San Juan Chamula

Tours

Learn more about the everyday lives and ancient beliefs of the indigenous Tzotzil Maya people on an amazing day trip from San Cristóbal de las Casas. Travel in air-conditioned comfort to the town of San Juan Chamula to get a better understanding of the mix of contemporary culture and ancient traditions that gives the town its unique aspect. Continue to Zinacantán, where the majority of the population are Tzotzil Maya indigenous people. Visit the church and the home of a family co-operative, where you will be welcomed with a regional drink and can watch the women at work on pre-Columbian waist looms. Get invited into their kitchen to taste their traditional handmade tortillas before the return journey to San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Explore the vibrant culture of Chiapas with a 3.5-hour tour to the indigenous villages of Zinacantan and San Juan Chamula. Departing at 9:30 AM, the tour offers a comprehensive understanding of the history, customs, and traditions of the region. The journey begins with a reception at your hotel or the agency, followed by a visit to the town of San Juan Chamula. Spend two hours exploring the surroundings, visiting the church, and observing the unique rituals inside. Enjoy free time to wander the square. Next, visit the town of Zinacantan for an hour, including a visit to a local indigenous family. Witness the textile-making process, indulge in a gastronomic tasting, and learn about the town's history. The tour is suitable for ages 0-60, with a maximum of 14 participants per group. The approximate return time is 1:30 PM. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, payments for town access, bilingual guides, and travel insurance. Breakfast is not included.

Start your journey from the beautiful city of San Cristóbal de Las Casas at "Cafetería Al Grano", and make your way to the enigmatic and beautiful indigenous town of San Juan Chamula, a Maya-Tzotzil community governed by its own customs and traditions. Here,visit the main temple dedicated to San Juan Bautista, a place considered by locals as a mystical and sacred temple where photography is prohibited inside the church. Arrive at the picturesque community of Zinacantán. Here, explore the rich culture and traditions of the community and marvel at their impressive handmade crafts and textiles. From the vibrant market to their colorful homes, Zinacantán is a place that will leave you fascinated and inspire you to discover even more about the richness of Mexican culture. To conclude this adventure, back to San Cristóbal de Las Casas and drop them off at "Cafetería Al Grano" in the city center, in front of the central park, so that you can return to your accommodation on your own to rest and enjoy the unforgettable memories that your mind and heart have created with this wonderful trip.

We begin our tour in Chiapas at 9:30 in the morning, picking you up at your respective Hotel in San Cristóbal, and then taking the San Cristobal highway in the highlands of Chiapas, which is half an hour; visiting first: SAN JUAN CHAMULA CHIAPAS, where we will learn about its history and customs, such as religious syncretism, in which you can see healers healing their people with candles, chickens, eggs and ‘posh’ (regional alcoholic beverage). We will also see their typical Chiapas customs made of sheep wool. The sheep is considered another member of the family, because thanks to its wool they cover themselves from the cold and in gratitude, when the sheep dies, they bury it. Something that is very interesting is that it is a 100% Catholic town, there is no other religion other than Catholic. It is also a town where polygamy is practiced by custom. The language they speak is Tzotzil. In Chiapas, it is one of the most recognized ethnic groups for their deep-rooted customs and how united they are. At the end of our visit in the town of San Juan Chamula, we will move to ZINACANTÁN, another town of the Tzotzil ethnic group, which is located 10 km from the city of San Cristobal de las Casas. The road along which you drive passes through the Labor de Esquipulas, a beautiful example of the rural architecture of the Highlands of Chiapas. Later, bordering the foots of the ‘Huitepec’ hill, where an ecological reserve with trails has been established, to appreciate the flora and fauna of the temperate regions of Chiapas, we will have the opportunity to visit a Zinacanteca family, to see how they make their typical costumes and how they use the backstrap loom technique. We will go to the kitchen to taste some handmade tortillas, made by themselves. There, you can take photos and talk with them to learn a little more about their customs. The sacred spaces are marked by the hills that surround the small valley and the complex formed by the church of San Lorenzo.

Departure at 9.30 am at the reception of your hotel we moved to the indigenous village of San Juan Chamula is a Tzotzil community, distant pre-Hispanic origin that exercises its authority based on the uses and customs. San Juan Bautista, San Pedro, San Sebastian, are the three neighborhoods that make up this ceremonial center, each with its own pantheon presided over by giant crosses featuring Chul Metic (Mother God) and Chul Totic (Father God), there is the seat of authority and the place where religious syncretism gives its maximum expression: the temple of San Juan Bautista, whose deep meaning blends Christian tradition with pre-Hispanic roots. Continuing with the tours we move to the indigenous town of Zinacantan, a Tzotzil town "Place of Bats" where the sacred spaces are marked by the hills that surround the small valley and the complex formed by the church San Lorenzo, of colonial origin but remodeled in the early twentieth century and the chapels of Esquipulas and San Sebastian.

