Chiapas Travel Guide
Your Ultimate Guide to Chiapas Mexico
Chiapas TRAVEL GUIDE CONTENTS
Location | Getting There | Where to Stay | Things to Do | Chiapas Tours | Chiapas Safety | Chiapas FAQ
Chiapas travel guide
Chiapas Mexico: At a Glance
Mayan culture abounds in Chiapas, one of the most unique states in Mexico.
Though not as well known as some other Mexico travel destinations, those in the know flock to Chiapas to escape the crowds, enjoy the beautiful nature and Mayan Ruins, stroll the colorful colonial streets, eat delicious foods and drink the famed Chiapas coffees.
Chiapas travel guide
Chiapas Mexico: Know before you go
- ✈️ Airport: Tuxtla Gutiérrez International Airport (code: TGZ)
⏰ Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (GMT-5)
- 💰 Currency: Mexican Peso
- 🗣 Language: Spanish, though English is common, and you may even hear some indigenous languages
- 🎫 Mexico Visa: The vast majority of travelers do not need a visa for Chiapas — this includes Americans, Canadians, Japanese and most Europeans. Head here to see if you need a Mexico travel visa.
- 🔌 Electricity Socket: You’ll mostly find Type A (two-prong) and Type B (three-prong) — the same as used in the United States. For visitors from other countries, you’ll need this universal travel adaptor.
- 📲 Mexico SIM Card: Wondering, Do I need a SIM card for Mexico? The answer is yes, every traveler will want a one for the reasons explained in this article all about the best Mexico SIM cards.
- 🚙 Car Rentals: The Mexico rental car process can be a bit daunting, and many people are apprehensive to drive in a foreign country. I get it! Check out this guide to Renting a Car in Mexico for info on the process.
Chiapas travel guide
What’s the best time to visit Chiapas Mexico?
Cities in Chiapas: The best time to visit the cities (including San Cristobal de las Casas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Comitan and Palenque) is from November to May, during the dry season. Chiapas is on the cold side, so make sure you’re packing layers if you visit in winter.
Coastal Chiapas: On the coast of Chiapas, the dry season months of November to March are best. Keep in mind that if you visit during other months, it will be quite hot and humid, and mosquitoes are certainly an issue, so don’t forget your eco-friendly bug spray 🦟
Chiapas travel guide
Where is Chiapas Mexico located?
Chiapas is a state located in Southern Mexico, and borders the states of Oaxaca and Tabasco, and the country of Guatemala to the east. These two states are popular with culture travelers and backpackers alike.
Those continuing on to Central America from Mexico often have Chiapas as a last stop, as you can do a land crossing into Guatemala from this state.
Chiapas Map
Chiapas travel guide
What’s the best airport for Chiapas Mexico?
Tuxtla Gutierrez International Airport (code: TGZ) is the largest airport in Chiapas, located in the state’s capital city of Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico.
It is about one hour from San Cristobal de las Casas, the city frequented most by visitors to Chiapas state. ▶︎ BOOK AIRPORT SHUTTLE NOW!
You can also fly into the small Palenque International Airport (code: PQM), located in the Palenque pueblo magico (magic town). Here, you’ll find Palenque Mayan Ruins, a UNESCO World heritage Site, and some of the best Mayan Ruins in Mexico.
What’s the best way to get to San Cristobal de las Casas?
The safest, most-stress free, easiest and best way to get from Tuxtla Gutierrez Airport to your hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas is via private shuttle. ▶︎ BOOK NOW!
You can also rent a car, take a colectivo (small, shared van), or taxi. Note: There’s no Uber in Chiapas Mexico.
If you’re not headed to San Cristobal, you can take connecting ground transportation to other parts of the state via bus.
Chiapas travel guide
Where to stay in Chiapas Mexico
The vast majority of visitors stay in San Cristobal de las Casas (usually just called San Cristobal), located in the center of Chiapas state.
From here, you’re about five hours by car from both Palenque and Comitan, two other popular cities to visit outside of San Cristobal. Though the main airport is in Tuxtla Gutierrez, very few visitors stay there.
San Cristobal de las Casas
Located way up in the mountains in Chiapas state, you’ll find San Cristobal de las Casas. This pueblo magico (magic town) lives up to its magical name — and is very popular with nature and culture lovers, backpackers and digital nomads.
Is San Cristobal de las Casas worth visiting? This is a popular place for travelers seeking “real” Mexican culture. However, it also has a posh side, with amazing San Cristobal hotels with spas — so San Cristobal appeals to many types of travelers.
