HOW TO GET TO CHIAPAS BY PLANE
Chiapas has two international airports, one in Tuxtla Gutierrez (Chiapa de Corzo), and another in Tapachula. There are also private airports in San Cristobal, Palenque and Comitan; where you can find jets available for tourists too.
BY BUS
Chiapas has a good infrastructure in roads that allows people to communicate with other Mexican states and Guatemala. This make easy to get to Chiapas from any other part either of Mexico or other places. There are first or second class buses. the main bus operators are ADO, UNO, CRISTOBAL COLON, MAYA DE ORO, ALTOS y RAPIDOS DEL SUR.
WHERE TO SLEEP.
Chiapas has lodging for all needs and likes. In the main cities you will find five stars Hotels and hostels. There are also cabins or camping sites close to some touristic places or archeological sites. Its better not to travel at night because some places are foggy and you may not see, besides there could be cattle crossing or people walking.
CHIAPAS’ FOOD.
The food from Chiapas results from a mixture of different traditions. Some of the autochthon produces where mixed with cereals, fruits, vegetables and meat. This mixture created a unique dish with proper qualities.
RESTAURANTS
When in Chiapas you will have no trouble to find your favorite food, in the main cities there are a variety of national or international restaurants or economic ones, there are also fast food restaurants easy to find.
TYPICAL DISHES
Chiapas has proper characteristics in their dishes according to the produce of the region; so in San Cristobal you can find tamales with azafran, empanadas de coco, asado de cerdo (pork with chili), chanfaina coleta, ciguamut (smoked and boiled beef), sausages; sweets with cajeta, sweet peaches; there are drinks as atole de granillo or sour atole, cinnamon water, sweet beer, posh (alcohol) and several breads and roses flakes, marquesotes, French style bread, etc.
COINS
The mexican coin is the Peso and it has 100 cents. There are also Bills of 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20 pesos. The coins are of 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 peso and 50 cents.
If you have foreign coins, you can change them in airports, Hotels, Banks, change Bureau and some stores. Most of banks open at 9:00 am and close between 4:00 and 6:00 pm. from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays the schedule is from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
SECURUTY
It is very important when in Chiapas to be respectful with the rules, traditions, customs and laws but with some recommendations you will find no problem. In Mexico drug possession is illegal and its punished, as well as the possession, sell or buy of original archeological objects or animals and birds in danger of extinction.
RESPECT TO THE TRADITIONS.
When you get close to any religious ceremony from any Indian Village, you must be respectful and you must not take pictures. If you wish to take photos of the churches or people, it is necessary to ask for permission first to them, as well as to the indigenous authorities. Some places have forbidden taking pictures inside the church and to the Indigenous Authorities especially when they are in a celebration.
MEDICAL SERVICES
the main cities have hospitals and clinics from the government such as: IMSS, ISSSTE, SSA as well as private hospitals besides the Red Cross; most of the hotels have Medical Care Services, you only have to contact with the reception if you need a doctor.
WHAT TO WEAR.
Because the weather in Chiapas is mostly, humid and warm, the regions have proper characteristics. Except in higher zones where the temperature is cold; in general it is a good idea to use thin clothes, but in San Cristobal it is suitable to use warm clothes and when in the jungle (Palenque, Yaxchilan) it is better to use strong shoes for walking.
COMMUNICATION.
Telmex is the company for services in Communications that Works in all the most important cities and villages even the rural. In the main cities, you can find phone booths that work with International cards that you can get in pharmacies, stores or hotels.
LANGUAGE
the official language is the Spanish. Some hotels, travel agencies and restaurants, have bilingual staffs who speak English and Spanish. a big part of the indigenous population do not speak Spanish, so according to the region you are, you will hear Tzeltal, Tzotzil, Chol, Zoque, Tojolabal, Mame and Lacandon.
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