Copainalá is a small town of about 6,500 residents (2010) in the southern state of Chiapas, Mexico. Visitors come for the colonial small town charm as well as the natural environment with lush jungles and waterfalls spawning rivers and streams. The town was designated as one of Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos in 2023.
Understand
[edit]The town and surrounding villages is a traditional home of the Zoque indigenous culture. The town preserves traditional Zoque customs such as dances and various dishes that contribute to the region's unique culinary traditions.
Get in
[edit]
The nearest airport with commercial flights is in Tuxtla Gutierrez (TGZ IATA), 70 km south of Copainala.
By car
[edit]From Tuxtla Gutierrez, drive north on federal highway MEX-190 to the town of Chicoasén where you will exit onto state highway 102 (Carr. Chicoasén-Copainalá). The trip from Tuxtla Gutierrez to Copainala will take about 1 hour.
By combi
[edit]Combis (shared vans) from Autotransportes Zoque (white Toyota vans with a green stripe) operate hourly between Tuxtla Gutierrez and Copainala. Combis stop often to pick up and discharge passengers so the 1-hour drive can take as much as 2 hours by combi. The fare is M$100 per passenger.
- 1 Autotransportes Zoque, Primera Pte. Sur 7, Concepción, Copainalá.
Get around
[edit]Taxis can be found at a sitio next to the Parque Central or you can ask your hotel staff to call one for you. There are also shared van services, called combis, that go to Tuxtla Gutierrez or to other local destinations. The combis also pick up passengers near the Parque Central. The town is quite small so getting around on a bike is very practical.
See
[edit]- 1 Templo de San Miguel Arcángel, Calle Central Sur 14. Built in the Renaissance style with Baroque elements, the church was established by Dominican missionaries between 1549 and 1572. Elements of the church tower represent a fight between angels and demons.
- 2 Templo de San Vicente Ferrer, Morelos 12. The church and convent was built in the 17th century and reflects influences of mudejar style, which was popular in Spain.
- 3 Parque Central, Morelos 12. The town's main plaza
,
Do
[edit]- Zacalapa Falls - North of town near the village of Miguel Hidalgo is the Cascada Zacalapa, a lovely waterfall that marks the beginning of the Rio Zacalapa, a tributary of the Grijalva. The waters are crystal clear and form a deep pool at the base of the falls where you can swim and cool off while surrounded by nature.
- Carnaval - The Lenten celebration of Carnival is celebrated with a twist in the Zoque community of Copainalá. On the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, a mythological being known as the "Weya-Weya" goes out into the streets to welcome Lent. The Zoque prepare a ritual drink called cupsi, made of liquor and honey.
- Fiesta de San Vicente - Each May 5-10, the traditional celebration of San Vicente takes placeː the church is decorated in fresh flowers, locals dress in traditional costumes, and the traditional La Encamisada dance is performed.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 Restaurant La Ceiba, 6a. Av. Sur Ote. 100, Concepción, ☏ +52 968 661 0362. Daily 07ː00 - 21ː00. Casual seafood restaurant with traditional Mexican dishes and reasonable prices. M$150.
- 2 Restaurante Bambu, Primera Pte. Nte. 1, Centro, ☏ +52 968 661 0289. Daily 07ː00 - 18ː00. Cozy restaurant with local Zoque-influenced decor but a decidedly traditional Mexican menu. Food is good and plentiful. Aguas frescas, beer, and other drinks available. Parking is on-street only. M$150.
- 3 El Cangrejito, Sieta Huesos, ☏ +52 968 123 7121. M-Th 09ː00 - 18ː00, F-Su 10ː00 - 18ː30. Popular family-oriented patio restaurant serving traditional Mexican seafood dishes. Locals recommend the mojarro frito. Good selection of desserts. M̩200.
- 4 El Jarocho, Cuarta Avenida Sur Pte. 1-11, Concepción. Tu-Su 09ː00 - 19ː00, closed M. Casual restaurant serving traditional Mexican cuisine. M$150.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hotel Maria Eugenia, Primera Ote. Nte. 30, Concepción, ☏ +52 968 129 3277. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Basic hotel with minimal furnishings. Rooms are available either with air conditioning or with fan only. No heat in winter (not usually needed).