San Cristobal Canon Del Sumidero: A Tourist’s Review of Miradores Chiapa De Corzo

Visiting Canon Del Sumidero, with its stunning viewpoints – otherwise known as *miradores* – that it’s almost impossible not to feel overwhelmed by its natural beauty. Located close to San Cristobal de las Casas and Chiapa de Corzo in Chiapas, Mexico, it’s truly a destination that deserves some serious consideration. Is it worth visiting though? Well, hopefully this review will help you make an informed choice, telling you what you can realistically expect and some tips to enhance your time there. Let’s have a look!

What Is Canon Del Sumidero, Exactly?

Alright, first things first, so what exactly is Canon Del Sumidero? It’s really a deep canyon carved by the Grijalva River, and it features walls that tower, apparently, hundreds of meters high. This impressive geographic display isn’t just about dramatic scenery, though. It’s like your own outdoor cathedral, and plays a vital part in the region’s ecosystem, providing life to several species. If you were to visit, you’d probably see everything from monkeys to crocodiles and numerous birds that have carved a home into this unique habitat. Chiapa de Corzo is close by and it makes a very good base for trips into the canyon.

The canyon can be viewed in several ways, the most well known way is on the river itself from a boat or via the system of viewpoints, called miradores in Spanish, dotted around the edge of the gorge, overlooking it. Both offer strikingly different, yet amazing vantage points.

Planning Your Trip: Getting to the Miradores

Right, so how do you go about getting there? Chiapa de Corzo is well served by transport links and San Cristobal de las Casas isn’t that far either, very convenient if you are heading south. The best way to do it would be to set yourself up there as a base, anyway, and take day trips out from there. Many organised tours will do this. So really, it’s almost effortless. They mostly take you to all the miradores along the top of the canyon.

Driving yourself could be an option. This obviously gives you so much more independence to see things at your pace. It tends to be very doable if, for example, you were driving through the area or you just wanted to hire a car locally for the day. The roads in the area tend to be good so too, which is really important. But if you’d really rather not drive, no problem. There are always plenty of local taxis or colectivos (shared minivan taxis) that travel between Chiapa de Corzo and the entrance to the miradores. Anyway, that would certainly be something worth thinking about. Very helpful for flexibility.

The Miradores: A View from the Top

Okay, here’s what to actually anticipate once you reach the viewpoints. I’m telling you now, the views are incredible! Each *mirador* that you get to along the top seems to offer a slightly different vantage point, displaying various perspectives on the grand canyon that seems to extend as far as you can see, that way creating plentiful photo opportunities. The popular spots like La Atalaya or El Roblar tend to have the easiest access, with paths being properly maintained, which is important if you are not so keen on hiking. However, some of the more distant viewpoints will certainly provide much better, quieter, opportunities, almost untouched spots.

One slight watch out could be, so the viewpoints sit at quite high altitudes, so just in case you’re not used to that, take it easy when you first arrive. And bring water, and perhaps even a fan if it’s hot, that’s advisable too! Basically, prepare so you don’t get out of puff before even reaching the views. Sensible shoes are a good idea, if you intend going hiking. A lot of it is just a walk from one place to another, but still something to bear in mind, just a little. Some reviewers noted that, at the busier viewpoints, there can be quite a lot of people jostling to take pictures and admire the views. Anyway, you’d kind of expect that, though. If at all possible, avoid the peak times when it is super crowded, perhaps on a Sunday afternoon.

The Boat Trip: A Different Perspective

As I mentioned earlier, you could perhaps do the boat tour. Doing a boat tour to Canon del Sumidero is so different to the viewpoints, yet that, arguably, enhances the appreciation of the whole gorge, so, like, it makes doing both worth considering. Departing from Chiapa de Corzo, that seems to be a great way of seeing things, this option lets you observe the magnitude of the canyon’s walls from below. Imagine enormous natural skyscrapers towering over you!

During the trip, guides usually stop so you can easily observe wildlife. In some respects this tour can seem a lot more hands on with so much flora and fauna easily observable along the way, from crocodiles relaxing in the sun to spider monkeys swinging high up in the trees. It is just important to listen to any guidelines given before you depart, too. Generally it’s about safety, but still is worth paying attention to.

Things to Consider Before Visiting

So here’s just a few little snippets before you make your journey. Firstly, is that the climate here can genuinely vary, too. Typically it’s very hot, however the time of the year you visit will effect the heat and how strong the sun is. Anyway, taking necessary precautions can have a big influence on the trip overall. Like if you have sun protection for example. Take drinks to keep you hydrated, particularly if walking around.

I have already alluded to crowds but that’s also worth some thinking, I believe. Visiting off peak would, seemingly, enhance your appreciation. So that said, if you can tour midweek or early in the mornings it’s possibly, seemingly, a good thing. Lastly is money, as some activities will demand you pay in cash, basically it is something that could, possibly, be kept in mind, alright? Typically this is only needed for little purchases but be prepared.

Is it actually worth going there then?

Visiting the Canon del Sumidero miradores and taking the boat trip is an experience that you won’t be quick to forget, just a little, because that beauty that unfolds before your eyes is extremely outstanding. From the striking panoramic views from the miradores to the heart pounding experience on the river below, there really is, seemingly, plenty on display to fulfill the majority. So taking a visit would be worth your time, and anyway you’ll depart with pictures that your mates will be envious of.

Key Takeaways:

• Canon del Sumidero provides really amazing views from various miradores.
• Taking the boat trip will display the sheer magnitude of the canyon from water level.
• Prepare, like your, taking water and some money with you, particularly.

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