Visitors to the Mexican state of Chiapas are guaranteed a trip drenched in Mayan mysticism, as well as unfettered access to lovely hotels, colonial towns and indigenous cultures.

The Pacific Coast state also benefits from an abundance of lush green fields, forests and jungles, fresh air, unique flora and fauna and rare species.

Many ethnic groups live in Chiapas and each has kept their traditions, languages and folklore alive. Their economy is based on cultivation - corn, beans, squash, potatoes, vegetables, pears, tomatoes and other plants - and raising animals such as pigs and poultry. And the colourful costumes of each group are just as varied as the countryside that surrounds them.

Due to this ethnic tradition Chiapas is also famous for its handcrafts. The Tojolabals make various articles in wood and clay; the Lacandons produce reed flutes, hammocks, nets, leather bags, polished and decorated gourds, clay dolls and necklaces of seeds; while the Zoques are masters at weaving baskets and making toys.

Surrounded by dozens of traditional Tzotzil and Tzeltal villages, the city of San Cristobal de Las Casas is at the heart of one of the most deeply rooted indigenous areas in Mexico. Set in a gorgeous highland valley, the colonial city has been a popular travelers' destination for decades. This makes it both an excellent base for local and regional exploration and a place where ancient customs coexist with modern luxuries. Many people who visit Chiapas stay in the town and use it as a base-camp to explore the surrounding area.

However, San Cristobal is an interesting city in its own right, with a rich history. It's a pleasure to explore the city's cobbled streets and markets, soaking up the unique ambience before taking a rest in the pretty Zocalo or city square. Those looking for a bargain should stop off at the Mercado Municipal - San Crisobal's market - where you can get anything from a live chicken to lipstick. An arts and crafts market can also be found in the plaza outside of the Santo Domingo de Guzman church; this large church and monastery was built in 1547-60 and is the most beautiful in the city. Similarly, the colonial cathedral of San Cristóbal de Las Cas is another must see on any walking tour of the city. Bartolomé de Las Casas, the Defender of the Indians and first bishop of Chiapas, first founded a Cathedral on the spot in 1545; due to earthquakes and poor construction, the original building did not last. The present structure dates mostly from the 1700s.

San Juan Chamula is located in the Chiapas highlands, at an altitude of 2,200 metres (7,200 feet). The village is inhabited by the indigenous Tzotzil Maya people, whose Tzotzil language is one of the Mayan languages. The town enjoys unique autonomous status within Mexico and no outside police or military are allowed in. The village's church is one of the best places to see old ancient Mayan traditions still practiced today. People go to the church to be healed rather than to pray for salvation. Curanderos (medicine men) diagnose the medical, psychological or 'evil-eye' afflictions of those who come and prescribe remedies such as candles of specific colours and sizes, specific flower petals or feathers, or, in a dire situation, a live chicken, to be brought to a healing ceremony. There is also a big market in front of the church where visitors can pick up examples of locally made woollen handicrafts.

Venturing out of the towns and villages, Sumidero Canyon is a canyon located about 40 km from Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital of Chiapas. Its cliffs are 900 meters above sea level and overlook the Grijalva River. The canyon is regarded as an important tourist attraction due to its natural beauty, and it is also an important cultural symbol for Chiapans as its silhouette forms the base of the state's Coat of Arms. The Sumidero Canyon is home to a great variety of plants and fauna, not to mention wildlife such as crocodiles.

The small city of Chiapa de Corzo is set on the north bank of the Río Grijalva and is the perfect place to catch a boat from in order to travel up the Canon del Sumidero and witness all of its natural wonders. In general, this small and attractive colonial town has an easygoing, provincial air, but this livens up considerably during the Fiesta Grande (Grand Festival) or the Fiesta de los Parachicos.

Held over a period of three days every January, this fiesta is held to honour Chiapa de Corzo's three patron saints: the Lord of Esquipulas, St. Antonio Abad and St. Sebastian the Martyr. On the first night gangs of chuntas, or men dressed as women, roam the streets and shake rattles. Fully made-up, they wear long skirts, flowery blouses and hats made with paper streamer-decorated baskets. Accompanying them are musicians playing drums and reed flutes, and sometimes even mariachis or wind bands. However, the true heart and soul of the festival are the parachicos with their lively costumes. Their lacquered masks are made from cedar or guanacaste (a local tree), carved to resemble a Spaniard. The dancers also wear brightly-coloured wool or cotton ponchos over sequin and spangle-embroidered leggings.

An abundance of nature can also be found in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas - a mountain range that runs from northwest to southeast along the Pacific Ocean coast. The area is extremely volcanic, resulting in high peaks, occasional eruptions and earthquakes, and rich soils. The peaks are home to numerous native villages, such as of Navenchave.

Deservedly one of the top destinations of Chiapas is the soaring jungle-swathed temples of Palenque. These are a national treasure and one of the best examples of Maya architecture in Mexico, dating from about 600 AD to 800 AD. Set amidst thick trees, Palenque still evokes some of the wonder that the early Spanish visitors must have felt when they first came across the ruins. The ancient city holds over 200 buildings of varying size and complexity. One of the most important is the Temple of Inscriptions, which records approximately 180 years of the city's history and which houses the second longest glyphic text known from the Maya world. Meanwhile, The Temple of the Cross, Temple of the Sun, and Temple of the Foliated Cross are a set of graceful temples atop step pyramids, each containing elaborate carvings.

Another of the Maya world's most imposing temple complexes can be found at Toniná, which is a short distance away from the town of Ocosingo. Only recently discovered in the last 30 years, in its day Toniná rivalled Palenque in power. The site is nestled 2,950 feet high and visitors to this lofty vantage point can often see the clouds roll below them. The centre of Tonina is built on the side of a large hill in seven terraces - producing the overall effect of a stepped pyramid. Numerous chambers and passageways exist and the largest temple-pyramids is some 76 m (249.3 ft) high

It was the natives of the once great metropolis of Ocosingo who built Toniná and who ruled the area as far away as Palenque. Today, many of the descendents of this culture still live in the town, which remains to this day a hotbed of political activity for the region. Ocosingo is known as a market town and its downtown market is extremely colourful and surprisingly cosmopolitan considering where it is located.

A short detour from Ocosingo and visitors can gaze on the thundering cascades of Agua Azul and the 35m jungle waterfall of Misol-Ha. The Cataratas de Agua Azul waterfall (Blue-water Falls) consists of dozens of dazzling white waterfalls that thunder into turquoise pools. The water is a unique blue in colour because it has a high mineral content. Where it falls on rocks or fallen trees it eventually encases them in a thick shell-like coating of limestone. The area around Misol-Ha, which consists of a high waterfall flanked by smaller cascades, is lush and tropical. Visitors can swim in the pool and also walk behind the main waterfall thanks to a walkway.

From its colonial towns, lush jungle vegetation and awe-inspiring ruins, visitors looking for a real taste of Mayan mysticism should look no further than Chiapas.

MUST CREDIT PHOTOS BY: Rex Features
Words by: Katy Brown