From Palenque there is an interesting road to the southeast bordering the Usumacinta River, the natural border between Mexico and Guatemala, with many places to discover. The Southern Border Highway is a cultural and visual adventure.
The most usual route among travelers in Chiapas is to travel the serpentine road from Palenque to San Cristóbal de las Casas. From Palenque there is another road that is increasingly popular among travelers who do not want to miss the treasures of this area. Road South Border it runs along the Usumacinta River, natural border between Mexico y Guatemala. The borders are always moved, it is universal law.
Highway from Palenque to Comitan by Montebello Lagoons:
The South Border Highway go through the 470 kilometers that separate Palenque of the lagoons of Montebello and Magic Town de Comitán, 55 kilometers. There are many speed reducers along the Su Frontier Highwayr, be patient. The low cars are possible that they touch with some disproportionate stop, that so well they construct, the trick is to happen them inclined. With rains and wet asphalt extreme precautions.
Along the road there are numerous checkpoints of the Marine Secretary and the Mexican ArmyThey are very bulky in view of someone not used to it. Borders are borders, and this road runs along the Usumacinta river, the area is not easy.
There are few checkpoints of premises due to the presence of the army, which carries out severe controls.
What to visit on the Southern Border Highway?
La South Border Highway from Palenque to Comitán the We are going to divide into two sections: Palenque to Frontera Corozal (164 km), and the next one Frontera Corozal to Comitán (351 km). The 525 kilometers, many through the Montes Azul Biosphere Reserve, deserve to go slowly: it treasures amazing Mayan landscapes and cities.
Section from Palenque to Frontera Corozal:
Cascade of the Swallows (Ch'en Ulich): a 117 Kilometers awarded by the South Border from Palenque and you come to a detour before Nueva Palestina, where you have to detour to the Ch'en Ulich Ecotourism Center (about 9 km). There is lodging and taxi service from the road.
Lacandon village Lacanjá Chansayab: in the town of San Javier, before Frontera Corozal, the detour comes to this population of Lacandon Maya enabled for tourism. You can go hiking in the jungle, interesting experience.
Bonampak archaeological site: one of the most emblematic Mayan vestiges for the painted murals that were preserved in three bedrooms of this wonderful site. It is located near Frontera Corozal.
Yaxchilán archaeological zoneFrom the town of Frontera Corozal the boats go to Yaxchilán, my favorite Mayan place in Mexico, a spectacular archeological zone.
Archaeological site of Piedras Negras: For Mayista adventurers, more than two hours of travel awaits you upriver to Piedras Negras, the remarkable city of the Classic period where the remains of Tatiana Proskouriakoff lie.
Mexico-Guatemala border: one of the most popular border crossings when making a section by boat and connecting with Tikal, in Guatemala. Join the population of Frontera Corozal in Mexico, with Bethel in Guatemala. In Frontera Corozal there are lodgings. Bethel better in step, make way to Flores (Tikal) or Sayaxche
Frontera Corozal to Comitán section:
This section is the least traveled by travelers. From Frontera Corozal to Comitan, other great destinations await you, which are hard to say no to.
Las Guacamayas Ecotourism Center: past Benemérito de las Américas, there is this center for the preservation of the red guacayama, in the Montes Azules Reserve. There are cabins to stay.
Las Nubes Waterfall: one of the most secluded and sought after places in Chiapas, Las Nubes. The pleasure of sleeping on the banks of the Santo Domingo river. There is accommodation in the ecotourism center, run by locals. Before arriving at Montebello Lagoons.
Lagunas de Montebello: a unique place in pine forest with lagoons of turquoise colors that dot the landscape. To lose a few days between hiking and kayaking. There are different surprises, mostly rustic. To 50 km you have Comitán.
Archaeological site of Chinkultic: a Mayan vestige on the walls of the cedars that crown some of the Montebello lagoons. Leaving the area, it is worth stopping and touring this archaeological zone.
