At a glance: quick Sumidero Canyon planning guide
Best things to do in Sumidero Canyon
1. Take a boat tour through the canyon
2. Drive to Sumidero Canyon’s viewpoints, or ‘miradors’
3. Spot crocodiles and other wildlife
Which way of visiting Sumidero Canyon is the best?
Best time to visit Sumidero Canyon
FAQ: Is Sumidero Canyon worth visiting?
FAQ: What to see near Sumidero Canyon in winter?
FAQ: Can you visit Sumidero Canyon in one day?
If you only see one place in Mexico, make it Sumidero Canyon! It’s, without a doubt, our number one on the list of top 10 places in Mexico. And it should be for you as well: this is the most breathtaking national park in the south of Mexico! It’s an equal experience to the Grand Canyon or Yosemite in the US, that’s the level I’m talking about here.
There are a few ways to enjoy Sumidero Canyon: on foot, by boat, or from above (by car). It was super tough deciding which to go with, but in the end, we chose the boats. I’ll tell you why you should too, how to do it, and what not to miss in the ultimate Mexico experience.
You might also be interested in reading:
Before you travel to Mexico, you also should know the 12 facts about Mexico, so you know what to expect, and my 33 Mexico travel tips so you don’t get in trouble.
Cruise through the Sumidero Canyon
Visit Sumidero Canyon because it feels like paradise. There, I’ve convinced you haven’t I? If not let me go on: There are rapids, waterfalls, small caves, rock formations, and so much wildlife that will make you fall in love with this place, all surrounded by 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) high walls of pure rock. There are several ways to enjoy Sumidero Canyon:
If you think this sounds amazing, trust me, the reality is even better. See for yourself in the picture below. And don’t get confused: Even though it looks quite small in the pictures, the canyon is 200 meters (655 feet) wide and 13 kilometers (8 miles) long. I felt exhilaratingly tiny in our little boat, watching the dramatic scenery unfold in every direction around me.
If I could do Sumidero Canyon all over again, I’d go for another boat ride. The boats set off from Chiapa de Corzo, a small town near Tuxtla Gutiérrez, and the route takes approximately three hours. The price is pretty good—around 600 Mexican pesos (30 US dollars) per person. And it’s worth every penny.
Tip: Before getting on board, you will get a life jacket and a wristband. Keep it on even when you get off the boat. It proves that you have paid the entrance fee.
In Chiapa de Corzo, there are four piers where you can book the route:
The boats set off between 8 AM and 3 PM every day.
Miradors are the viewpoints, accessible by car. They offer beautiful views of the canyon and the landscape surrounding it. It was fun to chill out and laugh at the little people in those little boats down there (which, yes, had just been me only a couple hours before).
To put the plan into motion, find the road called Miradores del Cañón del Sumidero (The Views of Sumidero Canyon). It will lead you to four main views:
The miradors are just a stone’s throw from the city; the road starts in Tuxtla, goes only b (10.5 miles) to the fourth view and then heads back.
Map of the trail Miradores del Canyon Sumidero. You can find it on alltrails.com
If you want to see Sumidero Canyon from above, you can go by car. To put the plain into motion, find the road called Miradores del Cañón del Sumidero (The Views of Sumidero Canyon). It will lead you to four main views:
The miradors are just a stone’s throw from the city; the road starts in Tuxtla, goes only 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) to the fourth view and then heads back.
Seasonal waterfalls create beautiful rock formations around the Canyon
In Canyon Sumidero, there are several seasonal waterfalls. You don’t have any idea what it is? You’re not alone.
The most famous one in Canyon Sumidero is called Árbol de Navidad, or “a Christmas tree” in translation. I’m not sure why because the magic happens in summer, when the water flowing down the walls causes the softer layers of the rock to fall and creates an interesting rock formation.
This is another good reason why I recommend rainy season, June through September, as the best time to visit Sumidero Canyon. I wouldn’t have gotten the full waterfall experience otherwise.
