Five road-accessible viewpoints, La Ceiba, La Coyota, El Roblar, El Tepehuaje and Los Chiapa, line the rim road that climbs north out of Tuxtla Gutierrez into the Canon del Sumidero national park. Each platform looks straight down 800 to 1,000 m to the Grijalva River, with La Coyota giving the sheerest drop and Los Chiapa, also called La Atalaya, the widest panorama toward the dam. Vultures and hawks ride the thermals at eye level, and the drive to the last viewpoint takes about 45 minutes from the city.
Five road-accessible viewpoints, La Ceiba, La Coyota, El Roblar, El Tepehuaje and Los Chiapa (also called La Atalaya), line the rim road that climbs north out of Tuxtla Gutierrez into the Canon del Sumidero national park, offering the canyon experience from above rather than from the river below. Each platform is a short walk from its parking area and looks straight down 800 to 1,000 m to the Grijalva River; La Coyota gives the sheerest vertical drop of the five, while Los Chiapa opens onto the widest panorama, taking in the river's bend toward the Chicoasen dam. Vultures and hawks ride thermals rising off the canyon walls at close to eye level from the platforms, and interpretive signage at each stop covers the canyon's geology and history. Covering all five viewpoints by car takes about three hours including stops, with the drive to the farthest one roughly 45 minutes from the city. Morning visits, particularly from November to April, give the clearest air before afternoon haze builds over the canyon; visibility can be poor by early afternoon in the rainier months from June to October.
Good to know
- Hours
- Wednesday to Monday 8:00AM-5:00PM; the gate closes on Tuesdays in low season
- Best time
- Morning, before the haze thickens over the canyon; November to April gives the clearest air
Location
Carretera a los Miradores, Parque Nacional Canon del Sumidero, 29000 Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico
16.8333, -93.0667 View on map
Highlights
- La Coyota, the sheerest drop of the five viewpoints
- Los Chiapa (La Atalaya), the widest panoramic view toward the dam
- Vultures and hawks riding thermals at eye level with the platforms
- Rim-road drive through pine and dry tropical forest inside the national park
Tips for visiting
- Visit in the morning, especially November to April, for the clearest air over the canyon
- Hire a taxi for the full round trip rather than attempting to walk between viewpoints, as they are spread along several kilometres of road
- Bring water, as there are no vendors at most of the viewpoints
- The park gate can close on Tuesdays in low season, so confirm before setting out
- Combine with the boat trip from Chiapa de Corzo on a separate day for both perspectives on the canyon
When to visit
Morning visits in the November-to-April dry season give the clearest air and best long-range visibility over the canyon.
Accessibility
The viewpoint platforms are reached by short paved or packed-gravel paths from the parking areas, making most of them manageable for visitors with limited mobility, though several lack guardrails at the canyon edge.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to see all five miradores?
Covering all five viewpoints by car, including stops, takes about three hours.
Are the viewpoints worth it for kids?
The dramatic drops appeal to most children, though close supervision is needed at the unfenced edges of several platforms.
Is photography allowed at the viewpoints?
Yes, photography is unrestricted and the platforms are specifically built for scenic views of the canyon.
Which viewpoint has the best view?
La Coyota gives the sheerest vertical drop, while Los Chiapa (La Atalaya) offers the widest panorama toward the Chicoasen dam; many visitors rate them as complementary rather than one being definitively best.