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Located in the Southeast of Mexico, the State of Chiapas is one of the places with the greatest biological diversity in the world. This has made it the main destination for lovers of ecotourism, adventures, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls that exist here in a complete jungle environment.
Knowing Chiapas is quite an experience, and deserves to be taken into account as a vacation destination. You will be able to experience incredible moments through its history, jungle, the archaeological zones, Magical Towns, traditions, handicrafts, parties, and gastronomy.
Another point that characterizes Chiapas is its great ethnic diversity, where there are hundreds of indigenous groups that preserve millenary traditions and are easily identified because they still wear typical hand-embroidered costumes and whose designs have changed little over the centuries. There are languages of Mayan origin that are still spoken in several regions and points of the state such as Chol, Tzotzil, Quiché, Tojolabal, Mam and the Lacandón. It is curious to hear people speak in languages that possibly date back thousands of years.
Interesting facts about Chiapas
The name "Chiapas" means "hill of the chia" or "water under the hill".
Chiapas is the main producer of organic coffee in Mexico, and one of the largest in the world, exports to countries such as the United States.
Chiapas is one of the states in which more indigenous dialects are spoken, some of these are Tzeltal, Tzotzil, Chol, Maya, Mame, and Tojolabal.
Because of its temperate climate, Spaniards chose to settle in what is now San Cristóbal de las Casas. This city was the capital of Chiapas on 2 occasions.
Chiapas declared itself part of Mexico twice, on September 14, 1824, its definitive annexation.
In a referendum in which 60,400 votes were obtained for permanence in Guatemala, and 96,826 in favor of the annexation to Mexico, Chiapas became part of Mexico.
The state of Chiapas has its own anthem.
Chiapas is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. It has 1 of every 3 amphibian species, 1 of every 4 reptile species, 3 of every 4 birds, 1 of every 2 of mammals and 1 of every 3 species of flora that exist in Mexico.
The traditional mask of the "Parachicos" is a representation of the time of the Colony of how the indigenous saw the Spaniards.
In Chiapas, the weather is very varied. If you are traveling, it is normal that suddenly when changing from one valley to another or from a mountain to the valley or vice versa the climate changes completely. In the valleys like in Tuxtla, the temperature is warm. In the highlands, as in the villages located in the mountains, the climate can be mild to cold, especially in the mornings but without being extreme.
The rainy season is from May to October and the season "dry" from November to April. It can be an area prone to heavy rain especially in hurricane season if a phenomenon of these affects the surroundings during the months of July to October, but usually, the climate is quite stable for sightseeing.
By air you can travel to the State of Chiapas by direct flight from the cities of Monterrey, Tijuana, Guadalajara, Cancun, and Mexico City; and from anywhere in the world interconnecting with Mexico City. There are four national airlines operating in the State: Vivaaerobus, Interjet, Volaris and Aeroméxico and an international flight to Guatemala City, departing from Tapachula International Airport.
The airport infrastructure of Chiapas is integrated by three International Airports: Ángel Albino Corzo, in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Palenque International Airport and the Tapachula International Airport.
The Angel Albino Corzo Airport connects with Monterrey, Tijuana, Guadalajara and Mexico City, the international airport of Palenque connects with Mexico City, and the Tapachula International Airport connects with Mexico City and Guatemala City.
The Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport is located 30 minutes from Tuxtla Gutiérrez, 25 minutes from Chiapa de Corzo and 50 minutes from San Cristóbal de Las Casas.
Holidays in Chiapas
Chiapas is a state that has everything for everyone. Children will love the contact with nature all the time, adults can enjoy the culture, the archaeological sites, the beautiful landscapes, the smell of coffee in San Cristobal de las Casas and the pleasure of almost touching the sky in the Reserve of the Blue Mountains.
As for its tourist infrastructure, most of the hotels are 3 and 4 stars, comfortable and acceptable to spend the night, there are clear luxury hotels, cabins and even coffee farms where you can learn everything related to High altitude Coffee and of course, taste it.
Traveling through Chiapas through the roads that cross from one valley to another and from one mountain to another is enriching. But the best-known landscapes are also the most spectacular, like the famous Sumidero Canyon, near Tuxtla Gutiérrez, which was nominated as one of the new natural wonders of the world recently.
The landscape in its cities and towns are also usually beautiful, such as the Parks in Tuxtla Gutierrez, the streets and churches of San Cristobal de las Casas, or its great Lacandon jungle that hides spectacular landscapes full of life.
How to get to Chiapas, Mexico
To get there are many bus options from different parts of the country. From the Caribbean, an appropriate option would be to go to Palenque (in the way you can visit a Mayan archaeological site that is located in the middle of the tropical jungle within the municipality of Palenque, a must stop if you opt for this option) and then continue to San Cristóbal.
An alternative to take into account is to travel to Tuxtla Gutiérrez (1 hour from San Cristobal de las Casas), the state capital and transport center of the area.
Once at the Tuxtla Gutiérrez airport, there are several direct services to Sancri (as they call San Cristóbal de las Casas) with the company OCC. It is somewhat expensive (about 15 dollars) but still cheaper than taking a taxi to the capital and then one of the many buses that arrive at San Cristobal de las Casas.