Your tour package includes:

• Your World Awaits Cultural Tours Travel Coach & Concierge on the ground with you supporting your travel and accompanying you on the itinerary tour
• Free or no additional fee experiences curated by your Travel Concierge
• Travel and destination expertise
• Bookings and reservations (free time activities)
• Issue-handling before, during, and after your trip
• Risk-management
• Quality control
• Country cultural education resources
• Pre-departure virtual meeting to prepare for the best experience
• Airport transfer from Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport – Tuxtla Gutierrez (TGZ) upon arrival and Carlos Rovirosa Pérez International Airport – Villahermosa, Tabasco (VSA) for departure
• Hotel 3-star superior historic hotel based on double occupancy (as noted in the itinerary). We value and seek to first partner with accommodations owned by local natives and local families to support the local economy and have more authentic local, cultural encounters.
• Ground transportation with air conditioning during tour itinerary
• Private group excursions (as noted in the itinerary)
• Meals – 7 breakfasts, 1 dinner (select meals as noted in the itinerary; vegetarian and other dietary options available)
• Entrance fees (as noted in the itinerary)
• Certified Local Tour Guide
• Bilingual English-Spanish speaking Tour Guide

Your tour package does not include the following and for all activities in your free time that you decide to do on your own, or activities not booked with World Awaits:

• Airfare to/from Mexico; arrival one-way to Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport – Tuxtla Gutierrez (TGZ); departure one-way from Carlos Rovirosa Pérez International Airport – Villahermosa, Tabasco (VSA)
• Admission fees (unless listed in World Awaits experiences and tours)
• Meals, Snacks, Water and Beverages (unless listed in World Awaits experiences and tours)
• Tips & Gratuities (optional)
• Transfers (to/from other locations to designated pick-up or meeting points or drop-off points)
• Travel Insurance – Highly recommended to get travel insurance based on your needs with our partner here
• Anything not listed in the tour itinerary and inclusions

Day 1: Arrival and Welcome Dinner

Arrive Transfer: Please arrive at Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport – Tuxtla Gutierrez (TGZ) by 15:00 local time and hotel check-in.

Time of transport: 90 minutes

Welcome Dinner start time: 20:00 local time

Included: Private transfer arrival, certified bilingual guide, dinner, 3-star superior hotel

Day 2: Living Cultures and City Tours

Begin your day with an authentic, fresh homemade breakfast in the home of our indigenous hosts in Zinacantán. Your living cultures
tour is visits to two communities of Tzotzil origin, Zinacantán and San Juan Chamula. You will learn about their habits and customs, syncretic religious beliefs, textiles and history. Enjoy a demonstration of professional textile artisans and creators of authentic traditional and modern textiles. Your day will end with a City Tour through San Cristóbal de las Casas, one of the most iconic Pueblo Magícos of Mexico.

You will have a free afternoon and evening in San Cristóbal de las Casas to walk the cobblestoned streets, visits artisanal boutiques, restaurants, bars and pubs.

Duration of tour activities: 5-6 hours

Included: Transfer from and to the hotel, certified bilingual guide, tourism ticket (San Juan de Chamula), 3-star superior hotel, breakfast

Day 3: National Treasures of Nature and Chiapa de Corzo

Today’s adventure takes you to one of the deepest canyons in the world, Sumidero Canyon. First, you will ascend the heights of the national park by vehicle to the impressive, open-air viewpoints of the canyon. Then, you will descend for a private boat ride through the imposing cliffs of Sumidero Canyon and discover wildlife and its sacredness. Your boat will disembark in the Pueblo Magíco of Chiapa de Corzo just in time to enjoy the energy, traditions, food, and warm-hearted locals of La Fiesta Grande de Chiapa de Corzo.

Duration of tour activities: 10 hours

Included: Transfer from and to the hotel, National Park entrance, private boat tour, Certified bilingual guide, 3-star superior hotel, hotel breakfast

Day 4: Free day in San Cristóbal de las Casas

You will enjoy a free day in San Cristóbal de las Casas to explore, rest and relax or add-on half-day or full-day tours and activities of interest.

Included: Your travel concierge will help you plan your free time, 3-star superior hotel, hotel breakfast

Day 5: Road Trip to Majestic Nature Playground

You will embark on a 2.75 hour drive with an authentic, local breakfast along the way to the majestic El Chiflón and Velo de Novia waterfalls, a spectacular fall of more than 30 meters high. You will hike to other nearby waterfalls and end your adventure with a swim in the crystal clear waters of Chucumaltik Cenote.

