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Kick off your family adventure with a late-afternoon private boat cruise through the towering cliffs of the majestic Sumidero Canyon 🚤, soaking in the golden hour magic after a traditional lunch in colonial Chiapa de Corzo 🍲.
Next, journey into the highlands to explore the vibrant, colourful streets of San Cristóbal de las Casas 🌈. Dive deep into living indigenous heritage as you witness the profound mysticism inside the church of San Juan Chamula ⛪, and share a warm, home-cooked meal with a Tzotzil women’s weaving cooperative in Zinacantán 🧶.
Trade the cool mountains for the tropical rainforest! We’ll hit the road for the stunning Cascadas de Agua Azul 💦, where you can swim in turquoise pools and fall asleep in rustic eco-cabins right by the water. After walking behind the dramatic curtain of the Misol-Há waterfall 🌿, we’ll set up our fully equipped jungle camp near Palenque ⛺.
Cap off the expedition by beating the crowds at the legendary Palenque ruins 🏛️, hiking hidden trails to uncover ancient Maya secrets under the lush canopy. Finish with a relaxing afternoon by the pool 🍹 before your seamless onward journey from Villahermosa. Canyons, waterfalls, living cultures, and jungle camping—this is the ultimate family overland adventure! ✨🇲🇽
* ✈️ Travelling as a private group on the same flights? We’re happy to tailor the first and last days of the itinerary to maximise your adventure as soon as we know your flight details! 🗺️✨
Touchdown in Chiapas! ✈️ For those arriving on morning flights, our adventure kicks off straight from the airport as we head to the charming town of Chiapa de Corzo. We’ll dive headfirst into local flavours with a traditional lunch at a beloved local spot 🍲, followed by a brief stroll to admire the historic colonial plaza.
In the late afternoon, we’ll board our private boat for the ultimate highlight: cruising through the majestic Sumidero Canyon at the best hour of the day, when the golden light is pure magic! 🌅🚤
Afterwards, we’ll drive up into the mountains to San Cristóbal de las Casas for hotel check-in and a nice group welcome dinner out in town. 🍽️🥂
* Note: Depending on your group’s flight arrival time, we may spend this first night in Chiapa de Corzo and/or move the boat cruise to the following morning.
Wake up in the magical highlands! ☕ Today, we’ll dive into the colonial charm of San Cristóbal de las Casas with a guided morning introductory walk. We’ll wander through vibrant cobblestone streets, explore the bustling local market full of colours and traditions or walk up to one of the city’s scenic viewpoints for a panoramic look at the valley. ⛪🌿
The afternoon is all yours! Enjoy some free time to discover the town’s amazing cafes, restaurants, and artisan shops at your own family pace. 🛍️ If you’re looking to dive deeper into the local history, there are plenty of incredible optional museums to explore, such as the Jade Museum, Amber Museum, Mayan Textiles Museums, or the Mayan Medicine Museum. 🏛️
* Family Tip: If you’re travelling with kids, we highly recommend taking a chocolate-making workshop at the Cacao Museum! 🍫 Let us know a few days in advance so we can help you book your spot, as they require prior reservation.
Today, we explore the Tzotzil Maya highlands! ⛰️ First, we visit San Juan Chamula, an indigenous village famous for its mystical church. ⛪ Inside, ancient Mayan rituals blend seamlessly with Catholic traditions among thousands of glowing candles and pine-needle floors. 🕯️🌿
Next, we head to the vibrant weaving village of Zinacantán. 🌸 Welcomed into a local family home and women’s cooperative 🏡, we’ll watch a fascinating backstrap loom weaving demonstration 🧶 and enjoy a delicious, traditional highland lunch. 🍲
We’ll return to San Cristóbal for a completely free afternoon. 🚶🏽♂️ It’s the perfect time to relax and wander the pedestrian streets at your own pace! 🛍️✨
We’ll hit the road early from San Cristóbal! 🚐 On our way down the mountains, we’ll pull over at a beloved roadside spot to fuel up on delicious, freshly made local quesadillas for breakfast. 🧀🌮
By midday, we’ll arrive at the spectacular Cascadas de Agua Azul. 🌊 The afternoon is completely yours to swim in the stunning turquoise pools, explore the jungle trails, or just chill in paradise. 🌴✨
Feeling adventurous? You can join an optional canyoning excursion to explore hidden sections of the river! 🧗♂️ Tonight, we’ll sleep right by the water in basic, rustic eco-cabins, falling asleep to the soothing sounds of the falls. 🏕️💤
We continue our journey toward the legendary ruins of Palenque! 🚐 Our first stop is the stunning Misol-Há, a dramatic 35-metre waterfall where you can walk behind the curtain of water for a unique view. 🌊 After a tasty local lunch, we’ll head to our lush jungle base. 🍲
