Ocosingo
Ocosingo is located on Highway 199 between San Cristóbal de las Casas (2 hours drive) and Palenque (3 hours drive). It is in a high valley with an altitude of about 1,000 meters (3,000 ft) between the higher pine and oak forests and the lower jungles. Crafts of this region include textiles, basketry, pottery and the production of wooden furniture and carved wood items.
Only a few kilometers outside of town lie the archaeological ruins of Toniná, an impressive site perched above and commanding a wide view of the valley. (see Archaeological Sites of Chiapas)
- Rancho Esmeralda - Just north of the square, Ocosingo. Rooms, restaurant, gardens. Fax (919) 673-0711. Email for info and reservations
- Hotel Tierra Maya - 2a Oriente Nte. No. 12, Ocosingo. Cafeteria, tv room. Tel. (919) 673-0917. Email for info and reservations
Puerto Arista, Boca del Cielo and Paredón
About 17 kms from Tonalá between Mar Muerto and Laguna La Joya is the Pacific coast area considered by many to hold the best of the Chiapas beaches. The Boca del Cielo sand bar is 34 kms in length with fine, white sand, and both the small town of Boca del Cielo and larger port and fishing town of Puerto Arista offer a range of watersports, regional restaurants and crafts. Boat tours are available into the La Joya lagoon for nature and birdwatching expeditions. Care should be taken on the open-ocean beaches facing the Pacific. Paredón, a neigboring village to the northwest, 13 kms out of Tonalá on Mar Muerto, a large protected by protected by sand bars, is excellent for safe swimming and watersports in its calm waters. (See Surfing in Chiapas)
Lodging in Puerto Arista
- Arista Bugambilias Hotel - 25 rooms on Blvd. Zapatal on the beach, with pool and garden. Tel. (994) 600-9044
- Hotel Lucerito - 24 rooms, located just off the beach on Av. M. Matamoros 800. A/C, pool. Tel. (994) 600-9042
- Safari Hotel - 7 rooms on Zapotal and the beach. Tel. (994) 600-9035
- Hotel Lizet - 20 rooms near the lighthouse. Tel. (994) 600-9038
Puerto Madero
Half an hour from Tapachula is Chiapas´ largest port servicing points south. An International sportfishing tournament is held here yearly. There are several beaches and recreational spots in the area, including a number of surfing breaks (for info in the Surfing Chiapas page)
- La Escollera - Close to Tapachula, at this beach watersports and waterfront seafood restaurants are available.
- Barra Cahoacan - About 1/2 an hour from Tapachula, Barra Cahoacan is located at the far end of the Playa Linda residential area and offers enramadas serving fresh seafood.
- Brisas del Hueyate - Near Huixtla, about 1 hour's drive northwest of Tapachula. Low wetlands with plenty of opportunities for birders to enjoy the local waterbirds.
- Barra San José - Ecological area about 1 hour out of Tapachula, accessible via Mazatán (27 km from town along a dirt road) offering cabins, boat tours of the lagoon for birdwatching, watersports and fishing. There are several shrimp and tilapia farms in the area, and of course restaurants offering these along with a variety of other fresh seafood.
San Andres Larrainzar
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Accessible over fairly narrow and winding but paved road through the mountains some 20 kms northwest of San Cristobal de las Casas is the village of San Andres Larrainzar, a Tzotzic Mayan community whose women hold with a great weaving tradition and history, creating some of the finest and most beautiful weavings of the area. The village itself is small and surrounded by lush green cornfields and roadsides dotted with sheep. The weaving designs of Larrainzar are some of the most elaborate and the village weavers are very influential in reviving the techniques of Chiapanecan brocade.
San Juan Chamula
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San Juan Chamula is a small town 10 kilometers from San Cristóbal de las Casas to the northwest . Of particular note here is the church, known for the melding of traditional and Catholic beliefs and rites. It is strictly prohibited to take photos inside of the church, and many of the townspeople will also take exception to photos taken of them or their surroundings without first being asked permission. On market day in particular (Sunday) the town is alive with color from the traditional woven and embroidered costumes and handicrafts produced by the Tzotzil Maya indians of the area. Take a visit to the ruins of the San Sebastian Church and graveyard just outside of town. Economic activities of the area include the cultivation of vegetables, cut flowers and corn.
Tapachula
Tapachula is only a few kilometers from the border of Guatemala and 20 kms from the coast and port town of Puerto Madero as well as a number of beaches that have received good surfing reports (see Surfing in Chiapas). Inland along the border are the Izapa archaeological ruins (see Chiapas Archaeological Sites) and the small villages of Santo Domingo and Unión Juarez, from whence splendid views of the Tacaná Volcano are to be had (see Chiapas Nature Reserves).
Soconusco Archaeological Museum
Next to the Old National Palace on the main square of Tapachula, this museum offers excellent exhibits of regional artifacts. Hours 11 am to 6 pm daily except Mondays.
Lodging and Rentals in Tapachula
- Hotel Fenix - 4ª Av. Norte No. 19, Tapachula. Restaurant/bar, parking, Internet, a/c, TV. Tel. (962) 625-0755. Email for info and reservations
- Loma Real Travelodge - Carr. Costera 200 Km. 244, Tapachula. Views, rooms, suites, bungalows, restaurant/bar, pool, gym, tennis, parking. Tel: (962) 626-1440 to 48. Email for info and reservations
- Hotel San Francisco - Ave. Central Sur 94, Tapachula. TV, a/c, phone, restaurant/bar, pool, parking. Tel. (962) 625-7777
- Hotel Kamico - Prol. Central Oriente s/n, Tapachula. Tel. (962) 626-2640.
Tonalá
Tonalá is one of the oldest settlements on the Chiapas coast and was the scene of the only battle for independence that took place in this state. Of note is its Church of San Francis of Assisi, built in 1794. Some ruins of the Olmec culture are to be found nearby, but visitors to this area come more to enjoy some of the best beaches of the Chiapanecan coast at Paredón, Puerto Arista and Boca del Cielo
