You won’t find luxury hotels at Puerto Arista and you won’t get lost in this one-street town! The main road is referred to as El Boulevard but also goes by Avenida Mariano Matamors or Boulevard Zapotal. In fact, the town is so small that addresses are listed as either east or west of the main intersection where the road from Tonala connects to the boulevard. The town is set amid citrus and palm trees, a hot and sleepy retreat during the weekdays and a haven for tourists looking to cool off on the weekends.

Jose’s Camping Cabanas is one place that you can stay if you’re on a budget but don’t want to rough it by camping. The cabanas are small but comfortable, clean and bug-free. Jose is actually from Canada; tired of the cold, he traveled to Mexico in the 1960’s and found his paradise in Puerto Arista.

You can partake of the communal meals cooked by Jose for an extra charge and mingle with the other guests. About 200 yards from the beach, you can easily walk down at any time and enjoy the miles and miles of ocean and the beautiful mountains in the background. This charming establishment is a great place to relax in good company and enjoy the warm waters of the Pacific.

You can rent a canoe from Jose’s very reasonably and explore the mangroves and all the local wildlife. As you glide through the water you’ll see egrets, kingfishers, herons and hundreds of other exotic and brightly colored birds. The wildlife itself is well worth the trip to Puerto Arista!

If you prefer to stay someplace more conventional, the Lucero hotel and restaurant is a nice hotel across from the beach with a friendly staff and four swimming pools if you prefer not to swim in the ocean. They have cheap drinks and gated parking to make your stay a pleasant one and the restaurant on the beach serves good, simple food.

The beach is a wonderful place to surf, windsurf or swim but don’t be stingy with the sunscreen! Even if you choose the highest rated sunscreen you can find you will probably burn after more than fifteen minutes in the sun, even if you are sitting in the shade. Despite the heat, it’s worth your while to wear long sleeves and pants if you’ll be outside any length of time. You might even find this a good opportunity to try out the light-weight ultraviolet-resistant apparel that has become so popular.

Further down the beach is a turtle sanctuary. If you are there at the right time of year you can watch the turtles lay their eggs at night. Please do not disturb them!

You can get to Puerto Arista by bus from major towns during the holidays of Christmas and Easter but otherwise you’ll have to take a taxi.

As you near the ruins you will see that they are some of the best preserved in Central America. The Temple of Inscriptions to the east dominates the site and features three large limestone tablets on the outside filled with hieroglyphics. Inside you will find two flights of stair descending to a crypt housing the sarcophagus of Lord Shield II, ruler of the city between 680-672 AD. The walls of the crypt recount the ruler’s history as well as his death and burial and include a magnificent depiction of how the Mayans envisioned the cosmos.

You will also want to see the Temple of the Beautiful relief, named for the 19th century discovery of a relief showing a beautifully attired person perched on a throne supported by wild cats. The relief vanished mysteriously, however, and all that remains are artistic depictions of it in archeological and paleontology museums.

At the center of the city is The Palace, which has four courtyards, many corridors and a watchtower. It has smaller staired buildings, underground galleries, more stairways, hieroglyphics and stucco decorations that still retain some of their formerly brilliant colors.

To the east is the Building of the Leafy Cross, so named for a tablet within that features a cross-like depiction shrouded with leaves. Only the second corridor is complete as the whole building has been destroyed. To the south past the plaza are unexplored buildings which will undoubtedly tempt you but are off limits to the public. This location should not be confused with Temple of the Cross at the southeast edge of the site; it is very impressive and has retained its stairway, fretted stone wall and the remains of prolific stucco decorations. Inside the building is a shrine whose door that is flanked by two stone tablets. Each shows a richly dressed man, one old and smoking a pipe, and date back to around 642 AD.

These ruins will overwhelm you with a sense of mystery and ancient memories. They are much larger than you probably imagined and very imposing both physically and emotionally. If you go out of season you can climb to the top of one of the temples and listen to the wildlife, bird song and the chatter of monkeys as the site overwhelms you with a sense of mystery and ancient mystique.

There are campgrounds and hotels nearby, both costly and modest. If you’d rather stay in town, there are a number of resorts and hotels to choose from with a variety of amenities.

