The State of CHIAPAS is a mountainous
region of wild rivers, deep canyons, and
thick rainforest jungle. It is a state of enormous
beauty and ecological diversity. Six
of Mexico's finest national parks and
nature preserves are here, including
Sumidero Canyon, Agua Azul, and
Lagunas de Montebello. Its rugged
highlands are home to a patchwork of
Indian villages and colonial era towns. Its
heart is the captivating city of San
Cristóbal de las Casas, one of Mexico's most
precious treasures.
Visitors should note that as a crossroad
between Mexico and Central America, the
state has witnessed significant change
over the last ten years. Conflicting interests
between the state's natives, Guatemalan
refugees, timber companies, and the
government have put strains on the state's
fragile culture and economy. A Chiapan
revolt in early 1994 (centered around the
city of Ocosingo) between local indigenous
groups and the state and federal governments
resulted in no damage to visitor
facilities. Negotiations between rebels (demanding national
political change and
respect for peasant rights), state and federal
officials, and the Catholic Church
have led to a long-standing cease fire. Visitor
access to the region's primary points of
interest has not been affected.
This is not a region that one can travel
through quickly. Lot's of time for
ground transport is required to move
between cities. English
speakers are often hard to find, as is specific
information about the region's visitor
facilities. For these reasons, Chiapas is best suited to more
experienced Mexico travelers. These inconveniences
aside, a well-planned trip to this
region can be most rewarding.
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