Chiapas

Region ·🇲🇽 Mexico

Population 5,217,908

Area 72,920 km²

Time zone America/Mexico_City

Official website www.chiapas.gob.mx

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Explore Chiapas

Chiapas Essentials

Chiapas contains a concentration of Mexico’s most significant Maya archaeological sites and diverse natural landscapes. This collection includes the jungle-shrouded ruins of Palenque and the massive acropolis of Toniná. Natural highlights feature the 1,000-meter limestone walls of Sumidero Canyon, the turquoise cascades of Agua Azul, and the multi-colored Montebello Lakes. Cultural landmarks include the Baroque architecture of San Cristóbal de las Casas and the indigenous syncretic traditions of San Juan Chamula, alongside the expansive Lacandon Jungle biosphere.

12 places

Editor's Choice

Chiapas offers a diverse landscape ranging from the 1,000-meter vertical walls of Sumidero Canyon to the turquoise travertine pools of Agua Azul. The region preserves significant history at Palenque, a major Maya city-state known for its intricate bas-relief carvings and the Temple of the Inscriptions. In San Cristóbal de las Casas, the Na Bolom museum documents Lacandon Maya culture, while the San Vicente River feeds the towering 120-meter Velo de Novia cascade at El Chiflón.

5 places

Hidden Gems of Chiapas

Chiapas holds significant cultural and natural treasures beyond the typical tourist path. In San Cristóbal de las Casas, Na Bolom showcases Lacandon Maya heritage within a historic colonial residence, while the 17th-century Iglesia de Santo Domingo features an intricate Baroque facade. Further south, the Montebello Lakes National Park protects a series of multi-hued lagoons near the Guatemalan border. For deep wilderness, Laguna Miramar offers remote landscapes dotted with ancient ruins, while San Juan Chamula provides a rare look at Tzotzil religious syncretism.

5 places

Maya Archaeological Sites

Chiapas preserves the legacy of the Maya and Zoque civilizations through diverse archaeological zones. Palenque features the iconic Temple of the Inscriptions and the tomb of Pakal the Great, while Toniná boasts one of the tallest human-made pyramids in Mesoamerica. The list includes Izapa, a historical link between Olmec and Maya cultures, and Chinkultic, known for its dramatic cliffside setting overlooking a cenote. From the megalithic structures of Iglesia Vieja to the ball courts of Malpasito, these sites showcase advanced urban planning and ceremonial architecture set within lush tropical landscapes.

9 places

Natural Wonders of Chiapas

Chiapas contains a diverse array of geological and archaeological landmarks, ranging from the turquoise terraced pools of Agua Azul to the 120-meter drop of Velo de Novia at El Chiflón. The region is defined by the Sierra Madre de Chiapas mountains, home to the Tacaná and El Chichonal volcanoes, and the dense Lacandon Jungle which shelters the UNESCO-listed Mayan ruins of Palenque. National parks like Lagunas de Montebello preserve dozens of multi-hued lakes near the Guatemalan border, while the Grijalva River carved the deep limestone walls of the Sumidero Canyon.

11 places

Historic Churches & Cathedrals

Chiapas’ religious heritage is defined by a blend of 16th-century monastic foundations and 17th-century Baroque ornamentation. This collection highlights the 1537 La Merced Monastery, the Mudejar-style architecture of the Carmen Temple, and the unique indigenous-Catholic synthesis practiced in San Juan Chamula. From the ornate 17th-century facade of Saint Domingo Church to the hilltop Iglesia de Guadalupe, these sites represent centuries of colonial history and diverse architectural styles ranging from Neoclassical to Baroque.

8 places