SUMIDERO CANYON
Nature, wildlife and the
impressive Sumidero Canyon
Our Day Trip from San Cristóbal
During our stay in San Cristóbal de las Casas, we decided to take a day trip to Chiapa de Corzo to explore the famous Sumidero Canyon. We had heard a lot about the canyon and were curious to see it from the water, so we took a colectivo early in the morning, arrived at the jetty and joined a boat tour through the canyon.
It was the perfect day trip to get out into nature, admire the incredible scenery and spot some amazing wildlife. The experience was well worth the time, and spending a few hours surrounded by such a dramatic setting made for a really memorable day. Here is everything about how we got there, the boat trip and what we saw along the way.
Quick facts
Colectivo from
San Cristóbal de las Casas
Tour Price
MXN 830 · 2 people (approx. 23 AUD)
Tour duration
2 hours
Best for
Nature, wildlife and unique landscapes
GOOD TO KNOW
Keep your passport with you. During the colectivo journey from San Cristóbal de las Casas, we went through a checkpoint where passengers’ (tourist) passports were checked.
How We Got There
Getting to the Sumidero Canyon from San Cristóbal de las Casas was actually very easy. We took one colectivo and got off under the bridge in front of Tortillería Chepita, close to the Embarcadero Cahuaré Cañón del Sumidero. We went early in the morning, and there were already colectivos running regularly, so we didn’t need to arrange transport in advance.
From there, it was just a short walk to the jetty where we joined our boat tour.
How to Come Back
Coming back was a little more complicated and took longer, but still easy once we understood where to go. We went back to the same area under the bridge, but on the opposite side of the road, and took whichever colectivo stopped there and picked us up. We then travelled to Terminal Autobuses Grupo San Cristóbal.
Once you reach the terminal, it is very straightforward. They give you a ticket for the second colectivo, and you wait in an area with AC and toilets.
Sumidero tour
We went straight to Embarcadero Cahuaré, where we found the only operator at the jetty offering the boat tour. Everything was very straightforward from the moment we arrived, and we really liked the experience. You do have to wait until there are enough passengers for the boat to leave, so we recommend going early to make sure you can join a tour without waiting too long. Around the jetty, there are also paid toilets and a few restaurants, which makes it easy to grab something to eat or use the facilities while you wait.
| Price | MXN 50 per person |
| Transport | Only one colectivo |
| Duration | Around 1h 45 min |
| Frequency | Every 10 to 15 minutes |
| Price | MXN 5+ 50 per person |
| Transport | 2 colectivos |
| Duration | Around 2h |
| Frequency | Regular, flag down |
| Price | MXN 415 per person |
| Includes | Boat ride + CONANP* |
| Duration | Around 2h |
| Departsure | Minimum passengers |
*The CONANP Bracelet
The Brazalete de la Conservación is the entrance bracelet for the protected natural area. It is valid for the whole day and needs to be worn while visiting the different areas of the park.
One thing we didn’t know before going is that you only need to buy it once for the day, so you can use the same bracelet for both the boat tour and the canyon viewpoints. We recommend doing the boat tour in the morning and visiting the viewpoints in the afternoon, making the most of your day without paying for access twice. The money collected from the bracelet contributes to the conservation of Mexico’s protected natural areas.
Flora & Fauna
Birds
The canyon is home to a huge variety of birdlife. During our boat trip, we spotted vultures and pelicans, among many other birds.
Vegetation
The canyon is surrounded by lush vegetation, with dense forests covering the steep walls. During the boat trip, we saw greenery stretching all the way along the canyon.
Crocodiles
Crocodiles can often be spotted along the river, resting on the rocks or close to the water. We were lucky enough to see many during our boat trip, including groups of tiny hatchlings piled together.
Canyon landscapes
The highlight of the trip, with enormous cliffs rising from the water. The iconic shape of the canyon is represented in the coat of arms of Chiapas.
Monkeys
The canyon is home to spider monkeys, and we were lucky to spot them both very close to the boat and from further away, moving through the trees along the cliffs.
Would We Recommend the Sumidero Canyon?
100% yes. If you’re staying in San Cristóbal de las Casas, we would definitely add this day trip to your itinerary. The combination of the canyon, wildlife and being out on the water made it one of our favourite experiences in Chiapas.
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