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State of Mexico
Photo: (WT-en) Julianq at en.wikivoyage-old, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Chiapas is a state in southern Mexico. It is a large state with remote archaeological sites deep in the jungle, national parks with sparkling mountain lakes, deep canyons, and spectacular waterfalls. It is cultural gem, with many Mayan communities preserving ancient traditions. Chiapas is about as far south as you can get in Mexico. It borders Guatemala on the southeast, the Pacific on the southwest, and the states of Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Tabasco from west to northeast.
By bus
Buses are the most common way to travel in this region.
By car
The most flexible way to get in and around in Chiapas is by renting a car and driving. Some major routes are toll roads. Important highways coming into Chiapas include:
By train
Mexico's new intercity rail system, the Tren Maya, has one station in Chiapas, at Palenque. This is the terminus point of the train.
The easiest way to get around within cities is probably by private car, taxi, or colectivo. Colectivos are small vans or buses that are very cheap and follow specific routes.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Tuxtla Gutiérrez · Regional · TGZ
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the state capital: a large, urban area that is home to one of the world's great zoos
a nice fishing village on the Pacific coast of the state
a small, sleepy village close to Palenque
the oldest Spanish city in Chiapas, starting point for Sumidero Canyon boat trips
surprisingly sophisticated, a popular weekend destination
small town near forests, mountains, caves and other natural attractions
gateway to the Mayan ruins of Toniná
rural town on the edge of the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve. Famous for the ecotourism center of Las guacamayas - a preservation centre of the Scarlet Macaw.
a beautiful traditional Mayan city, lots of handicrafts, small ex-pat community
Tsotsil indigenous village
Mexico's main border city with Guatemala on the Pacific coast area
canyon and reservoir (includes Christmas Tree Falls)
Ecotourism in the heart of the tallest mangroves in North America
protected natural area of mountainous cloud forests near the Pacific coast
tallest mangroves in North America in a wetlands area with two large lagoons, 11 rivers, and countless channels weaving between aquatic grasses, trees, and islands
forested mountain ranage protects watersheds and provides habitat to bird, mammal, and reptile species
the largest lake in the Lacandon Jungle at 40 km in diameter
a national park with 59 multi-colored lakes in a pine forest and two Maya ruins
protected natural area in the Lacandon Jungle with 500 species of tree and nearly 400 species of bird
protected natural area in the Lacandon Jungle with 24 lakes and Lacandon Maya cultural sites
sprawling natural area with dense jungles in the mountains near Tuxtla Gutierrez
active volcano that was presumed dormant until violently erupting three times within a few weeks in 1982, destroying 9 villages and killing 1,900 people
active volcano on the border between Mexico and Guatemala, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
well known for its murals and Maya ruins
oldest, and one of the largest of the Mayan cities
ruins that have some of the finest sculpture, architecture, roof combs, and bas-relief carvings of the Mayan era
Maya ruins with temple-pyramids set on terraces rising 71 m above a plaza, a large ballgame court, and over 100 carved monuments
Maya ruins known for its well-preserved sculptured stone lintels set above the doorways of the main structures
Comitán (officially Comitán de Dominguez) is a city of 142,000 people (2010) in Chiapas in Mexico. Comitán is a popular tourist destination, mostly for Mexican nationals, though some foreign visitors can also be seen.
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