Palenque, Chiapas Mexico
There is the pueblo magico (magic town) of Palenque Mexico, and the famous Palenque Mayan Ruins within the town. When people refer to Palenque, they often mean the ruins, and not the town itself.
Is Palenque worth visiting? The Palenque Ruins are a must see in Chiapas! It is nice to stay for the night in the town of Palenque, though there isn’t much to see besides the ruins and the surrounding jungle nature.
Comitan, Chiapas Mexico
Comitan de Dominguez (usually just called Comitan) is a charming town about two hours south of San Cristobal. Enjoy the sounds of marimba music in the air, as you stroll its colonial streets and enjoy the local Chiapas food.
Is Comitan worth visiting? Comitan is the perfect home base to stay in for those who will be exploring southern Chiapas. If you want to see the Bonampak and Yaxchilan Mayan Ruins, they are both near Comitan.
Chiapas travel guide
Best things to do in Chiapas Mexico
There is a seemingly endless amount of things to do in Chiapas, one of the best vacation spots in Mexico.
The majority of them are in or near San Cristobal de las Casas, the main tourism hub, but for those who venture off the beaten path, there’s even more to Chiapas! Click on any image below to learn more⤵
Chiapas travel guide
Best Chiapas tours
Tours in Chiapas are a great way to see the main cities and their surrounding areas — and unless you’re planning to rent a car in Chiapas, this is the best way to get around because taxi fees add up quickly! 💡 Note: If you do want to have a car in Chiapas, make sure to check out this guide to Renting a Car in Mexico.
Below, you’ll find the most popular and best tours in San Cristóbal de las Casas and the surrounding areas — including Palenque Mayan Ruins, Sumidero Canyon, Agua Azul and El Chiflon Waterfalls, and more.
Chiapas travel guide
Is Chiapas safe for travelers?
According to experts, you are statistically quite safe while visiting Chiapas if you stick to the popular places like San Cristobal de las Casas, San Juan Chamula, and the Chiapas pueblos magicos (magic towns) of Palenque and Comitan de Dominguez.
Millions of Americans go to Mexico on vacation every year, so if we play the numbers game, the number of incidents is very small… When I’m asked if Mexico is a safe place to go travel on vacation, my response is yes.
—Carlos Barron, FBI Veteran (source: Forbes)
That’s not to say bad things still don’t happen in those parts of Chiapas; they do. As with traveling anywhere, follow general travel safety like not walking home alone at night, watching your alcohol consumption and staying aware of yourself and surroundings.
For an added safety measure, pack these travel safety items, dress in a way so your Mexico outfits blend in with the locals, and buy a Mexico SIM card.
What’s the best travel insurance for Mexico?
This is a question I get a lot as a Mexico travel writer and Mexico expat. To determine which Mexico travel insurance is best for you, consider factors like the policy’s total cost, your deductible, the coverage you need, your medical benefits, etc.
🏆 In general, I only ever recommend three companies to purchase Mexico travel insurance from:
- World Nomads — For general travelers and adventure travelers.
- SafetyWing — For general travelers and digital nomads in Mexico.
- Travel Insurance Master — Mexico travel insurance search tool, for those who want to compare policies.
- 👉 Click on any of the links above to get a FREE quote on your policy!
Chiapas Travel: Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drink the water in Mexico?
No — Unfiltered Mexico tap water is not safe for human consumption. However, you will need to keep drinking water and to stay extra hydrated, as Mexico is quite close to the Equator. In fact, dehydration is one of the most common ways people get sick in Mexico. So what can you do?
- If you’re renting a home with a kitchen, you can boil the water before drinking it.
- You can keep buying bottled water — Though this gets expensive, and is horrible for the planet!
- Use the Water-To-Go Filterable Bottle. This refillable bottle not only keeps you hydrated, but also filters your water so you don’t get sick in Mexico, and is good for the planet ♻️ Get 15% OFF with code SOLO15!
The Water-To-Go Bottle has a built-in, three-stage filtration system that removes 99.9999% of all water-borne contaminants. These include bacteria, microplastics, viruses, heavy metals, chemicals and more. I personally own one, as you can drink Mexico water from any source (even the tap), and be completely safe.
Chiapas travel guide
What’s the Chiapas weather like?
The main travel destinations in Chiapas are located in the northern and central part of the state — in the Central Highlands. These cities have temperatures that hover around 60-70°F (15-21°C) all year long.
However, the jungle and rainforest areas like Palenque, and the coast of Chiapas, see much hotter temperatures and high humidity.
☀️ san cristobal de las casas weather
Is Chiapas expensive?
No — Chiapas is actually one of the most budget-friendly places to live and cheap places to travel in Mexico.
