Chiapa de Corzo is a quiet colonial town between Tuxtla and San Cristóbal best known as the jumping-off point for boat tours through Cañón del Sumidero, a winding must-see canyon whose 1,000-meter (3,281-foot) walls will lodge a crick in your neck in no time. But Chiapa de Corzo has plenty of history and appeal in its own right, and is well worth exploring in conjunction with a trip down the canyon.

Not to be missed are the city’s architectural treasures, among them an outstanding 16th-century fountain in the main plaza and massive Dominican church and convent, which now houses a fine museum and gallery space.

Chiapa de Corzo is also known for its artistic roots, especially in lacquerware (laca) and marimba music, and hosts a lively and eclectic festival in January, which lasts for two weeks and draws tens of thousands of visitors.

Getting to Chiapa de Corzo

Long-distance buses from Tuxtla and San Cristóbal do not enter or even stop at Chiapa de Corzo, leaving colectivos to provide service there.

From Tuxtla Gutiérrez: Colectivos to Chiapa de Corzo leave every 10 minutes 6 a.m.–10 p.m. from the corner of 5 Calle Oriente Sur and 1 Avenida Sur Poniente (US$1, 40 mins), and drop passengers on the north side of Chiapa de Corzo’s central plaza. The same buses return to Tuxtla, picking up passengers on the opposite side of the street.

From San Cristóbal: Take any Tuxtla-bound colectivo (US$3, 45 mins) from the stop on the Carretera Panamericana near the ADO bus terminal. They follow roughly the same schedule as the colectivos but don’t enter Chiapa de Corzo; instead you’ll be dropped on the highway near a pedestrian bridge—cross the bridge and catch a local colectivo into town (US$0.45). To return, catch a bus or taxi to the same spot, where San Cristóbal–bound colectivos pass frequently.

Around town, taxis typically charge US$2, or US$3 to the highway bus stop.