Top San Cristóbal de las Casas Sightseeing Tours: Reviews

San Cristóbal de las Casas, found in the highlands of Chiapas, is that type of spot that gets under your skin, you know? It is almost as if every cobblestone, every colorful building, and really every local artisan has a story to tell. Deciding how to explore this amazing town and its area can be, a bit, overwhelming with all the options. That’s where guided tours come in, too it’s almost like unlocking a special level of access and detail you might miss flying solo.

1. Sumidero Canyon Boat Trip

First up is a tour that lets you appreciate a super amazing natural wonder: the Sumidero Canyon. Very picture this: you are zooming along the Grijalva River in a motorboat, the canyon walls just tower over you, rising, actually, something like thousands of feet high. Is that a sight! You might be keeping an eye out for crocodiles basking in the sun and spider monkeys chilling in the trees. The boat trip is, usually, around 2-3 hours, and is that worth every minute for the incredible views. Many tours tack on a visit to the colonial town of Chiapa de Corzo too, that means, arguably, you can squeeze even more culture and beauty into one day. Expect early starts as you tend to be picked up very early, for example, around 8 AM from your hotel.

The thing I really liked was that, the tour guides aren’t only talking about the canyon’s geology but they’re sharing some old stories and local legends. It is like they truly, love and respect that natural wonder. The vibe is, very, informational but with a big heart. As a matter of fact, bring your camera for this one, because that’s where you see some outstanding photographic opportunities that seem endless. I almost forgot. Put on some sunscreen and a hat as that, can get very bright on the river!

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2. Indigenous Villages: San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán

If you’re curious about experiencing indigenous cultures firsthand, then a tour to San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán could be exactly what you like. You might see that, these aren’t only visits; that’s where you find windows into the amazing, unique traditions of the Tzotzil people. San Juan Chamula is famous for its church, that has, arguably, ceremonies that blend Catholic and pre-Hispanic beliefs. Is that an intense sensory experience as you probably watch rituals involving chanting, incense, and, very sometimes, even animal sacrifice. Zinacantán, is instead, known for its flower production and traditional weaving. Many tours give you a chance to go into the homes of local families, watch the women create their textiles, and too it’s almost buy directly from them. Expect a drive of maybe 20-30 minutes to these villages from San Cristóbal. Now that’s an easy jump for a day filled with so much culture.

Now, as I was saying, remember to be extremely respectful. Asking for permission before snapping pictures is something really important, it might be that, some areas have restrictions. I tend to love how many tours use local guides from these communities, because, arguably, that way you hear some insights straight from people with all kinds of perspectives who call these villages home. Actually, this trip gave me the feeling of more than tourism; that’s where you find, genuinely, connect with other cultures.

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3. El Chiflón Waterfalls Adventure

For the outdoorsy people who actually love something with the adrenaline, well El Chiflón Waterfalls could be it. El Chiflón is a series of seriously stunning waterfalls, which ends at the ‘Velo de Novia’ (Bridal Veil), that can get pretty high, like 120 meters! Very bring your hiking shoes because, arguably, the tour often involves a walk uphill to see each waterfall. You will find something absolutely rewarding views, believe me! As a matter of fact, many tours give you enough time for a refreshing swim in the pools at the bottom of some of the falls, as long as, you don’t mind that water is pretty chilly! Expect that travel is gonna be a little bit, longer as it might take around 2-3 hours driving each way from San Cristóbal, but many say it is, virtually, worth the travel time to see such incredible natural beauty.

I remember is that, the sound of water thundering down and that, the feeling of mist on your face, is something almost invigorating. So, do not even think of forget your swimsuit and a towel for that. By the way, you can rent lockers at the park entrance to store your stuff while you’re, like your, swimming. Many people recommend that, this is the best for combining a bit of adventure with breathtaking scenery. Arguably, if you’re up for a day trip filled with all kinds of activity, put this on your to-do list.

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4. Palenque Ruins and Agua Azul Waterfalls

Combining history with natural splendor, arguably, is possible thanks to a tour to Palenque and Agua Azul. You are likely to start with Palenque, that is basically, an old Mayan city surrounded by jungle. A good guide will really, just bring that old place to life, actually, they will show you the main temples, as I was saying, will tell you old, crazy, intriguing stories of Mayan rulers. From Palenque, they tend to head to Agua Azul, a series of waterfalls that form natural pools of bright turquoise water. If time lets, most tours have included a stop at Misol-Ha Waterfall, that is just a beautiful spot hidden in the jungle. Now that, may be a very long day—expect to be traveling for close to 12-14 hours—but the reward, frankly, is two fantastic UNESCO World Heritage sites in just one trip.

Is that kind of a must for all fans of history or nature. Oh, that reminds me that, Palenque can get very hot and humid, really wear loose clothes, and obviously, is that very bring water. I remember feeling moved by the awesome architecture of Palenque and its feeling of just wondering what it’d be to live here. The blue colors of Agua Azul also seems unreal! By the way, I’d be surprised if someone didn’t love this combo.

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5. Horseback Riding to San Cristobal Countryside

Very get out of the urban chaos for a different point of view from all of these typical tours. You might want to join on some horseback riding tour in the countryside close to San Cristóbal. And that could be great! Usually, you do not even need a lot of riding skills; tours adapt the rhythm depending of your level. Very get yourself to ride on the amazing landscape, through forests and along hillsides, and as a matter of fact, might have the opportunity to explore some tiny local communities. If things do go according to plan, this type of adventure gives you the sense of calm while actually experience all Chiapas beautiful, countryside at a slower pace. Oh, these rides are, probably, usually some hours in duration, with different possibilities depending of where they are heading.

Do you remember the pure fresh air and how that, it feels the bond with the horse below you! Is that the best. It makes you almost calm. I recommend wearing, arguably, long pants and closed-toe shoes for these rides, alright, because of the friction from riding. By the way, you can check reviews of riding outfits to be sure you got a safe, responsable place for your excursion. Get ready for exploring Chiapas nature by horse. I really believe this is almost unforgettable. This is very easy.

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