Airport - San Cristobal and Indigenous Peoples

Itinerary

Explore Mayan Culture in the Highlands of Chiapas

Discover the deep essence of the Highlands of Chiapas in a Private Experience designed for those seeking authenticity and cultural connection. Embark on an exclusive journey to San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán, two of the most representative indigenous towns in the region, where Mayan traditions continue to thrive and are part of everyday life. Throughout this journey, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in their ancestral customs, understand their worldview, and appreciate the cultural richness that defines these communities.

This private tour offers a close and enriching experience, ideal for exploring at a leisurely pace, interacting respectfully with local communities, and gaining a genuine insight into their way of life. An invitation to discover, learn, and connect with one of the most fascinating cultural heritages in Mexico.

Dear Travelers:

From your arrival at the airport, we will provide personalized attention to learn about the traditions, customs, and cultural expressions that make this region unique. It is recommended to arrive before 9:00 am, and we will travel towards San Cristóbal de las Casas. On the way, we will stop to enjoy a delicious breakfast (not included) before heading to San Juan Chamula.

Visit to the San Sebastián Pantheon

We will start the tour at the San Sebastián pantheon, a place where tsotsil families who have left this life rest. There we will learn about the customs observed every November 1st, Day of the Dead, a date of great cultural and spiritual significance in the Highlands of Chiapas, dedicated to the loved ones of many indigenous families.

Local Market and Main Church

Afterward, we will walk to the main square. If the visit coincides with a weekend, especially Sundays (or Fridays during the carnival season), we will find the local market, where we can observe a wide variety of authentic regional products such as vegetables, native fruits, seeds, medicinal plants, and natural tools used in textile production. During this visit, you will also have the opportunity to taste bean tamales and sour atole, which are very representative of the Day of the Dead season.

At the end of the market tour, we will head to the main church, where you can closely observe prayers, kneeling families, offerings, and the great variety of candles and lights present in the place. The atmosphere is distinguished by the pleasant aroma of copal and pine leaves.

Contribute to the Community

At the end of the visit to the church, we will walk back to the pantheon to board our vehicle. On the way, you will have the opportunity to purchase products or handicrafts that catch your attention, thus contributing to the community's economy.

Discover Zinacantán

Onboard our vehicle, we will head to our next destination: Zinacantán, a charming tsotsil town famous for its economic activity based on floriculture, where most families are dedicated to cultivating various species of flowers.

Visit Nich Chiapas

We will visit the facilities of Nich Chiapas, a space dedicated to preserving traditional textile-making techniques and processes. Here, men and women artisans from Zinacantán create unique, colorful garments and pieces that reflect the cultural richness of the region through the use of ancestral techniques.

During the visit, we will take a guided tour where we will learn about the production process, as well as the techniques and natural materials they use, including dyes and soaps. At the end, you will enjoy a tasting of the traditional beverage of the Highlands of Chiapas, known as posh, in its different presentations and flavors. We invite you to purchase textile products and drinks, thus directly contributing to the economy of the families in the community.

Tasting Typical Dishes

At the end of our tour at Nich Chiapas, we will move to another home, where we will be welcomed with a tasting of typical dishes from the community (a tip is suggested as a token of appreciation).

Like many other families, in addition to floriculture, they also dedicate themselves to making traditional garments, using techniques that have been preserved over generations.

Church of San Lorenzo Mártir

Afterwards, we will continue to the church of San Lorenzo Mártir, founded in 1582. Inside, the space is adorned with various species of flowers, creating an environment of great experiential, spiritual, and cultural value.

End of the Experience

Finally, we will bid farewell to the community and begin our return to San Cristóbal de Las Casas, carrying with us unforgettable moments and authentic experiences from the indigenous towns. The experience will conclude upon arriving at your hotel or Airbnb. End of our services.