During our cruise through Sumidero Canyon we saw a crocodile
Are you an animal lover? If yes, you will love Canyon Sumidero even more! Some endangered species live there, such as the hickatee (river turtle), or, which is even better, the crocodile. But don’t worry, they won’t hurt you. You can peacefully watch them from the safety of your boat and take some photos, just as we did. Or you can play a game called ”Is that a log, or a crocodile?”.
The interesting wildlife in Sumidero Canyon doesn’t end with crocodiles. You can also meet a few pumas, jaguars, spider monkeys, or for example vultures. Over 150 bird species live in the national park. Forget about zoos, they are lame. Get here.
Cueva de Colores (The Cave of Colors in translation) is the most famous cave in the canyon—because it’s pink. The unusual color is caused by minerals, mainly magnesium and potassium.
The cave serves as a chapel and includes the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. There is a ladder, so you can climb into the cave right from your boat. Is it awesome? Is it weird? I would say both, but that’s what made it extra special.
Chicoasén Dam, the tallest dam in North America
Chicoasén Dam is, as you’ve probably already guessed, a dam. A damn large dam (sorry, couldn’t resist). It has 52,600 square kilometers (20,309 square miles) and can take over 1.5 billion cubic meters (132 billion gallons) of water. Its height of 261 meters (856 feet) makes it the tallest dam in North America and the 10th tallest dam in the world.
The boats took us to Chicoasén Dam and back. Another reason why I recommend taking the boat tour. Good luck walking to it!
The three main options are to take a boat, drive to the viewpoints, or hike on a hiking tour.
Do you want to travel by car and see Canyon Sumidero from above? The road starts in Tuxtla in the quarter called La Esperanza. The name of the road is Al Sumidero and you can’t miss it.
Prefer going by boat? You will probably start in Chiapa de Corzo. To get there from Tuxtla or the airport, take a cab. There are lots of them and they are cheap. You can also go in your car, but you can have quite a rough time trying to find a good parking space in Chiapa de Corzo. Another option is a bus from Tuxtla Gutiérrez to Chiapa de Corzo—the bus service is pretty regular.
If you want to hike in Canyon Sumidero, the starting point will depend on your guide or travel agency. But the most common practice is for the guide to pick you up in Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
I’ve put together a quick comparison chart so you can decide which option fits you best:
| Option | Best for | Difficulty | Price | What you’ll see |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boat tour | First-time visitors | Easy | $ | The canyon from water level, cliffs, caves, waterfalls, wildlife, and more |
| Viewpoints by car | Travelers without a lot of time | Easy | $ | Panoramic overlooks from the rim, but without entering the canyon itself |
| Hiking tours | Adventurers | Hard | $$-$$$ | Trails, nature, viewpoints, and remote areas of the canyon you can’t get to otherwise |
If you get a chance to experience all three options, jump at it! But much more likely, you’ll have to choose. Choose carefully.
I, personally, would go for the boat. It’s a unique experience incomparable to anything else, and you’ll get to enjoy a lot of great views. But if you don’t have enough time, the car might also be a good option. And if you like to play at Robinson Crusoe in the jungle… well, go on foot and try to survive!
Tip: Do you still hesitate about which one you should choose? I will tell you a little secret: Google Maps offers street views from both the road and the river, so you can have a glance and decide more easily.
I have more travel tips like this up my sleeve. I've dedicated a whole article to Travel Hacks—check it out!
And by ‘get to Sumidero Canyon’ I really mean ‘get to Tuxla,’ it’s a 30-minute drive from the canyon.
Tuxtla has its own airport, called Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional Ángel Albino Corzo in Spanish). You can fly there from Mexico City, Mérida, Monterrey, Cancún, Guadalajara or Tijuana.
The airport is quite far from Tuxtla so you will need an airport transfer. Probably the best type of transport from the airport in Tuxtla Gutiérrez is a taxi. The drive takes 35 minutes and costs around 250 Mexican pesos (13 US dollars). But you can also book a private VIP transfer if you like.
