CIELO Y TIERRA TOURS
Maya Culture in Highland Chiapas
Cielo y Tierra Tours S.A de C.V.
San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico
                                                    
Email: info@cieloytierratours.com

Content and Images © Copyright Cielo y Tierra Tours 2009
Our Tours: Highland Maya Villages
The Tzotzil village of San Pedro Chenalhó (34 km north of
San Cristóbal de Las Casas) is located along the banks of a stream at the base of a steep valley. Like the other highland Maya communities, the beauty of Chenalhó can be seen in its textiles and vibrant religious festivals. It is also a major market center for the Tzotzil Maya.
The women of Chenalhó are skilled weavers and embroiderers and they are renowned for their exquisite huipiles (traditional blouses), intricately embroidered in red. The men's style of dress is equally as distinctive, with their belted white cotton tunics over white cotton shorts and straw hats covered with brightly-colored ribbons.
The drive to Chenalhó takes us along beautiful mountain roads and past deep valleys dotted with corn fields. On our way we pass through the attractive village of San Miguel Mitontic, a Tzotzil community that holds some very colorful religious festivals.

In Chenalhó, market day is on Saturday when the streets fill with villagers both from the community and neighboring Maya villages. It is a very traditional market (that receives very few tourists) and it is a fascinating experience to wander through the streets and soak up the atmosphere.
We also visit Chenalhó's main church, where villagers practise a fusion of Maya and Catholic beliefs, and its cemetery, that sits high on a hill overlooking the village center, with lovely views across the valley.
SUGGESTION:  We recommend visiting San Pedro Chenalhó in a tour with San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán. This gives you a chance to explore three fascinating Tzotzil Maya villages, each with their own very distinct customs and traditions.
SAN PEDRO CHENALHÓ
Day of Excursion: Saturday and Festival Days
Duration: Approx 5 hours
Festival day in San Miguel Mitontic
The central plaza in San Pedro Chenalhó