For those in search of ancient stories, there are high walls covered in cave paintings to be found not far from Tuxtla Gutiérrez.

The Sacred Canyon, as the Cañón La Venta is also known, is home to caves that conceal a pre-Hispanic past. Expert speleologists have carried out explorations of the caves found near the Tapesco del Diablo, which can only be reached by climbing ten meters above the river. This is where rappelling experience comes in handy, because it is a steep cliff that demands specialized equipment.

In the Tapesco del Diablo pots, pectorals, offerings and human bones dated to the Late Classic period have been found, some of which are on show in the Tuxtla Gutiérrez Anthropology Museum.

To the west of the capital of Chiapas, in the municipality of Ocozocoautla lies the Sima de las Cotorras, a circular depression some 525 feet across and 460 feet in depth, inside which ancient trees grow to a height of 100 feet. Copal trees abound, which has given the site the name of the Sima del Copal. Researchers have located in this area cave paintings that represent men fighting with weapons.

The limestone walls of the Cascada El Chorreadero waterfall in the municipality of Chiapa de Corzo are also great for rappelling. The waterfall is over 80 feet high and at its base there are numerous pools surrounded by trees, especially figs and amate.

A visit to this attractive natural setting is improved still further if you explore the caves with their stalactites and stalagmites.