Indigenous Peoples of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán.

Itinerary

Starting point: Meeting point at the (hotel reception) in San Cristóbal de las Casas. 

Departure time: 9:30 a.m. from your hotel reception.

Final destination: San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Our first point of interest is the indigenous population center of San Juan Chamula, a community of Tzotzil ethnic affiliation with pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican roots, which exercises self-government through an internal normative system based on custom and tradition, recognized within the framework of legal pluralism. 

This place is divided into three neighborhoods: "San Juan Bautista," "San Pedro," and "San Sebastián," each with its own cemetery presided over by gigantic crosses representing Chul Metic (Mother God) and Chul Totic (Father God).

Here is the seat of authority and the temple of San Juan Bautista, a place where religious syncretism reaches its highest expression by mixing Christian tradition with pre-Hispanic roots.

Continuing with our tour, we move to the indigenous village of Zinacantán, a Tzotzil town known as "Place of Bats." The sacred spaces in Zinacantán are marked by the hills that surround the small valley and the complex formed by the church of San Lorenzo. This church has colonial origins but was remodeled in the early 20th century. The chapels of Esquipulas and San Sebastián can also be found here.
The population of Zinacantán is mainly composed of the Tzotzil ethnicity, and floriculture is one of the main productive activities of its inhabitants.

Recommendations:

• Wear comfortable walking shoes, jeans, and a long-sleeved shirt. 
• A hat or cap will also be useful for sun protection.
• Keep in mind that photography is NOT allowed inside the San Juan Chamula church.
• For your purchases, make sure to bring cash, as there are no ATMs available.