Chiflon waterfall: the Chiflon waterfall It is a spectacular waterfall with a 120-meter drop that will not leave you indifferent. Chiflón is located at 34 km Comitán. There are cabins where you can stay at the foot of the river.
Comitán de Domínguez: is Colonial city closes the circuit by the South Border Highway. An authentic colonial gem eclipsed by the nearby San Cristóbal de las Casas, only 1 hour by road.
How to travel the southern border road?
- tourist excursion: to travel the first stretch from Palenque to Frontera Corozal, agencies Palenque offer day trips or two to visit Bonampak y Yaxchilan, spending the night in the Lacandon jungle. It is a popular choice among travelers. The excursion takes up the whole day, returns to Palenque and leaves daily. Prices between 600 and 1000 pesos, according to option. You can stay in Frontera Corozal. In the second section, from Corozal to the south, there is no tourist transport.
- collective: road Southern border of Palenque to Comitán la dozens of colectivos go through, vans of about 12 passengers that stop wherever you indicate. With this option you get to all the tourist spots in the area. Even some of you will have to walk, take a taxi or wait for another bus to your final destination. In the section from Frontera Corozal to Comitán, it is the only collective transport option in the area. There is not truck (bus)
- cab: You can share a taxi among several to reach different destinations.
- Own car or rental: the comfort of getting everywhere in your own car, is a candy for many, gives a lot of freedom. Drive with the patience and care that this road requires. Estimated time Palenque-Frontera Corozal section: 3 hours. Frontera Corozal-Comitán section: 4 hours.
Hazards of the southern Chiapas border road:
Chiapas It is an area with a special idiosyncrasy, and many times there are uprisings in the area. It is possible that you will find local retailers inviting you to collaborate with their cause. One of their most common practices is to cut roads and make you collaborate with their cause, whatever they tell you. It is one of the reasons why I do not recommend travel by rental car to Chiapas, but you have a vast baggage as a traveler. They are not usually violent situations, but they can scare those who are not accustomed.
Anyway, this section is quiet in that sense due to the large amount of checkpoints what's on the part of the Navy and the Army. A lot of safety on the road denotes a busy area, let's not forget that we are in border land, and the borders have a strange swing. I remember once we had to sleep in the not highly recommended Benemérito de las Américas, to the question of How was the thing going? to a local, his response was «Very calm, to dead by day». One is simply far from these realities, even if we pass through them.
It is a tortuous road y full of stops. With rains and wet asphalt extreme precautions. Do not drive at night, for road safety as the roads are not illuminated and for possible assaults.
This road from Palenque to Comitán is one of those routes that make the traveler fall in love. United to the one that travels from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque you have a traveler circle full of nature, culture, traditions ... Chiapas is a very special area.
Good way,
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How beautiful is Comitan!
How beautiful is it?
Hello Sandra, excellent page and information. I am traveling to Mexico in mid January and I would like to do this circular tour leaving from San Cristobal to Comitán, Laguna de Montebello and then to the Frontera Corozal area and ending in Palenque. I have a week. Do you think it's a short time? Any recommendation? Greetings from Argentina!
Hello Sergio, you have a great week to do the tour. For me to sleep in Lagunas Montebello, in Las Nubes and in the Lacandon jungle would be a priority to get to know the area with tranquility and enjoy nature. Above all the route from Las Nubes to Frontera Corozal would be early, do not leave it for the afternoon. There are several controls and it is not wise to travel late-night.
A big hug to Argentina, have an excellent trip.
Hello
Are there gas stations on the way?
Thanks greetings
Hi Joe, yes there are, few but there. In large populations like Benemérito de las Américas, for sure. If you had a problem, in the villages there is always someone who sells gasoline.
Good way Joe,
I plan to vacation 28 days in Chiapas, my interim is like this: from Tuxtla 2 nights, chiapa de corzo 2 nights, San Cistrobal from houses 3 nights, Plenque 3 nights, from Palenque to move to Chetumal 3 nights, from there to Bacalar and border Free Belize, (I do not know if staying in Bacalar), then return to Palenque and from there make the remaining rides until Comitan de Dominguez 3 nights, and stay Tapachula 3 nights, meet and tour its beaches and walks, from there know the border of Guatemala, then move to Tuxtla Gutierrez and spend another few days.
