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Indigenous Villages Chamula Zinacantan Tour: Experience Local Traditions and Artisan Markets
5.0
2 Ratings
San Juan Chamula
Immerse yourself in the vibrant traditions and artisan markets of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan on this Indigenous Villages Chamula Zinacantan Tour. Discover the colorful culture, explore beautifully preserved churches, and indulge in local delicacies.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant traditions and artisan markets of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan on this Indigenous Villages Chamula Zinacantan Tour. Discover the colorful culture, explore beautifully preserved churches, and indulge in local delicacies.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- San Juan Chamula - Discover the rich Mayan traditions and attire of San Juan Chamula, rooted in its unique religious syncretism. Located 10 kilometers northeast of San Cristobal de Las Casas, this town is home to approximately 2,000 residents of direct Mayan ancestry, who take great pride in their cultural heritage.
- **Church of St. Juan…
- San Juan Chamula - Discover the rich Mayan traditions and attire of San Juan Chamula, rooted in its unique religious syncretism. Located 10 kilometers northeast of San Cristobal de Las Casas, this town is home to approximately 2,000 residents of direct Mayan ancestry, who take great pride in their cultural heritage.
- Church of St. Juan Bautista - In the town of San Juan Chamula, situated 10 kilometers northeast of San Cristobal de Las Casas, around 2,000 inhabitants of direct Mayan descent proudly uphold their heritage. A local guide will share the region’s history, and visitors can explore the Church of San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist), which features simple yet stunning exterior ornamentation. Inside, admire the artistic beauty and unique altar arrangements, where Catholic saints are adorned in traditional indigenous attire. Learn about the local customs and observe how ancient Mayan traditions blend with contemporary Catholic practices.
- Iglesia de San Lorenzo - This enchanting indigenous community, located near San Cristobal de las Casas, offers the chance to appreciate the beauty of the Church of San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence). Witness the intricate handmade work of the weaver women, who create exquisite textiles such as ‘Huipiles’ (ponchos), tablecloths, bedspreads, and cushion covers using waist looms.
- Zinacantan - Another captivating indigenous community near San Cristobal de las Casas, Zinacantan allows visitors to admire the Church of San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence) and observe the skilled craftsmanship of the weaver women. Enjoy a traditional mini lunch (beans, organic coffee, handmade tortillas, and a regional drink) with a local family, gaining insight into their customs and traditions. Zinacantán, meaning “land of bats” in Nahuatl, is home to Tzotzil-speaking people, who refer to their land as “Sots’leb,” meaning “land of bats” in their language.
- San Cristobal de las Casas - Enjoy time for lunch or a stroll around the Zocalo and its surroundings, with opportunities to purchase local handicrafts.
What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Expert guidance from a professional guide
- Traditional mini lunch including beans, organic coffee, handmade tortillas, and regional drink
- Skilled driver for safe transportation
- Entrance fees to local villages included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Expert guidance from a professional guide
- Traditional mini lunch including beans, organic coffee, handmade tortillas, and regional drink
- Skilled driver for safe transportation
- Entrance fees to local villages included
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Additional Information
Experience the vibrancy and customs when you tour the native villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. Take your time to explore the regional craft markets and view the well-maintained places of worship. The excursion provides transportation, an expert guide, and includes a small meal consisting of beans, freshly prepared tortillas, locally sourced…
Experience the vibrancy and customs when you tour the native villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. Take your time to explore the regional craft markets and view the well-maintained places of worship. The excursion provides transportation, an expert guide, and includes a small meal consisting of beans, freshly prepared tortillas, locally sourced coffee, and a traditional regional beverage.
- The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Note: It is forbidden to take pictures inside the church
- Museo Jtatik Samuel working everyday except Monday.
Location
San Juan Chamula
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(2 Ratings)
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Dunsmurian
Sep 4, 2021
The Mayans Rise Again - While the town is very nice and well organized downtown, the most fascinating is the growth of authority for the Mayans. While most cities in the Yucatan are run by a few Spanish and many mestizos, some of the cities in Chiapas have growing power and authority by Mayans. The nearby Indigenous Villages are entirely run by Mayans under their traditional practices from the post-900 A.D. years after the royalty was overthrown. Several former Catholic churches are now run by the Mayans with a blend of Mayan and Christianity. Lovely weaving and other skills are now made and sold to visitors and create a money basis to strengthen the trading systems in the mixed stores. My experience in mestizo areas was mostly without much smiling by the Indigenous people but they were open and frequent in the exclusive Chiapas Mayan cities. Their towns expect visitor courtesy and the following of their reasonable rules. Remembering it is their town made us greatly enjoy another culture.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Califas
Mar 28, 2020
A Trip to the Past - San Juan Chamula is a Mayan town with it's OWN form of government so please make sure to abide by the local rules that any tour guide will give you. A visit into the San Juan Bautista Church will bring a sense of tranquility and calm to your soul as the church is filled with locals praying with a mix of past beliefs in animal offerings. There are no pews but the floor is covered in pine needles and the endless lit candles to a great variety of saints keep the church warm. Prayers are in the local dialect with saints names in Spanish. NO Pictures allowed.
I was presented with a local 'Ilole" (shaman) who I accompanied to his home for a spiritual cleansing which lasted about 20 minutes.
Whether it was the church, the town of the cleansing..... I left feeling lighter and better.
Zinacatan is another Mayan town. Unfortunately there was a big wedding taking place so we were not allowed to enter the town square or church, but instead went to a local artisan house where the clothing was exceptional and fair prices.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
