TUXTLA GUTIERREZ
Though it is one of the country's most impoverished regions, the southern most state of Chiapas is rich in ways that cannot be quantified in monetary terms. It is rich in cultural, ethnic and wildlife diversity. The state capital, Tuxtla Gutierrez, is the center of a thriving coffee-growing region and home of Mexico's famed Marimba music. Another site worth visiting is Sumidero Canyon. Boating trips take sightseers the length of the 26-mile-ling canyon. Which drops 6,000 feet from its mountain peak, past unspoiled jungle teaming with wildlife.
SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS
This city is a characteristically indigenous Chiapaneca town nestled in the heart of the state's jungle highlands, at 7200-foot elevation. Currently the only way to reach San Cristobal is vial a 2 hr. from Tuxtla., in route, the tropical heat and plant life prevalent in Tuxtla gradually gives away to the nippy mountain air and pine forests that surround San Cristobal, where days are sunny and warm and nights chilly, or even cold when it rains. Amber, the translucent stone derived from fossilized coniferous resin, is plentiful in the region, and attractive shops in town display creative jewelry fashioned out of silver and the ancient rock.
The town of San Juan Chamula is located only 8 miles north of San Cristobal. A small collection of stands near the town square has interesting samples of coarse woolen jackets and cotton tops. But the town's main attraction is its church, where the Chamula practice an intriguing blend of Christianity and paganism.
Another of Chiapas well-known indigenous groups are the Lacandon Indians. Living deep in the chiapas rain forest, the Lacandon have resisted the changes of the 20th century more successfully than probably any other indigenous group in North America. Today there are only about 600 Lacandon left and they maintain a symbolic presence in San Cristobal through "Na-Bolon Museum" library, research center and now guest house. "Na-Bolon" a playful corruption of the couple's surnames, means "House of the Tiger".
PALENQUE "Palenque is one of the world's most significant and beautiful archealogical sites in Chiapas state. From 500 to 800 A.D. Palenque was a major power in the Maya world. Today the site remains shrouded in the mist of a tropical jungle. Dominating the site is the "Temple of the Inscriptions", so named because of the wall of hieroglyphics at its summit. In 1952 Mexican archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhuillier investigated some holes in a slab of the temple floor and discovered a stairway, then filled with rubble, leading to the tomb of a ruler since identified as Lord Pacal. He ruled from 615-653 A.D. The lid of his sarcophagus is a work of art and is on view in the tomb.
VILLAHERMOSA Villa hermosa, the State Capital, is 170 miles from Coatzacoalcos on an excellent highway, and 531 miles south east of Mexico City. With the increasing importance of the area's petroleum, it's rapidly becoming a thriving metropolis. Villa hermosa takes advantage of the Grijalva River for much of its trade, especially with the interior of the state. Within the city there are numerous points of interest. The immense Research Center for "Olmec and Maya Cultures" includes a museum of native costumes, library, class rooms, The State Theater, Restaurants and Carlos Pellicer Museum, with a fairly impressive collection of archaeological pieces representing the State's important Gulf Coast cultures.
PUEBLA "Puebla's long history as a pottery center began before the Spaniards arrived". Puebla was settled after the conquest as a Spanish stronghold between the coast and Mexico City. Three Centuries later a Mexico City force of 2000 men defeated 6000 French troops in the famous battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. This is the origin of the "Cinco de Mayo Holiday", and reason behind that street name being found throughout Mexico.
SAN LUIS POTOSI The state of SAn Luis Potosi is the home of part of the scenic "Huasteca Potosina". During the 16th Century, San Luis Potosi was the third largest province in new Spain. Its superb climate, interesting buildings and cultural institutions make it one of the country's most pleasant cities.
Day 1
SAN ANTONIO, TX-SAN LUIS POTOSI Day 2
SAN LUIS POTOSI-PUEBLA Day 3
PUEBLA Day 4
PUEBLA-VILLAHERMOSA Day 5
VILLAHERMOSA Day 6
VILLAHERMOSA-PALENQUE Day 7
PALENQUE-SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS Day 8
SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS Day 9
SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS Day 10
TUXTLA GUTIERREZ-VILLAHERMOSA Day 11
VILLAHERMOSA-CATEMACO Day 12
CATEMACO-TIAXCALA Day 13
TIAXCALA-SAN LUIS POTOSI Day 14
SAN LUIS POTOSI-SAN ANTONIO For up-to-date information on crossing the border, visit
www.VisitMexico.com.