Sumidero Canyon, Chiapas, Mexico

About Sumidero Canyon

A few miles east of Tuxtla Gutierrez is the spectacular Cañon Sumidero, (Sumidero Canyon) created by the mighty Rio Grijalva which runs northwards through it.

Before the completion of the dam here, the canyon's walls were even higher than they are now: then the waters running through it were not navigable; even for the most skilled boatmen.

Once the river was dammed, the water levels rose dramatically, creating an extremely deep and by comparison, serene river which tour boats and taxi boats navigate with ease. The Chicoasen hydroelectric dam, opened in 1981, is today one of Mexico's most important sources of electric power.

Travel to one of the Miradores (vantage points) if you want to get a bird's-eye view of the canyon; but if you really want to experience it properly, take a boat ride. The most common embarkation point is at Chiapa de Corzo, a short drive from Tuxtla Gutierrez.

The 2-3 hour round trip on the boat will take you on a spectacular journey through the canyon, with some of the walls towering 2,500 feet above you. The wildlife on display is spectacular, and your boat may take you on a tour past one or two caves in the area.

A new Ecological Park has been opened inside the canyon. The only way to get to the park is to take a boat there. The park offers a range of activity-based eco-attractions including the opportunity to visit the wildlife sanctuary, see local flora and fauna as well as a number of physical and sporting activities such as kayaking, mountain biking, abseiling, zip-line, swimming and more. See Key Attractions for full details and photo gallery.

The Sumidero Canyon is a truly spectacular experience which should not be missed when you are traveling in this area.

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Key Attractions

The River Tour

The river journey begins near Chiapa de Corzo at the Cauhuare embarkation point. Depending on the time of year (school vacation times are busier) you may have to line up to wait for a boat, or you may have to wait around for a short while until enough people arrive to fill up a boat at quieter times. In either case, the wait is never too long. You should buy your tickets from the counter near the entrance before proceeding to the pier. The boats operate in daylight hours, with the first boat leaving around 8am and the last around 4:30pm.

You should consider a visit to the Ecological Park (see below) - be sure to let the boatman know if you want to disembark there; although a stop is almost certain these days, as the park's attractions become better known and word spreads about it.

The boat ride could take as long as three hours, so if you are not planning a stop at the Ecological Park, take plenty of drinking water. Also take sun screen and a hat if it's hot (insect repellent may also be useful).

The distance from Chiapa de Corzo to the hydroelectric dam is around 35km (23 miles). As you progress through the canyon, you'll start to see the walls towering above you: at their highest point, from the surface of the water you will look up at walls a staggering 800m (2,640 feet) high.

There are some caves and interesting rock formations that the boatmen will highlight on the trip. One of the most interesting is the "Christmas Tree", which is actually created by moss hanging on one of the rock faces. If you visit during the rainy season, you will be able to see how the water trickles down the 'branches' of the tree!

There's plenty of wildlife, both flora and fauna, to admire during the trip. Herons, vultures, egrets, kingfishers and perhaps a few crocodiles which also live on the river!

The river opens out at the end of the journey, just before the dam. The boat will take up you to the closest point allowed by the floating barriers and turn around. It is here where the river is deepest: the water underneath you reaches a depths of over 260m (860 feet).

On the way back, the boat will stop at the Ecological Park (see below) to drop off any passengers spending the day there and to pick up people returning to Chiapa de Corzo.

Bring your camera. Although it's hard to capture the sheer enormity of the canyon in still pictures from the water's surface, some people bring video cameras to try and capture the perspective. To really enjoy this natural wonder, you simply have to be there and experience it in person.

See the Sumidero Canyon Photo Gallery on Mexperience

Canyon Sumidero Ecological Park

One of the most exciting developments from a visitor's viewpoint in this area is the inauguration of the Canyon Sumidero Ecological Park.

Opened on April 8th, 2003, this park is intended to create a learning space where people can gain knowledge about the local culture and wildlife, interact with it in a responsible way, and provide a really enjoyable day out in a safe natural environment surrounded by fantastic scenery.

As you arrive at the Ecological Park, you cross a wooden bridge that leads you through the park's entranceway to the registration area.

Once registered, you can leave your belongings in a locker. There are dry activities for which you'll need a strong pair of shoes or boots and comfortable clothing; and wet activities for which you'll require your swimming gear.

Activities & Interests Include:

• Kayaking
• Abseiling
• Mountain Biking
• Zip-Line
• Swimming
• Bird Sanctuary
• Animal Sanctuary

The park has an excellent restaurant, a gift shop and areas to just sit, relax and enjoy the natural environment, including easy chairs and hammocks.

