Copainalá to Boca del Cielo is about 146 road miles (235 km): roughly 3 h 17 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Distance | 146 mi (235 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 3 h 17 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-190 → MEX-190D → MEX-200 |
| Mexican states on the route | Chiapas |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-190D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 5.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
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.
What the drive from Copainalá to Boca del Cielo is like
MEX-190D (58 mi) and MEX-190 (36 mi) carry about 64% of the 146 miles. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-190D. None of the 4 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Road-by-road breakdown: Copainalá to Boca del Cielo
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–16 | 16 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190 | 16–52 | 36 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190D | 52–110 | 58 | Chiapas |
| MEX-200 | 110–126 | 16 | Chiapas |
| local roads | 126–146 | 20 | Chiapas |
Breaking up the drive: stops between Copainalá and Boca del Cielo
- Nature and outdoors: Sumidero Canyon (mile 23), Sumidero Canyon National Park (mile 23)
- Museums and history: Museo de la Ciudad (mile 37), Los Horcones (mile 121)
Sumidero Canyon
Just north of Chiapa de Corzo in Chiapas, Sumidero Canyon is a deep natural canyon cut by a crack in the crust and erosion by the Grijalva River, which still flows through it.
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.
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.
Los Horcones
On the north side of Cerro de Bernal, atop a small ridge on the south side of a coastal plain, Los Horcones is an archaeological zone in the municipality of Tonalá, Chiapas.
More drives to Boca del Cielo
- San Cristóbal de las Casas to Boca del Cielo
- San Juan Chamula to Boca del Cielo
- Comitán to Boca del Cielo
- Tapijulapa to Boca del Cielo
- Palizada to Boca del Cielo
- Sueños de Oro to Boca del Cielo
From Copainalá to other places in Mexico
- Copainalá to Omitlán
- Copainalá to Huasca de Ocampo
- Copainalá to San Juan Chamula
- Copainalá to San José del Pacífico
- Copainalá to Reforma Agraria
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Copainalá to Boca del Cielo?
About 3 h 17 min of driving without stops, over 146 miles.
How far is Boca del Cielo from Copainalá by car?
About 146 miles (235 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 Copainalá to Boca del Cielo?
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 Copainalá to Boca del Cielo?
The U.S. State Department rates Chiapas Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Copainalá to Boca del Cielo use?
In order: MEX-190, MEX-190D and MEX-200. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Copainalá to Boca del Cielo?
Closest to the road: Sumidero Canyon (canyon, mile 23, 4 mi from the route); Museo de la Ciudad (museum, mile 37, 2 mi from the route); Los Horcones (archaeological site, mile 121, 3 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.