We have never been to Puerto Chiapas but it’s getting to be a popular Cruise port stop and being added as other ports are being cancelled on popular cruises. Puerto Chiapas, located southeast of Mexico, gateway to countless natural beauties and rich historical past traditions; these features consolidate it in the tourism sector as a port such the best in Mexico. It offers plenty of activities and is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with the history and cultivation of coffee, bananas and cocoa.
The southernmost port on Mexico’s Pacific coast, Puerto Chiapas is named for the state in which it is located. It is relatively new, built in 1975, and is the primary hub from which the region’s agricultural goods, including coffee, are sent abroad. For travelers arriving by cruise ship, the town of Puerto Chiapas is a jumping-off point to explore surrounding areas, including Tapachula, the second-largest city in the state of Chiapas. In addition to visiting the coffee estates and banana and cacao plantations of the area, day trips include excursions to Maya sites such as Izapa. Although not as well known as some of the Maya sites of southern and eastern Mexico, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site Chichén Itzá, Izapa is impressive nonetheless. In addition to its interesting location it sits along a river and is aligned with a volcano (the sixth-tallest mountain in Mexico) archaeologists have found numerous stelae and evidence that it was the largest Maya site in Chiapas.
Its Cruise terminal has an impressive infrastructure made of wood and palm, which makes it unique; it is immersed in a warm tropical climate, surrounded by extensive gardens. There are 22 shops among them: the Museum of Jade, Amber, Crafts, Coffee Shop, Internet and Phone service, as well as the sunk Theatre representing the ballgame of the Mayan culture, in which folk dances are held and Marimba, achieving a great atmosphere. There is no beach within walking distance of the Puerto Chiapas cruise terminal. You will, however, find a Palapa restaurant at the dock that has a swimming pool, beer and music. For those wanting to have a easy day in port you can just relax here.
Puerto Chiapas offers those seeking a close contact to a mystical world, exotic and natural, the door to a magical place with fascinating tours of the area, enjoying unequaled natural beauties, alternative tourism, ecotourism and archeology, including highlighting the archaeological zone Izapa, La Ruta del Café, Mangrove, the Tour of Chocolate and the Center of Tapachula. The city of Tapachula is characterized by its warm climate and traditional architecture. It is the region where the mango variety named Ataulfo was first grown.
Archaeological evidence shows that somewhere around 1750 BC the inhabitants of the region had developed a hierarchical village society, with larger, more elaborate houses presumably reserved for chieftains. A few decades before the Spanish arrived, the Aztecs conquered Soconusco. The region had been relatively isolated before that, protected from the rest of Mesoamerica by the mountains of the continental divide (Sierra Madre del Sur).
Tapachula is the nearest city that offers a great historical town influenced by the Mayans, Mestizos, Spaniards, German, Chinese and French, it’s only 18 miles north of Puerto Chiapas. Tuxtla Chico For the chocoholics: this is the mandatory stop in Puerto Chiapas. Get to learn how chocolate is made and sample various specialties of the area, only 26 miles north of Puerto Chiapas. Agrovia Estate Coffee is the most popular drink on earth. Learn more about this beautiful product at one of the oldest coffee producers in the region, about 50 miles away. At the cruise terminal you will also find a shuttle service to Tapachula, it’s about 10 US dollars for a round trip ticket.
If you have wanted to see the Ruins, this is a good stop to see the Izapa Ruins The Izapa Ruins is home of the Mayan Calendar. This archeological site was the centre of commercial trade in the area. Izapa is a very large pre Columbian archaeological, best known for its occupation during the Late Formative period. The site is situated on the Izapa River, a tributary of the Suchiate River, near the base of the volcano Tacaná, the sixth tallest mountain in Mexico. Izapa is where the Maya started countin, at least this is what the current theories say. They also say that it wasn’t the Maya who started counting, but rather their predecessors, the Olmec. Either way, so much of Mayan numerology originates right here in Izapa. Izapa is the largest Maya site in Chiapas, more than a mile and a half in length and yet you wouldn’t know it today, since most of it is hidden beneath the ground. Only certain “groups” of Izapa’s ruins have surfaced, and these are spread out among a vague network of long dirt roads that wind past people’s houses.
