Ocosingo

Ocosingo is a city of 48,000 people (2020) in Chiapas. Ocosingo is also known as the "Gateway to the Lacandon Jungle", and has several archaeological sites.

The city of Ocosingo, an important scene of recent history, is surrounded by a cattle region with forests and river landscapes such as those on the shore of Alto Jataté. It preserves the colonial era in its historic center, Los Portales and the church of San Jacinto de Polonia

• Colectivo from San Cristobal de las Casas - 2-hour journey, M$120
• Colectivo from Comitan via Altamirano - 2-hour journey, US$4
• Colectivo from Palenque

There are urban colectivos, but the city is small enough that it is best to walk.

• Ocosingo is mainly a jumping off point for Laguna Miramar or Toniná
• In the center of the city you can visit the church of San Jacinto De Polonia, with neoclassical baroque architecture, built in 1569.
• The Pila de Agua made in 1890
• There are around 70 archaeological zones in the municipality, among which Yaxchilan, Bonampak and Toniná stand out. Smaller, less well known sites include Landeros, Anaité, Plan De Ayala, El Planchón, Agua Escondida, Tzendales, and Lacanjá.

The municipality has exuberant jungle rich in flora and fauna and aquifers, the beautiful lakes Miramar Ocotal and Najá. At 19.6 km is the Santa Clara waterfall or also known as Las Golondrinas of 35 min. The journey by car is one of the hidden places in the municipality of Ocosingo. Although lately, it has become a very unsafe place for women and tourists.

• The Fiesta de La Candelaria, celebrated on February 2, is the most deeply rooted festival. It coincides with the purchase and sale of coffee and therefore there is more money to buy the family's requirements. There is a fairground with mechanical games.
• The August Fair in honor of Saint Hyacinth of Poland, patron saint of the city, held on August 17. It takes place in one of the rainiest months of the year and when there are no extra economic resources, so they are festivals of smaller size and brilliance.

There are Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) in Ocosingo. Before heading into Laguna Miramar you should pull out any needed cash here.

Ocosingo is famous for the production of cheeses (Queso de Bola de Ocosingo and Queso Chiapas), possessing genuine styles that place them in the category of highly aged artisan cheeses and others considered fresh.

In the municipality, dishes made of venison, wild boar, fish, beef, lamb, tepezcuintle, a great variety of creams and cheeses are used; fruit sweets from the region such as yucca, papaya, sweet potato, and pumpkin; pozol and chicha drinks. Cradle of the Chiapaneco Tamale.

• 16.909057-92.0960491 Restaurante y Cafeteria Espresso, Avenida, Central Pte. 23, Centro, ☏ +52 919 159 6873. Daily 08ː00 - 22ː00. Clean, modern coffee shop serving light entrees and breakfast items like omelettes and chilaquiles. Good coffee and a selection of sweet breads to go with it. M$200.  (updated Jul 2026)
• 16.909345-92.0951482 Las Delicias, Central Pte. 5 (at the Central Hotel). Daily 07ː00 - 23ː00. Traditional Mexican cuisine served on an outdoor terrace. The tacos de arrachera are recommended. M$200.  (updated Jul 2026)
• 16.911808-92.1003833 El Jarocho, Ocosingo-Palenque 507, ☏ +52 919 673 0375. Daily 09ː00 - 21ː00. Casual dining room featuring a large range of seafood specialties. The seafood cakes are recommended as is the sopa de mariscos. Large shrimp cocktails and creative mixed drinks. Limited off-street parking. M$250.  (updated Jul 2026)

There are a number of decent hotels off of the main plaza that are priced under US$30.

• 16.908088-92.095131 Hotel La Casona, Central Sur 3, ☏ +52 919 166 1346. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. South side of the plaza, double rooms M$300, also rented as single rooms M$250 if not too crowded. Clean big rooms with private bathroom and TV. Free Wi-Fi and drinking water.  (updated Jul 2026)
• 16.908027-92.0969852 Hotel Toniná, ☏ +52 919 673 1860. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 2ː00. Basic hotel offering rooms with or without AC. All rooms have 2 double beds and the price depends on the occupancy. A few blocks away from the main square and thus quiet. Free WiFi and parking.  (updated Jul 2026)
• 16.914128-92.0998543 Hotel Ex - Hacienda La Ilusión, Carretera Internacional Ocosingo Palenque km 85 s/n, ☏ +52 919 673 0031. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. A big stone building with colonial architecture complete with pool and restaurant.  (updated Jul 2026)
• 16.908431-92.0966784 Casa Lobe, C. Segunda Pte. Sur 3, ☏ +52 919 688 0326. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. A rather sophisticated place run by two chefs. Beautiful colonial atmosphere. You can enjoy a nice breakfast here. M1200.  (updated Jul 2021)
• 16.90958-92.0968925 Hotel Zepeda, 2da Calle Poniente Norte, ☏ +52 919 673 0178. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Modern small hotel with clean rooms with cold air conditioning and hot water. Secure off-street parking available. Rates include a full breakfast. M1200.  (updated Jul 2026)

• Palenque
• Chiapa de Corzo
• Toniná
• Laguna Miramar
• San Cristobal de las Casas
• Comitan