· Indigenous communities of ‘San Juan Chamula’ and ‘San Lorenzo Zinacantán’.

The Jovel valley in which San Cristóbal de las Casas is located, is surrounded by many indigenous Maya communities that proudly preserve their culture throughout the centuries. The first stop will be at San Juan Chamula. This town has a very interesting temple which inside of it a high level of religious syncretism has developed from Christian and Maya beliefs. Everyday many religious ceremonies take place and visits to the temple are allowed but silence and respectful behavior is needed. Beware of taking pictures or filming, it is prohibited within the boundaries of the Temple. San Lorenzo Zinacantán is another beautiful town about the same distance from San Cristóbal de las Casas. It is famous because of the delicate handmade clothes that are made by the women in almost every house and by the religious festivities that take place each Sunday. Rare musical instruments, Maya songs, colorful traditional clothing, fireworks and plenty of the local alcoholic beverage: the ‘Pox’.