Highland charm, jungle waterfalls & the wonders of the Maya
When to go
November-April
Trip length
7 days / 6 nights
Typical investmentPrice
from $2,500 pp
Journey into Mexico’s green south, where cool highland streets give way to lush rainforest and extraordinary Maya cities. Begin in San Cristóbal de las Casas, exploring historic churches, lively markets, and beautiful textiles. Cruise beneath the towering cliffs of Sumidero Canyon, then return for a romantic evening of Chiapas cuisine. Head into the lowlands to discover Palenque’s ancient temples and plazas with your private guide. Explore jungle waterfalls and the vivid murals of Bonampak, with the option to venture farther to Yaxchilán by river. Between adventures, enjoy time to wander, unwind, and listen to the sounds of the forest.
Along the way
Visit remote Maya sites beyond the well-known ruins
Navigate the sheer limestone walls of Sumidero Canyon by boat
Swim beneath jungle waterfalls at Roberto Barrios
Explore Palenque's temples early, surrounded by rainforest
Your route
Highland streets & canyon walls
Arrive in Tuxtla Gutiérrez and journey into the cool highlands of San Cristóbal de las Casas. Check into your boutique hotel near the historic center and spend the afternoon settling in. Wander nearby streets and plazas, pause in a café, or simply relax after your travels.
Head out by boat on the Grijalva River, cruising beneath the towering limestone cliffs of Sumidero Canyon. Watch for crocodiles, monkeys, and birds along the banks as you take in the dramatic scenery. Return to San Cristóbal in the afternoon. Tonight, a table awaits for a romantic dinner featuring the flavors of Chiapas.
Explore San Cristóbal with your guide, wandering through historic streets, colonial churches, local markets, and everyday neighborhoods. Spend the afternoon discovering beautiful textiles, browsing galleries, or lingering in a quiet café as the town goes about its day.
Jungle ruins & hidden waters
Travel overland from San Cristóbal to Palenque, trading cool highland air for the warmth of the lowland rainforest. Palms and ceiba trees fill the landscape as you approach your retreat. Check in and spend the afternoon unwinding, surrounded by lush green views and the sounds of the forest.
Set out early with your private guide to explore Palenque, where extraordinary Maya temples and plazas stand against a lush jungle backdrop. Discover how architecture, astronomy, and the surrounding landscape shaped this ancient city. Return to your retreat for an afternoon at leisure, perhaps taking a short nature walk or simply relaxing as you listen to the forest around you.
Venture into the forest to discover the stepped waterfalls of Roberto Barrios. Enjoy time on jungle paths and swim in clear pools before continuing to Bonampak to admire its vividly painted Maya murals. For those wishing to explore farther, an optional upgrade to Yaxchilán includes a boat journey along the Usumacinta River to temples deep in the jungle.
After breakfast, bid farewell to highland streets and jungle temples, and transfer to the airport in Palenque or Villahermosa for your onward travels.
Let's discover your next adventure
Our top picks
Every room key is a miniature original artwork by a local artist, and the paintings displayed throughout the hotel are for sale, turning the stay itself into a working gallery of Chiapas art. It is a very small property with no pool, and rooms facing the adjacent street can pick up some traffic noise.
The design concept is built around the four classical elements, earth, wind, water, and fire, expressed through Chiapanecan textiles, Venetian mosaics, and travertine marble. There is no shared pool on-site, only select suites have private plunge pools, and a few guests note soundproofing in the older rooms.
The Presidential Suite is a freestanding bungalow topped with a genuine pyramid roof carved with Mayan sculptures, and the property's general manager is a recognized epigraphist specializing in Mayan glyph decipherment. It is a very small, seven-suite property, some reviewers note mosquitoes despite jungle-aware landscaping, and dining options outside the hotel are limited in this location.
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Let’s start planning
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