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National park · Mexico

Cañón del Sumidero National ParkParque Nacional Cañón del Sumidero

Do the 2-hour boat from Chiapa de Corzo embarcadero (MXN 320, 2026 estimate) before 10:00 to beat heat and queues; add the mirador drive only if you have a car — the overlook road is closed Tuesdays.

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Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
Map to the park
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Directions
From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

218 km² (84 sq mi)

approximate

Established

1980

Best months

Nov–Mar

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
  • Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
  • Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
  • Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.

At a glance

Country
Mexico
Area
218 km² (84 sq mi)
Park area figures vary by source and boundary revision (check).
Established
1980
Best months
Nov–Mar
Permits
For some areas

Cañón del Sumidero is a 1 km-deep limestone gorge on the Grijalva River, north of Tuxtla Gutiérrez in Chiapas. The Chicoasén dam, built in the early 1980s, turned the once-rushing river into 20 miles of calm, navigable water, and the boat run from the Chiapa de Corzo embarcadero is how almost everyone sees it: two to three hours at the base of the cliffs, past waterfalls, crocodiles and spider monkeys. The rim road on the Tuxtla side reaches six miradores, including La Ceiba and the main Mirador Cañón del Sumidero, and is free with the park entry already included in the boat fare. There is no long through-trail; the realistic walking is short marked paths around the overlooks, plus guided climbing and rappelling. It fits a half day from Tuxtla or a day tour from San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • No UNESCO listing; national park since 1980.

Size and age

218 km² (84 sq mi) · national park since 1980

Park area figures vary by source and boundary revision (check).

Why go

  • Sheer limestone walls up to about 1 km (0.6 mi) high, seen from water level on a 2-hour boat run up the Grijalva.
  • American crocodiles basking on rocks and spider monkeys in the trees along the riverbanks.
  • Six roadside miradores on the rim give the wide view without a boat — and are free with your park entry.
  • It sits 30 minutes from Tuxtla Gutiérrez, so it fits a half day rather than a whole trip.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanBest
  2. FebBest
  3. MarBest
  4. AprGo
  5. MayCaution
  6. JunCaution
  7. JulCaution
  8. AugCaution
  9. SepAvoid
  10. OctGo
  11. NovBest
  12. DecBest
  • JanDry season; clear rim views, calm water
  • FebDry and warm; good light for photos
  • MarDry; hot by midday
  • AprHot; start early, water levels still low
  • MayFirst rains; waterfalls begin, humidity climbs
  • JunWet; heavy afternoon rain
  • JulWet; green canyon, slick mirador paths
  • AugWet; occasional storm closures
  • SepPeak rain and storm risk; boat runs may be cancelled
  • OctRains ease late in the month
  • NovDry, clear and cooler
  • DecDry; busiest domestic holiday weeks

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Cañón del Sumidero National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
American crocodiles on riverside rocksAll year · Seen on most boat tours; keep hands inside the boat.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Spider monkeys in riverside treesAll yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Waterfalls along the cliffsJun–Oct · Rainy-season flow; dry-season falls are thin.nononononoyesyesyesyesyesnono
Parrots and other tropical birdsMar–May · Over 100 bird species recorded in and around the canyon.nonoyesyesyesnonononononono

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map

How to get there

From Tuxtla Gutiérrez

Taxi or colectivo to the Chiapa de Corzo embarcadero, then 1 km (0.6 mi) on foot from the town centre to the dock.

30–40 min

From San Cristóbal de las Casas

Colectivo toward Tuxtla Gutiérrez, ask to be dropped near Chiapa de Corzo, then a short colectivo to the embarcadero.

1.5–2 h

From Tuxtla Gutiérrez by car

Drive to the mirador road on the north side of the city; the nearest overlook is La Ceiba.

20–30 min

Zones and sectors

Zones of Cañón del Sumidero National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Grijalva river channelThe navigable canyon between the embarcadero and the Chicoasén dam, with cliffs, waterfalls and crocodiles.By tour boat only; life vests mandatory.
Mirador roadSix roadside overlooks on the rim, including La Ceiba and Mirador Cañón del Sumidero.Vehicle or taxi; closed Tuesdays; pedestrians only 06:00–08:00.
Forest and trails around the miradoresShort marked paths near the viewpoints through tropical forest.On foot; stay on marked routes.
Chiapa de Corzo embarcaderoBoat dock and ticket counters, 1 km (0.6 mi) from the town plaza.Open daily; boats leave through the morning.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 6 approximate points in Cañón del Sumidero National Park, north up123456
Approximate positions along the canyon from the embarcadero to the dam, for orientation only.
  1. 1Chiapa de Corzo embarcadero · Ranger station≈16.709, -93.011Boat dock and ticket counters.Map ↗
  2. 2Chiapa de Corzo plaza · Town≈16.707, -93.017Map ↗
  3. 3La Ceiba overlook · Viewpoint≈16.809, -93.094Nearest mirador to Tuxtla Gutiérrez; approximate.Map ↗
  4. 4Mirador Cañón del Sumidero · Viewpoint≈16.840, -93.110Main overlook on the rim; approximate.Map ↗
  5. 5Chicoasén dam · Gate≈16.940, -93.101Far end of the navigable canyon; approximate.Map ↗
  6. 6Tuxtla Gutiérrez · Town≈16.753, -93.117Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.

Approximate positions along the canyon from the embarcadero to the dam, for orientation only.

