A near-vertical limestone sinkhole about 160 m across and 140 m deep opens suddenly in flat farmland, its walls carrying pre-Hispanic cave paintings and a resident colony of green parakeets that spiral out of the pit at dawn and return at dusk. The ejido-built stairway descends roughly 450 steps to the sinkhole floor, where a short forest path leads to the base of the walls; the return climb is the trail's real physical test, particularly in the mid-morning heat. A rim trail circles the sinkhole's edge through dry tropical forest for those who prefer to watch the parakeet flights from above rather than descend. Community guides are effectively mandatory and are hired at the entrance for around 100-150 MXN (approx USD 6-9) per group; overall site entry runs about 50-60 MXN (approx USD 3-3.50). Rappelling into the sinkhole can be arranged in advance through the ejido's adventure-tourism cooperative.
Sima de las Cotorras is reached via Ejido Piedra Parada, off the road between Ocozocoautla de Espinosa and Cintalapa; there is no public transit to the site, so a rental car or hired driver from Tuxtla Gutiérrez is the practical approach, with informal parking at the ejido entrance and a community fee payable on arrival. The round trip covers roughly 1.5 km, but the defining technical feature is the descent itself: an ejido-built stone-and-concrete stairway of about 450 steps drops some 140 m into the sinkhole, with a further short forest path to the base of the walls. The stairway is exposed to full sun for much of its length and has handrails but no shade, while the sinkhole floor is shaded, humid forest. Landmarks along the way include pre-Hispanic cave paintings on the interior walls and the resident green parakeet colony, best watched from the rim trail at dawn or dusk rather than descended to. There is no water source on the stairway itself, and no shelter beyond the tree cover at the sinkhole floor, so the entry kiosk is the last reliable stop before starting down.
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Sima de las Cotorras, Ejido Piedra Parada, Municipio de Ocozocoautla de Espinosa
- Best season
- November to March, for the coolest temperatures on the exposed stairway and the most reliable parakeet flights at dawn
What to bring
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes with grip for the stone stairway
- At least 1.5 litres of water, since there is no shade on the climb back up
- Sun hat and sunscreen for the exposed rim trail
- Cash in pesos for the entry fee and the mandatory community guide
- Camera or binoculars for the dawn and dusk parakeet flights
Location
Sima de las Cotorras, Ejido Piedra Parada, 29140 Ocozocoautla de Espinosa, Chiapas, Mexico
16.8081, -93.4744 View on map
Highlights
- 160 m wide, 140 m deep limestone sinkhole
- Pre-Hispanic cave paintings on the sinkhole walls
- Dawn and dusk flights of the resident green parakeet colony
- 450-step stairway descent to the sinkhole floor
- Optional rappelling arranged through the ejido cooperative
Tips for visiting
- Time the visit for dawn to see the parakeets leave the sinkhole en masse
- Carry at least 1.5 litres of water, since the climb back up has no shade
- Hire the community guide at the entrance; it is effectively mandatory and inexpensive
- Wear sturdy shoes with grip for the stone steps, which can be slick after rain
- Book rappelling in advance through the ejido's adventure-tourism cooperative if planned
When to visit
Arrive at dawn for the parakeet flight and the coolest stairway temperatures; November to March gives the most reliable weather.
Accessibility
The site is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible; the descent is a roughly 450-step stone stairway with no ramp or alternative route to the sinkhole floor.
Frequently asked questions
Do visitors need a guide to descend into the sinkhole?
A community guide is effectively mandatory and is hired at the entrance for around 100-150 MXN per group.
What is the entry fee?
Overall site entry runs about 50-60 MXN (approx USD 3-3.50), separate from the guide fee.
Is rappelling available?
Yes, rappelling into the sinkhole can be arranged in advance through the ejido's adventure-tourism cooperative.