Chiapas (on the way to the Yucatan Peninsula) is the heartland of Mayan Mexico and it also contains arguably the country’s most enchanting ruin, Palenque and San Cristobal de las Casas one of the prettiest colonial towns in Mexico and rich in Indian culture. Its blend of elegant buildings, colonial churches and brightly dressed locals, make it an interesting place to visit.
San Cristobal de las Casas is a very walkable city. If you are reasonably mobile you should be able to walk anywhere within the city without strain. While here, The Maya Medicine Museum is not to be missed. There are "tours" (on site) in English and Spanish and also have healers on site to treat whatever ailment from which you may be suffering (Imagine Latin
America will not be held responsible if it doesn’t work!). Good views of the city and surrounding mountains can be had from the church on a hill in the west of town.
Parador San Juan de Dios is to be found in one of the oldest parts of the city, it is a new hotel housed in a beautifully converted 17th century colonial farmhouse, set in landscaped gardens. There are three suites, including the stunning Master Suite, and nine rooms set over the four villas. More...
Hotel Casavieja is built in one of the oldest buildings in San Cristobal de las Casas. The original house was constructed at the beginning of the 18th century with its traditional adobe walls covered white mortar and hand carved beam ceilings. It has a charming old feel, with 37 double rooms, that is San Cristóbal to a tee. More…
Hotel Posada Real de Chiapas – just a few blocks back from the main square is a good down to earth type of place to stay. There are thirty comfy rooms, a small restaurant and the roof-top terrace has great views across the city. More…
Chan Kah resort village, set in 500 acres of jungle is located just over a kilometre away from Palenque on the main road which takes you to the ruins. With 79 simple rooms, but with air-conditioning, there is also a large swimming pool. More…
Villa Mercedes is a brand new hotel in Palenque. The hotel is situated in a 3-hectare site, just 2 km from the ruins of Palenque. The hotel is set in pretty grounds which blend well with the surrounding jungle. The hotel boasts 96 luxurious rooms in 16 thatched roofs bungalows in a tropical forest setting. More…
The Yucatán Peninsula was the home of the Maya civilization before it was conquered by the Spanish Conquistadors in the 16th century. Much of the population is part or all of Maya descent and in many places the Maya language is still spoken, usually in addition to Spanish, which is the main business language. More…
Extra info: in the surrounding hills lie mysterious Indian villages, like San Juan Chamula with its brightly-coloured church. Other attractions include the less visited site of Tonina, the waterfalls and rapids of Agua Azul and Misol-Há, and the 1,000 metre deep Sumidero canyon, near Tuxtla.
Palenque (a four hour’s drive from San Cristobal) is an enigmatic site which is still partially lying in overgrowth and hidden in the rainforest (see picture at bottom of page).
It is totally captivating and when wandering around you feel as though you are discovering it for yourself for the first time. It is the largest and most famous of the Mayan sites which once commanded an area stretching across the coastal plain as far as the Gulf of Mexico. Palenque was once home to tens of thousands of people and is a spectacular vortex of history, myth and reality. The ruins are approximately a 15 minute drive from the town of the same name. Palenque’s most impressive features are perhaps its towered palace and pyramid tomb which date from the Classic period of approximately 300 to 900AD, but the real thrill of Palenque is in its tropical jungle location. Very ‘Indiana Jones’…
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