Chiapas, Mexico
Navigate a 13-kilometer gorge with walls reaching 1,000 meters high. See crocodiles and spider monkeys on a 2-hour guided boat tour.
4.5 from 85 traveller reviews on Viator
Tickets & tours
Select a guided day trip or transportation option.
Most bookedEmbark on an unforgettable adventure from San Cristóbal de las Casas. Our tour will take you through the stunning landscapes of the Sumidero Canyon. We’ll start by...
Best valueOn the Sump Canyon tour you will have the opportunity to see crocodiles, spider monkeys and exotic birds in their natural habitat. It’s not just a boat ride; it’s a...
Top ratedThe town of Chiapa de Corzo is much more than a jetty to take the boat to the Cañon del Sumidero! This town has history and tradition from pre-Hispanic times that its...
Explore
Key locations inside the national park and nearby town.
3 spotsThe River TourNavigate the Grijalva River gorge for close cliff and wildlife views.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
3 spotsUpper Scenic ViewpointsFive high-altitude lookouts accessible by road above the canyon.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
2 spotsGateway Colonial TownThe historic colonial town serving as the main gateway to the canyon.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
The park covers 21,789 hectares of protected land.
Home to American crocodiles and spider monkeys.
Plan your visit
Boat tours take 2 to 2.5 hours. Add 1 to 2 hours if you drive to the high viewpoints.
Visit between November and April. The dry season offers clear water and calm navigation.
Shared boats depart from Chiapa de Corzo. Many organized tours leave from San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Foreigner boat tickets cost around $460 MXN. This includes the mandatory conservation bracelet.
Sumidero Canyon is a deep natural gorge carved by the Grijalva River. Its geological formation began roughly 70 million years ago. Today, the limestone walls drop up to 1,000 meters down to the water.
Visitors typically take a shared boat ride from the Gateway Colonial Town docks. The 13-kilometer route passes rock formations, caves, and wildlife habitats. Wildlife Guide covers the species you can spot along the muddy banks.
You can also view the canyon from above. Five high-altitude viewpoints sit along a mountain road from Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Read our guide on Viewpoints vs Boat to decide which experience fits your schedule.
We detail exact travel times and stops.
We list what is included and what costs extra.
We use real visitor feedback to highlight pros and cons.
From Viator
85 reviews of the canyon & viewpoints tour on Viator
tthey meet in portal 9 middle of street fast plan to jump in it is a square in town get color of your van AND NAME OF YOUR VAN. he did good bathroom stops where you only walk Down the stairs.thanks francisco
Jorge and Eddie did a great job of taking us to the canyon and their various view points. The canyon was stunning and well worth it however I felt that Jorge could have shared more information about the area before and after the tour. We did have a text message before ensuring that we had hats, sunscreen etc, which was a must.
Very good tour. We were able to see and explore a lot of the canyon. Our driver was very helpful, and provided us with all sorts of information. The tour is very worthwhile
Had a fantastic day experiencing the natural beauty of the canyon as well as the culturally rich tour of the museum and town! Rudy is an excellent guide - kind, informative, curious. This was our second tour with him and we can’t recommend him enough!
My partner went on two trips with Rudy to the canyon and the indigenous village. She had a wonderful time and Rudy was a knowledgeable and kind host. I unfortunately couldn't join due to illness but was able to meet Rudy for a lovely dinner in San Cristóbal. Highly recommend booking a tour with him.
Amazing experience and great guide, we had a fun packed day with so much to see and do, the tour guide Romero was informative and always helped us with ant any questions.
Travel tips
Boat Tour CostsUpdated pricing and fees for the Sumidero Canyon boat tour.Read 
San Cristóbal TransportHow to travel to Sumidero Canyon from San Cristóbal de las Casas.Read Viewpoints vs BoatCompare the boat tour and road viewpoints for your visit.Read Best TimeFind out when to visit for clear water and sunny skies.Read 
Packing GuideEssential clothing and gear for your canyon day trip.Read Wildlife GuideSee crocodiles and monkeys on your canyon boat tour.Read Standard boat tours cost around $460 MXN for foreigners and $400 MXN for nationals. This price includes the $61 MXN CONANP conservation bracelet. You must wear this bracelet at all times. Read Boat Tour Costs for full details.
Guided boat tours typically last between 2 and 2.5 hours. They cover a 13-kilometer stretch of the Grijalva River.
Organized day trips from San Cristóbal take 6 to 9 hours. They usually include hotel pickup, round-trip transport, the boat tour, and free time in Chiapa de Corzo. Prices range from $40 to $60 USD. San Cristóbal Transport breaks down the travel options.
No. You cannot swim in the canyon. Passengers must stay on the boat and are not allowed to disembark during the river tour.
The best time to visit is during the dry season from November to April. You will avoid the muddy waters of the rainy season. This period offers sunny weather and calm navigation.
Shared motorized lanchas depart from the piers in Chiapa de Corzo. Boats usually wait to fill up with 10 to 15 passengers before leaving unless you pay for a private tour.
Book your day trip from San Cristóbal or Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
