Sumidero Canyon

"A breathtaking canyon with dramatic cliffs and rich biodiversity. You can take a boat tour to experience its stunning views and the wildlife that inhabits the area. The crossing of the canyon that holds the Grijalva river is one of the most spectacular in Mexico. In it’s almost vertical walls, varied caves can be found, like the Cave of colors, and waterfalls like the Christmas tree fall. There is an abundance of birds and monkeys, crocodiles can be observed on the river bed. The length of the canyon from the bridge to the Chicoasén dam is 32 km and it’s width varies from 20 to 200 mts. In it’s highest spot it reaches 1000 mts above sea level. Located in the state of Chiapas and traced through the years by the Grijalva River’s flow, the features of this landscape have allowed the development of a diverse and abundant natural life which led to it being declared National Park. Amongst the main characteristics of this place we can mention the diverse vegetation which varies according to the altitude within the canyon, so, during a crossing anything can be spotted from tropical bromeliads to pine and oak trees. Due to the gently inclined slopes, the decreased sunlight in the canyon’s interior and the high humidity conditions, middle and high jungle has developed in the area, where there is a predominance of ceiba, elephant ear, montezuma pine and breadnut trees. Surrounding the rivulets and springs we can see the presence of plants with low soil but high water requirements like the begonia, ferns and mosses. It’s important to keep in mind that this is one of the last habitats for species in danger of extinction like the great curassow, spider monkey and the river crocodile, and other threatened species like the jaguarundi, the ocelot, the spotted paca, white tail deer, central american red brocket, anteater and the king vulture. Other findings within the canyon include ancient cave painting, archeological ruins and some evidence of pre-hispanic human habitation of the caves at the entrance of the canyon. All these attractions added to the many others waiting to be discovered, the Sumidero Canyon is an interesting option for nature adventure lovers. At the end of the journey we come face to face with one of the most impressive engineering projects in Mexico, the Chicoasen dam, which is the most important hydroelectric plant and source of electricity in the country. Travel tips for visiting the Sumidero Canyon Tuxtla Gutierrez is a city with all tourist services and can be the starting point for visiting the Canyon. Although, if you are more inclined to a more peaceful and colonial atmosphere, we recommend starting your journey from the town of Chiapa de Corzo. Chiapa de Corzo boasts of it’s own tourist attractions, like the moorish fountain at it’s center which has become the city’s symbol, the Santo Domingo temple, the Laca museum and the Calvario Temple. Activities at the Sumidero Canyon Boat Ride Visiting the lookout points Visit to the dam Visit the Sumidero canyon’s eco-touristic park The motorboat rides are ideal for appreciating the canyon as a whole, but in order to appreciate the little details that make up the canyon’s magic, we suggest a row boat ride to begin ideally between 7 and 10 in the morning. If you would prefer a journey out of the water, you can visit any of the five lookout points which offer a unique panoramic view. You can rent a car and drive yourself or hire from one of the local tour agencies available. "

"Este imponente cañón, esculpido por el río Grijalva a lo largo de millones de años, cautiva a los visitantes con su belleza y majestuosidad. Con paredes rocosas que se alzan hasta 1,000 metros de altura, el Cañón del Sumidero ofrece un paisaje impresionante que te dejará sin aliento. Un paseo en lancha por el río Grijalva es la mejor manera de explorar este magnífico cañón. Mientras navegas por sus aguas serpenteantes, te maravillarás con la grandiosidad de las paredes rocosas que se alzan a tu alrededor. En el camino, podrás observar numerosas formaciones geológicas, como cuevas, cascadas y pequeñas playas fluviales, que agregan aún más encanto al paisaje. Además de su impresionante belleza natural, el Cañón del Sumidero también alberga una rica biodiversidad. Aquí, podrás avistar una gran variedad de especies, incluyendo cocodrilos, monos araña, garzas y águilas, entre otros. Los amantes de la naturaleza encontrarán en este lugar un verdadero paraíso, con una flora y fauna fascinante que habita en los alrededores del cañón. El Cañón del Sumidero es mucho más que una simple atracción turística, es un testimonio de la grandeza de la naturaleza y un recordatorio de la vasta historia geológica de la región. Es un lugar que te invita a conectarte con la belleza del mundo natural y a apreciar la imponente fuerza que ha dado forma a este espectacular paisaje. Sin duda, una visita al Cañón del Sumidero será una experiencia inolvidable llena de admiración y asombro."

"Sumidero Canyon was so surprisingly fun. I knew it would be interesting, but it turned out to be far better than expected! We chose to do the full tour, which included stopping at different viewpoints and admiring the canyon from above. While this was cool and a good opportunity for photos, it did add around 3 extra hours and a lot of driving. The drive is through very curvy roads as well, so you may want to avoid this leg of the journey if you tend to get carsick. The best part of it was certainly the canyon tour by boat. The immensity of the canyon can only be felt when you’re there on the water, and it’s incredible. One thing i loved is that after you get on the boat the driver takes you over to another boat in the river that sells beers and snacks. We bought a few beers and some spicy jicama which made the boat ride more comfortable. From the boat we marveled at the canyon and saw spider monkeys and crocodiles. It was amazing! Afterwards our tour stopped in a town nearby for a late lunch before heading back to San Cristobal. It was a full 6 hour trip for about 300 pesos each. Another surprisingly cheap tour that was so fun and totally worth it!"