A Captivating Canyon In Mexico Offers Picturesque Views And Endless Outdoor Adventure

While Mexico's southernmost state of Chiapas is known for its rich Indigenous heritage, it's also an amazing destination for nature lovers. This rugged region boasts misty highlands, lush forests, turquoise rivers, and postcard-perfect waterfalls — like this beaming blue series of cascades with jungle views. It's also home to Sumidero Canyon, an awe-inspiring natural gem known for its cool green waters and sheer rock walls.

Situated near Chiapas' no-nonsense capital, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Sumidero Canyon makes a perfect day trip when exploring this fascinating corner of the country. Like other outdoor gems in Mexico — such this underrated national park where you can explore a mountainous waterfall paradise — the canyon lies within a nature reserve, guaranteeing its preservation for generations to come.

There are many ways to experience Sumidero Canyon. Whether you wish to take in the canyon from above or get down and ride a boat through the depth of the chasm, this unique gorge is a must-see attraction for anyone passing through Chiapas.

Sumidero Canyon was made a national park in 1980 and today encompasses 53,000 acres, making it one of the top draws in the region. The park is known for its fascinating geography and rich biodiversity, as the varying amounts of sunlight, rain run-off, and elevation levels have created different microclimates. This means that in one trip, you can take in many different kinds of flora and fauna, inlcuding spider and howler monkeys, ocelots, river otters, toucans, macaws, turtles, and giant butterflies. There are also around 400 crocodiles living in the canyon, so swimming is probably off the agenda. 

The 8-mile long canyon is most famous for its vertical rock walls, some of which hit heights of 3,300 feet. Some visitors choose to just observe the impressive ravine from the rim, peering down at the Grijalva River – which has carved out the rock for millions of years — from one of six viewpoints known as miradores. Each gives a unique perspective of the canyon and can be accessed by private vehicle. However, the best way to experience Sumidero Canyon is to get down inside it and board a boat. A number of operators offer canyon cruises, which take around two hours.

You can also experience the wonder of Sumidero Canyon through adventure activities such as hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and even rappelling. While it's possible to do these independently, you'll need to get official government permission, which means submitting a detailed plan and paying a fee. For safety, comfort, and convenience, going with an established adventure tour operator is probably your best bet.

While Sumidero Canyon is very close to the commercial center of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, some travelers instead elect to visit as a day trip from the enthralling town of San Cristóbal de las Casas, which is only an hour and a half away. Situated in Chiapas' Central Highlands, this settlement is famous for its multichromatic buildings, with cobblestone streets and plenty of old-school charm. Its iconic baroque cathedral in the central Plaza de Paz dates back to the 1500s, and like the rest of Chiapas, the city has a deep Indigenous presence and tradition reflected by the many artisans selling their handcrafted wares all over town. 

There are plenty of accommodations to satisfy most any budget in both Tuxtla Gutiérrez and San Cristóbal de Las Casas, and San Cristóbal de Las Casas is also a terrific place to experience mouth-watering regional cuisine, including esquites, a salad-like blend of corn kernels, cheese, chili powder, mayonnaise, and lime that reflects the deep Indigenous connection to maize. There are also restaurants in San Cristóbal doing some exciting work, like Comal, Cocina de Barro, where chef David Hernández celebrates traditional, down-home Mexican fare with exquisite quesadillas, sopes, pozol, and more, including plenty of vegetarian options. 

Regardless of whether you stay in San Cristóbal de las Casas or Tuxtla Gutiérrez, you can get to Sumidero Canyon by flying into the Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport, which is located just south of Tuxtla Gutiérrez. From there, it's easy to jump in a taxi to take the 40-minute ride to Tuxtla Gutiérrez or the 75-minute ride to San Cristóbal, where you can then venture off to the main event at Sumidero Canyon. For more of Chiapas' singular splendor, check out this well-kept secret of a town full of character and scenic views.