Chiapas and Tabasco
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Chiapas and Tabasco - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Iglesia de San Juan Bautista
Religious Building/Site/ShrineLife in San Juan Chamula revolves around the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, a white stucco building whose doorway has a simple yet lovely flower motif. The church is named for Saint John the Baptist, who here is revered even above Jesus Christ. There are no pews inside, because there are no traditional masses. Instead, the floor is strewn with fragrant pine needles, on which the Chamula sit praying silently or chanting while facing colorfully attired statues of saints. Worshippers burn dozens of candles of various colors, chant softly, and may have bones or eggs with them to aid in healing the sick. Each group of worshippers is led by a so-called "traditional doctor" (they don't like being called shamans), whose healing process may involve sacrificing a live chicken and always involves drinking Coca-Cola or other sodas; it is thought that the carbonation will help one to expel bad spirits in the form of a burp, and you'll see rows of soda bottles everywhere.Before you enter, buy a $2 ticket at the tourist office on the main square. Taking photographs and videos inside the church is absolutely prohibited. Some tourists trying to circumvent this rule have had their film confiscated or even their cameras grabbed. Outside the church, cameras are permitted, but the Chamula resent having their picture taken except from afar. The exception are the children who cluster around the church posing for pictures for money—they expect a $1 tip.
Plaza Central, Centro, San Juan Chamula, Chiapas, 29320, Mexico -
2. Na Bolom
No foreigner had as much of an impact on San Cristóbal as did the European owners of this famous home-turned-library-museum-restaurant-hotel, and now the city's best-known sight. Built as a seminary in 1891, the handsome 22-room house was purchased by Frans and Gertrude (Trudi) Blom in 1950. He was a Danish archaeologist, she a Swiss social activist; together they created the Institute for Ethnological and Ecological Advocacy, which carries on today. It got its name, Na Bolom (House of the Jaguar), from the Lacandón Maya with whom Trudi worked: Blom sounds like the Mayan word for jaguar. Both Frans and Trudi were great friends of the indigenous Lacandón, whose way of life they documented. Their institute is also dedicated to reforestation. Both Bloms are deceased, but Na Bolom showcases their small collection of religious treasures. Also on display are findings from the Classic Mayan site of Moxviquil (pronounced mosh-vee-keel), on the outskirts of San Cristóbal, and objects from the daily life of the Lacandón. Trudi's bedroom contains her jewelry, collection of indigenous crafts, and wardrobe of embroidered dresses. A research library holds more than 10,000 volumes on Chiapas and the Maya. Tours are conducted daily in English and Spanish at 11:30 and 4:30. Across from the museum, the Jardín del Jaguar (Jaguar Garden) store sells crafts and souvenirs. Look for the thatch hut, a replica of local Chiapan architecture. It consists of a mass of woven palm fronds tied to branches, with walls and windows of wooden slats, and high ceilings that allow the heat to rise. The shop here sells Lacandón crafts, as well as black-and-white photos taken by Trudi. Revenue from Na Bolom supports the work of the institute. You can arrange for a meal at Na Bolom even if you don't stay at the hotel (accommodations here are quite basic). In addition, the staff is well connected within San Cristóbal and can arrange tours to artisans' co-ops, villages, and nature reserves that are off the beaten path.
Av. Vicente Guerrero 33, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, 29200, Mexico967-678–1418Sight Details
Rate Includes: Museum $3.50, tour $4.50 -
3. Arco del Carmen
San Cristóbal's first "skyscraper," this elegant tower was constructed in 1597 in the Mudéjar (Moorish) style that was popular at the time in Spain. Note the graceful way the three-story-high arch is reflected in the smaller windows on the second and third levels. The tower, which once stood alone, is now connected to the Templo del Carmen.
Av. Hidalgo at Calle Hermanos Domínguez, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, 29200, Mexico -
4. Café Museo Café
The smell of freshly brewed coffee may be enough to draw you into this three-room museum, which doubles as a restaurant. The well-executed displays about the local cash crop will be enough to keep you here. Chiapas is the country's biggest producer of coffee, harvesting almost as much as Oaxaca and Veracruz combined. Although indigenous people were exploited for centuries by wealthy landowners, they now produce more than 90% of the region's coffee. The captions are in Spanish, but there are information leaflets in English. When you're finished with the museum, head to the central café for a taste of rich cafe chiapaneco.
