A Look at Chiapas, Mexico

Chiapas is typically thought of as Mexico’s southernmost, most impoverished, and most undiscovered region, but it is so much more than that. Full of luscious terrain, jungle ruins, ample wildlife, regional culinary specialties, and a mix of indigenous cultures, Chiapas is a stunning region with amazing cultural depth. Here are just some of the local highlights:

 Palenque

The archeological ruins of Palenque are the remains of one of the Mayan people’s most important cities. Surrounded by thick, lush vegetation, the ruins are a great place for visitors to hike through and practice bird watching. Particularly famous are the structures of the Templo de las Inscripciones, the Gran Palacio, the Templo XI and the temples of la Cruz Foliada, de Sol and del Conde, as well as a Mayan ball court.

San Cristóbal de las Casas

San Cristóbal de las Casas is Chiapas’ most visited and much-loved mountain town. San Cristóbal de las Casas has a beautiful main plaza, hilltop churches, and sprawling local markets selling local fruits, vegetables, and regional specialties. With all of the eating, art, culture, and music San Cristóbal de las Casas is easily one of Mexico’s most beautiful and culturally enriching towns.

Chinkultic ruins

One of Chiapas’ less frequented archaeological sites, the Chinkultic ruins once made up a Mayan city from the 3rd to 9th centuries. The site is now known for its stelae carvings of the town’s rulers, a ball court, and a large cenote (natural well) into which the city’s people used to throw offerings. The ambiance at Chinkultic is extremely serene because of the humid forest surrounding the ruins.

Cascadas de Agua Azul

Cascadas de Agua Azul is home to waterfalls and naturally-made swimming pools which are a product of the series of limestone beds on the Xanil River. The water’s intense blue color is due to the amount of limestone and other minerals in the river, which are most visible during the dry season.

Cañón del Sumidero

This 16-mile reservoir is home to abundant plants and wildlife and has some truly breathtaking waterfalls and rock formations.

Zinacantán

Zinacantán is a fascinating indigenous region in the Los Altos area of Chiapas. The Tzotzil Mayan people from the area are particularly known for their colorful and intricately embroidered huipils (tunics).

Laguna Miramar

One of Mexico’s most beautiful lagoons, Laguna Miramar is a local favorite for nature-filled adventures like kayaking, mountain biking, bird-watching, and exploring the nearby caves to marvel at ancient drawings.

Chiapa de Corzo

Chiapa de Corzo is a colonial town just 8 miles from Tuxtla Guitérrez and was the state’s first capital. Home to the Santo Domingo de Guzmán ex-convent, which is now a cultural center, Chiapa de Corzo is a southern Mexico cultural staple.

Volcán Tacaná

The Tacaná Volcano is Central America’s second-highest volcanic peak (second to Volcán Tajumulco in Guatemala) and sits on Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala. Though the volcano last erupted in 1986, it is still considered to be active.

As Mexico’s most impoverished state, many people do not have access to formal education. The Kyäni Caring Hands program has been dedicating a lot of their time at a school in Chalam, Chiapas Mexico creating a space for children and young people to learn by providing them with a proper school building as well as furniture, classroom supplies, and technology/internet for the classrooms. There is also a scholarship program available through Kyäni Caring Hands known as the Potato Pak scholarship, which supports a student’s tuition and housing needs for one month with each donation. Furthermore, Kyäni Caring Hands has started an online university program at the school in Chalam so students can study and get their degrees remotely.

Caring Hands has just recently built 30 new Kyäni Caring Hands libraries with virtual access throughout Chiapas, Mexico. Now a total of 36 libraries are servicing around 4,000 Caring Hands students with over 1,500 books available in each library!