The Wayro route from Coatzacoalcos to San Juan Chamula is 196 miles (315 km), about 3 h 20 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 196 mi (315 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 3 h 20 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-180 → MEX-187D → MEX-190 → MEX-190D |
| Mexican states on the route | Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-187D, MEX-190D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
Driving this route in a car with U.S. plates
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Required: this route is outside the zones where U.S.-registered cars can skip the temporary import permit (Baja California, Baja California Sur and part of Sonora) |
|---|---|
| Mexican auto insurance | Required for all vehicles: buy a Mexican policy before you drive |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Mexico travel information (updated August 11, 2026); permits are issued by Banjercito.
The Coatzacoalcos–San Juan Chamula drive in a few lines
MEX-187D (122 mi) and MEX-190D (29 mi) carry about 77% of the 196 miles. It runs through 3 states: Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-187D and MEX-190D. None of the 7 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Roads you'll take from Coatzacoalcos to San Juan Chamula
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | |
| MEX-180 | 2–16 | 14 | Veracruz |
| MEX-187D | 16–138 | 122 | Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas |
| MEX-190 | 138–146 | 8 | Chiapas |
| local roads | 146–156 | 10 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190 | 156–160 | 4 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190D | 160–189 | 29 | Chiapas |
| local roads | 189–196 | 7 | Chiapas |
- Mile 77 of this route: Veracruz → Tabasco (state line)
- Mile 85 of this route: Tabasco → Chiapas (state line)
Where to stop on the way to San Juan Chamula
- Nature and outdoors: Sumidero Canyon National Park (mile 153), Selva El Ocote (mile 168)
- Museums and history: Museo de la Ciudad (mile 149), St. Mark's Cathedral, Tuxtla Gutiérrez (mile 152), Chiapa de Corzo (mile 162), La Pila fountain (mile 162)
- With kids: Zoológico Miguél Álvarez del Toro (mile 156)
Museo de la Ciudad
Tuxtla Gutiérrez's city museum covers the history and growth of the city with three permanent exhibits and a temporary gallery, in a building whose site once briefly served as a bullring.
St. Mark's Cathedral, Tuxtla Gutiérrez
Tuxtla Gutiérrez Cathedral, dedicated to St. Mark, is the Catholic church that serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Tuxtla in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas.
Sumidero Canyon National Park
The Grijalva River runs through Sumidero Canyon, whose walls rise from about 200 to 1,000 meters. Boat trips leave from colonial Chiapa de Corzo, and lookouts line the rim. It became a national park in 1980.
Zoológico Miguél Álvarez del Toro
Tuxtla Gutiérrez's zoo, named for Miguel Álvarez del Toro, dates back to 1942, when it opened as the Zoológico de Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
Chiapa de Corzo
Near the town of Chiapa de Corzo in Chiapas lies a pre-Columbian archaeological site of the same name that grew into a regional center around 700–500 BCE, during the Middle Formative period.
La Pila fountain
Built of brick in a diamond shape in 1562, La Pila fountain in the square of Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas, is an example of Mudéjar-Renaissance style.
Selva El Ocote
Selva El Ocote Biosphere Reserve covers about 101,288 hectares of Chiapas, protecting tall evergreen rain forest on karst terrain, a landscape also known for its extensive caverns.
Arriving in San Juan Chamula
San Cristobal Cathedral
Seat of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, the San Cristobal Cathedral (Catedral de San Cristóbal de Las Casas) stands on the north side of the city's central plaza in Chiapas.
Museo de los Altos de Chiapas Ex Convento Santo Domingo de Guzmán
Attached to the baroque church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán in San Cristóbal de Las Casas, this museum occupies the former convent and is one of the city's most traditional landmarks.
Museo de Medicina Maya
Dedicated to the healing practices of the Tzotzil and Tzeltal peoples, the Museo de Medicina Maya is a museum in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas.
More drives to San Juan Chamula
- Copainalá to San Juan Chamula
- Cárdenas to San Juan Chamula
- Comalcalco to San Juan Chamula
- Paraiso to San Juan Chamula
- San Andrés Tuxtla to San Juan Chamula
- Tlacotalpan to San Juan Chamula
From Coatzacoalcos to other places in Mexico
- Coatzacoalcos to Orizaba
- Coatzacoalcos to Cholula
- Coatzacoalcos to Zacatelco
- Coatzacoalcos to Huejotzingo
- Coatzacoalcos to Tlaxcala
- Coatzacoalcos to Atlixco
Continue Your Adventure
- Coatzacoalcos to Tapijulapa Road Trip: Distance, Time & Stops
- Coatzacoalcos to Ezequiel Montes Road Trip: Stops & Drive Time
- Coatzacoalcos to Huasca de Ocampo Road Trip: Route & Stops
- Coatzacoalcos to Tequisquiapan Road Trip: Route, Tolls & Stops
- Coatzacoalcos to San Cristóbal de las Casas Road Trip
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Coatzacoalcos to San Juan Chamula?
About 3 h 20 min of driving without stops, over 196 miles.
How far is San Juan Chamula from Coatzacoalcos by car?
About 196 miles (315 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Do I need a permit to drive my U.S. car from Coatzacoalcos to San Juan Chamula?
Yes. A temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) is required for a U.S.-registered car on this route, which is outside the zones where it can be skipped. Mexican auto insurance is required for every vehicle.
Is it safe to drive from Coatzacoalcos to San Juan Chamula?
The U.S. State Department rates Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Tabasco Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Chiapas Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Coatzacoalcos to San Juan Chamula?
In order: MEX-180, MEX-187D, MEX-190 and MEX-190D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Coatzacoalcos and San Juan Chamula?
Closest to the road: Museo de la Ciudad (museum, mile 149, 1 mi from the route); St. Mark's Cathedral, Tuxtla Gutiérrez (cathedral, mile 152, 1 mi from the route); La Pila fountain (monument, mile 162, 2 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on September 29, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.