Duration of tour activities: 13 hours

Included: Transfer from and to the hotel, parks entrance, certified bilingual guide, breakfast, 3-star superior hotel

Day 6: Land of the Mayans

Kickstart your day early with suitcases ready to go deep into the land of the Mayans. You will stop for an authentic, local breakfast along the way, then arrive at Agua Azul Waterfalls for a swim in its turquoise waters. Next, you will visit Misol- Ha Waterfall and enjoy the natural pool and cave behind the falls. You will have time for lunch on your own. Finally, you will end your day checking in at your hotel in Palenque.

Note: Change hotels to Palenque

Duration of tour activities: 11 hours
Included: Transfer from and to the hotel, ecological parks entrance, certified bilingual guide, breakfast, 3-star superior hotel

Day 7: A Day in Palenque

You will enjoy a free day on the nature reserve of your hotel or in the Pueblo Magíco of Palenque to explore, rest and relax or add-on half-day or full-day tours and activities of interest.

Included: Your travel concierge will help you plan your free time, 3-star superior hotel, hotel breakfast

Day 8: Uncovering the Depths of Mayan History and Departure

Your tour culminates with the most significant Mayan Archaeological Zone of Palenque, where you will discover the magnitude of the site, walk the unearthed areas, and learn little-known historical facts. You will take your private transfer 2.25 hours to the nearest airport, Carlos Rovirosa airport in the city of Villahermosa, Tabasco.

Duration of tour activities: 5 hours
Included: Transfer from and to the hotel, Private transfer departure, park entrance, certified bilingual guide, hotel breakfast

This tour itinerary is available with our bilingual and multilingual tour guides and local hosts in the following languages:

• English
• Spanish

• Ages 12 and over
• If you desire cultural immersion to learn and interact more with the local culture and people. And you want a more slow to moderate pace itinerary and more free time
• Participants should have a moderate physical fitness level – requires moderate walking on historical streets, paved and not well-paved streets, nature scapes
• Please inform us prior to booking if you require accommodations with limited mobility or other special assistance. We will seek to meet your accommodation and explain which itinerary activities could be suitable or adapted for limited mobility.

Our Cultural Tours are immersive and enriched with opportunities to travel like a local and with locals when our local friends and partners are able to join us for casual meet ups. We embrace slower tourism and more local experiences beyond the typical touristic sites and scenes. As experts in intercultural relations, we will guide deeper conversations, learn the full, inclusive history, and have mutual learning opportunities with our local hosts. We build maximum free time and flexibility into your itinerary for your travel style and preferences. During your free time in the itinerary, you can choose to add tours, activities, experiences, or more rest and relaxation, or go with the flow, wonder and explore.

• Climate: In San Cristóbal de las Casas, the climate is subtropical at a higher elevation with warm temperatures in the day and cool temperatures in the night year round ranging between 6°C (42°F) and 25°C (77°F). Dry season is from November to April, with the wettest months  from May to October.
• Hotel Heat and Air Conditioning: Our accommodation in San Cristóbal de las Casas has heat and air conditioning. In Palenque, the hotel is equipped with air conditioning. However, please respect local customs and energy costs by not running the units all day and when you are not in your room. 
• Tour Itineraries: We give all diligence to adhere to the stated itinerary. If local constraints, government closures, safety and security issues, or inclement weather require rearrangement of the tour itinerary, we ask for your patience and understanding.

Important considerations:

• Luggage: Please do not bring more than 1 carry-on size luggage and 1 personal item or backpack per person. Due to transfers, vehicle size/space, and the terrain, it is not recommended to bring more or larger sized luggage. If you bring or accumulate more luggage or larger luggage, you may be required to book private transfers to accommodate your luggage at your own expense or pay luggage storage fees (if available).
• Museums Closings: some museums and sites are closed on Mondays with a few exceptions or a different closing day
• Photography and Video: Some Mexican museums and sites will not allow or charge a fee for video cameras, drone photography or it may not be permitted to enter these sites with tripods or professional equipment.
• Group size minimum participants to offer the tour: 10 participants
• Group size maximum: 20 participants

Recommended Flight to Chiapas depends on your international departure and arrival location in Mexico:

