Sumidero Canyon Travel Guide

About Sumidero Canyon

Canon del Sumidero is a dramatic river canyon carved by the Grijalva River over millions of years, located just outside the Chiapas state capital of Tuxtla Gutierrez. The canyon walls rise up to approximately 1,000 meters in places, creating a spectacular natural corridor. The canyon is featured on the Chiapas state coat of arms and is one of the state's most visited natural attractions, designated as a national park since 1980.

The Boat Tour

The primary way to experience the canyon is by lancha (motorboat) from the embarcadero (boat dock) in the town of Chiapa de Corzo. The boat ride takes approximately 2 hours round trip and covers about 35 kilometers along the Grijalva River through the canyon.

What You Will See

• Towering canyon walls -- Sheer cliffs draped with vegetation, reaching their highest points in the middle section of the canyon
• Crocodiles -- The river is home to Morelet's crocodiles, often spotted sunning themselves on the banks
• Spider monkeys -- Watch the treetops along the canyon walls
• Christmas Tree waterfall -- A mossy cascade on the canyon wall that, with its mineral deposits, resembles a Christmas tree
• Cave formations -- Small caves and rock formations along the route
• Chicoasen Dam -- The turnaround point, one of Mexico's largest hydroelectric dams

Visiting Tips

• Depart early -- Boats start running around 8:00 AM from Chiapa de Corzo. Morning trips have calmer water and better light
• Bring sun protection -- A hat and sunscreen are essential as there is little shade on the boats
• Bring a light jacket -- The canyon can be breezy, and spray from the boat can be cool
• Sit in the middle or back -- The front seats get the most spray
• Weekend crowds -- Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends

Cost

Boat tours cost approximately 250-350 MXN per person. Boats typically wait until they have enough passengers (around 12-15) before departing, or you can pay for a private charter.

Chiapa de Corzo

The town of Chiapa de Corzo, where the boat tours depart, is worth exploring in its own right:

• La Pila fountain -- A Mudejar-style brick fountain in the main plaza, dating to the 16th century
• Santo Domingo church -- With a large bell tower and views over the town
• Lacquerware artisans -- Chiapa de Corzo is known for its traditional lacquered gourd art
• Fiesta Grande de Enero -- A major annual festival in January featuring the Parachicos dancers (a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage tradition)

Rim Viewpoints

An alternative to the boat tour is driving to the canyon rim viewpoints (miradores). Five lookout points are accessible by road from Tuxtla Gutierrez, each offering different perspectives of the canyon from above. The drive takes about 30 minutes from the city, and the viewpoints have parking and basic facilities.

Getting There

• From Tuxtla Gutierrez -- Chiapa de Corzo is about 15 minutes east. Colectivos and taxis make the trip frequently.
• From San Cristobal de las Casas -- About 1 hour by road. Many tours from San Cristobal include Sumidero Canyon and Chiapa de Corzo.

Best Time to Visit

The dry season (November to April) generally offers the best conditions with calmer water and clearer skies. The rainy season can bring higher water levels and murkier visibility, but the canyon walls are at their greenest.

Plan Your Visit

Sumidero Canyon features in the Chiapas Adventure 5-Day itinerary. Most visitors combine it with a stop in Chiapa de Corzo on the way between Tuxtla Gutierrez and San Cristobal de las Casas.