Located just outside Tuxtla is an adorable little town called Chiapa de Corzo. We took a half day trip out to it while we were in Tuxtla and it was one of the highlights of our trip. It’s about 30 minutes away and a popular tourist destination despite its small size. The town is mainly arranged around the square in the center with a park area. Around the edges are a multitude of shops selling all kinds of handicraft souvenirs. I absolutely love the colors and designs of Mexican handicrafts so it was hard not to buy everything from all the stores!
We arrived mid-morning and walk slightly outside of the center area towards the indoor market place. It was full of all kinds of street food options and we I had some great empanadas for breakfast for around $2 each. The best part though by far was the fresh fruit smoothie I got afterwards! It was a blend of strawberries and pineapple for around $1.50- and it was huge and delicious! I would’ve bought one every single day if I could. Make sure to be carrying cash with you as, like most street food vendors, credit cards are not accepted.
After breakfast we looked through the shops for a bit and I bought a pair of sandals that is currently all the rage in Mexico. They gave me some nasty blisters by the end of the day but I’ll break them in and they’ll be great- plus they were only around $10!
We then began making our way towards the Sumidero Canyon which is the main attraction here. From the moment you enter the town you’ll be accosted by companies looking for to book a reservation for this boat trip down the canyon. Check the prices ahead of time so you’ll know what to expect as far as cost goes. You don’t HAVE to go through one of these companies, you can simply walk down the streets to the edge of the river and buy a ticket for the boat there. BUT the walk would be a little lengthy, I’d guess at least 20 minutes, and it was HOT in the sun (keep in mind it was December 31st). These tour companies have an advantage in that they’ll drive you down there and bring you back into the town afterwards as well.
We booked with one of the companies who stopped us on the street after finding out their prices were pretty much equal to the price we would pay at the edge of the river too. DEFINITELY worth it to save us from walking through the sun. There are some bathrooms available at the docks before you board the boat, as far as some food and drinks you can buy. I highly recommend bringing some water with you and making a quick pit stop at the restrooms as the trip through the canyon is approximately 2 hours.
The boat trip itself was a lot of fun! It started off slow and I thought we were going to bake in the sun the whole time, but almost immediately the boat picks up speed and the wind keeps you cool the rest of the trip. We actually brought some sweaters with us just in case we got too chilly from the wind. The boat goes really fast and that was a lot of fun!
Along the way we saw all kinds of wildlife- crocodiles, monkey, iguana and all kinds of birds. There used to actually be a park in the canyon that could only be accessed by the boat, but this has since closed. It’s quite pretty along the whole way and the guides give a lot of informative background narration as well. They take you all the way to the end where the dam was built and then you turn around and return back the same way you came. At the dam, there are locals selling snacks from boats so you can also purchase some drinks or food at that point as well.
One of the sights pointed out along the way is the Arbol de la Navidad (Christmas tree). It was fun to see the cool way the plants had grown together. The whole trip makes for a fun morning or afternoon trip and I would highly recommend it!
Fire Round the World 