Arrival Airport to Chiapas (one-way flight): Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport – Tuxtla Gutierrez (TGZ)

Departure Airport from Chiapas (one-way flight): Carlos Rovirosa Pérez International Airport – Villahermosa, Tabasco (VSA)

Transfer from/to both Airports to/from your hotel:
Private transfer included; Private transfer may include other tour members in our private tour arriving at the same time as your flight

• Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and shoes
• Sun protection – hat and sunscreen
• Necessary clothing or gear for your planned activities, experiences and excursions
• Insect repellent

• Please do not wear or bring expensive or showy jewelry, clothing, handbags or items
• Travel messenger bag / Crossbody bag recommended
• Undergarment travel fanny pack recommended
• External battery charger for your mobile devices recommended

• Single Room available upon request, availability and extra single room supplement fee
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• For U.S. citizens, tourism visits less than ninety (90) days do not require a visa. However, please always check with your country’s embassy and the visiting country’s embassy for any other entry requirements and if you are not a U.S. citizen.
• Your passport must be valid for a minimum of six (6) months to enter the country.
• Vaccinations up-to-date with vaccination card as proof. Check with your country’s center for disease control. Recommended vaccines include but are not limited to: Routine vaccinations, Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Malaria medication
• Please note that while not common, power outages, and water shortages, can occur in Chiapas. We appreciate your patience and understanding for these uncontrollable circumstances.
• Your World Awaits Cultural Tours travel concierge will accompany you on this tour operated by our certified local partner tour operators and guides

The vision of World Awaits Cultural Tours is to be a global community of global citizens sharing, caring, growing and contributing together through enriching travel experiences and relationships.

We seek out opportunities to make intentional, direct contributions of time, talent, and treasure to local people, communities and organizations in destinations we visit through planned and unplanned encounters. One of our Chiapas partner is Ecopark Aluxes.

Ecoparque Aluxes is a private non-profit and non-governmental organization dedicated to conserve, rescue and restore the native flora and fauna of Chiapas by planting trees, rehabilitating and releasing wildlife affected by animal cruelty and illegal trafficking such as jaguars, macaws, crocodiles and more. Together we will donate $25 USD per tour participant to Ecoparque Aluxes.

You will have an opportunity to visit Ecoparque Aluxes in a half-day add-on tour.

Thank you for your giving and your impact. 

Here are some full-day experiences and tours curated by World Awaits that you can choose to add to your itinerary. This list is not complete—your concierge will work with you to find and build your itinerary with the experiences you desire:

Treasures of San Cristóbal de las Casas Guided Walking Tour
Walk the charming streets of San Cristóbal de las Casas with your guide to the discover the stories of the Mayan cultural treasures of jade, amber, architecture and textiles. The Jade Museum features archeological replicas of Mayan jade jewelry and other speciality pieces. You will visit the Amber Museum housed in a 16th century convent that educates about amber jewelry, art and fossils. You will learn the depth of the treasures at the Centro Cultural de los Altos de Chiapas inside the convent of the Santo Domingo temple, a beautifully restored enclosure with pre-Hispanic, viceroyalty and contemporary treasures. Your tour will end in Plaza Santo Domingo handicrafts market and the Mercado de Dulces for tasty typical sweets.

Duration: 4-5 hours
Fee: $70
Minimum participants required: 5
Included: Certified bilingual guide, museum entrance fees, food tasting

Interested in adding on other full-day nature and adventure tours or extending your tour to 9-12 days to immerse yourself in all of Chiapas? Inquire with your World Awaits Cultural Tours Concierge for a quote and availability for these experiences uniquely Chiapas.

These tours are generally:

Duration: 7-11 hours
Fee: $70 – $165 USD per person
Shared group tour
Private tour may be available with a minimum of 5 participants
Included: Certified bilingual guide, entrance fees, air-conditioned transport to and from hotel

• Verdes Las Nubes Waterfalls
• Montes Azules Reserve and Biosphere
• Archaeological Site of Yaxchilán
• Sima de las Cotorras Sinkhole of El Ocote Biosphere Reserve (optional rappel and zipline)
• Walking Tour of Lacandona Jungle (virgin Mayan ruins, flora, fauna)
• Roberto Barrios Waterfalls
• Rio La Venta Canyon and El Aguacero Waterfall
• Archeological Zone of Bonampak

Here are some half-day experiences and tours curated by World Awaits that you can choose to add to your itinerary. This list is not complete—your concierge will work with you to find and build your itinerary with the experiences you desire:

Ecological Tour of Ecopark Aluxes
Visit our Impact Tourism partner for a private guided tour of Ecopark Aluxes, private non-profit and non-governmental organization dedicated to conserve, rescue and restore the native flora and fauna of Chiapas by planting trees, rehabilitating and releasing wildlife affected by animal cruelty and illegal trafficking such as jaguars, macaws, crocodiles and more.