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

Boat tripsEasy2–3 hCanyon boat tourRuns from the Chiapa de Corzo embarcadero to the dam and back; bring water, a hat and sunscreen, and expect a mid-tour stop at a vendor boat.
ViewpointsEasy1.5–2 hMirador Cañón del Sumidero driveThe deepest and most popular overlook, reached by car; the road is closed on Tuesdays.
ViewpointsEasy30 minLa Ceiba overlookThe closest mirador to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, useful if you only have an hour.
TrailsModerate1–2 hForest walk near the miradoresShort marked paths off the overlook road; watch for snakes and loose rock.
TrailsExpertHalf dayRock climbing and rappellingLimestone routes inside the park; go only with an operator that supplies equipment and local knowledge.Booking: Licensed guide required

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related

Entry fees and permits

MXN ranges · check
Fees for Cañón del Sumidero National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Boat tour from Chiapa de Corzo embarcaderoMXN 320–400 (≈ US$18–25)personPark entry is included in the boat fare; 2026 estimate.
Park entry (mirador road, if not arriving by boat)MXN 40–80 (≈ US$3–5)personCollected at the gate on the Tuxtla side; check the current rate.
Colectivo, Tuxtla Gutiérrez to Chiapa de CorzoMXN 18–30 (≈ US$1–2)personFrom the terminal on Calle Tercera Ote. Sur; 2026 estimate.
All-inclusive day tour from San Cristóbal de las CasasMXN 450–700 (≈ US$25–40)personTransport, boat and mirador stop; 2026 estimate.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Boat ticket permit or guide

Buy at the embarcadero counter in Chiapa de Corzo on the day; no advance booking needed outside holidays.

Mirador road entry permit or guide

Pay at the park gate on the northern edge of Tuxtla Gutiérrez; the fee is already covered if you came by boat.

Climbing or rappelling permit or guide

Only with a licensed guide and equipment; arrange through an operator in San Cristóbal de las Casas or Tuxtla.

What would our group pay?

from the fee rows above · estimates

People

2

Nights or days

1
  • MX$320–400≈ US$18–25
  • MX$40–80≈ US$3–5
  • MX$18–30≈ US$1–2
  • MX$450–700≈ US$25–40

Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.

A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas — Parque Nacional Cañón del Sumidero before you go.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Life vests
Mandatory on all boats and supplied by the operator.
Mirador road closure
The overlook road is closed on Tuesdays; pedestrians are allowed only during 06:00–08:00 athlete hours.
Wildlife
Do not feed or approach crocodiles, monkeys or other animals; stay in the boat and on marked paths.
Litter
There are no shops or vendors in the park; carry out everything you bring in.

Where to stay

Near the park

Chiapa de Corzo

Small hotels and guesthouses a 1 km (0.6 mi) walk from the embarcadero; best if you want the first boats.

Near the park

Tuxtla Gutiérrez

Full range of city hotels, 30–40 minutes from the dock and closest to the mirador road.

Near the park

San Cristóbal de las Casas

Highland base 1.5–2 hours away; most day tours run from here and return the same evening.

Safety

Sun and heat on the boat medium

The tour is 2–3 hours with little shade; bring water, a hat and sunscreen, and take the earliest departure.

Venomous snakes and loose rock on forest trails medium

Watch where you step and what you touch; wear closed shoes and stay on marked paths.

Rainy-season storms medium

From June to October, check conditions; boat departures can be suspended when the river is high.

How much daylight do you have?

computed for this spot

Time out

Finding the local time zone…

Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.

Accessibility

  • The boat tour is the easiest option: boarding is assisted and the ride itself needs no walking.
  • Mirador Cañón del Sumidero and the other overlooks are reachable by car with short, mostly level walks from the parking areas.
  • The 1 km (0.6 mi) walk from Chiapa de Corzo centre to the embarcadero is on pavement but has no shade.

Visiting lightly

  • Take the boat rather than a private speedboat; shared departures carry more people per litre of fuel.
  • Do not buy wildlife photos or pay for animals to be handled.
  • Carry your rubbish back to Chiapa de Corzo or Tuxtla Gutiérrez — the park has no bins or vendors.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Cañón del Sumidero?

The boat tour from the Chiapa de Corzo embarcadero costs about MXN 320–400 per person (2026 estimate), and park entry is included in that fare. If you drive to the miradores instead, expect roughly MXN 40–80 per person at the gate.

What are the best hikes in Cañón del Sumidero?

There is no long through-trail. The realistic options are the short marked paths around the miradores on the rim, and guided climbing or rappelling trips into the canyon. The boat tour, not a hike, is how most people see the canyon.

When is the best time to visit Cañón del Sumidero?

November to March: dry, clear and cooler, with calm water and good views from the rim. June to October is wet, with waterfalls but a real chance of cancelled boat departures; September is the riskiest month.

Can I visit without taking the boat?

Yes. Drive or take a taxi to the mirador road on the north side of Tuxtla Gutiérrez and stop at the six overlooks. The road is closed on Tuesdays, and pedestrians are only allowed 06:00–08:00.

How do I get to the canyon from San Cristóbal de las Casas?

Take a colectivo toward Tuxtla Gutiérrez (about MXN 60–70) and ask to be dropped near Chiapa de Corzo, then a short colectivo to the embarcadero. All-inclusive day tours from San Cristóbal cost about MXN 450–700 and include the boat and a mirador stop.

Are there crocodiles and monkeys on the boat tour?

Usually, yes. American crocodiles bask on riverside rocks and spider monkeys appear in the trees along the banks. Keep your hands inside the boat and do not feed anything.

Related

Mexico travel guide

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

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Sources