My Favourite Photos of Chiapas to Inspire Your Next Adventure

ByAlex Tiffany Posted on Updated on

Mexico was the first country I visited after I quit my old corporate law job and started travelling full-time. I spent 3 months there and, wow – what an amazing start to my new life!

Rather than trying to see the whole country during that time, I decided to focus on the Yucatan, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Mexico City.

I’m a big believer in slow travel, and Mexico is so huge and diverse, it would’ve been impossible to properly do it justice with just one visit.

Exploring Chiapas was certainly an adventure. Mexico’s poorest state, it’s also one of the richest in terms of culture, history, and natural beauty.

The landscapes in Chiapas are breathtaking. From misty mountains to dense jungles, it’s a place that feels wild and untamed.

I loved visiting the ruins of Palenque. Rising out of the thick jungle, this ancient Mayan city feels almost mythical, with its towering temples and intricate carvings.

The sound of howler monkeys echoing through the trees added to the atmosphere. Exploring this epic place was like stepping into a platform video game from the ’90s.

San Cristóbal de las Casas, with its colourful streets and lively markets, is a great base for exploring the region. You could spend days wandering the cobbled lanes, sipping locally grown coffee, and soaking in the laid-back vibe.

Cañón del Sumidero was another highlight. Towering cliffs rise on either side, crocodiles bask on the banks, and colourful birds dart overhead.

Many people in Chiapas still speak Mayan languages and practice traditions that have been passed down for centuries.

Visiting towns like Chamula and learning about the way of life of the local Indigenous communities was humbling and eye-opening.

Chiapas may not have the glossy resorts or polished tourist infrastructure of other parts of Mexico, but that’s part of its charm.

It’s raw, real, and full of surprises. Exactly the kind of place that keeps me wanting to travel.

Remember: the best experiences are usually found off the beaten path. Don’t just go to Cancun.

Need help planning your next trip? Hire me as your Personal Travel Planner!

A panoramic view of a deep canyon called Sumidero Canyon in Chiapas with steep cliffs covered in vegetation. A calm river snakes through the bottom of the canyon, casting large shadows on the surrounding rock formations.

