

It starts with a van ride along the scenic highway toward Tuxtla Gutierrez, climbing through mountains where the road passes above the clouds. The drive itself is part of the experience, with panoramic views along the way.

Once at the canyon, the group boards a boat for a two-hour ride down the river between the canyon's steep walls. Waterfalls, caves and cliffs line the route, and wildlife is a regular feature, especially birds. Crocodiles are sometimes spotted. Back on land, there is a short van transfer to Chiapa de Corzo, also an archaeological site of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, where travellers get an hour of free time before the return trip.

Round-trip transport, the boat trip, park entrance and the Chiapa de Corzo visit are all covered by the price. Pickup is from set points, not your hotel door. Meals and tips are not included.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet in San CristobalThe tour meets at Calle Diego de Mazariegos 28 in San Cristobal de las Casas. There are two pickup location options listed.
2. Van transfer to canyonA van ride of about one hour along the scenic highway toward Tuxtla Gutierrez, with mountain and cloud-level views along the way.
3. Sumidero Canyon boat tourA guided two-hour boat ride down the river, passing cliffs, waterfalls and caves, with chances to see birds and sometimes crocodiles.
4. Van to Chiapa de CorzoA ten-minute van transfer to the town of Chiapa de Corzo.
5. Chiapa de Corzo free timeOne hour of free time in Chiapa de Corzo. Meals here are on your own and not included in the tour price.
6. Return to San CristobalThe van heads back along the mountain roads, with drop-off in San Cristobal de las Casas, including the Calle Diego de Mazariegos 28 stop.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing and from traveller reviews are worth knowing before booking.

• Meeting, not pickup. Hotel pickup is not included. Travellers make their own way to Calle Diego de Mazariegos 28 in San Cristobal, and the listing notes the city-center drop-off is within walking distance of many hotels.
• Sun and wind. The operator recommends a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, especially on the legs if wearing shorts, since the boat runs close beneath the canyon walls. Comfortable shoes and clothes are also advised. Swimming is not allowed, so leave the swimsuit behind.
• Bring cash. Cash is the one item the listing puts on its what-to-bring list. It is useful for tips, souvenirs and any food you buy during free time in Chiapa de Corzo, since meals are not included.
• Language can vary. Reviews differ on how language works in practice. One traveller said requesting English got them a separate guide, while another reported the canyon commentary was entirely in Spanish with no translation. It is worth confirming language arrangements when booking.
• Timing can stretch. Two reviewers said the day ran longer than the listed six hours, one reporting a return after 7 p.m. partly due to extra drop-offs in Tuxtla Gutierrez. Build some slack into your evening plans in case the schedule slips.
• Camera ready. One reviewer mentioned coming away with striking pictures, and another reported the trip included viewpoints of the canyon from above.

Common issues. The most consistent complaint in reviews is timing: several travellers said the day overran the six-hour duration, in one case returning after 7 p.m., partly due to extra drop-offs in Tuxtla Gutierrez. The free time in Chiapa de Corzo has drawn criticism too, with reviewers describing being taken to a restaurant rather than given a guided tour of the town, meals at their own expense. Language is a second weak spot, as one reviewer found the boat commentary was in Spanish only. Meals and tips are excluded, and pickup is from set points, not your hotel door. Smoking plus large bags are not allowed on the tour.

Common Questions