Shore excursions:
Located near the Guatemala Highlands in the Mexican state of Chiapas sits the pre-Columbian Izapa ruins, believed to be the origin of the sacred Mayan calendar. Often referred to as the “birthplace of time,” this archaeological wonder is a must-see attraction for adventurers and history enthusiasts.
Your half-day tour begins at the pier as you travel north through the lush tropical rainforest; just 45 minutes later, you’ll arrive at Izapa, one of the most interesting and largest Mayan sites in the region. Dating back 3,500 years, the archaeological site stretches out over a mile, and once supported an estimated population of 10,000 at its peak. During your guided tour you’ll stroll past cobbled pyramids, sculptured plazas and squares, ceremonial platforms and stone-carved monuments that date roughly from 300 B.C. to 100 B.C. Ceiba trees, which the Maya believed stood at the center of the earth, connecting the terrestrial world to the spirit-world above. This tall tree is still commonly found in Chiapas and surrounding jungles and is easily identifiable by its extraordinary height (many can reach as high as over 195 feet), thick, buttressed roots and large umbrella-shaped canopies. Due to age-old beliefs, these trees are regularly spared when forests are cut.
By about 1200 A.D. Izapa was abandoned. At the time of the Spanish conquest, the Aztecs had conquered the area and were using it to grow cacao trees. The area was called Xoconocheo until conquered by the Spanish and it became a providence of New Spain. Once in Tapachula downtown you will visit the City Museum, where you can watch pictures and artifacts that were important parts of the history of the city. Then watch Maya Dancers perform Maya dances before returning by bus to your ship’s pier.
Special Notes:
Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring adequate sun protection. The day can be hot and muggy so it’s advised that you wear light, comfortable clothing and a hat. The ruins are located on wet and hilly land made of volcanic soil so closed-toe shoes are recommended. Be sure to put on sunscreen and insect repellant. And don’t forget a camera or video recorder to capture the stunning sights.
Bananas & Ruta del Café
One of the best ways to get to know an area and learn its customs and culture is to meet its people. At the end of this half-day tour, you’ll not only acquire a deeper understanding of the local people, but you’ll also have the opportunity to see the inner workings of a banana plantation cooperative and learn how the sales of bananas are distributed among the community members. A portion of the proceeds of this tour will go to the local community center to help the families of the cooperative.
Your enlightening adventure begins as you board your transportation at the pier and travel through the scenic countryside to the tropical banana plantation that overflows with tall banana trees. Once you disembark, you’ll meet your plantation guide who will take you on a walking tour of the plantation. As you stroll the grounds you’ll learn about the history of the region, its people and traditions, as well as the banana growing and harvesting process. Your next visit will be to the banana packing plant. Here, you’ll witness how the entire community works to pack the bananas that they’ve cultivated before being shipped to buyers throughout the country. Being a cooperative, all the proceeds from the sales of the bananas are distributed between each of the community members.
Next on your itinerary is a drive into the nearby town that owns and operates the banana cooperative. Here, you’ll get to visit a local elementary school and meet with the children, their dedicated teachers and several social workers. Devoted to improving the lives of the local residents, the community center has instituted programs aimed at improving the literacy of the adult population, and has also established Internet facilities to help the local children and adults learn about the world and improve their computer literacy. During your visit, you’ll be given a school kit, which contains several of the basic day-to-day needs of the children and you can make a donation. From here, you’ll continue on to a local church and meet the priest, who will share his knowledge of the local customs of his parishioners and their way of life.
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Mangrove Boat Ride
Bird lovers and nature enthusiasts alike will enjoy this narrated, leisurely float down the waters of a local mangrove swamp. There are about 80 different species of mangrove trees in the world and many grow in areas with low-oxygen soil, where slow-moving waters allow fine sediments to accumulate. Mangrove swamps can be difficult to explore because their interlocking roots form a tangle that sometimes makes boating through them difficult. However, this three and a half-hour excursion takes advantage of the daily rise and fall of the tides and offers a comfortable ride aboard a boat that’s carefully navigated through these waters.