As you enter the site you’ll notice a small stone bridge over a stream, after which the terrain begins to get steeper. You’ll travel up a semi-stone pathway in order to get to the Acropolis, the main area of this site. Looking down and to your left you will see a cenote, which is a water reservoir used by ancient civilizations and an important source of their water. This cenote is the only one known to be in Chiapas.

From the Acropolis you will also be able to see the vegetation-covered Plaza Hundida (sunken plaza). You will notice stone pathways, brilliant foliage and blue skies filled with soft clouds that complement the ruins perfectly. 4,720 feet above sea level, this site sits surrounded by a pain forest and lush valleys. There are tiered temples, platforms and ball courts on the lower reaches with stepped and tiered temple on the Acropolis above.

The views are nothing short of fabulous! From the Acropolis you’ll be able to see the Lakes of Montebello, over 50 bodies of beautiful water that lie half in Mexico and half in Guatemala. The turquoise waters surrounded by majestic mountains and lush forests are inviting and you may want to make the short trip to enjoy its beauty. You may want to plan to take a picnic or eat at one of the cafes and restaurants around the main lakes.

Unlike other Mayan sites, the Great Ballcourt is asymmetrical with the northern end much larger than the southern although no one is quite sure why. Chinkultic was a community that flourished from the 3-9th century and was occupied until it was finally abandoned in the 13th century.

You’ll see hieroglyphic inscriptions from 591-897 and a marker on the ballcourt indicate it was dedicated in May of 591AD. You’ll see carved stelae depicting the settlement’s rulers scattered among the step-pyramids and nearly 200 of the smaller buildings.

Chinkultic is not a commonly visited site so it’s worthwhile to go enjoy the atmosphere, carvings and pyramids. This is a great little day trip that can be combined with a visit to the Lakes of Montebello. One to two hours is all you will need to see everything at the ruins.

To get there, you can rent a car or take a tour bus from the nearby town of Comitan; there are many hotels and other amenities to take advantage of there, too, if you would like to stay a couple of days. Since Chinkultic is surrounded by jungle it is hot an humid so dress accordingly, bring plenty of water and don’t forget your bug spray and sunscreen.

You will have no trouble finding things to do here at Santa Brigida but only choosing which things you have time to do! You may even want to spend a couple of days on this lovely beach because of all the natural attractions around it.

There is, of course, camping allowed on the beach and you can find a palapas or two but for the most part it is pristine and sparsely commercialized. Nearby Santa Brigida was formerly a silver mining community in the 17th century up till several decades ago and has some fascinating old equipment to look at. One of the locals will even take you on a tour if you ask.

You can rent a boat for fishing or exploring or even parasailing on the Dead Sea. If that’s not exciting enough for you, rent a surfboard and windsail or surf the rough waves of Santa Brigida beach.

Because this beach isn’t normally frequented by tourists, you’ll find colorful birds and abundant marine life in and around the warm waters.

As the beach comes into view, you’ll be relieved to notice that it’s another beautiful, undeveloped shoreline unsullied by tourists. Traffic is light here and you will probably see a few people enjoying the surf or having a cool drink in one of the palapas. The one thing you won’t have to deal with at Playa Aventuras is crowds!

It would be a good idea to rent some scuba or snorkeling gear from Arriaga or Tonala, as there is some beautiful underwater life and you may even see a playful dolphin or two. Although the breeze might make you think it’s cooler than it really is, don’t forget to be generous with the sun blocker! It’s a good idea to wear a sun hat, too.

After you wear yourself out in the surf you can relax at a palapas with a cold drink. They have a saying in Mexico, “bueno, barato y bonito” meaning good, cheap and nice. That’s what you’ll find here at Playa Aventuras—a wonderful experience that will make a minimal impact on your wallet.

If you like privacy, Playa del Sol will be a delight. It doesn’t get the traffic that other beaches do; with its gray sand beach stretching for what seems miles and miles, you’ll enjoy the strong surf and warm waters without having to fight crowds of tourists.

The broad scenic beach is great for beachcombing, long walks and the breeze makes it ideal for windsurfing. You’ll find palapas with fresh seafood for about $5-10 for a large plate and you can camp there for free if you buy the food. They will also let you use the bathrooms and showers. One of the palapas, Mary Mar, has a small clean wading pool and hammocks to relax in.