The entrance fees are used for the upkeep of the park and sanctuaries, and to provide further investment for future eco projects. Prices range from US$16 to US$40 per person, depending on what you want included. Lockers & Towels can be rented for a small fee if they are not included in your package. The website details the price options available under the heading "useful info". See the Sumidero Eco Park Photo Gallery on Mexperience

You can also visit the Ecological Park's Website: www.sumidero.com

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Getting There & Around

Getting There

Sumidero Canyon is near Tuxtla Gutierrez; the most popular and best embarkation point is nearby Chiapa de Corzo. The only way to get to the Eco Park is to take a boat ride from Chiapa de Corzo - the boat will drop you off at the park en route through the canyon and pick you up when you're ready to return.

Getting To Tuxtla Gutierrez

By Air - You can get to and from Tuxtla Gutierrez from Mexico City, Oaxaca, Villahermosa, Veracruz, Merida and Cancun using the main airport (Francisco Sarabia / Teran).  There is a smaller airport, only used in the summer as it's high up in the hills and gets fog-bound in the winter.

Connect to the Mexperience Travel Center for Airlines

By Bus - Regular long distance buses make the journey from Mexico City to Tuxtla Gutierrez daily; the journey takes 15 hours.   Regional buses travel daily and frequently from Villahermosa, Campeche, Merida and Cancun to and from Tuxtla Gutierrez.

See the Mexperience Travel Center for National Busses

By Car - There are now fast roads connecting Chiapas' capital city to Merida, Cancun, Oaxaca, Mexico City. The drive is a long one from Mexico City, but you'll be rewarded by some stunning scenery. Most people tend to fly to the region and rent a car locally, which is more sensible unless you have a specific reason for driving to Chiapas. See additional information about Driving in Mexico and Mexico's Toll Roads on Mexperience.

Getting To Chiapa de Corzo / Embarkation Point

From the Airport - The main airport is about 5 miles south of Tuxtla Gutierrez, and Chiapa de Corzo is about 11km (5 miles) from there. Taxis are available into town and will also take you directly to Chiapa de Corzo if you are using it as your base. Car rental desks are situated in the main exit area of the airport; book your rental car in advance for better rates (see Rent a Car, below).

Local Buses - Local buses make the trip regularly from Tuxtla Gutierrez to Chiapa de Corzo and are very inexpensive

Taxis - Local taxis are widely available and will take you the 11km road trip to Chiapa de Corzo; agree your price before you get in; prices are reasonable. If you speak Spanish, you will have a distinct advantage and be able to negotiate a better price. Another good reason to Learn Spanish in Mexico!

Rent a Car - If you want to see all of the amazing scenery which resides within a 20-60 mile radius of Tuxtla Gutierrez, including San Cristobal and the local villages around it, there's no better way to achieve this than to rent a car locally. Book your rental car in advance to get better rates.

See the Mexperience Travel Center for Car Rental in Tuxtla Gutierrez / San Cristobal

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Guided Tours and Excursions

A number of local tour operators sell pre-packaged tours that include Chiapa de Corzo, The Sumidero Canyon and the Ecological Park (the latter as an optional extra). Local Travel Agents in Tuxtla Gutierrez and San Cristobal can arrange these trips; or alternatively you can travel independently.

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Practical Information

Telephone: Connect to the Communications in Mexico Page on Mexperience for full information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialing codes.

Exchanging Currency: Banks with ATM machines can be found in Tuxtla Gutierrez and Chiapa de Corzo; there are no currency ATM services at the Ecological Park. Read about currency exchange in Mexperience's Money Section. Be sure to carry sufficient cash to cover the cost of buying things from people and places unlikely to accept cards or traveler's cheques.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical cover and/or travel assistance cover when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Internet Access: Internet cafes are commonplace in nearby Tuxtla Gutierrez - new ones open and old ones close all the time - but you won't have to look too hard to find one downtown.

Local Tourist Office: Connect to the Mexperience Travel Center for details of the nearest Tourist Information office in Tuxtla Gutierrez.

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Accommodation

• Find a Hotel in Tuxtla Gutierrez

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Restaurants

• Restaurants in Tuxtla Gutierrez

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When Night Falls

The Sumidero Canyon is a daylight hours destination. There are no boats here running at night, and the Eco Park closes with the last boats leaving around 5pm to take visitors back to Chiapa de Corzo. For nightlife, visit nearby Tuxtla Gutierrez

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What to Buy in Sumidero Canyon

Souvenirs are available at the embarkation point and there is a fine souvenir and clothing shop at the Eco Park inside the canyon (see Key Attractions).

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Local Climate

The high altitude and mountainous terrain make the climate in this area very varied. It can get quite warm in the summer and cold in the winter. Rains can come at any time, but you will also need to pack protective cream and a hat to guard against the sun here. When you pack for Chiapas, pack clothes for all weathers; in the winter months you will need to ensure you pack a stock of warm and waterproof clothes.

Live Weather Report: (Tuxtla Gutierrez)

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