Centro Cultural Rosario Castellanos

Named after an early feminist writer from Comitán who advocated for the rights of indigenous populations, the Rosario Castellanos Cultural Center (central plaza, Av. Rosario Castellanos at 1a Calle Sur Ote., tel. 963/632-0624, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat.–Sun., free) is a bustling place with artistic performances and exhibits displayed year-round. If you’ll be here a while, consider signing up for one of their workshops.

Teatro de la Ciudad Junchavín

Located inside a renovated 19th-century mansion, the neoclassical Teatro de la Ciudad Junchavín (central plaza, 1a Calle Sur Pte. 2, tel. 963/632-0946) has a wide range of artistic programming: drama, music, dance, film screenings…even children’s theater. Ticket prices vary with the performance but typically range from free to US$20.

Nightlife

Comitán doesn’t exactly have a hopping nightlife scene, but there are a few decent bars and clubs. Good ones to check out are Shangri La (1a Calle Ote. 6, tel. 963/110-6682, 6 p.m.–3 a.m. Tues.–Sat.), an upscale club with live salsa and merengue bands on weekends, and Piñas & Charlie’s (Calle Central Pte. 31, tel. 963/113-2459, 9 p.m.–3 a.m. Tues.–Sat.), a casual bar with 3-for-1 beers on Thursday.

Festivals and Events

The Festival Internacional de las Culturas y las Artes Rosario Castellanos is a weeklong cultural festival featuring live music, art expositions, and lectures, many of them free. It is typically held in mid-July in a variety of venues around town.

Celebrating one of Comitán’s most venerated saints, Día de San Caralampio is the biggest and most colorful of many saint’s-day festivals held during the month of February. The festivities are held every February 10 on the steps and plaza of his namesake church, San Caralampio (4a Av. Ote. Nte. at 2a Calle Nte. Ote).

© Liza Prado and Gary Chandler from Moon Chiapas, 1st Edition