Comitán Mexico Highland Waterfalls and Montebello Lakes

Why visit Comitán

Tzeltal people first called the settlement Balún Canán, meaning nine stars, and Spanish friars founded the town in 1528. It was later known as Comitán de las Flores, and in 1915 it took the name Comitán de Domínguez in honor of Dr. Belisario Domínguez, who spoke out against a dictator and paid with his life.

The city is also tied to the writer Rosario Castellanos. It has a mix of Baroque, Neoclassical and Neo-Gothic buildings, and the highland climate is cool for most of the year.

Around the city

Parque Central Benito Juárez

The main square is a lively place with trimmed topiary, shade trees and flower beds, plus benches that make it ideal for people watching.

Templo de San Caralampio

This church stands out for its bright orange and red façade, a clean white interior and a statue of a puma outside.

Casa Museo Doctor Belisario Domínguez

This historic house includes a nineteenth century pharmacy and tells the story of the physician and politician after whom the city is named. It is a compact museum that takes under an hour.

Museo Rosario Castellanos

The literary museum honors the twentieth century poet and novelist, who wrote about feminist and gender issues. Exhibits follow her life and career, and the museum hosts workshops and events.

Museo Arqueológico and Museo de Arte Hermila Domínguez

The archaeological museum presents pre-Hispanic cultures of the Chiapas highlands, including trade routes and city-states. The art museum has a permanent collection with works by Rufino Tamayo and Francisco Toledo plus local artists.

Markets

The Mercado Primero de Mayo is the main market for produce, dairy, meat and homemade regional dishes. The Central de Abasto draws people from nearby villages, so you may hear different Indigenous languages.

Ruins, waterfalls and lakes nearby

Tenam Puente

This less-crowded Maya site has pyramids and ball courts with views of fields and forest. It is easy to combine with a half-day outing from the city.

Cascadas El Chiflón

El Chiflón is a series of waterfalls and calm turquoise pools, and its best known cascade is the Velo de Novia. Plan a morning for the walk and the viewpoints.

Lagunas de Montebello National Park

The park is known for around fifty lakes that range from amethyst purple to emerald green.

Cenote Chukumaltik

Southwest of the city, this underground pool has cool, clear water where visitors can swim and dive. It makes a refreshing stop after a day of sightseeing.

Festivals and traditions

Comitán's calendar is full of saints' days. San Sebastián is honored on 20 January and the Virgen de la Candelaria on 2 February.

Later in the year, San José is celebrated on 19 March, Santo Domingo and the Expoferia arrive around 4 August, the Virgen del Rosario on 7 October and San Judas Tadeo on 28 October.

Beyond festivals, the city has Mayan roots visible in the remains of Tenam Puente and Junchavín, and its Baroque, Neoclassical and Neo-Gothic buildings show how the city grew after the Conquest. Walk slowly and look up, because many details sit above street level.

Food and local flavors

Comitán has one of the most distinctive menus in Chiapas. Begin with comiteco, a local spirit that used to be made from agave, and try chalupas, small fried tortillas with toppings that are popular street fare. Sweet tamales called patzitos de manjar are filled with a pudding of corn starch and cinnamon, and marquesote is a light local sponge bread.

Where to stay

Centro is the best base for most visitors, with the main square, churches, museums and restaurants within walking distance. Small guesthouses around courtyards offer quiet rooms at moderate rates, and the area suits solo travelers and couples.

La Pila, around the Templo de San Caralampio, is a neighborhood with a local feel and an easy walk to the center. It suits travelers who like a quieter residential street.

Best time to visit

The climate is cool most of the year, and it can turn chilly from October to March, so pack a jacket. The dry season gradually warms from March to May, and the rainy season starts in May and continues with higher humidity until October.

Festivals add color. San Caralampio runs from 11 to 20 February, Candelaria falls on 2 February, and the Virgen del Rosario is celebrated on 7 October.

Getting there and getting around

Comitán lies in east-central Chiapas near the border with Guatemala. Colectivos and buses run from San Cristóbal de las Casas in about two hours and from Tuxtla Gutiérrez in about three.

The OCC bus terminal is a clean station with first class service. The city center is walkable, and taxis cover longer distances. For Tenam Puente, El Chiflón, Montebello and the cenote, use colectivos, tours or a rental car, and check current schedules locally since services vary by season.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Walk the central square in the morning, then visit the Rosario Castellanos and Belisario Domínguez museums.

Second day

Head to Tenam Puente in the morning and Montebello or El Chiflón in the afternoon.

Third day

Use a free day for the cenote, the other waterfall or a slow morning in the markets before onward travel.

Practical tips

• Bring a warm layer because evenings and mornings can be chilly.
• Check museum opening hours locally since weekend schedules are shorter.
• Carry small bills for entrances, colectivos and market stalls.
• Wear sturdy shoes for the waterfall trails at El Chiflón and the lakes.
• Arrive early at Montebello and El Chiflón to enjoy quieter trails.