Chiapas is a paradise of natural wonders and together with the state of Oaxaca, is a global biodiversity “hotspot”, forming part of the Meso-American Biological Corridor. It has a diversity of ecosystems, tropical rainforest, montane cloud forest, mangrove swamps, deciduous dry forest, grassland plains, pine forest, even tundra on the highest volcanic peaks. Chiapas has one of the greatest diversities in wildlife in the Americas with over 50,000 species of plants and animals. The zoo in Tuxtla Gutierrez is probably the best in Latin America as it only displays fauna present in Chiapas and in a natural forest environment. This is a must visit if you are interested in the ecology of Chiapas. Species present in Chiapas include jaguar, tapir, peccary, ocelot, Neotropical otters, bobcat, kinkajou, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, opossums, coati, armadillos, iguanas, manatee, crocodiles, Quetzal, Scarlet macaw, toucan and many species of parrot and birds of prey.
Chiapas is an adventurer’s mecca and there are many ecotourism centres around the state. Adventure sports are also popular with opportunities for kayaking, white water rafting, caving/spelunking and climbing.
There are also spectacular hikes up to the huge crater of the Chichonal Volcano which and through rainforest and cloud forest to the 13,000ft high Tacana Volcano, near to Tapachula. There are many travel agencies in the centre of San Cristobal that can organize adventure sport activities.
Here are a few of the many natural wonders that can be visited in Chiapas.