Today is a classic overland experience as we work together to set up our campsite! ⛺ Once our home-on-the-road is ready, we’ll head out on the Motiepa trail. 🐒 This winding jungle path is the perfect introduction to the rainforest, leading us past hidden ruins and small secret cascades. 🌿✨
Step back in time at the legendary ruins of Palenque! 🏛️ We’ll enjoy a guided tour of the majestic temples and pyramids, uncovering the secrets of the Maya. To finish the exploration, we’ll take a scenic jungle trail that winds through the rainforest, leading us past hidden structures and ancient trees. 🌿🐒
The afternoon is all about relaxation for our final day together. 🍹 Enjoy some free time to splash around and chill out by the pool at our tropical lodge, soaking up the jungle vibes. 🌴💦
Looking for one last adventure? You can take an optional visit to a nearby eco-park and wildlife rescue centre! 🐊🦋✨
All good things must come to an end! After our final breakfast together, it’s time to pack our bags and say our goodbyes. 🐒🎒 We’ll hop in the van for a private transfer to the Villahermosa airport, perfectly timed for your onward flights. 🚐💨
Whether you’re heading home or continuing your adventures through Mexico, you’ll be leaving with a heart full of incredible family memories. Safe travels, and we hope to see you on the road again soon! 🌎✨
What’s Included: A mix of hosted meals and authentic regional dining is included throughout the journey (see the specific breakdown at the top of this page). 🌮✨
Local Flexibility: For the remaining meals, you are free to explore local restaurants at your own pace, try our handpicked recommendations, or join group dining options.🍹
Dietary Needs: We happily accommodate most dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free). Please note that options can be limited during remote roadside lunch stops. 🥕🌾
Our itineraries are packed with bucket-list experiences and cultural immersions that other operators charge extra for. When you compare, you’ll see why Lupita offers the best value on the road!
+ Plenty of free time and optional adventure add-ons along the route! 🗺️
Customise your adventure! You can easily select and view current pricing for any of these optional upgrades during Step 2 of your online booking process:
This mandatory cash fund is paid directly to your expedition leader on Day 1 of the tour. It allows us to operate smoothly in remote areas while ensuring your travel directly benefits the people hosting us! 🌿
✈️ Looking to Extend Your Chiapas Adventure?
If you have a few extra days, we can organise an incredible, custom-made extension for you and your family after your main tour.
If you prefer to fly back to Mexico City from the Tuxtla Gutiérrez Airport (TGZ) at the end of the tour, the western region holds some of the country’s most jaw-dropping hidden gems:
Want to go deeper into the wild? Add 1 or 2 extra nights to explore the legendary Selva Lacandona! We can organise a riverboat journey down the Usumacinta River to discover the remote ruins of Yaxchilán, marvel at the ancient, colourful frescoes of Bonampak, or simply relax by pristine, untouched jungle lagoons.
Tailored to your style: Extensions can range from 1 to 5 nights and can be designed as an easy, comfort-focused family getaway or a hardcore, multi-day expedition.
📬 Interested? Just send us a message, and we’ll design the perfect custom route for you!
This adventure is rated as Moderate. It’s the perfect blend of active exploration and relaxation, but it does require an adventurous spirit, a baseline level of fitness, and a love for the outdoors! 🌿
✈️ Flight Booking Tip: Booking this route will NOT double your ticket price! Here is how to do it:
Our expeditions cross drastically different landscapes and altitudes, meaning your weather will vary much more by where we are than by when we go. Get ready for beautiful clear skies and a true mix of microclimates!
We highly recommend packing light for maximum comfort and flexibility on the road. If you forget anything, don’t worry—all essentials can easily be purchased locally.
Main Bag: 1 Large backpack or duffel bag (max 18 kg / 40 lbs and 75 × 30 × 30 cm / 30 × 12 × 12 in). Suitcases are highly discouraged, as you will need to carry your own gear up stairs or down cobbled streets.
Day Gear: 1 Small daypack for daily excursions + 1 fanny pack/shoulder bag for quick-access valuables. If you love souvenirs, leave extra space or plan to ship items home! 🎁
7–12 Days of underwear, t-shirts, and socks.
2–3 Pairs of ultra-light long trousers + 2–3 fresh long-sleeved shirts (crucial for evening mosquito defence! 🦟).
1 Warm fleece/sweater + 1 light waterproof rain jacket ☔.
Footwear: Comfortable trainers/hiking shoes 👟 + sandals/flip-flops 🩴 + water shoes.
