Comitán
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◈ The town of Comitán de Domínguez, with its viceregal contours, rises up in the middle of a flat landscape. As you wander through its streets, you will discover a profoundly calm city filled with kind people with whom you can experience traditional flavors, as well as stories about their colorful neighborhood churches. One day is enough to immerse yourself in its cultural atmosphere, its Mayan cities and the natural beauty of its surroundings.
- Wander around the Parque Central and see the Town Hall’s mural.
- Try the chinculguajes (tortillas filled with beans, cilantro and chili) and the traditional liquor,
- Visit the Parador Santa María Hotel to see their collection of sacred art inside the old chapel.
- Go to the viewpoint at sunset to see the town in all its glory.
Watch the sunset from the viewpoint and see the town in all its glory.
❖ Teatro de la Ciudad Junchavín
Its life began as a 19th-century mansion, then it became a theater named after Belisario Domínguez, then it became the Cine Montebello, a cinema. Finally, in the eighties, it was turned back into a theater again. Its architecture is striking thanks to its neoclassical style, the beautiful angels decorating the frieze, the pilasters and Corinthian capitals, and its facades and balconies. It is now the setting for theater, music and dance productions. It’s a forum for festivals, cinema screenings, conferences and even political events.
❖ Centro Cultural
Rosario Castellanos
This cultural center is located inside the stone building of the Ex Convento Dominico; it has an auditorium and a library, and numerous art workshops, concerts and exhibitions are held inside its walls. You can hop onto the touristic tram right in front of the building, and get to know more of the city.
❖ Palacio Municipal
The Town Hall, constructed towards the end of the 19th century, boasts neoclassical balconies and segmental arches that can be seen all the way from the Parque Central. On the inside, the figure of Belisario Domínguez adorns the center of the garden. On the wall as you go up the stairs, the mural Génesis e Historia de los Hombres del Maíz (Genesis and History of the Maize Men) by the painter Manuel Suasnávar Pastrana stands out. This work tells the story of Chiapas, from the moment of the creation of the “Maize Man” (Halach Uinic), all the way until Belisario Domínguez tragic fate.
❖ Dive in a Cenote
and Sail On its Lakes
Comitán is surrounded by impressive lakes, waterfalls and cenotes. If you love swimming and discovering underwater secrets, then you must go to Chukumaltic or Lagos de Colón. Those who could spend hours contemplating nature from a cayuco (small canoe) will be in heaven on Laguna Miramar. The Lagunas de Montebello are also an ideal option for enjoying by kayak or on horseback. If you enjoy taking long walks off the beaten track, you will find that El Chiflón is a good alternative.
❖ Buy Handicrafts
To find the objects created by the hands of Comitán’s men and women, visit the Plaza de las Artesanías (handicrafts square) or the Parador Artesanal Mina de los Ángeles. Leather and wood objects, pottery pieces, colorful huipiles (embroidered blouses) and shawls are all elements of Comitán’s traditional handicrafts. In the center, there is also a small souvenir store that it is worth browsing through. Inside you can find shawls, leather shoes made by the neighborhood saddle makers, as well as the agave-based drink known as comiteco.
❖ Prueba los platillos tradicionales
La gastronomía comiteca es variada, de sabores complejos y repleta de antojitos. Cualquier momento es bueno para beber el temperante, el agua de tzilacallote y el comiteco; probar tortillas con asiento, chalupas, chinculguajes (tortillas rellenas de frijol, cilantro y chile); recomendamos el preparado en Ta Bonitío.
Las tardes despiertan el antojo de un salchichón, lengua en pebre (recado de jitomate con almendras, aceitunas y pasas), lengua o cueza baldada, chicharrón de hebra y olla podrida.
❖ Fiesta a San Caralampio
During the month of February, the communities within Comitán arrive in groups at the traditional meeting place, el chumish, in costume. El chumish is a tree located along the route to the Magical Town of Comitán. San Caralampio (Saint Charalambos) was introduced to the region in the 19th century by a soldier, and the people’s devotion to him is owed to the fact that an epidemic that invaded the area never reached the farm where the saint’s image resided.
Image: Biologo Jorge Ayala
❖ Holy Thursday
In Comitán, just like in other parts of Latin America, parishioners visit the seven churches just like Jesus once did, from Holy Thursday until the Calvary.