You can also rent a car right at the airport, as the Alamo rental has its office there. If you want to do so, find out some helpful tricks in our article about driving in Mexico.
You can take a bus into Tuxtla—from Mexico City, Cancún, Merida, and some other cities. Because Tuxtla Gutiérrez is the capital of Chiapas, there are a lot of bus routes going there.
It’s fast and comfortable, as several highways lead to Tuxtla. But I recommend rather going by plane and renting a car locally, instead of driving as far as from Mexico City or a similar distance. Unless you like long, tedious rides for some strange reason.
Rainy season is the best for exploring Sumidero Canyon
However surprising it might sound, the best time to visit Canyon Sumidero is the rainy season (between June and October). There is more water in the river, and all the vegetation is greener (and I don’t mean greener like on the other side of the fence, I mean literally greener). Moreover, water creates remarkable attractions such as seasonal waterfalls. Your jaw will drop when you see that.
Warning: It might be a really bad idea to visit Canyon Sumidero on Tuesday. All miradors are closed.
But however amazing summer could be, you can visit Sumidero Canyon even in winter—the temperature rarely goes below 15 °C (60 °F). Moreover, there is the Fiesta Grande festival held every January.
Sumidero Canyon is so worth visiting it’s almost laughable. Not only is it at the same level of stunning as the Grand Canyon (in my humble opinion), it’s a genuine hidden gem.
And not a hidden gem like ‘it’s one of the less popular but still touristy attractions.’ I’m talking being photographed by the local Mexican tourists because it’s so rare for them to see foreign travelers. Yeah, expect paparazzi.
It’s the most beautiful place in Mexico, and still—you will meet only locals there. Good news both for you and your photos, right?
Every January, the Fiesta Grande festival takes place in Chiapa de Corzo. It
Yes, you can visit Sumidero Canyon in one day. Travel times from the closest cities, particularly Tuxla, are short, so you won’t have to spend too much time commuting.
If you just have the one day, though, I recommend combining the 2-hour boat tour with self-driving to the miradors for the viewpoints.
Absolutely! Some endangered species live there, such as the hickatee (river turtle), or, which is even better, the crocodile. You can also meet a few pumas, jaguars, spider monkeys, or, for example, vultures. Over 150 bird species live in the national park. Forget about zoos, they are lame. Get here.
I liked La Mansion in Tuxla Guriérrez for their authentic Mexican cuisine. Other good options are Árbol de la Vida in Chiapa de Corzo or Otilia in Tuxla Guriérrez for quick takeaway if you’re short on time.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a booking through one of my links, I may earn a small commission—at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
At a glance: quick Sumidero Canyon planning guide
Best things to do in Sumidero Canyon
1. Take a boat tour through the canyon
2. Drive to Sumidero Canyon’s viewpoints, or ‘miradors’
3. Spot crocodiles and other wildlife
Which way of visiting Sumidero Canyon is the best?
Best time to visit Sumidero Canyon
FAQ: Is Sumidero Canyon worth visiting?
FAQ: What to see near Sumidero Canyon in winter?
FAQ: Can you visit Sumidero Canyon in one day?
Hi, I’m Jan. I travel fast and intensely, whether I’m exploring the buzz of Tokyo in 3 days or road-tripping through mountains and beaches on a 3-week Thailand adventure. And no matter where I am, you’ll always find me in a comfortable hotel at night and eating the best food.
If that sounds like your kind of journey, hop on board, and let’s explore the world together!
I started this blog after realizing how tough it can be to find reliable, authentic travel info. You wouldn’t believe how many “travel bloggers” never even visit the places they write about! On Next Level of Travel, you can count on my full honesty and insights drawn from my firsthand experiences.
Here’s the deal: not every destination is all superlatives and unicorns. I’ll let you know if a tourist attraction isn’t worth your time, like skipping overrated stops in my 2-week Spain itinerary. And when I find something truly special—like the perfect mix of culture and nature in Cape Town—you can trust that it’s worth adding to your itinerary.
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