Zinacantán, San Juan Chamula and San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Itinerary

Discover the Cultural Wealth of Chiapas: Zinacantán and San Juan Chamula - Departing from Tuxtla Gutiérrez.

Point of departure: Tuxtla Gutiérrez.

Departure time: 8:00 am from the hotel reception.

Final destination: City of Tuxtla Gutiérrez.

Our cultural journey begins at 8:00 am at the hotel reception in Tuxtla Gutiérrez. From here, we will head to San Juan Chamula, a Tzotzil community located 10 kilometers from San Cristóbal de las Casas. This place has its roots in the pre-Hispanic era and still exercises its authority according to ancestral customs and traditions. The community is divided into three main neighborhoods "San Juan Bautista," "San Pedro," and "San Sebastián." Each of these neighborhoods has its own cemetery presided over by imposing crosses that represent Chul Metic (Mother God) and Chul Totic (Father God). The highlight of our visit will be the San Juan Bautista temple, a place where syncretic religion combines Christian elements with its ancient pre-Hispanic beliefs.

After exploring San Juan Chamula, we will head to Zinacantán, known as "Place of Bats." This Tzotzil town is nestled in a small valley surrounded by hills, and is distinguished by its church, San Lorenzo, which has its roots in the colonial era, although it was remodeled in the early 20th century. We will also visit the chapels of Esquipulas and San Sebastián, which are part of this architecturally significant cultural ensemble.

At the conclusion of our visits, we will return to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, marking the end of our services. However, you have the option to end in San Cristóbal, Chiapas, if you prefer.

Recommendations:

• Wear comfortable walking shoes, jeans, and a long-sleeved shirt. 
• A hat or cap will also be useful for sun protection.
• Keep in mind that (photography is NOT allowed inside the San Juan Chamula church).
• For your purchases, make sure to bring cash, as there are no ATMs available.