Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque holidays
Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque holidays at a glance
In the southern state of Chiapas, San Cristóbal de las Casas sits at 2,100m, its surrounding villages once a focal point of political rebellion and now a living stronghold of indigenous lifestyle. The landscapes are savage in the best sense – jungle, rivers, canyons and lakes framing traditional settlements that have changed remarkably little in generations. This is Indigenous Mexico as it’s rarely seen: not staged for visitors, but simply going about its own business alongside them.
The kilometre-deep Sumidero Canyon is one of the region’s great set pieces, its vertical limestone cliffs plunging into trapped green waters far below, with a rim road punctuated by viewpoints for those who’d rather take it in from above.
Further east lies Palenque, a religious centre once throttled by dense jungle and now revealed in the full glory of its intricate masonry – vaults, pyramids, pillars and sculptures rising in terraces from the forest floor. It’s among the most atmospheric of all Maya ruins Mexico has to offer, and reason enough on its own to build a trip around this part of the country.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Chiapas combines living indigenous traditions with spectacular scenery and extraordinary Maya heritage, creating one of Mexico’s most memorable travel experiences.
When to visit Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque
The region contains two distinct climate zones, reflecting the contrast between the highlands and tropical lowlands. San Cristóbal enjoys its maximum sunshine hours during January and February, making this a great time to visit the highlands. Most rainfall in the highlands falls between June and September. Palenque remains warm throughout the year, with temperatures generally in the low 30°C range. The heaviest rainfall occurs between May and October.
This is the dry season, with pleasant temperatures in the low 20°Cs in the highland city Chiapas, while tropical Palenque remains in the low 30°Cs. You’ll find the most sunshine hours in the months of January and February. Make the most of the dry weather and take a walking tour of the charming highland town of San Cristóbal de las Casas, or visit remote Mayan ruins in Palenque.
This is the wet season, with rainfall at its heaviest during these months. Temperatures do not vary much throughout the year; the highlands remain in the low 20°Cs, while the tropical lowlands of Palenque are hotter in the low 30°Cs.
Top Things to do in Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque
The region offers a remarkable combination of cultural discovery, archaeological exploration and natural beauty. From canyon viewpoints to jungle temples, Chiapas rewards travellers seeking authentic experiences.
Swimming in the waterfalls at Agua Azul, Mexico, is an awakening experience.
Take a guided tour of one of the most impressive and atmospheric of all Mayan sites, reclaimed from the grip of the jungle.
Amble through the tranquil plazas and avenues of two lesser-known Mayan ruins, Bonampak and Yaxchilán, hidden in dense jungle.
Visit a beautiful highland town where strong Mayan influences meet magnificent Spanish architecture.
Accommodation in Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque
Accommodation here combines charming colonial-style properties in San Cristóbal with lodges and hotels located close to the archaeological and natural attractions of the region.
Our featured properties include Diego de Mazariegos, a colonial-style hotel in the heart of San Cristóbal, and Chan Kah, set within its own jungle grounds close to the Palenque ruins.
Traditional colonial-style hotel in an ideal location at the heart of town, with a beautiful courtyard and tastefully decorated rooms.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Holidays to Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque
Group Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque Tours
Our group tours follow expertly designed, well-planned routes with an experienced local guide throughout. Prefer to keep it to your own party? Book the same trips privately for four or more.
Eagle: Aztecs, Mayas and conquistadores
Places visited: Mexico City · Oaxaca · Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque · Mérida, Chichén Itzá and the Yucatan · Caribbean coast: Riviera Maya and Holbox
15 days from £4,598
Tailor-Made Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Signature Mexico: Cultural heartlands to Caribbean coast
Places visited: Mexico City · Oaxaca · Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque · Mérida, Chichén Itzá and the Yucatan · Caribbean coast: Riviera Maya and Holbox
15 days from £4,485
Treasures of Central America: Heritage of the Aztec and Mayan Empires
Places visited: Mexico City · Colonial and silver towns · Oaxaca · Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque · Mérida, Chichén Itzá and the Yucatan · Copan · Antigua and the highlands
19 days from £6,000
FAQs about visiting Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque
Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When is the best time to visit Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque?
The highland city has a pleasant temperate climate with temperatures in the low 20°C throughout the year. Maximum sunshine hours in Jan – Feb. Most rain falls Jun – Sep.
Palenque is in the tropical lowlands, with temperatures in the low 30°C throughout the year. The heaviest rainfall occurs in May – Oct.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What language is spoken in Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque?
The main language spoken in Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque is Spanish.
- What currency do I need in Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque?
The Mexican peso is the main currency used in Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque. Notes can be withdrawn from several ATMs in San Cristóbal using a UK credit or debit card You may have ask your bank to authorise withdrawals before you leave the UK, and amounts are lower than permitted in the UK. Banks, casas de cambio and travel agencies exchange dollars cash.
- What is the time difference between Chiapas, San Cristobal, Palenque and the UK?
The time difference between Chiapas, San Cristobal, Palenque and the UK is GMT -6 hours.
- How do I get to Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque?
Fly to San Cristóbal or Tuxtla Gutiérrez (1.5 hours by road from San Cristóbal) from Mexico City, 1 hour.
- What key events are there in Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque?
Carnival: Feb/Mar. Especially festive at San Juan Chamula.
Day of the Dead, Nov 1st – 2nd, celebrated throughout the region.
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe), 12 Dec. Not a public holiday, but it is Mexico’s biggest religious festivals of the year and celebrated throughout Chiapas.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.