You’ll enjoy watching the fishermen pull their boats ashore to unload their catch at the end of the day. Shortly thereafter you’ll be able to enjoy fresh seafood at a palapas as you watch the spectacular sunset.

If you won’t want to rent a vehicle to get to Playa del Sol, you can take an ATV taxi from another beach or rent one yourself for $10 an hour—a bit pricey but it extends your options for exploring this beautiful beach and the surrounding area.

Before you leave the area you should sample the fruit! Tonala is the mango capital of Chiapas and its extensive orchards produce some of the best you’ll ever taste.

Tapachula has nearly 200,000 residents and is the second largest city in Chiapas. The population is diverse, made up of people like Mestizos, Native Americans, Spanish, Far Eastern, French and other cultures. Playa Linda is just one of a few beaches that complement this beautiful city and you can reach it via a paved road.

Playa Linda is one of the more beautiful beaches in Mexico. Strong waves pound ashore on long stretches of golden sand. The people of Tapachula love this beach so you will find it very busy on weekends and holidays. However, being so close to the city, there are distinct advantage to this particular beach!

Rather than look for accommodations, you will have your choice of budget hotels, luxury hotels, cabins or you can even arrange to rent a house for a week or more. And while enjoying freshly cooked catch of the day meals is wonderful at the more remote beaches, you will have your choice of many restaurants at Playa Linda. You may want to stay at a budget hotel with a private swimming pool or spend a little more and get a room with a relaxing hot tub. And if you miss the cuisine of your native country, you will probably find it here in this international community!

When you tire of frolicking in the waves or searching for shells, you can rent a boat and go fishing or water skiing. There are places to rent scuba and snorkeling equipment, too.

If you’d like to absorb a bit of the local culture, you can visit the Temple of San Agustin or browse through the fascinating Archaeological Museum. You can rent a car and explore German houses and Haciendas, visit the pyramids of Izapa or just have a picnic in the central park. There are many Asian restaurants in Tapachula, too, if you’d like to treat yourself to authentic Asian cuisine.

Tapachula is situated right below El Tacana, an extinct volcano. As such, it is an ideal spot for coffee plantations. While you are here enjoying the Playa Linda Beach you should take a tour of one of the small plantations and sample the superb coffee they produce.

Be sure to take raingear with you to the beach as well as with you in your travels in the city. It can rain unexpectedly and at times very heavily so a poncho and a waterproof backpack for your things will undoubtedly come in handy.

The Mercado San Juan is a great place to shop when you’ve had enough of the sand and surf. Here you will find clothing, gadgets and beautiful handmade craft items.

Boca del Cielo means “Mouth of Heaven”, where Laguna La Joya meets the sea. You will see a huge lagoon which you must cross in order to get to the beach and the palapas and other amenities. Of course, there are locals with boats to ferry you across! The water is like glass, sparkling in the afternoon sun or reflecting the impossibly bright moon. Cocoa palms and mangrove trees murmur lazily in the breeze as the craggy Sierra Madres provide a stunning backdrop.

When you arrive at the beach you’ll notice several palapas, or little sand-floored restaurants. There are hammocks to relax in as well as food and drinks. One thing you will always remember is lying in one of the hammocks with a cold drink and gazing at the mirror-like waters of the lagoon as the light changes and a breeze ruffles your clothing.

Boca del Cielo is one of the most beautiful beaches in Chiapas. There are no bustling crowds, no big hotels and no traffic. The grey-black sand extends to the horizon each way you look and the sea seems to go to the ends of the earth. The inlet is an excellent place for swimming and wading but do watch for boats and strong currents.

The water here is clean and fresh, as is the beach. Don’t worry when you find no hotels, for many of the local fishermen rent out cabins that are clean and pleasant. They will also cook your dinner, using fresh shrimp or whatever their catch of the day was!

The same people you rent your cabin from will also take you on a boat tour of the mangroves. Here you will glide through the glassy waters and see all the varied flora and fauna of this fantastic part of the world—palm broom, taxcal vine, mulatto, lemongrass, tamarind and coconut trees grow around and among the mangroves. You’ll see pelicans, lapwings, gulls, albatross, herons and mallards. Although it may seem quiet at first you will find it quite a noisy place if you take the time to really listen to all the life teeming among the trees and water.

