Trifter

Sumidero Canyon is located in Mexico in the state of Chiapas about 24 miles East of the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez. The canyon walls are almost 2,900 feet above sea level at their highest and flowing through the canyon is the Grijalva River.

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Sumidero Canyon is the result of a geological fault during the Pleistocene, which covers the world’s recent period of repeated glaciations.

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In 1981 a hydroelectric dam called Manuel Moreno Torres but better known as Chicoasén was completed along the Grijalva River which raised the water levels in Sumidero Canyon. Prior to the dam, the waters running through the canyon were were not navigable even for the most skilled boatmen but today tour boats and taxi boats navigate the river with ease. The Chicoasen hydroelectric dam is today one of Mexico’s most important sources of electric power.

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The river tours through Sumidero Canyon are very popular with tourists and leave from Chiapa de Corzo which is a short drive from Tuxtla Gutierrez.

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The boat tours generally run 2 to 3 hours and take you on a spectacular journey through the canyon, with some of the walls towering 2,500 feet above you. The wildlife on display is spectacular, and your boat may take you on a tour past one or two caves in the area. Crocodiles live in the Grijalva River and Sumidero Canyon.

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In 2003 an Ecological Park was opened inside Sumidero Canyon and the only way to get to it is by boat. Kayaking, mountain biking, abseiling, zip-lines and swimming are outdoor activities available in the Eco Park. The park also contains Bird and Animal Sanctuaries.  

While on the river trip there are some interesting rock formations to be seen including the “Christmas Tree”

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which is actually created by moss hanging on one of the rock faces and during the rainy season water trickles down the ‘branches’ of the tree for a special effect.

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Beautiful Sumidero Canyon is an outdoor lovers dream.

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