Visiting Sumidero Canyon National Park
A landmark canyon in Chiapas
Sumidero Canyon National Park, located just a few miles from Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital of Chiapas, features some of the most dramatic landscapes in Mexico. The canyon was carved over millions of years and stretches for 13 kilometers with limestone walls climbing to 1,000 meters in height. It also carries significant historical weight, having served as a refuge for indigenous populations during the Spanish conquest.
Boat trips on the Grijalva River
The most common way to experience the scale of the canyon is by taking a boat tour along the Grijalva River. These excursions typically depart from Chiapa de Corzo and provide a direct view of the towering rock faces, natural formations like the Árbol de Navidad (Christmas Tree, an unusual moss-covered formation that resembles a fir tree), and several waterfalls along the route. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including crocodiles, monkeys, and various tropical birds.
Scenic overlooks and hiking
The park features several miradores (overlooks) accessible by car or via hiking trails, which offer sweeping views of the canyon below. These vantage points provide a different perspective on the sheer size of the gorge and are excellent spots for photography. The park also maintains more remote trails for those looking to spend time further away from the main tourist paths.
After an overnight bus trip from Mexico City, we started our day in Chiapas with a mini-cruise (if I remember right, about 2 hours) along the Sumidero Canyon.
On a small boat with about twenty people (there was no shelter from the sun), we went up the river to a dam and then headed back the other way. The cliffs are pretty impressive (1000m high according to the guide, 500m according to my guidebook), but the most interesting part was the wildlife, observable in its natural habitat: crocodiles, a fishing eagle (kudos to the guide for spotting the little raptor), groups of vultures, all kinds of birds, monkeys, and other creatures I did not recognize.
A few tips: protect yourself from the sun, and make sure at least one person in your group speaks Spanish. The commentary is in Spanish (I imagine there are options with multilingual guides, but I assume they are more expensive).