5-Day Package, Villahermosa End

This five-day circuit starts in Tuxtla Gutiérrez and finishes with an airport drop-off in Villahermosa, stringing together the canyon, the highlands, the waterfalls and Palenque in one booked package.

Overview

Day one puts you on a shared boat through Sumidero Canyon, where the walls rise close to 1,000 meters, followed by a stop in the historic town of Chiapa de Corzo. Nights are spent in 4-star hotels, with four American breakfasts included.

From there the route climbs to San Cristóbal de las Casas, with visits to the indigenous communities of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán before time in the city itself, including the cathedral, the Andador Turístico and the Santo Domingo Church. The third day covers El Chiflón, a 180-meter waterfall, and the Montebello Lakes. Day four moves into the jungle for the turquoise cascades of Agua Azul and Misol-Ha, roughly 40 meters high, before transferring to Palenque town.

The final morning is given to the Palenque Archaeological Site: the Palace, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Cross and the tomb of King Pakal. It suits travellers who want the main highlights of Chiapas handled in one booking, with a driver and ground transport throughout rather than a licensed guide. A reviewer described the activities and hotels as incredible and praised the operator's representative for being thorough and professional throughout the trip.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Sumidero Canyon boat rideOn arrival in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, take a shared boat through Sumidero Canyon, with walls almost 1,000 meters high. On Tuesdays the canyon vantage points are closed and replaced by the Cristo de Chiapas vantage point.
2. Chiapa de Corzo visitStop in the historic town to see its Mudéjar-style colonial fountain and traditional crafts. Overnight in Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
3. Chamula and ZinacantánAfter breakfast, visit the two indigenous communities, where customs and clothing reflect the legacy of Mayan culture. Continue to San Cristóbal de las Casas for two nights.
4. San Cristóbal de las CasasExplore the city's streets, cathedral, the Andador Turístico and the Santo Domingo Church.
5. El Chiflón and MontebelloVisit the El Chiflón waterfall, a 180-meter cascade, then the Montebello Lakes with their clear, colorful waters. Return to San Cristóbal de las Casas.
6. Agua Azul and Misol-HaTravel through the jungle to the Agua Azul Waterfalls, then Misol-Ha, nearly 40 meters high. Transfer to Palenque for the final night.
7. Palenque ruins and departureTour the archaeological zone, including the Palace, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Cross and the tomb of King Pakal. End with an airport transfer to Villahermosa.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape how this trip goes, from hiking at several stops to what is and is not covered in the price.

• Bring for hikes. The listing recommends comfortable shoes and clothes, plus flip-flops, a towel and a change of clothes. There are hikes at various locations, so plan footwear accordingly. Sunglasses, a sun hat and sunscreen also make the packing list.
• Nature and seasons. Activities involve contact with nature, and the level of the bodies of water depends on the rainy season. Biodegradable insect repellent is on the operator's bring list.
• Group transport. Transport is shared, in air-conditioned vehicles, with a tourism driver throughout the trip rather than a licensed guide. One reviewer praised the operator's representative who assisted them throughout as thorough, friendly and professional.
• Meals and cash. Four American breakfasts at the hotels are included. Lunches, dinners and drinks beyond breakfast are not, so carry cash for meals. Cash also appears on the what-to-bring list.
• Tuesday routing. On Tuesdays the Sumidero Canyon vantage points are not open and are replaced by the Cristo de Chiapas vantage point. Travellers whose first day falls on a Tuesday should expect that swap.
• Booking minimum. Rates apply with a minimum of two people, and a child rate applies when sharing a room with two adults. Taxes are included in the rate. Airfare or coach tickets from other cities are not.

Common issues. Pickup on arrival in Tuxtla Gutiérrez is included, though the exact point should be confirmed on the booking page. Licensed tour guides are not included, only a tourism driver, which matters for anyone expecting archaeology commentary at Palenque. Lunches, dinners and drinks are extra, as are any other activities at the sites and flights or coach tickets into Chiapas. The pace involves hikes at several stops, and when the canyon day falls on a Tuesday the viewpoints are replaced by the Cristo de Chiapas vantage point.

Common Questions