Mexico trip: Chiapas exploration

Arrive at Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel in Chiapa de Corzo. In the afternoon, your local guide will tailor the itinerary to your interests and share practical tips to enhance your Mexico travel experience.

In the evening, savor a welcome dinner at Árbol de la Vida, where you’ll sample regional flavors and meet the team who help bring Chiapas’ rich culture to life.

From the Islet of Cahuaré near Chiapa de Corzo, paddle into the breathtaking Sumidero Canyon along the Grijalva River. Towering cliffs, some rising nearly 800 meters, reveal waterfalls, caves, and abundant wildlife, including spider monkeys and river crocodiles, as your guide leads a memorable kayak tour.

After the excursion, continue to San Cristóbal de las Casas to explore its indigenous markets, colonial streets, and a selection of curated cultural experiences.

Start your day with a scenic hike to San Juan Chamula, a Tzotzil Maya village renowned for its living spiritual traditions. Step inside the church of San Juan Bautista to witness mystical rituals that blend pre-Hispanic beliefs with Catholic customs, and wander through the vibrant local market filled with color and movement.

Continue on foot to Zinacantán, the “place of bats,” a quieter community celebrated for its richly colored handwoven textiles. Visit a weaver’s home to learn traditional weaving and cooking techniques, sample posh, and enjoy free time for lunch at a local restaurant.

Meet your local guide in Tzimol early in the morning to receive instructions and safety gear, then set off on an all-terrain vehicle along a scenic dirt road that winds through mountains, sugar cane fields, and farmland with sweeping views of the Angostura Dam.

As part of your adventurous Mexico itinerary, hike down to the river to experience canyoning, or simply relax in a hammock beneath the forest canopy.

Finish the outing with freshly made quesadillas or a simple sandwich before returning to Tzimol.

Visit Los Lagos de Montebello inside Lagunas de Montebello National Park, renowned for its turquoise and emerald lagoons and remarkable biodiversity. Paddle a traditional log boat across Lago Pojoj, watching sunlight ignite its vibrant blue tones as you learn about orchid, fungi, and bird conservation efforts.

Afterwards, hike the El Perol Trail, a moderate route that winds through forest paths and leads to dramatic viewpoints.

After breakfast, board a boat along the Río Lacantún and travel to Canto de la Selva, located on the edge of the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve. The pristine, biodiverse river is ideal for birdwatching and offers chances to spot macaws, crocodiles, and other wildlife along its banks.

Later, join an interpretive jungle hike through the Lacandon Jungle with an expert guide, learning about towering ceiba trees, toucans, and howler monkeys. After dusk, set out on a one-hour night walk to experience the sounds and movement of the rainforest’s nocturnal life.

Drive about four hours to Yaxchilán, the “place of the green stones,” one of the best places to visit in Mexico for travelers seeking remote archaeological sites and deep-jungle adventure. With a local guide, take a 40-minute motorboat ride along the Usumacinta River, navigating through dense rainforest to reach the ancient Maya city.

Spend around two hours exploring original paintings, stelae, and intricately carved lintels that illuminate daily life, mythology, and rulership. Keep an eye out for endemic birds and wildlife on the return journey along the river. Enjoy a meal at Escudo de Jaguar before continuing with a one-hour drive to Campamento Lacandones.

After breakfast, join a Lacandon guide for a tailor-made jungle trek to the small archaeological site of Lacanjá and a nearby waterfall where you can enjoy a refreshing swim. Along the way, your guide will explain the region’s fauna, flora, and traditional medicinal plants.

Return to Campamento Lacandones for lunch before setting off on a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Nahá for an archery workshop, where you’ll craft your own bow and arrows and test your aim.

As evening approaches, head out on a guided night walk to immerse yourself in the sounds of the jungle and look for owls and other nocturnal wildlife.

Begin your day deep in the Lacandon Jungle with a Lacandon guide on a tour of the Nahá Reserve. Walk one kilometer to the trailhead, then follow a three-kilometer loop to the Nahá lagoon, where you’ll cruise its tranquil waters by boat before taking a short jungle hike to spot turtles, crocodiles, and diverse plant life.

Enjoy lunch in Nahá before continuing to Metzabok, a UNESCO-listed biosphere of interconnected lagoons and lush rainforest.

Explore its waterways by boat, hike trails leading to Maya ruins and ancient cave paintings, and absorb the quiet beauty of this remote natural sanctuary. Afterwards, continue onward to Palenque for the night.

Discover Palenque’s jungle-shrouded ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with intricate Maya reliefs, towering temples, and ceremonial spaces that shaped settlements throughout the Usumacinta Basin. After exploring the archaeological zone, travel an hour to the Roberto Barrios Waterfalls, where you can swim in turquoise pools and unwind beside cascading sheets of water.

Enjoy a riverside barbecue of grilled meats, fresh salad, and fried plantains before returning to Palenque for a relaxing dinner at your hotel.

Your private driver will take you from Palenque to Carlos Rovirosa Pérez International Airport. We recommend booking flights after 1:00 pm so you can enjoy a relaxed morning, perfect for a final market visit or a short jungle walk.

This tailor-made Mexico trip leaves you enriched by Chiapas’ culture and rainforest traditions, shaped by authentic encounters, local stories, and personalized experiences.

When you're ready for your next adventure, we’re here to design it with the same care and creativity.