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Has anyone had experience recently driving in Chiapas near the Guatemalan border? I am living in Cuernavaca right now working as a teacher and have a couple of weeks off for Semana Santa coming up and I am planning a trip down to Bonampac, Lagunas de Montebello, and Las Nubes in my combi. I have driven through Chiapas before, but only Palenque to San Cristobal and then down to Puerto Arista, never right up on the frontera. I have read a few stories of people being robbed at gunpoint on the backroads down there. I have been living in Mexico for 4 years now, so I know that can happen anywhere here. But, I am just curious if anyone has a general sense of the level of security/hostility down there right now.

And for that matter, are there any places I should add to my list of places to visit while I am down that way?

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers

Edited by: Silvestre71

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are there any places I should add to my list of places to visit while I am down that way?

I suggest you stop overnight in Comitan de Dominguez, and make a day trip to El Chiflon.

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I was through that area recently, but we were travelling by bus.

Yes, do the trip to El Chiflon! We went by combi (easy and cheap) from Comitan where we were staying. It is absolutely beautiful. Allow yourself lots of time if you want to walk to the very top.

The area felt very safe to me, no nasty undercurrents in the air. Different once you cross the border to Guatemala, though.

In Comitan we stayed at the Posada del Angel, which would be good for you as there is parking right in front of the rooms, like a Canadian or USA motel. It is under construction right now, but the noise doesn't start till 8 in the morning and I liked it there. It has an onsite cafe where you can get breakfast.

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For comparison, in Comitan I stayed at the pleasant, comfortable, and bargain-priced Posada Las Flores, on 1 Ave Pte Nte 17, near the central plaza, for only 10 USD per night!

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·13 I have drove in that area many times without incident except the one time when some people I know came around a corner with a shotgun pointing at us as a very bad joke. It is safe just don't drive at night. There are many things going on during the night that you don't want to know about.

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Heyduke: What is the camping situation like down there? I will be travelling with 2 of my dogs, and the combi is an early 70s camper version, so camping is generally much easier than trying to find a hotel that will take dogs. I've been able to locate a few campgrounds in the area, but I had also thought about boondocking in out of the way places where I wouldn't be noticed. From your message, I am guessing that is not a good idea. Stick to fenced and gated camping areas?

Edited by: Silvestre71