Swimwear + quick-dry towel + UV-protective swimming shirt (highly recommended).
Personal medications, toiletries, hand sanitiser, and earplugs.
Eco-friendly mosquito repellent, sunscreen, hat 👒, and sunglasses 🕶️.
Note: We carry a basic first aid kit 🩹 on the truck, but please bring your own prescription supplies.
Everyday Gear: 1 Refillable water bottle 💧, an American travel adapter 🔌, and a small padlock 🔒 for hostel lockers or hotel bags.
Recommended💡 : 1 head torch or small flashlight 🔦 with spare batteries (highly useful for camping nights or unexpected power cuts).
Valid passport, visas, flight tickets, and physical photocopies.
Debit/credit cards 💳 + some local currency in cash 💵 for remote stops.
Laundry: Available at local services every few days (sometimes up to a week between stops). Hand-washing gear can be provided while camping.
Jungle Life: Harmless jungle critters and bugs are common in coastal or jungle areas. Wear long layers at sunset, use repellent, and embrace the wild! 🌿🐜
Overlanding is the ultimate way to discover hidden gems and build authentic connections off the beaten path. This raw style of travel requires physical and mental readiness, flexibility, and a true sense of adventure.
🌍 Embracing the Unexpected: Travelling through remote areas and navigating border crossings means things can change. Expect occasional, flexible adjustments to stops, accommodations, activities, or meals.
⏳ Driving Times: All described driving hours are careful estimates. They do not include stops for activities, meals, border crossings, or unpredictable conditions such as road closures.
📋 Get Fully Prepared: Before hitting the road with us, please review our Pre-Departure Information and FAQs pages to fully understand the overland lifestyle and the scenarios we might encounter.
We had a wonderful 10-day family trip through Chiapas with Jaime from Lupita Overland, travelling from Oaxaca City through Tehuantepec, Juchitán, Tuxtla, San Cristóbal, Palenque and back, with plenty of stops along the way.
Jaime was considerate, flexible and very helpful from the start. It was clear how much he loves Chiapas, and he was genuinely excited to show us around, which made the trip feel much more personal. We visited caves, gorges, waterfalls, ruins, local food places and cultural spots, and felt we were able to see a lot without the days becoming too much.
We travelled as a family with our 5-year-old son, which was a new type of trip for Jaime, but it worked really well. The itinerary was full, but not over-packed. There was still time for our son to rest, play and swim in the hotel pools, and the longer driving days were broken up with good stops, so the travel never felt too hard.
The van, Lupita, was spacious, comfortable and well-equipped, and the hotels Jaime arranged were lovely throughout the trip. We always felt safe and well looked after, while still feeling like we were having a proper adventure through a really beautiful part of Mexico.
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the trip and are very grateful to Jaime for making it such a memorable experience. We’d happily recommend Lupita Overland to anyone wanting to explore Chiapas or other parts of Mexico in a comfortable, flexible and personal way.😎
Our family of three, including our 5 year old son, has just returned from an epic 10 day road trip with Jaime in his awesome Lupita van. A round trip from Oaxaca to Chiapas and back to Oaxaca, with so many beautiful, interesting, and memorable stops along the way.
This was a fantastic family friendly tour of Chiapas region. Jaime created a journey that gave us a wonderful mix of nature, culture, history, food, and local experiences. We visited dramatic canyons, caves, waterfalls, community villages, local markets, colonial cities, archaeological ruins, cultural festivals, traditional handicraft workshops, and places to try delicious regional food and drinks. It was exactly the kind of trip we hoped for: full of adventure and variety, but still paced well enough for travelling with a young child.
Jaime was excellent from the very beginning. He was organised, communicative, flexible, and thoughtful throughout both the planning and the trip itself. He is especially good at setting and managing expectations, which made the whole experience feel smooth and relaxed. We always knew what to expect, but the trip still felt personal and full of discovery.
What made the experience really special was Jaime himself. He is calm, kind, and great with families. He works respectfully with local communities and clearly has a deep love for Chiapas and the people, landscapes, traditions, and culture of the region. It was a joy to have him share his knowledge, experience, and passion with us.
We also now know that Jaime covers trips through many other regions of Mexico, as well as some parts of Central America, which makes Lupita Overland a great option not only for Chiapas, but for anyone looking for a private, flexible, and meaningful overland travel experience more broadly.
We highly recommend Jaime and Lupita Overland to anyone looking for a private or small group tour operator, family road trip, overland tour. We would absolutely travel with Jaime again and hope to do more trips with him when we return to Mexico.