We depart from the front desk of your hotel at 9,30 am and travel to the Tzotzil community of San Juan Chamula, which is 10 kilometers from San Cristóbal de las Casas. originating before the Spanish conquest and basing its exercise of power on usages and customs. The three communities that make up this ceremonial center are San Juan Bautista, San Pedro, and San Sebastián, each having a pantheon ruled over by enormous crosses that depict Chul Metic (God the Mother) and Chul Totic (God the Father). The San Juan Bautista temple, whose deep meaning blends Christian heritage with pre-Hispanic roots, is both the seat of authority and the location where religious syncretism manifests itself to its fullest. Following the tours, we travel to Zinacantan, also known as the "Place of Bats," a Tzotzil town where the sacred spaces are indicated by the hills that surround the small valley and the complex formed by the San Lorenzo church, a colonial structure that was renovated at the turn of the 20th century, as well as the chapels of Esquipulas and San Sebastián.

Experience the enchanting traditions of Chiapas with a private tour to San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. Begin your day exploring San Juan Chamula, where you'll observe captivating rituals and ceremonies in a church shrouded in mystique. Immerse yourself in the spiritual atmosphere as you witness the unique customs of its inhabitants. Later, journey to Zinacantan, a picturesque Tzotzil town nestled amidst breathtaking landscapes. Here, you'll have the opportunity to interact with local families and witness their craftsmanship on the traditional "backstrap loom." Delight your senses with a taste of "Posh," a traditional drink steeped in cultural significance. After a day of cultural exploration, return to San Cristóbal de las Casas, where you'll have the evening to unwind and reflect on your enriching experiences.

Enjoy a unique experience with a tour that includes an exciting excursion to Sumidero Canyon on a shared boat. Admire the impressive wildlife along the river and explore two of the most fascinating indigenous communities in Chiapas: San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán. Afterward, take a transfer to San Cristóbal de las Casas, where the tour ends at your hotel. Start with pickup from your hotel in Tuxtla Gutiérrez or the bus terminal. Travel for 30 minutes to Sumidero Canyon. Take a boat tour along the river with wildlife observation. Next, travel for 1 hour to Zinacantán. Visit a Zinacantec family: observe the waist loom, taste nixtamal tortillas, and visit the church. Travel for 20 minutes to San Juan Chamula. Visit the plaza and the church to learn about local rituals. Finally, travel for 30 minutes to San Cristóbal de las Casas. Drop-off at your hotel in San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Our bicycle tour through the indigenous villages of Chiapas will take you on a captivating journey where history intertwines with natural beauty. From the moment you hop on your bike, you will be transported to a world where the past and present merge in harmonious dance. Pedaling through the vibrant landscapes of Chiapas and visiting Chamula with its enigmatic church, you will marvel at the cultural richness of the indigenous peoples who have inhabited these lands for centuries. You will witness the traditional craftsmanship proudly preserved in the village of Zinacantán and admire the colorful garments that tell stories of ancient traditions. Our team of expert guides, passionate and knowledgeable about the region, will accompany you on this fascinating journey, sharing with you their vast knowledge of the history, culture, and traditions of the indigenous peoples of Chiapas. They will lead you to the most authentic and less explored corners, where you can interact with local communities, enjoy a delicious snack with freshly made tortillas, and listen firsthand to their stories full of ancestral wisdom.

Learn about the indigenous communities of the state of Chiapas on a 5-hour cultural tour of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. A local guide will explain the history of the region, famous for its blend of Mayan beliefs and Catholicism. Go to the Church of San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist) to admire the beautiful façade and peek inside at the arrangement of altars, where the Catholic saints are dressed according to indigenous customs. Learn about the native people and their traditions, and how ancient Mayan beliefs intertwine with modern day Catholic practices. Continue to Zinacantan, near San Cristobal de las Casas, and visit the Church of San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence). Watch the laborious handicrafts of the weaver women, who, with a loom at their waists, produce magnificent textile pieces, including tablecloths, bedspreads, cushion covers and traditional huipiles (ponchos).