CHIAPAS
Chiapas is the most southern State in Mexico, bordering Guatemala. So if you have made it this far, and are traveling down, you have reached near the end of your time in Mexico. If you are traveling up from Central America, well then your time in Mexico is just beginning. Chiapas is a part of Mexico that is almost always overlooked by everyone who is not traveling for a long period of time in Mexico. Most anyone who is just going to see Mexico for a week or for a short period of time will not even have this diverse and beautiful state on their radar. It is however pretty frequently on people's list who are backpacking through the country. It's a unique and diverse state that really deserves to be on anyone's list if they really want to see Mexico. Chiapas as a state is probably most well known for its mountainous highlands, lush jungle and plethora of Mayan Ruins and historical sights. It has a pretty large coastline, but it's infrequently traveled, and sparsely inhabited. I actually never met anyone who spent any time on the coast of Chiapas. I'm sure it has something to offer, but for the most part, people are not coming to Chiapas to go to the beach. They come to Chiapas for the other amazing things that it has. Like San Cristóbal de la Casa, and Palenque. These are the most popular places in the state to go. And for good reason. When you are in Chiapas, something that you will notice almost immediately is the prevalence of Indigenous. A very large portion of the inhabitants of the state are Indigenous so you will see men and women (primarily women) dressed in traditional colorful clothing as their everyday outfits. It's a really cool thing to see from a cultural perspective, and witnessing the cultural aspects of the state is one of the most interesting parts of visiting here. Considering how close you are to Guatemala, it's really no surprise that there are so many Indigenous here. Guatemala has the highest percentage of Indigenous population in Central America. When you come to Chiapas you will find a lot of things. You will find stunning waterfalls, cool and crisp air in the highlands with pine trees and mountains, mind boggling natural wonders, and untamed and wild rainforest and jungle. One thing I found interesting is that when you start to ascend up into the mountains the air cools off. It's such a relief assuming that you will be coming from a very hot place beforehand. But then after, when you descend into Palenque, it's probably one of the hottest parts of the whole country. This is another part of Mexico where you will look around and just be shocked that what you are seeing exists in Mexico. It is yet again a place in this magnificent country that breaks down the stereotypes that plague this country. You will have left behind the margaritas and all-inclusive resorts that are so frequently associated with the place. Here you will find rich culture, mountains and forest with pine trees, waterfalls and hidden Mayan Ruins. It's a magical and relaxing place. Additionally, and potentially most interestingly. Chiapas is home to the Zapatistas. The Zapatistas are a far-left militant organization or militia that is partially or fully in control of over half of the territory in the state of Mexico. This is not uncommon in Mexico, as other states like Michoacan have militia presences but the sheer size and single group control here in Chiapas is unique. Their presence extends back to 1994 where there was a conflict called the Zapatista Uprising where they began to take control of parts of the State. They still control, and continue to extend their control, in many areas. You may encounter the Zapatistas when you are here. They will be noticeably militant. With hats reminiscent of Che Guevara. They may stop you at a checkpoint and "ask" for a donation to the cause. You may run into a road-block set up by the Zapatistas as a protest to the government. But don't be alarmed. No one wants to hurt you. To me this is actually an extremely interesting component of visiting Chiapas. The fact that there is this noticeable militia presence. They also are here primarily as a byproduct of the amount of Indigenous in the state. They fight for land rights, labor and trade, housing, and fuel-supply issues, promoting arts (especially Indigenous language and traditions). They are also pro-feminist and pro-queer. So don't think of them as this horrible militant group. They are just the government in the area. Seemingly progressive as well. Notice the pro-Zapatista literature that is spray-painted on the walls as you walk around town and drive through the state. It's all very interesting if you ask me.