Duration: 3 hours
Fee: $90.00
Minimum participants required: 5
Included: Certified bilingual guide, park entrance fee, transport to and from hotel

Walk the beautiful streets and plazas with historical, colonial architecture, street vendors, local events, and tranquility:

• Historic center of San Cristóbal de las Casas
• Na Bolom Museum (donation)
• Templo de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe
• Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman
• El Paliacate Espacio Cultural (free and fee events, concerts, performances)
• St. Nicholas Church (La Iglesia de San Nicolos de las Norenos) for enslaved Africans
• Catedral de San Cristobal de las Casas
• Mercado Castillo Tielemans
• Plaza de la Paz
• Museo de San Cristobal MUSAC – Palacio de Gobierno
• Mercado de Dulces y Artesanias
• Arco del Carmen
• Centro Cultural del Carmen
• Iglesia de San Cristobalito
• …And more…

Our immersive cultural tours offer you maximum flexibility and experiences to build the vacation you desire. This is only one of the possibilities. Ask your travel concierge for current options and pricing and availability based on your itinerary such as:

• Private tour package or free-time tours for your family or group upon request
• In-country domestic airfare transfers
• 4-star, 5-star, boutique and luxury accommodations
• Two-day or more overnight add-on experiences
• Experiences and activities are endless from exotic experiences, gastronomy and cooking, art, entertainment and performances, sports, eco-tourism, adventure, wellness classes, to language classes or other learning experiences
• Romantic or special getaways
• Special occasions celebrations
• Extend your trip in the same destination

• All pricing is in USD – US Dollars
• Please read and agree to our full terms and conditions here and Section: “Land Only Tour Package Participants”
• Worry-Free, No Obligation Reservations for 7 days on Land Tour Packages World Awaits Cultural Tours offers a worry-free, no obligation reservation request for 7 days after the Tour Booking is received, during which time you can cancel your tour package’s reservation request for any reason. Credit card payment processing fees are not refundable.
• Minimum Non-Refundable Deposit and Final Payment If you are making your tour reservation within 90 days of your tour date, the 7 days grace period is waived. There is a non-refundable deposit of USD 250 per person. Your final payment is due 90 days prior to your tour’s departure date or by the payment deadline dates specified for your specific tour. If the reservation is made within 90 days of the tour departure date, full payment is due within 7 days of reservation.
• Tour Price All tour prices are listed in US dollars and are based on tariffs and rates of currency exchange in effect at the time of printing or publishing online. These rates are subject to change as deemed necessary and fair by World Awaits Cultural Tours.
• Price Guarantee World Awaits guarantees your tour price once World Awaits has received full payment for your Tour. Only amendment fees, currency surcharges, optional hotel or accommodation swaps, optional hotel or accommodation extensions, optional day-trips or excursion tours, or flight changes may have additional costs. These costs must be added to the tour package and will result in a price reassessment for each passenger.
• Tour Departure Guarantee World Awaits guarantees departure day for all of our listed tour packages. However, should the total number of tour members fall below 10 persons, World Awaits reserves the right to change or cancel the tour.
• Payment Plans directly with World Awaits Cultural Tours Considering your tour must be paid in full 90 days prior to the tour start date, you must select a payment plan that will allow completion of all payments prior to this 90 day prior payment deadline. This does not apply to Buy Now, Pay Later service providers because your financing is directly with the third-party provider.
• Cancellation You can cancel 91 days or more in advance of the tour, but your deposit is non-refundable, and any credit card processing fees, charges/penalties by an accommodation supplier, land operators and travel suppliers. Please read our full terms and conditions for cancellation policies and charges timetable after this 91 day period. Cancellation must be in writing.
• This tour requires a minimum number of travelers of 10 persons. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date or different tour or a full refund.