Close by is La Sepultura, a biosphere reserve dedicated to preserving sea turtles. You can accompany to biologists as they search for eggs and move them to safer places and also as they protect the small hatchlings from ravenous gulls.

Boca del Cielo is a wonderful place to fish, boat, swim, ski, scuba dive and windsurf. After a couple of days here spent swimming, relaxing in hammocks, eating the wonderful fresh seafood and watching the magnificent sunsets you’ll feel as if you’ve been on a month-long vacation in paradise!

Barra Zacapulco takes some effort to get to but it is well worth the trip. You can reach this charming seaside community only by boat from the Marina Embarcadero de las Garzas. Community boat transport begins around 7AM and ends at roughly 5:30PM. It will cost about $2.50 per person in U.S. dollars and the trip takes a very pleasant 20 minutes. Be sure to take a sun hat and sunscreen so you don’t get burned! The ride itself is very nice and relaxing.

If you know when you’ll be returning, let the driver know so he can come back and pick you up! Otherwise you’ll have to wait on the dock until a community boat sees your and might come pick you up. If all else fails you can hire one of the local fishermen to take you back but it will cost you much more than your trip over!

The big attraction to Barra Zacapulco lies 600 feet south of the town’s beach. Campamento Tortuguero de Barra de Zacapulco is one of four state sponsored sea turtle protection programs in the southern part of Mexico. Two marine biologists live there and work there, helping the turtle population survive and thrive. Most nights you can see at least one of them patrolling the beach, looking for nests where the female has laid her eggs. Once they find one, usually a nest of olive Ridley turtles, they take it to a protected part of the beach where the eggs can incubate. When the babies are hatched they will run into the ocean. If they are lucky, one of their human protectors will be there to make sure their mad dash to the ocean doesn’t end in the jaws of a seagull or other bird of prey.

You are welcome to volunteer here at any time of year. The most eggs are found between July and December. Hatchlings are released in the highest numbers in September through November. You can help protect the hatchlings, move eggs to safer nests or any of a variety of chores to help the biologists have more time for the endangered species they are trying to protect.

In the small outdoor museum you will see turtle and crocodile tanks and incubation corals, whale bones, turtle shells and dolphin’s skeletons which were found on the shore.

You’ll find that you can camp here if you’d like to stay awhile to explore the village and the surrounding fishing cooperatives and other research facilities. Bring some gear for some great snorkeling or scuba diving!

You’ll see more wildlife here than you expect; it has 11 kinds of amphibians, 294 species of birds, 34 reptile types and 73 kinds of mammals. This may be the only place other than a zoo where you can see spider monkeys, boa constrictors, jaguars, Mexican anteaters, river crocodiles and other endangered species. It serves as a nesting place for threatened species of birds such as the chestnut-bellied heron, the giant wren, roseate spoonbill and 94 other species of shore and songbirds.

The area has had a long, uphill battle to survive. The railroad construction in the early 20th century disturbed the watershed and the area is now threatened with deforestation and disturbance to the water resources, which erode the vegetation. Land clearing methods generally consist of setting fire to the forest and this, as well as poachers, threaten the reserve and the rare and threatened life that makes the reserve their home. This endangers turtles, rare forests of palms and grasslands as well as the wetlands.

You can reach La Encrucijada from Highway 200 leading from Escuintla, about 55 miles north of Tapachula. You will follow the road to Acapetahua then cross the train tracks and take the dirt road for eleven miles until you get to Las Garzas. From there you can hire a boat to take you to Las Palmas, a small fishing village on the outskirts of La Encrucijada.

Unfortunately, there are no formal tours that you can take to see all the amazing sites of La Encrucijada. There are fishermen that will happily give you an informal tour of the reserve, though. They know the area intimately and will be able to point out birds, animals and reptiles that you would probably not see on your own. You’ll see mangrove trees soaring up to seven stories high, sheltering marine life that, in turn, helps to maintain the wetlands and thus the watershed that protects the lands downstream. You’ll hear birdsong, the mating calls of frogs, crocodiles and other amphibians and see graceful jaguars prowling among the trees if you are lucky.

Be sure to tip your guide well! While they don’t depend on giving tours for a living, the extra income allows them to keep their equipment in good repair and perhaps buy shoes for their children or school supplies. Take insect repellent with DEET and some bottles of water to drink along the way.