From the pier you’ll travel to the nature reserve’s entrance and hop aboard a draft boat specifically designed to cruise through shallow water. Your guide will paddle along the dense, brackish water and past the red mangroves that grow nearest the shoreline and black mangroves that grow further landward in more swamp-like conditions. As your boat winds and twists its way through the tunnel of mangroves your guide will share his knowledge about the area’s eco-system while you peacefully and comfortably sit back and enjoy the views. Among the fascinating facts you’ll learn is that mangroves are generally small scrubby trees supported by prop roots that hold silt and provides a welcoming habitat for a variety of fish and several marine species that your guide will point out as you travel along.
Keep your camera or binoculars handy, depending upon the time of year you may see a wide array of birds including pelicans, herons, ospreys, cormorants, hummingbirds, egrets, spoonbills, storks and the rare patoo as your boat weaves its way down the waterway. Birds aren’t the only inhabitants of the mangroves. You may also see schools of mullet fish and a jumping fish that appears to skip across the water on its fins. Along the bank, you’ll see tiny land crabs and termite nests making themselves at home in the tree roots. Although mangroves are rapidly disappearing from around the world, the waters of the nature reserve currently provide a way of life for the local fishermen. During your tour you may see a group harvesting shrimp, barnacles, crabs and other fish.
When your exciting journey comes to an end, you’ll reboard your transport for a scenic ride back to your waiting ship in Puerto Chiapas.
Special Notes:
Wildlife sightings while common are not guaranteed. Wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat and adequate sun protection. Insect repellant is recommended as well as bottled water.
Folk Art, Tequila And Mezcal Tasting & Tapachula
Tequila has long been considered Mexico’s national drink and plays an important role in Mexican culture. Its history dates back to the mid-16th century but didn’t gain widespread popularity until after the Mexican Revolution. During this four-hour tour you’ll discover the many secrets this elixir possesses followed by a self-guided tour to the nearby town of Tapachula.
From the pier, it’s just a short ride to a local restaurant. Once you disembark you’ll be led to a tasting room where you’ll learn how the exotic plant called blue agave, cultivated for eight to 12 years before being harvested, is used in the production of tequila. During the demonstration, you’ll learn that Mexico produces four different varieties of tequila: blanco (white), oro (gold), reposado (rested) and añejo (aged). By law, tequila is required to contain at least 51% agave, and tequilas labeled premium must contain 100% agave.
Mezcal, on the other hand is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from another type of agave called the maguey plant. Usually consumed straight, mezcal has a strong smoky flavor and some sip it along with salt and fruit.
After a brief history lesson, those 21 and up will have the opportunity to taste some of Mexico’s best tequila and mezcal. (Drinking tequila in Mexico is an art form and the best tequilas are often sipped).
Following your tequila tasting, you’ll re-board your transportation for a brief ride to the culturally diverse city of Tapachula. Its history and heritage has been influenced not only by the Mayans, Mestizo and Spanish but by German, Chinese, Japanese and French immigrants as well. After you arrive you’ll have an hour to explore the city on your own. Stroll around the town square, home to an 18th century church, the city hall, as well as vendors and small stores. Sit in a café with a cup of café de olla, which is coffee spiced with cinnamon and refined brown sugar and leisurely watch the local citizens as they walk by. Or shop for clothes, amber jewelry and souvenirs in the many shops that surround the park.
Fascinating relics excavated from nearby Izapata ruins and other sites from around the region are on display at the Museo Regional del Soconusco archaeological museum (entrance fee not included). Among the stelae, pottery, musical instruments and clay figurine exhibits is an ornate Mixtec skull covered in gold and encrusted with turquoise.
At the end of your Tapachula tour, you’ll meet up with your transport and return to your ship, perhaps laden with gifts from this charming town
Special Notes:
Curbs and sidewalks in Mexico are at various heights and condition. Traffic conditions may also affect tour flow. Use caution when crossing streets and roadways. Wear comfortable walking shoes and adequate sun protection. Participants must be at least 21 years old to sample alcoholic beverages.