During my time in the beautiful state of Chiapas, I got a chance to take a boat ride through the Sumidero Canyon. Located just outside of Tuxtla Gutierrez, its creation began at the same time as the Grand Canyon in the United States. The narrow and steep canyon has vertical walls as high as 1000 metres and the river that runs through it is over 100 metres deep.

Taking off from the town of Chiapa de Corzo, the boat flies at top speeds down the canyon. Although the river is extremely polluted, the area is full of wildlife. Birds fly over top of the boat as alligators plague the river banks. At one point there were 6 gators sun bathing right next to us. It was pretty wild.

Until the 20th century the canyon was pretty much unexplored. In 1895, three Frenchmen tried to explore the canyon but drowned doing so. In 1932 an American also tried to document the area but disappeared. This left many believing the Canyon was full of bad spirits.

Before the Spanish arrived in Mexico, this area was home to the Chiapa people. The origin of these people is not known but many speculate that they migrated here from as far as Paraguay. They lived in the town of Chiapa de Corzo with a fortified area at the Canyons highest points for protection. The last of the Chiapa people hid at this point from 1528 to 1535 after the Spanish took over the town. It is said that when the Spanish finally arrived at the fort where the last of the Chiapa people were hiding, they all jumped off the canyon.

The canyon’s importance in the state is shown through the state seal – it includes a large drawing of canyon. It is truly a natural work of art! If you are even in Chiapa’s capital be sure to take a boat tour of the Canyon. It only costs around $14 and is definitely worth it.