It has been popular with backpacker and budget travelers for decades, but in the last few years, Mexico digital nomads have begun flocking to San Cristobal de las Casas for its low prices and good quality of life.
Chiapas travel guide
How many days do I need in Chiapas Mexico?
If you’re sticking to San Cristóbal de las Casas and the surrounding areas, four full days would suffice. With that amount of time, you can see the main sites including Palenque Mayan Ruins, the Agua Azul waterfalls, Sumidero Canyon and more.
For those who want to do some Chiapas off the beaten path travel, plan for at least one full week in Chiapas and venture to the coast. The best beaches in Chiapas — Puerto Arista and Boca del Cielo — are often empty, and you can really get away from it all.
Is Chiapas worth visiting?
Yes — Chiapas is a unique Mexico destination that many types of travelers will love. Nature enthusiasts will adore the waterfalls, lakes, caves and mountains, while artists and fashionistas can shop in the Chiapas mercados (markets) to buy colorful Mayan textiles and handicrafts.
If you’re interested in Mexican and Mayan culture, you must visit Chiapas Mexico!
Chiapas travel guide
Is there political unrest in Chiapas Mexico?
For the most part, Chiapas is safe for travelers, though Chiapas locals have a history of clashes with the Mexican government (for very justifiable reasons, btw).
However, tensions have been quiet for over a decade — though there are often bloqueos, which are protests where locals shut down the roads.
If you stick to the most visited places in Chiapas — San Cristobal de las Casas, San Juan Chamula, Tuxtla Guitierrez, Zinacantan, and the Chiapas pueblos magicos (magic towns) of Palenque, Comitan de Dominguez and Chiapa de Corzo, you should be safe while traveling to Chiapas.
Chiapas Mexico podcast
🎧 Love podcasts? Have a listen to Episode #782 of The Amateur Traveler Podcast, where I was featured to speak about my experiences and best tips for traveling to Chiapas Mexico! It may just be the only Chiapas podcast out there.
🗣 Mexico Language
Mexico Fun Fact: There’s actually no official language of Mexico!
Spanish is the most widely-spoken, so some mistakenly say Spanish is the official language of Mexico. However, the government actually recognizes 68 national languages, including the Nahuatl Aztec language, and the Maya language.
💰 Mexico Currency
Mexican Peso — Exchange rates vary, but have hovered around $18-21 pesos to $1 USD for about the last decade. You will find some places that take U.S. dollars, but usually at an unfavorable rate, so stick to using pesos in Mexico.
☀️ Mexico Weather
Mexico is a big country — the 7th largest on Earth, in fact! It’s hard to generalize the weather in Mexico, because it will vary greatly by where you’re traveling.
In general, temperatures are mostly mild everywhere all year long, though summers on the coast are hot and humid, and winters in Central and Northern Mexico are on the colder side. Throughout the whole country, the rainy season runs from (about) April through September.
✈️ Mexico Busy Season & Slow Season
• Mexico Busy Season: The busy season in Mexico runs October to March, as this is the dry season and you’ll get the best weather. December is the busiest month for tourism in Mexico.
• Mexico Slow Season: If you don’t mind some rain, you’ll often find the best travel deal during the Mexico slow season of April to September. Do keep in mind that June 1-November 1 is Hurricane Season, and Mexico beaches are all susceptible.
• Mexico Shoulder Season: The shoulder season is that magical time when prices are still low and the weather is good. The Mexico shoulder season is from about mid-October to November and January to early-April.
🧳 Download your FREE Mexico Packing Checklist here!
Check out this Ultimate Packing List for Mexico — so you know what to pack and what NOT to pack for Mexico! This article offers advice on packing for Mexico cities, and packing for a Mexico beach vacation.
Beyond what Mexico outfits and clothing you’ll want to bring, here are a few extra things to consider:
• Filterable Water Bottle: Mexico is close to the Equator, so you’ll need to stay extra hydrated. In fact, dehydration is one of the most common ways people get sick in Mexico.
A filterable, refillable water bottle not only keeps you hydrated, but also filters your water so you don’t get sick in Mexico.
The Water-To-Go Bottle has a built-in, three-stage filtration system that removes 99.9999% of all water-borne contaminants. These include bacteria, microplastics, viruses, heavy metals and chemicals.
• Mexico SIM Card: Want to be able to use your phone in Mexico?! Of course you do! Pick up a TELCEL Mexico SIM card before your trip, and swap it out on the plane while you’re waiting to exit, so you have phone and data service the second you arrive in Mexico.
• Anti-Hangover Meds: Planning to party hardy?! Make sure you’re not wasting any of your precious travel time with a hangover. Liquid I.V. has about 70,000 reviews on Amazon, and is considered the best defense against a hangover.
