Chiapa de Corzo Archaeological Site

Chiapas


On a trade route between the Pacific and the Gulf, the sprawling Chiapa de Corzo settlement had close ties to neighboring Maya and Olmec cultures. At its peak, it counted about 200 structures, but was abandoned around AD 500. After years of excavation, three Zoque pyramid structures are now on view here, 1.5km east of the main plaza. These visible structures were built between 1600 and 1800 years ago, but sit on mounds dating back as far as 750 BC.

Though the guarded ruins receive few visitors, it’s worth an hour to climb around the deserted temples and marvel at the big-sky countryside. Recent excavation of one nearby mound (not open to the public) unearthed the oldest known pyramid tomb in Mesoamerica and new evidence linking it to Olmec centers such as La Venta.

The site entrance is near the Nestlé plant and the old highway (on the road that goes to La Topada de la Flor), but the site isn’t signed from the road. Taxis charge about M$150 round trip from the plaza with an hour of wait time, but you can walk there in 20 minutes.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Chiapas attractions

1. Plaza

0.95 MILES

Impressive arcades frame three sides of the plaza, and a beefy tree called La Pochota buckles the sidewalk with its centuries-old roots. Venerated by the…

2. Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán

0.96 MILES

The large Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, one block south of the main plaza, was built in the late 16th century by the Dominican order. Its adjoining …

3. Centro Cultural

0.99 MILES

Not open at the time of research due to damage from the 2017 earthquake, when open, the Centro Cultural is home to the wood and lino prints of talented…

4. Zoológico Miguel Álvarez del Toro

6.19 MILES

Chiapas, with its huge range of natural environments, has the highest concentration of animal species in North America, including several varieties of big…

5. Centro de Convivencia Infantil

7.64 MILES

Parque Madero contains a children’s park, the Centro de Convivencia Infantil, with a minitrain, carnival games, pony rides and other diversions for the …

6. Museo Regional de Chiapas

7.86 MILES

The Museo Regional de Chiapas, an imposing modern building constructed in 1982, was under much-needed renovation at the time of research (it's a fabulous…

7. Jardín Botánico Dr Faustino Miranda

7.91 MILES

The lush oasis of the Jardín Botánico Dr Faustino Miranda is a gorgeous place to visit, as well as being a nice respite from the city heat. The collection…

8. Museo del Café

8.15 MILES

This small museum, housed inside an attractive colonial building, contains exhibits on the cultivation and processing of everyone's favorite bean. It's…