Calle María Adelina Flores 10, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, 29200, Mexico967-678–7876Sight Details
Rate Includes: $1.50, Closed Sun. -
5. Catedral de San Cristóbal Mártir
Dedicated to St. Christopher the Martyr, this cathedral was built in 1528, then demolished, and rebuilt in 1693, with additions during the 18th and 19th centuries. It has become the iconic symbol of the city and is pictured on countless postcards. Note the classic colonial features on the ornate facade: turreted columns, arched windows and doorways, and beneficent-looking statues of saints in niches. The floral embellishments in rust, black, and white accents on the ocher background are unforgettable. Inside, don't miss the painting Nuestra Señora de Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows) to the left of the altar, beside the gold-plated Retablo de los Tres Reyes (Altarpiece of the Three Kings); the Chapel of Guadalupe in the rear; and the gold-washed pulpit.
San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, 29200, Mexico -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Iglesia de San Lorenzo
Religious Building/Site/ShrineThe Iglesia de San Lorenzo, on the main square, at first looks much more traditional than the church in San Juan Chamula, and it is; services are basically Catholic. But look closely and you will notice odd little touches, like ceramic representations of animals sacred to the Maya scattered about.
Zinacantán, Chiapas, MexicoSight Details
Rate Includes: $1 -
7. Iglesia de San Sebastián
Religious Building/Site/ShrineOn the hill above the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista are the ruins of the Iglesia de San Sebastián. This church was built with stones from the Mayan temple that once stood on the site. Surrounding it is the old cemetery, an especially colorful place on the Day of the Dead, November 1.
San Juan Chamula, Chiapas, MexicoSight Details
Rate Includes: $1 -
8. Las Grutas de Rancho Nuevo
CaveSpectacular limestone stalactites and stalagmites are illuminated along a 2,475-foot concrete walkway inside the labyrinthine caves known as Las Grutas de Rancho Nuevo (or Las Grutas de San Cristóbal), which were discovered in 1960. Kids from the area are usually available to guide you for a small fee. You can rent horses ($5 per half hour) for a ride around the surrounding pine forest, and there's a small restaurant and picnic area. Many tour operators offer trips here, and that's the option we strongly recommend. The caves are also a quick taxi ride from town.
, Chiapas, MexicoSight Details
Rate Includes: $1 per car plus 50¢ per person -
9. Museo de la Medicina Maya
Few travelers venture here—a shame, because the Museum of Mayan Medicine is fascinating. Displays describe the complex system of medicine employed by the local indigenous cultures. Instead of one healer, they have a team of specialists who are called on for different illnesses. The most interesting display details the role of the midwife, who assists the mother and makes sure the child isn't enveloped by evil spirits. The museum is about 1 km (½ mile) north of the Mercado Municipal. Taxis are plentiful.
Av. Salomon González Blanco 10 (an extension of Av. General Utrilla), San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, 29230, Mexico967-678–5438Sight Details
Rate Includes: $2, Daily 10–5 -
10. Museo de Trajes Regionales/Yok Chij
Passing by this unsigned and slightly ramshackle colonial-era house, you'd never guess it was one of the city's best museums. It's also one of the hardest to get into—you need to call a day ahead for an appointment. But the effort is well worth it. Sergio Castro's collection of colorful clothing from the villages surrounding San Cristóbal is unparalleled. He explains how different factors—geography, climate, even the crops grown in a certain area—influenced how locals dressed. In explaining their dress, he is explaining their way of life. Each ribbon hanging from a hat, each stitch on an embroidered blouse has a meaning. Castro has spent a lifetime working with indigenous peoples; he currently runs a clinic to treat burn victims. Many of the ceremonial costumes were given to him as payment for his work in the communities. Castro gives 90-minute tours in English, Spanish, Italian, and French.
Calle Guadalupe Victoria 38, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, 29200, Mexico967-678–4289Sight Details
Rate Includes: $2 -
11. Museo del Ambar de Chiapas
CentroNext to the graceful Ex-Convento de la Merced, this museum has exhibits showing how and where amber is mined, as well as its function in Mayan and Aztec societies. You'll see samples of everything from fossils to recently quarried pieces to sculptures and jewelry. Labels are in Spanish only; ask for an English-language summary. The volunteer staff can explain how to distinguish between real amber and fake.