Hello Vicky, the truth is that I do not understand the comment very well, what you want. I can recommend a place called El Castaño and El Madresal, both on the Pacific coast of Chiapas (find the info on the blog). In 28 days you can know a lot about Chiapas: I would add Yaxchilán, for me essential, and if you have the chance to go to Laguna Miramar as well (this place is not in the blog). As I say, I do not know how to answer your comment.
Best regards,
Good afternoon, Sandra: This comment I would like to turn it into a chat between friends. I know it can be difficult for you to accept an exchange of opinions and comments without interest in getting a client for your promotions, but I assure you that my interest in these conversations is for the purpose of gathering data about people I met at 1975 and 1976 . I have been a journalist since 1962 and I am finishing writing a book with my memories and in the same I refer to facts that I lived in the Lacandon Jungle at that time. Can you give me a little of your time? I live in Mérida, Yucatán.
Hello Claudio, I pass my email so we can talk about what you want, it seems interesting enough to dismiss a conversation with you, I will be delighted: sandra@elcaminomascorto.es
What you comment "I know it can be difficult for you to accept an exchange of opinions and comments without the interest of getting a client for your promotions" is to know nothing, and I think it was not necessary.
Best regards,
In June I plan a trip to Chiapas from Cancun, I want to take my own car because I go with two friends, I went to San Cristobal for 8 years ago and visited several places and I want to return because it seems very beautiful to me throughout the state, we want to go to Palenque, Comitan, Cascadas de Agua Azul, Lagunas de Montebello, San Cristobal, etc.
The question is if it follows the insecurity on the roads that you recommend me to arrive by plane or take the car?
Hello, Adulfo, if you go in your car, follow the safety tips like getting out of the road before it gets dark. The most conflictive point is often entering Agua Azul, and there are several communities that will ask for money through Chiapas. Better not argue, pay and follow, they are not very large amounts, they are right of way, like 30 or 50 pesos. Those who go by rental car are "victims" of tourism easier to identify because they do not know the terrain. The flights between Cancun and Tuxla Gutiérrez are cheap, if you're not going to make stops along the way, maybe the plane will be better there. From San Cristóbal you know that it is very easy to move around in public transport or tours. According to what you most want, but go by car.
Have a good trip,
Dear Sandra:
Thank you very much for your helpful comments. I have a specific question: I plan to travel to Chiapas, about 14 days, in January 2020. We will go in a large family group (5 adults and two minors); So I am inclined to rent a van to be able to do the tours. In particular, I would like to make the Comitán-Palenque route along the border road, sleeping one night on the road (possibly in the clouds or in bonapamk). I understand that there are no excursions that complete that complete path; but I would like to know more your opinion about the safety of the journey, starting from the base of always doing it during daytime hours. Thank you
Hi Rodrigo, what a family trip envy.
As you say, that area is not done on tours that I know. The road has holes everywhere, it's pretty ugly if they haven't fixed it for January, I don't know what to tell you if they will do it or not. In terms of security, what you do with daytime hours is fine. Keep in mind the state of the road and sleeping in Montebello, Las Nubes or the Macaws to complete the road is a heavy journey.
I could recommend you if you think so, a private transport with driver, I think it is better to take someone who knows the area and draw a complete itinerary, at your leisure and time, so that you enjoy at your own pace, but the times handled by someone who known. Sometimes we drive like this with clients and it works well because somehow the expected is improved, due to the greater knowledge we have of the area.
Any questions remain at your disposal, my email is sandra@elcaminomascorto.es In case you like any question.
A hug and good way Rodrigo. Any questions with pleasure I support you 🙂
Thank you!!!!! brilliant!
Great that it serves you, good way Angelica.