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The water in Mexico isn’t only by the beach. This is Misol-Ha. Located deep in the jungles of Chiapas, the waters of Misol-Ha cascade 35 meters down into a 13.7 meter deep pool of water. The entire area is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. From the parking lot, a path leads through the rainforest, to the falls. The path actually takes you behind the waterfall and you can feel the spray of mist from the water splashing into the pool. The rocks are slippery so be careful as you walk. As you continue walking behind the curtain of water, the stone ledge above has crevices that the water showers down through; we took full advantage to dunk our heads under the natural shower to cool off. You can swim in the pool though there are no lifeguards around so do take a plunge, do it with caution. There is a restaurant on the site as well as facilities to change clothes if you are planning to go swimming. Misol-Ha is located about 20 km south of Palenque so if you want a place to take a dip after wandering around the ruins, here’s the place. If you want to spend the night, there are cabins (with private, attached bathroom) that you can rent as well as basic camping facilities. The restaurant serves up regional cuisine….which in Chiapas, is very yummy!

Which one should I get? That’s a question we’ve all asked or have had asked of us on many a shopping spree. We were faced with this dilemma on a visit to a Mayan women’s weaving cooperative in the small village of Zinacantán, located in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico. Every piece was handwoven and every piece had its own distinctive beauty. How to pick? First, a bit about the cooperatives. Like women in many other indigenous communities, women in Zinacantán seek to supplement their family’s income. To this end, they have joined to form cooperatives that allow the women to purchase crafting supplies in bulk and at a discount. The cooperatives also help the women to market their crafts. As a side benefit, the cooperatives are also a good social outlet for the women. The textiles produced by the women in Zinacantán are of designs and colors distinct to the region; they are very beautiful. At first, it was difficult trying to decide which one to buy but after we thought about where the money would go, our consideration went from which one to how many. For the record, we bought the purple and yellow bedspread, a tablecloth and a few placemats. If you are ever near the larger town of San Cristóbal de las Casas, take a side trip to to Zinacantán; it’s only about a half hour ride away. There are plenty of women’s cooperatives in Zincantan but here’s the contact information for the one we went to. Crescencio Rosas #3 Zinacantán, Chiapas 967 103 0243 or 967 680 4514

Hotel Bo is a so-called design concept hotel, and its particular concept is the unification of contemporary and traditional Chiapaneco architecture and design. (Chiapaneco means indigenous to the state of Chiapas, where San Cristobal de las Casas is located.) The four elements—wind, water, fire, and earth—are central to the hotel’s aesthetic, with different design details, such as fireplaces and candles, alluding to these elements. Rooms are decorated with some local crafts, and beds are dressed with colorful spreads. The hotel really is in the heart of San Cristobal, within easy walking distance of markets, restaurants, and the city’s main sights, many of which are architectural gems dating back to the colonial era.

La Ciudadela has been the go-to market for handcrafts for nearly 50 years, and it features crafts and handmade objects from all over Mexico. Expect to find everything from textiles (blankets, tablecloths, and hand-embroidered clothing) to ceramics, plates, cups, and serving dishes. Other items to be had here include mirrors, furniture, jewelry and hair accessories, and all manner of small and large handcrafts, including hand-beaded masks. Toys, dolls, and stuffed animals made by hand by artisans from Chiapas are also on offer. The market is open daily.

Fashionistas will be quick to snap up this new home-grown line that works to support creative and social development for the women of highland Chiapas. Each garment—often a combination of chiffon and linen—is hand-sewn; styles range from crisp and professional to blissfully free, empowering all women whatever their day-to-day activities. Locations throughout Mexico, but there’s something exciting about buying next to the beach from their sliver of a boutique in the Hotel María del Mar.

This tiny café serves up some of Mexico City’s tastiest breakfasts alongside impeccable coffee. A year and a half out from its opening, it was the first place in town to offer Japanese-siphon-extracted brews. They’re also into methods like dipper and French press; choose from Veracruz, Oaxaca or Chiapas varieties, and even take home some beans. Naturally, with the joe at this level, there’s got to be breakfast of equal caliber; the beet hummus (with poached egg) and the berry French toast are current faves. That said, the menu never, ever bores.

Cobá holds what remains of a large pre-Colombian Maya civilization located on the Riviera Maya. Lesser known than Tulum, the name Cobá means turbid (cloudy) waters—probably having to do with the five cenotes (underground rivers) in the region, which played an important role in agriculture during the development of this region. At one time the city is believed to have had 50,000 inhabitants. Much of the area is still unexcavated, although recent excavations unearthed a stele, which is unique to the Maya world, as it is covered in hieroglyphics. A restored ball court confirms that the popular ball game was practiced here. Bloodletting rituals traditionally followed Maya ball games at Cobá and slaves were forced to participate. This differs from what was practiced at the later site of Chichen Itza, where the captain of the winning team was beheaded after the game.

In a country that produces as much coffee as Mexico, you might expect more cafés to feature domestic beans, but that’s not always the case. At Café Avellaneda, however, you can be certain that the coffee in your cup was brewed from beans grown in the Mexican states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, or Veracruz. The space is small but staff is warm and welcoming, and it’s an ideal spot for a cup of coffee before or after visiting La Casa Azul, also in Coyoacan. If you get your cup to go, head to Coyoacan’s main plaza (pictured here) and enjoy its fountain and people-watching.

Today we love chocolate for its delicious indulgent taste, but for the ancient Maya, the cacao pods from which chocolate is derived weren’t just the origin of a sweet treat; they were sacred objects and an important cultural symbol too. Learn why (and, of course, taste chocolate!) on a cacao excursion. You’ll see how cacao beans are turned by hand into a delectable treat, giving you newfound admiration for the chocolate bars you blithely buy at home.

Ejido Miguel Alemán is a banana plantation from which members benefit financially for their work, not only as individuals but also as a group, because a portion of profits are reinvested to cover community needs. See how the bananas are grown and harvested, then move on to have an immersive experience at a nearby community center, where you’ll meet children, teachers and social workers and get a firsthand look at how co-op proceeds benefit the area.

Josélo’s location right on the periphery of Parque Lincoln—a peaceful park in the upscale Polanco neighborhood—is one reason to stop by for a cup of coffee. You can sit at a second-floor table and overlook the park as you sip and take a break from the capital’s chaos. The other reason to visit is the coffee itself. Beans here are sourced from the state of Chiapas, one of Mexico‘s main coffee-producing regions.

Twelve of Mexico’s 31 states grow coffee, and the most productive among them is Chiapas. Visitors can learn more about the characteristics of Chiapan coffee at Argovia, one of the oldest coffee plantations in the state. In addition to growing beans that yield delicious coffee, Argovia staff nurtures more than 125 native plants and flowers, most of which are visible on an estate tour. A visit also includes a traditional lunch with local treats like tortilla soup.