Calle Diego de Mazariegos s/n, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, 29240, Mexico967-678–9716Sight Details
Rate Includes: $2, Closed Mon. -
12. Museo Ik'al Ojov
Museum/GalleryThe Museo Ik'al Ojov, on the street behind the church, is in a typical home and displays Zinacantán costumes through the ages.
Zinacantán, Chiapas, MexicoSight Details
Rate Includes: Donation suggested -
13. Museo Mesoamericano del Jade
CentroJade was prized as a symbol of wealth and power by Olmec, Teotihuacán, Mixtec, Zapotec, Maya, Toltec, and Aztec nobility, and this museum shows jade pieces from different Mesoamerican cultures. The most impressive piece is a reproduction of the sarcophagus lid from Pakal's tomb, at Palenque. If asking for directions, remember that J in Spanish carries an H sound, making the word “jade” pronounced “HAH-day.“
Av. 16 de Septiembre 16, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, 29200, Mexico967-678–1121Sight Details
Rate Includes: $3 -
14. Ora Ton
Centro | Museum/GalleryNear the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista is the small museum called Ora Ton. Inside are examples of traditional dress, exhibits of musical instruments, and photos of important festivals. Admission is with the same ticket you bought for the church.
Calle Cementerio s/n, Centro, San Juan Chamula, Chiapas, 29320, Mexico -
15. Puente San Cristóbal
The 190D toll road between San Cristóbal de las Casas and Tuxtla Gutiérrez takes you across Mexico’s third-highest bridge—and the world’s 46th—a spectacular three-sector girder span, 200 meters (656 feet) above the canyon floor. The bridge gently curves and gradually slopes upward at a 10-percent grade from west to east over its length of 323 meters (1,060 feet). One of the country’s great engineering feats almost didn’t happen, however. The bridge collapsed during its final phase of construction in 2004. Retooling and redesign led to a newer, stronger bridge that opened two years later and completed the new highway between San Cristóbal and Tuxtla. The structure can withstand an earthquake of up to 8.0 magnitude. For obvious reasons, stopping on the bridge is not permitted; you’ll have to take in the views while in motion from the windows of your bus, van, or car.
Carretera 190D, Zinacantán, Chiapas, Mexico -
16. Templo de Santo Domingo
Religious Building/Site/ShrineThis three-block-long complex houses a church, a former monastery, a regional history museum with a great deal to see, and the Templo de la Caridad (Temple of the Sisters of Charity). A two-headed eagle—emblem of the Hapsburg dynasty that once ruled Spain and its American dominions—broods over the pediment of the church, which was built between 1547 and 1569. The pink stone facade (which needs a good cleaning) is carved in an intensely ornamental style known as Baroque Solomonic: saints' figures, angels, and grooved columns overlaid with vegetation motifs abound. The interior has lavish altarpieces, an exquisitely fashioned pulpit, a sculpture of the Holy Trinity, and wall panels of gilded, carved cedar—one of the precious woods of Chiapas that centuries later lured Tabasco's woodsmen to the highlands surrounding San Cristóbal. At the complex's southeast corner you'll find the tiny, humble Templo de la Caridad, built in 1715 to honor the Immaculate Conception. Its highlight is the finely carved altarpiece. Indigenous groups from San Juan Chamula often light candles and make offerings here. (Do not take photos of the Chamula.) The adjacent former convent houses Sna Jolobil, an indigenous cooperative that sells weavings of high quality.
Av. 20 de Noviembre s/n, near Calle Guatemala, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, 29200, Mexico -
17. Zócalo
The square around which this colonial city was built is officially called the Parque Manuel Velasco Suárez, but no one bothers with that name. In its center sits a gazebo used by marimba musicians most weekend evenings at 8. You can have a coffee on the ground floor of the gazebo; expect to be approached by children and women selling bracelets and other wares. Surrounding the square are a number of 16th-century buildings, some with plant-filled central patios. On the facade of the Casa de Diego de Mazariegos, now the somewhat downscale Hotel Santa Clara, are a stone mermaid and lions that are typical of the plateresque style—as ornate and busy as the work of a silversmith. The yellow-and-white neoclassical Palacio Municipal (Municipal Palace) on the square's west side was the seat of the state government until 1892. Today it houses a few government offices, including the municipal tourism office. The tree-lined square leads to the vast, barren plaza that fronts the Catedral de San Cristóbal Mártir across the street.
Between Avs. General Utrilla and 20 de Noviembre and Calles Diego de Mazariegos and Guadalupe Victoria, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, 29200, Mexico
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