The tours described on these pages are popular and are guided in any of several languages, including French, Italian, German, English and Spanish. Felipe Flores Tours and Travel is happy to respond to requests for other, specially designed tours. We have access to excellent tour guides and drivers.

Airport transportation and private driver service to desired destinations can also be arranged.

CITY TOUR of San Cristobal de Las Casas. Includes the central historical district with the main park/zocalo, Cathedral, Law School and other buildings rich in colonial architecture; La Casa de las Artesanias, Casa de Cultura and the Arco del Carmen. The tour visits several barrios, each having a specialized craft: ceramics in Barrio de San Ramon, candles in Barrio de Guadalupe, wrought iron in Barrio de el Cerrillo. At the Church of Guadalupe, a panoramic view of the city can be seen. The final portion of the tour features visits to the central market and Santo Domingo Church. 3 to 4 hours.

SAN JUAN CHAMULA AND ZINACANTAN. Starting in Chamula, only 10 km. from San Cristobal, the first stop is at the ancient and interesting cemetary located next to the original church which burned some years ago. A short walking distance away is the town center where the unique and world famous church which serves the entire municipality of 80,000 people is located. Here may be observed the different rituals and ceremonies, including those involving a shaman (an indigenous doctor) that have been followed by the Mayans and their descendants for 2,000 years. Sunday is Chamula's major market day. In the village of Zinacantan, only 4 km. from Chamula, a visit will be made to the principal church where the religious authorities may be found in session. A visit is also made to a family home to learn abut the Zinacantecans' life style. At the small indignenous museum, an interesting and lovely exhibit of ceremonial clothing is offered. Approx. 4 to 5 hours.

TONINA RUINS. Less than two hours from San Cristobal de Las Casas is Tonina, considered the most important ceremonial site in the highlands. An intermediate stop along the way is made in the indigenous community of Oxchuc for a brief visit to its historic church. At Tonina will be seen sculptures of captured war prisioners, a Mayan ball court, murals and other important pieces. Archaeologists have discovered important findings at Tonina in recent years and they continue to work at the site on an intermittent basis. 6 to 7 hours.

MONTEBELLO LAKES, CHINKULTIC AND TENAM PUENTE RUINS AND SANTA MARIA HACIENDA. About an hour and a half from San Cristobal, towards the Guatemalan border, is the national park of The Lakes of Montebello, known for the rich colors - turquoise, emerald, etc. - of their waters. The area also includes several lagoons. Enough time is provided to rent a boat or a horse, or visit nearby caves. After the visit to the lakes, a stop is made at the small, but wonderful, Chinkultik Ruins which are nearby. On the return route to San Cristobal, a visit is made to the 18th century Hacienda Santa Maria where lunch is served while taking in a panoramic view of the beautiful countryside. This is followed by a stop at the impressive Tenam Puente Ruins, and the finale for this tour is a stop in the indigenous village of Amatenango del Valle which is known for its family potters and their ceramic works. All day.

AGUA AZUL, PALENQUE AND MISOL-HA. About half way between Tonina and Palenque are the popular water falls of Agua Azul, known for their rich turquoise color. Here visitors have time to explore the falls and take a swim, if desired. Palenque is one of the most important archaeological sites in all of Mexico, and probably its most ornate. The tomb of Classical Period ruler, Pakal, until recently considered to be the largest and one of the greatest works of Mayan artistry, is located here. In April, 1999, however, archaeologists announced the discovery of an even larger tomb which is adorned with at least 200 hieroglyphs and six sculputured portraits that disclose the achievements and illusions of Mayan nobility. Palenque was a major cermonial center and there is abundant evidence of royalty living here with its bas reliefs, hieroglyphs and many important architectural structures. Also seen here are tunnels, an aqueduct, The Temple of the Inscriptions, the magnificent Palace, the Temple of the Sun, The temple of the Foliated Cross, and the Queen's Bath, among those edifices which have been uncovered while some 200 remain to be excavated. A visit to the Misol-Ha water falls is made on the return trip to San Cristobal. All day.

YAXCHILAN AND BONAMPAK. Located on the Mexico-Guatemala border are the famous Yaxchilan and Bonampak Mayan ruin sites. Bonampak is known for its original murals which are unique in Mesoamerica and Yaxchilan features beautiful temples, stellaes and bas reliefs in its jungle setting. Transportation between the two sites is by boat on the Usamacinta River. Two days, one night. Some travelers choose to add on the Yaxchilan-Bonampak tour after visiting Tonia, Agua Azul and Palenque, in which case the total elapsed time is three days and two nights.

SUMIDERO CANYON AND CHIAPA DE CORZO. Slightly more than an hour's drive through the beautiful mountains, this tour descends from its 7200 ft. elevation in San Cristobal to the Grijalva River where a small motor boat takes visitors for a beautiful ride through the Sumidero Canyon whose walls range from 100 to 1000 meters high. In this national park one often is able to see special local fauna, crocodiles, white and gray herons and monkeys. After the river trip, the tour visits the first Chiapas community settled by the Conquistadors in the early 1500s, Chiapa de Corzo, known for its natural springs and lacquered art work. Approx. 5 hours.

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