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Trip Report

The beautiful Chiapas region in Mexico

1 week to discover the generous Chiapas region in Mexico.

  • Palenque+ 9
  • San Cristóbal de las Casas
  • San Cristóbal de las Casas
  • The beautiful Chiapas region in Mexico
charlotteblouet95
About Me:Hello, I’m Charlotte a french girl of 27 years old. I traveled 6 months in America Latina after working in marketing and communication for 2 years. My next plan is to discover Asia. read more

North AmericaMexico7 days / August 2022

Highs & Lows

A region off the beaten track

You can go from cold to warm and humid in the same region.

Itinerary Overview

The Chiapas is the poorest region of Mexico but for me the richest region in term of history, landscape, people, nature and creativity.

After years of conflicts between the indigenous and the gouvernement, the region have finally found is place. Mountains, cristalline rivers, amazing waterfalls, jungle, cenotes, ruines… everything is here to do some alternative things ans definitely leave the beaten tracks.

But some issue are still ongoing, specially with Coca-Cola… the brand dominated the region by pumping and stilling all the water from the mountains. They bought the brands water to make the price higher of their drink… so people, specifically kids, buy Coca Cola because it’s cheaper and become addictive. There is some revolutionary movements who try to fight against it but the economic pressure is to big to make the government moved.

In this article I will present you San Cristobal de Las Casas where I heard about the Coca Cola story and Palenque.

  • 4 Nights: San Cristóbal de las Casas
  • 3 Nights: Palenque
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San Cristóbal de las Casas

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In every street’s corner of this city you are amazed by the green and beautiful mountains around. They are also full of nice coffee shop, restaurant for all the tastes, veggie, vegan, Italian, Chinese… a cosmopolitan city that create a really nice vibes but still wearing the authentic and traditional Chiapas style. I highly recommend to do the free walking tour. A very interesting one, to learn about the history of the region and the city, to visit the different markets, artisanal and fruits, to try amazing specialities like coffee, fruits, poche (typical mais alcool) and to get the good adresses.

You can also do some nice hikes on your own around to have great point of you. I also highly recommend to do the tour of the Sumidero Canyon… very impressive !

Palenque - null
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Palenque

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Palenque is a small city, nothing really impressive. We mostly come here to see the ruins and the waterfalls. There is still a nice neighborhood called Chino with good restaurants, a bit more expensive.

In the middle of a really intense jungle Palenque ruines are very nice to see. Take a guide (and a hat it’s very shiny and hot) there is no informations there and the history of the place are very interesting. One of the way out that you can take is a nice path in the forest following a river and other untouched ruins.

As well as this, there is impressive waterfalls to visit such as Roberto Barrio ! 5 amazing waterfalls in one place. It’s better to go there for the day with a picnic to enjoy all the different spots. There are other waterfalls around Palenque but if you run out of time I recommend Roberto Barrio.

Q & A

  • What would you have changed?

    In Palenque I would have stay in town instead of an hostel at the entrance of the ruins, it’s too far from everything.
  • Restaurant recommendations?

    Kukulpan for great coffee, bread and food !
  • Tips you would give a friend?

    Don’t be afraid to leave the beaten track and discover more than this two place I mentioned.
  • Packing tips?

    Lots of clothes: for the hot and for the cold. San Cristobal is quite high it can be cold.
  • Transportation Tips?

    Don’t hesitate to take the collectivo, much cheaper than the bus companies.
  • Any surprises?

    The cold in the night in San Cristobal.

Lodging

  • Puerta Vieja Hostel to party and have free breakfast & free dinner. Snail B&B to chill and spend with really nice people.

  • At the entrance of the ruins : Cabañas Kin Balam to have a pool. Cheapest option : Jungle Palace But I recommend to sleep in the town to be in the middle of everything.