San Juan Chamula and Zinacatan from San Cristobal English Guide
Description
A unique experience to live with natives of the communities of San Juan Chamula and Zinacatan and learn a little of their traditions.
Tour Options
Itinerary
It is an indigenous community of the Tzotzil ethnic group, with deeply rooted beliefs, they will visit the church and if it is Sunday, they will be able to enjoy the local market, with its colors and natural products
Zinacantán still conserve traditional costumes for daily use, not without an obvious evolution, which shows a deep roots in ancient customs. They will be able to visit a house where they will be taught how to use the backstrap loom and create beautiful designs, such as tablecloths, blankets, centerpieces among others.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Reviews(22)
Very good value for money. There were 10 of us, it was not too big a group. We appreciated Miguel's explanations. Simple enough to understand to have average English. Very nice discovery, it would have been difficult to carry out both visits independently.
Excellent value. As a couple, we could t even get a taxi there and back for the cost of the tour ($300mxn or £11.30gbp). Rodrigo provided a lot of information and was very knowledgeable. San Juan Bautista is an incredible place and the background information provided made it come alive. The trip to the cloth-making/embroidery collective was too lengthy, but the tortilla tastings and the sampling of the 5 types of local spirit added to the experience. You can pay anything up to $70USD for this trip so, at 15% of that cost, it is well worth it. We booked at 08:10 for a departure at 09:15 the same day. The only real disadvantage was that, in their shop, they didn’t take credit cards. However, the trip was so cheap we didn’t need it.
It’s nice to visit the local communities. The guide also gives some information and he can answer all the questions. But everything takes a lot of time. The first stop is about how they make clothes but the time they give to shop is a lot. So if you like quick and practical tours, this isn’t the one. Otherwise, good to go.
Alonso, our guide, made the trip fascinating. He was a font of knowledge and information. Both towns were interesting. Seeing the merging of Christian and pagan beliefs practiced in the churches was amazing, especially in Zinacatan. I never saw a church like that - no pews, thousands of candles on tables and the floor with a carpet of pine needles, families drinking a lot of pox (basically moonshine), praying, chanting and performing rituals with animals was otherwordly. Then there was the workshop where many women produced clothing and other articles that sometimes took a year to create. This tour far exceeded expectations.
We're thrilled to hear that you had a spectacular experience on the tour with Jalapeno Tours! It's wonderful when everything runs smoothly and you can fully enjoy the beauty of the Canyon. We understand that the lunch stop didn't meet your expectations in terms of both quality and prices, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused. Thank you for sharing the helpful tip about Jalapeno Tours' office in the center of St. Christobal. We appreciate your feedback and hope that despite the lunch disappointment, you have many more enjoyable adventures ahead. Feel free to reach out if you need any further assistance or recommendations.
It has been extremely fascinating and interesting visiting San Lorenzo Zinacatan and San Juan Chamula. The tour was very well organized and the tour guide the best ever, very knowledgeable about history and legends of these populations. Amazing experience!
Horrible people making their way to earn money pushing tourists to pay 4000 pesos if you take a photo inside. Collaborating with local guides!
Hello, on the tour of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. We have no interference in the rules of these towns. If you could read about this area, you would realize that in the towns of Chiapas they are governed by uses and customs. They make their rules according to their custom, and it is correct if you take a photo inside the church they charge you a fine. This is because of their traditions. That is why this tour is interesting and you have to respect its rules. We cannot intervene in these rules.
The guide and tour were great and exceeded our expectations. The church at San Juan de Chamula was amazing, like nothing I've ever experienced before. If I come back to San Cristobal, I would do this tour again!
San Juan Chamula, after so much reading there were mixed opinions about visiting it or not, I won and we went. my recommendation is to go with guide, if you respect no problem, but in general you can commit a lack of respect without noticing, they are intransigent, do not go on tour because you do not have your spaces calmly. If there's another vibe and if you feel something in your stress stomach. My 20-year-old daughter and daughter-in-law say they're not going again. Zinacantan, I thought it was a myth that they were real textiles and not copies, even a blouse bought there when checking it later is seen where the label was removed, anyway. If you go and buy (I don’t say don’t buy) first see all the stalls, even the taxi drivers take you to a stall and tell you that it is the best, Lie, you see everything, ask and buy wherever you want, the money is yours, you decide. Where they take you, they offer you a delight of black beans with cheese and freshly made tortilla.
This tour is excellent to get to know much more of the indigenous communities of Chiapas, the guides take great care to explain uses and customs, we really liked the respect they keep towards the people of these communities and their practices, the guides are very knowledgeable about it, the experience is unique and authentic, we could explore much more, the unit in which they took us was very comfortable and safe.
The women of these villages are unique! The community organizes and they do amazing jobs.