• Sun Hat: No matter if you’re headed to the beach or a city, you’ll want to wear a hat to shield yourself from the strong Mexican sun. This cute sun hat is the perfect stylish and practical accessory for your Mexico vacation.
• Sunscreen: As you’ll want to reapply a few times throughout the day, a light, Mineral-Based Sunscreen is ideal.
Headed to the beach? Do your part to practice responsible tourism in Mexico by only using an eco-friendly reef safe sunscreen while swimming. You can even ditch the sunscreen altogether and opt for a long sleeve swimsuit (AKA rash guard) instead.
• Bug Repellent: Mosquitoes are common throughout Mexico — especially on the beaches! REPEL Insect Repellent is an eco-friendly brand that’s DEET-free and plant based, with a pleasant lemon and eucalyptus scent. Don’t want to use a spray? Pick up some Mosquito Repellent Bracelets.
The vast majority of travelers do not need a visa for Mexico — this includes Americans, Canadians, and most Europeans. Head here to see if you need a Mexico travel visa.
🤔 What is the mexico FMM?
When you go through Customs & Immigration to enter the country, you’ll receive your Forma Migratoria Multiple, or FMM Tourist Card (sometimes listed as FMT). If you’re coming by plane or cruise ship, there is no charge; for those driving across the border, the FMM costs about $30USD.
In most circumstances, all visitors get a 180-day (six month) visa — so you can legally stay up to six months!
🚨 Have your FMM on you at all times
Keep in mind that though it’s called an FMM card, it’s actually just a small piece of paper. Keep your FMM on you at all times in your wallet, as this proves your legal status in Mexico. It’s rare, but if an officer stops you, they can ask to see your FMM.
🎫 Don’t lose your FMM!
You need to have your FMM on you at all times, as proof of your legal status in the country.
Be sure to keep track of your FMM, as you’ll have to give it back to an Immigration officer at the airport, cruise port, or land crossing when you’re leaving the country.
If you lose your FMM, there is a $600 peso ($30 USD) cost to replace it, and some paperwork you’ll need to fill out before you can leave the country.
If you’re flying home, plan to arrive at the airport about one hour earlier than you normally would to do the paperwork and pay the fine.
As this question doesn’t have a yes/no answer (I wish it did!), I do my best to answer it in depth in this article, Is Mexico Safe for Travelers Right Now? However, for the most part, Mexico is actually statistically quite safe for all travelers — including solo travelers.
Check my Solo Female Mexico Travel page for more info.
💃 Mexico solo travel guides
Mexico is a big country, and it has plenty of amazing solo female travel destinations — like the ones featured in this article, Mexico Solo Travel: 20 Safe Destinations for Female Travelers.
In it, you’ll get recommendations of places to visit in Mexico, from solo travelers who have actually been to them.
🎧 solo travel podcasts
• Ep. 34 | Planning your first Mexico solo trip
• Ep. 40 | Tips for safe solo travel in Mexico
• Ep. 53 | 30 Solo female travel tips, Pt. 1
To answer the question, Is it safe to drive in Mexico? — YES, it’s considered safe to rent a car and drive in Mexico.
As the country is quite large, road trips are a great way to see a lot in a little time, and especially popular in the Yucatan Peninsula and Baja California Peninsula.
The one caveat to Mexico driving safety is that you’ll be in a foreign country, unfamiliar with their laws and customs. Head here for a complete guide to Renting A Car in Mexico: Everything You Need to Know, where you’ll also get 10 useful Mexico driving tips!
🚙💨 Looking for the best Mexico car rental company? Discover Cars works with both local Mexican companies and international companies to get you the best rates. Not only do I recommend them — I also use them!
As a general rule, you’ll want to know at least a few words of Spanish when visiting anywhere in Mexico. This is both a sign of respect, and will also help you have a better, smoother trip.
If you stick to the more touristic places in Mexico, you should be fine with basic Spanish. For those planning to venture off the beaten path, be advised most people in pueblos (small towns) speak little to no English.
🗣 Here are some options:
- Brush up on your Spanish: Use a language-learning program like Rocket Spanish, so you’re confident, and conversational, before your trip.
- Download the Google Translate App: For this to work at all times, you’ll need a Mexico SIM card with data — as the app won’t work when you’re off-WiFi.
- Travel with a Mexico phrasebook: This Lonely Planet Spanish Phrasebook is an Amazon best seller, and a great non-digital language assistant!
- Save this infographic an image on your phone. This way, you have access to these common words, phrases and questions, even when you’re off-WiFi.
