Is Chiapas, Mexico safe to travel to in 2022?
Chiapas is easily one of the most wonderful destinations Mexico has to offer. It allows travelers to explore ancient Mayan ruins, visit dramatic natural wonders, and have a lot of fun.
The local culture is vibrant and even though this is an economically poor state, it makes up for it with beauty and diversity.
Sadly, with economical poverty comes crime, which in many cases makes a lot of people traveling to Mexico wonder: is Chiapas safe to visit, or not?
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Is Chiapas, Mexico Safe?
In this post, I will look at some common questions when it comes to safety in Chiapas as well as some statistics so you can get an idea of what to expect from the sovereign state.
Also, if you’re thinking of backpacking Mexico or have already started some travel safety tips to keep in mind for when you’re on the road.
Is It Safe to Travel to Chiapas Right Now?
The quick answer is yes! As long as you spend your time in popular areas such as San Juan Chamula, San Cristobal de las Casas, Comitan de Dominguez, and Palenque, you should have nothing but a great time.
Millions of people visit the state every year and the number of incidents is small, but you still have to be cautious.
It’s always good practice to avoid bad neighborhoods and focus your trip on crowded, popular places where you’re more likely to be safe.
Going out into uncharted territory alone, or even with an unofficial guide, is not a good idea. When booking tours always remember to book with an official tour operator. This action-packed guide on things to do in Chiapas has some good recommendations on what to do while you’re here.
Safety Facts About Chiapas
To provide a fuller picture, see these Chiapas safety statistics to keep in mind. According to Mexico Business News and Mexico News Daily:
- The most common crimes are kidnapping, pickpocketing, human trafficking, and vehicle theft.
- There are 78 incidents per 100,000 inhabitants.
- The homicide rate was 2.6 per 100,000 inhabitants.
According to Vision of Humanity, Chiapas is ranked #3 in the Mexico Peace index, which means it’s the third safest state in the country.
Is Chiapas Safe to Travel Alone?
Safety in Chiapas is high enough that it’s safe for people to travel alone. However, you must prepare well and have a plan.
Even when you’re not traveling alone, no one can guarantee 100% safety at all times. What you can do is reduce the risks you’re exposed to.
How? By having an itinerary, doing your research, and practicing common sense as well as travel safety tips. I recommend solo travelers focus their visit on San Cristobal de las Casas or Palenque.
Also, with places such as Posada del Abuelito you can meet likeminded travelers so you are never fully alone while expoling this region.
Is Chiapas Safe at Night?
Though Chiapas is pretty safe, it’s important to avoid driving at night or walking alone at night. Driving at night should be avoided in Mexico overall because the roads are not as safe as they are during the day.
You can explore the nightlife, or go out for food, just make sure you stick to popular and crowded places, take a registered taxi instead of walking back to your hotel no matter how close it is, and avoid excess drinking.
If you’ll be using the long-distance buses in Mexico traveling to this region on an overnight bus using the Primera Clase is quite common.
Backpacking Chiapas Safety
Backpackers can have a blast in places such as Chiapas because there’s so much diversity, which means there’s a lot to discover and explore. However, it’s important to stay safe.
I’ve already established that safety in Chiapas is quite high, but you still need to be careful. Especially if you’re backpacking alone.
Create an itinerary for yourself, which means you should do your research. Know where you want to go and how to get there so you don’t get lost and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
You should provide a copy of that itinerary to someone at home, especially if you’re traveling alone. Always stay at one of the many accredited hostels or hotels and overall, don’t throw caution to the wind.
Chiapas: Travel Safety Tips
Following some basic travel safety tips is never a bad idea! They allow you to avoid common risks and have a greater time.
⤵️ Here are some useful tips to help you in Chiapas:
- Learn some basic Spanish conversation phrases to get around and connect with locals to learn more about where to go and what to do.
- Do your research! Make sure the places you want to visit and things you want to do take place in safe areas.
- Use first-class buses when traveling from state to state.
- If you’re using public transportation, keep your belongings close to you because pickpocketing is common.
- Avoid exploring the region late at night (especially alone) and walk with a travel money belt or equivalent to conceal your cash.
- Always use regulated taxis and avoid hailing taxis directly off the street, use Uber or call official taxis instead.
- Dress to blend in, not to stand out. Avoid flaunting your valuables in public and keep expensive clothes or jewelry at home.
- Don’t drink tap water and avoid ice cubes in your drinks. See this post on drinking water in Mexico for more tips on how to stay safe when it comes to food and drink.
- The weather can be cold and damp in some parts the region, depending on the time of the year, but carry sunblock and mosquito repellent, especially if you’re planning on enjoying outdoor activities.
Overall, I recommend you practice common sense and err on the side of caution. Always listen to your gut as well! If something or someone feels wrong, politely get away.
How to Get from Mexico City to Chiapas
If you’re traveling from Mexico City to Chiapas, you’ll be happy to know you have plenty of transportation options. The best one is flying, which will take up to 3 hours and cost between $55 and $380.
You can also fly some of the way, whether to Villahermosa or Tuxtla Gutierrez and then take a shuttle the rest of the way. This can cost between $32 and $201, and take from 4 to 5 hours.
Of course, the cheapest way to get from Mexico City to Chiapas is via bus, which will only cost $40 to $80. It will take longer, though, from 12 to 16 hours of travel, so keep that in mind.
Alternatively, you can always rent a car and drive there yourself. That will cost between $85 and $130 or more, depending on different factors. The trip will take around 9 hours, maybe more.
The issue with driving is that I don’t recommend you drive at night, so it might take longer than 9 hours. You’ll need to plan your road trip well and research places to stay the night along the way so you’re not on the road after the sun sets.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you and the budget you have for your trip!
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Safety in Chiapas: Final Words
Chiapas is quite safe to visit, especially if you take precautions and focus your trip on the best areas this beautiful state has to offer.
There’s a lot to see and a lot to do in Chiapas, so prepare your trip well and practice safety tips so you can avoid any issues. Much of your safety as a traveler is up to you, so don’t leave things up to fate.
See my guide that looks at some of the other safe places to visit in Mexico so you can get some insider tips on what to do and see while there.
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