If you want a getaway to Mexico but are short on time, look no further than this foodie & adventure-packed itinerary. You'll spend the trip based in San Cristobal de las Casas, where you'll explore the towering walls of Sumidero Canyon, learn to cook regional fare and wander the colorful streets. Spice things up with a one-day trip to Tziscao to take a boat trip on a log raft and visit a coffee plantation.

Highlights

  • Participate in a 5-course cooking class
  • Explore the towering walls of the Sumidero Canyon
  • Spend a lazy afternoon wandering the colorful streets of San Cristobal
  • Learn about coffee production on a traditional coffee plantation

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrival in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Welcome to Chiapas! Visit Sumidero Canyon Natural Park San Cristobal de las Casas
Day 2 Cooking Experience in Zinacantan, The Flavors of San Cristobal de las Casas San Cristobal de las Casas
Day 3 Tziscao's Mountain Coffee Plantation Experience, Campfire by Lake Tziscao, Transfer to Tziscao Tziscao
Day 4 Explore Montebello's Lake on a Traditional Raft, Transfer to San Cristobal de las Casas San Cristobal de las Casas
Day 5 San Cristobal de las Casas to Tuxtla Gutierrez, Departure  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Welcome to Chiapas! Visit Sumidero Canyon Natural Park

View of the Sumidero Canyon from the Grijalva River
View of the Sumidero Canyon from the Grijalva River
Welcome to Chiapas! Your local driver will pick you up at the airport and take you on the first tour of your trip. You will head towards the Islet of Cahuaré embarkation point near Chiapa de Corzo, approximately a 25 minutes drive. Here, you will board a motorboat with other travelers to navigate along the breathtaking Sumidero Canyon, a stunning natural formation whose geologic roots reach back approximately 136 million years ago. Its walls reach 2,624 ft (800 m) in height above the Grijalva River in the middle of lush vegetation.
 
During the journey, you will see a wide diversity of wildlife, flora, and fauna such as bromeliads, pines, river crocodiles, and spider monkeys. You'll also see some waterfalls, caves, and interesting rock formations as you learn about the area's nature.

After your excursion, transfer to the charming town of San Cristobal de las Casas. 

Day 2: Cooking Experience in Zinacantan, The Flavors of San Cristobal de las Casas

Learning about the corn
Learning about the corn
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The experience begins with the daily walk to the Tzotzil community of Zinacantan (place of bats). You will arrive at a local house to meet your hosts and take a look at the kitchen where you will later prepare the food. If it is milpa season, you will take a one-hour walk to learn about the work they do in the community. When you arrive at the traditional cornfield you will learn everything that can be found in it, as well as the history of the products. You will harvest the ingredients needed for cooking when you return to your host's home.

In this half-day activity, you will taste and get into the rhythm of life of the local people, feel the sun on your skin, smell the smoke in the air and taste local and traditional dishes of this charming town.

Enjoy a five-course dinner that will introduce you to the traditional flavors of the colonial town of San Cristobal de las Casas. It's a relaxed atmosphere where you will be able to ask about the creation process of each dish since it is an open kitchen tasting. For two hours you will be able to experience the process of each dish you enjoy and taste the flavors of the region. 

Day 3: Tziscao's Mountain Coffee Plantation Experience, Campfire by Lake Tziscao, Transfer to Tziscao

Coffee explanation
Coffee explanation
Experience everything about the production of Cafe Tziscao's organic coffee, one of the best organic coffee exporters in the world. In this two-hour activity, you will learn how to make a coffee seedbed, how to plant it in the ground, and how to harvest it while enjoying a walk through the trails between the organic coffee fields.

After, enjoy a cozy campfire while drinking traditional Mexican hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows in the fire. Nature's sounds will surround you during this hour.

Later, your private driver will take you from San Cristobal de las Casas to Tziscao on a 4-hour drive through Chiapas landscapes.

Day 4: Explore Montebello's Lake on a Traditional Raft, Transfer to San Cristobal de las Casas

Raft tour in Montebellos lakes
Raft tour in Montebellos lakes
On this tour, you will paddle on a traditional raft made of tied logs on one of the most iconic lakes of the Lagunas de Montebello National Park.

You will spend about an hour surrounded by nature and tranquility as you learn about the flora and fauna of this place.

After, your private driver will take you from Tziscao to San Cristobal de las Casas in a 4-hour drive through Chiapas landscapes.

Day 5: San Cristobal de las Casas to Tuxtla Gutierrez, Departure

Peaceful lake crossing

Your last day in Chiapas. Spend some time exploring on your own or relaxing before your private driver takes you from San Cristobal de las Casas to Tuxtla Gutierrez International Airport.

 

More Mexico Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Mexico? Check out these other 5-day Mexico itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.

Looking for a longer duration? Check out this 6-day version or this 7-day version of this itinerary. 

Or, describe your ideal trip and we will connect you with a local specialist to make it happen.