If you are planning a trip to Chiapas, the Sumidero Canyon is a must-stop. This natural treasure is visited in two ways: navigating the Grijalva River by boat and touring the highland viewpoints by car. They are distinct and complementary experiences: the boat offers close-up perspectives and wildlife, while the viewpoints provide wide landscape views and high-level photography. Together they reinforce Chiapas as a symbol of its biodiversity and scenic beauty.

How to visit the Sumidero Canyon?

Boat tour on the Grijalva River

The departure takes place from Cahuaré and Chiapa de Corzo docks, in a guided tour. During the journey, between rock walls that rise over a thousand meters in height, you will see the park's most well-known formations:

  • The Cave of Silence
  • The Christmas Tree Waterfall, which forms a natural pine-like tree with moss and minerals
  • The Cave of Colors, decorated with religious offerings
  • The Chicoasén hydroelectric dam, one of the most important in the country
  • The canyon is also habitat for spider monkeys, crocodiles, herons and exotic birds, so wildlife viewing is a natural part of the tour.

The five viewpoints

In the upper part of the park, five panoramic viewpoints are traveled by car along a road. They are not part of the boat tour; check if the tour you choose includes them. From there the view of the canyon is open, ideal for landscape photography.

Chiapa de Corzo

Due to its proximity to the docks, it is usually integrated into the itinerary. Its historic center, cuisine and crafts complete the visit without adding long transfers. On routes near the park there are also hiking and cycling areas that are explored with authorized guides.

Why visit it?

It is a natural wonder unique to Mexico and a cultural emblem of Chiapas. If your itinerary includes Tuxtla Gutiérrez or San Cristóbal de Las Casas, it is a stop that should not be missed.

Practical Information

  • Common departure: Cahuaré and Chiapa de Corzo docks.
  • Hours: Every day, from 9:00 to 16:00 h.
  • Duration on the boat: Approximately between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours.
  • Cost of the ride: $250–$300 MXN per person; viewpoints $40 MXN.
  • Recommended time: Half a day for boat and Chiapa de Corzo; full day if you add viewpoints.
  • Type of vessel: Open boat; there may be sun, wind and splashes.

The Sumidero Canyon National Park

All this surroundings forms part of the Sumidero Canyon National Park, a protected natural area since 1980 that covers more than 21,000 hectares.

In addition to the spectacular landscape, hundreds of plant and animal species live here, finding in the canyon a perfect refuge.

The guide explained that new insect and plant species are still being discovered, and that conservation work is ongoing to keep this ecosystem in the best possible condition; he also spoke to us about one of the major problems the park faces. Unfortunately, during the rainy season the river carries a huge amount of waste from populations located upstream.

We, fortunately, found it fairly clean; from time to time a log or bits of floating vegetation would appear, something completely normal but nothing that spoiled the experience. The guide told us that every day specialized boats work collecting waste to keep the river in good condition; it's really nice to see the effort they are making to preserve such a spectacular place.

Book your Sumidero Canyon tour

If this plan sounds appealing, don't wait any longer: book a tour and experience navigating the Grijalva or exploring the viewpoints, according to your pace and interests. The Sumidero awaits you with vertical landscapes, wildlife and the cultural richness of Chiapas.