The southernmost state of Chiapas is the starting point for most Mexico holidays to Mayan ruins and Yucatan tours, travelling overland from San Cristobal to magnificent Palenque, Uxmal and Merida. Also view cenotes & the stunning ruins at Chichen Itza, before relaxing on a gorgeous Caribbean beach.
Chiapas has a rich culture and history, as one third of its population is indigenous - the highest concentration of indigenous people in all of Mexico. These are mainly Tzeltal- and Tzotzil-speaking Indians, who are descendants of the Mayans and live in dozens of small villages scattered across this beautiful highland valley. They are governed by the democratic Zapatista political movement, which strongly supports the survival of their traditional economy and language.
Largely because of the region’s history and its indigenous population, San Cristobal de las Casas is considered to be the cultural capital of the state, although Tuxtla is the actual capital. The centre of San Cristobal has maintained its Spanish colonial appearance, with narrow cobbled streets, wrought iron balconies with flowers, red clay tile roofs and local markets. On Mexico holidays to Mayan ruins and Yucatan tours to Palenque & Merida cenotes, you see that ancient customs and crafts survive here and mix easily with the trappings of a modern city.
Palenque is 80 miles northeast of San Cristobal and contains astonishing Maya ruins, some dating back over two thousand years to 226 BC, although the civilisation was at its greatest between 500 and 700 AD. Even though only a fraction of this huge city has been recovered from the jungle, it attracts thousands of visitors each year and is a world famous archaeological site . It contains some of the finest architecture, temples, pyramids, art, statues and carvings ever produced by the Mayans. There is also a monumental palace measuring 97m by 73m, which took four centuries to complete and includes its own aqueduct water supply. The city was a highly successful, beautifully refined urban masterpiece and is an absolute must-see on Mexico holidays to Mayan ruins and Yucatan tours to Palenque & Merida cenotes.
Combine your ideas with our expertise and let us help you create a holiday of a lifetime. We offer a wide range of options at different price points, all of which can be tailor made to your needs.
For expert advice on Mexico holidays to see Mayan ruins and Yucatan tours to Palenque & Merida with its stunning cenotes,
email or call us on
+44 (0)1582 766122 to speak with a specialist travel consultant. .
Download our Mexico brochure (PDF 0.5 Mb).
We have been arranging Mexico holidays to see Mayan ruins & Yucatan tours to Palenque, Merida & cenotes for over 20 years.