Archaeology handicrafts and science and technology sites to visit Yucatán Peninsula

Around 1524 Captain Luis Marin tried to conquer the mountainous region of Northern Chiapas. The natives drove the Spaniards who withdrew without establishing any colony. Four years later, Diego de Mazariegos «pacifia» the region. The battle of Tepetchia remained notorious: instead of going to the Spanish, the Indians chiapanecos préférèrent in the canyon del Sumidero.

It is here, a few kilometres from Tuxtla, that Mexico built the second or third largest dam in the world, on the Río Río in Chicoasen. Result: . has been flooded with. and., and has been flooded with.

The best way to see Sumidero is undoubtedly the boat. On the Río Río or Grande de Chiapas, numerous excursions depart from Corzo de Corzo wharf. The excursion lasts two hours round-trip (from to). Like the lost world of Conan Doyle, cliffs with bare faces rise almost 1 000 m above the river. At the end of the circuit, the lake reaches 265 m deep. The guides make several stops to point out, here, the cliff covered with an impressive cascade of foam reminiscent of the shape of a Christmas tree, there, the rock from which a chiapa tribe preferred to throw itself rather than to the Spaniards.

To get there: From Tuxtla, buses, and especially colectivos, serve Chiapa all day long. From San Cristóbal, the second-class buses of the Tuxtla company stop near the central square of Chiapa. Please be aware that it is possible to go back to the day since San Cristóbal. Early enough, it is possible to visit the Canyon del Sumidero and the few curiosities of Tuxtla Gutierrez in the same day. Also excursions organized from San Cristóbal with the Otisa agency.

It is one of Mexico's largest protected areas with 652 000 hectares, consisting of tropical rainforests, lagoons (110 km of coral barrier), marine lagoons and freshwater streams. The reserve is a sanctuary of migratory birds (pink flamingos, blue, blue, crested…) of which more than 300 species have been recorded, but also a true paradise for terrestrial fauna with 103 species of mammals (ocelots, monkeys, pumas, jaguars, tigrillos, agoutis, roseate, gris foxes, fourmilliers, pécaris, tapirs, etc.) which are among the Mayan ruins (27 archaeological sites). The lagoon, for its part, houses many aquatic species, including two species of tropical crocodiles. The lagoon is rich in lobster (important local resources), tropical fish, and 4 species of marine turtles come to lay on the sand. To protect this Eden against mass invasion of tourists, entry to the reserve is controlled. Those interested in the visit must contact an agency (Visit Sian Ka'an, Ciesak or Sian Ka'an tour).