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A colorful mural painted on a blue wall featuring a woman in traditional Mexican dress with her face painted as a skull, in the style of Día de los Muertos. The area includes some statues, red containers, and a view of water in the background.
A stunning view of the deep river gorge inside Sumidero Canyon with towering cliffs on both sides. The water below reflects the blue sky and clouds, creating a serene and majestic scene.
A close-up of a rocky cliff along a canyon wall, with rugged textures and greenery clinging to the rock face. The view is dramatic, emphasizing the scale of the natural formation.
A wide landscape shot of rolling green hills and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky. The lush terrain is dotted with trees, giving a sense of expansive natural beauty.
A welcome sign at the entrance of a Zapatista rebel municipality in San Pedro Polho, Chiapas. The sign contains messages about prohibitions in the community, and behind it, small buildings and mountainous terrain can be seen.
A quiet dirt road lined with tall trees and houses on the edge of San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas, Mexico. A yellow Volkswagen Beetle and an old pickup truck are parked on the side of the road, adding a rustic feel to the scene.
Two individuals seated on a woven mat outside at night, preparing traditional food. One is cutting vegetables on a green cutting board, surrounded by small pots and plants. A small store is visible across the street with a sign "Mini Abarrotes Don Felix."
A rural street scene in a small village in Chiapas, with a vendor truck parked on the side of the road. Local women dressed in traditional clothing stand by the truck, while the background features mountains and greenery under a partly cloudy sky.
An empty classroom with wooden desks and chairs arranged in rows. The walls are adorned with colorful murals depicting local culture, agriculture, and messages about organic coffee and respect for nature.
Colourful mural on the wall of a school room in Chiapas, with a bright orange door wide open on the right hand side.
Close up of a coffee bush with ripe red coffee cherries and green leaves.
A group of workers handling large burlap sacks of coffee beans in an outdoor area. Some workers are lifting and moving the sacks, while others are resting in the background.
A conveyor belt filled with unroasted coffee beans being processed, with a few beans in the foreground and a large batch extending into the distance.
A close-up of a burlap sack filled with coffee beans, labeled with "Product of Mexico" and "Organic Coffee." The writing also indicates details such as the weight, contract number, and certification information from Chiapas, Mexico.
Several men loading large burlap sacks onto the back of a brightly painted truck parked on a rural street, with houses and trees in the background.
A man wearing a brown jacket and wide-brimmed hat standing in front of stacked burlap sacks in an outdoor area with a large, colorful structure in the background.
A woman in traditional indigenous attire, conversing with someone off camera. A young girl stands nearby, holding her hands to her face. The background shows a rural setting with brightly colored tents and buildings.
A group of men standing around a table, filling out forms and writing in notebooks. The setting is outdoors in a rural area, with burlap sacks of coffee beans in the background.
A close-up of a hand holding green coffee beans, with a burlap sack marked "Majomut" visible in the background.
A man in a red shirt using a tool to open a large burlap sack filled with coffee beans, with other sacks and people standing around in the background.
A group of men gathered around burlap sacks of coffee beans, one of them inspecting the beans. The setting is an outdoor area with a mix of activity and casual conversation.
An elderly man in traditional clothing, wearing a straw hat and carrying a sack. He walks through an outdoor area surrounded by burlap coffee bags labeled "Pergamino."
A man wearing a brown hat and casual clothing sits atop a large pile of burlap coffee sacks, taking a break from the work. The background shows a rural community with simple buildings.
A couple standing on the shore of a beach in Chiapas at sunset, with the glowing orange sun reflecting off the water and soft waves rolling onto the sand.
A close-up of a small pufferfish lying on a sandy beach, with the ocean and horizon in the distance.
A long stretch of sandy beach dotted with footprints, extending towards the horizon under a soft, pale blue sky.
Silhouetted beach huts with thatched roofs and hammocks, framed by palm trees at sunset, casting long shadows across the sand.
View from the thatched porch of a simple beach hut in Chiapas with palm trees and other huts on the sand and the ocean beyond all bathed in the soft light of sunset.
A lush, green scene with a small waterfall cascading into a vibrant, turquoise river, surrounded by thick forest and greenery.
A gentle waterfall flows over smooth rock formations, with clear, turquoise water in the background, partially shaded by lush green leaves.
A scenic view of two waterfalls cascading into a turquoise pool surrounded by dense greenery and rocks.
Alex Tiffany walks across a narrow hanging bridge in a dense jungle, with thick foliage and a small creek running below.
A white, vine-covered, ancient temple structure on a grassy hill with a stone stairway, nestled in the jungle.
Ancient stone steps leading up to a series of ruined walls, partially covered by vines and surrounded by jungle.
A large stone pyramid with steep steps at Palenque ruins, surrounded by green grass and trees under a clear blue sky.
A group of people in traditional white Mexican clothing participate in a ceremony near ancient ruins, with a pyramid in the background.
A baby crocodile rests on the grassy bank of a murky pond, partially submerged in water.
A cozy chocolate shop with wooden tables and chairs, featuring hanging lamps and a wall display of chocolate bars and cacao beans.
A street in the historical centre of San Cristobal de las Casas at sunset, with a church dome in the distance and parked cars lining the cobblestone road.
A quiet downhill street lined with colorful buildings, power lines overhead, and mountains visible in the background under a fading sunset.
A panoramic view of the city of Tuxtla Gutierrez from a hilltop with wide, paved stairs leading down to an open plaza, and mountains on the horizon.
A vibrant market square in front of the white and green church of San Juan Chamula with vendors under colorful umbrellas and people walking around, with green hills in the background.
A broad street lined with parked cars and traditional houses, with power lines crossing overhead, and mountains looming in the background during sunset.
The ornate, colorful green and blue entrance arch of the church at Chamula, showing intricate patterns and wooden doors beneath a clear blue sky.
A quiet street scene with a Corona Extra advertisement on the side of a building, and a couple of cars parked further down the road under a bright blue sky.
A lush, forested valley surrounded by rolling mountains under a partially cloudy sky, with a small village visible in the distance.
A narrow alley lined with colorful houses, with a motorbike rider approaching in the distance and mountains visible at the far end.
A long, wide staircase descending into the streets of San Cristobal, with mountains in the background and people walking down the steps under the late afternoon sun.
A wall covered in a vibrant, intricate mural featuring symbols, wheels, and abstract shapes in red, white, and black tones.

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Essential Travel Resources


🛏️ Book cheap hotels
I always use Booking.com to find the best hotel deals. Vrbo is great for short-term apartments.

🚗 Find cheap rental cars
Check both Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com to find cheap rental cars.

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✈️ Find cheap flights
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📱 eSIMs
Airalo is my favourite travel eSIM provider – I’ve used it in over 10 countries and really rate it. So much easier than buying physical SIM cards when you travel!

🚑 Do I need travel insurance?
YES! Never travel without adequate travel insurance. It’s just not worth the risk.

• SafetyWing – if you’re a digital nomad like me, SafetyWing is super flexible and affordable. You can sign up for as little or as long as you want, and activate and deactivate it whenever you need to. I’ve made several claims in the last few years and thoroughly recommend this company.

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💻 Do I need a VPN?
YES! Always use a VPN when using public WiFi (in airports, cafes, hotels, stations, etc.). This helps protect your personal information and also bypasses internet censorship and restrictions in certain countries. I use NordVPN and highly recommend it.
Alex Tiffany

Alex is a former lawyer and an expert in off-the-beaten-path travel. Originally from the UK, Alex has explored over 70 countries independently, from hitchhiking in East Africa and Central Asia to road-tripping across Europe and the USA. He loves hiking, camping, and discovering lesser-known destinations.

Alex's writing and photography have been featured in many leading travel publications. He's passionate about sharing his travel expertise with others and encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones and travel more adventurously.

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