The Wayro route from Copainalá to San Juan Chamula is 85 miles (137 km), about 2 h 2 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 85 mi (137 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 2 h 2 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-190 → MEX-190D |
| Mexican states on the route | Chiapas |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-190D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 3.4 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.
Driving Copainalá to San Juan Chamula: the shape of the trip
MEX-190D (28 mi) and MEX-190 (26 mi) carry about 64% of the 85 miles. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-190D. Of the 7 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Copainalá to San Juan Chamula, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–16 | 16 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190 | 16–37 | 21 | Chiapas |
| local roads | 37–45 | 8 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190 | 45–50 | 5 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190D | 50–78 | 28 | Chiapas |
| local roads | 78–85 | 7 | Chiapas |
Where to stop on the way to San Juan Chamula
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Regional Museum of Anthropology and History of Chiapas (mile 42)
- Nature and outdoors: Sumidero Canyon (mile 23), Selva El Ocote (mile 58)
- Museums and history: Museo de la Ciudad (mile 39), Regional Museum of Anthropology and History of Chiapas (mile 42), Museo de Ciencia y Tecnología de Chiapas (mile 45), La Pila fountain (mile 50), Chiapa de Corzo (mile 51)
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.
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.
Regional Museum of Anthropology and History of Chiapas
Two main halls cover Chiapas's Mesoamerican archaeology and the state's history since the Spanish conquest at this regional museum of anthropology and history in Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
Museo de Ciencia y Tecnología de Chiapas
Opened in 2006 on the site of the former Cerro Hueco prison, the Chiapas Museum of Science and Technology in Tuxtla Gutiérrez aims to spark children's and teens' interest in science and technology.
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.
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.
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.
In San Juan Chamula itself
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.
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.
More drives to San Juan Chamula
- Cárdenas to San Juan Chamula
- Comalcalco to San Juan Chamula
- Coatzacoalcos to San Juan Chamula
- Paraiso to San Juan Chamula
- San Andrés Tuxtla to San Juan Chamula
- Tlacotalpan to San Juan Chamula
From Copainalá to other places in Mexico
- Copainalá to Omitlán
- Copainalá to Huasca de Ocampo
- Copainalá to Boca del Cielo
- Copainalá to San José del Pacífico
- Copainalá to Reforma Agraria
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Copainalá to San Juan Chamula?
About 2 h 2 min of driving without stops, over 85 miles.
How far is San Juan Chamula from Copainalá by car?
About 85 miles (137 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 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 Copainalá to San Juan Chamula?
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 San Juan Chamula use?
In order: MEX-190 and MEX-190D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Copainalá and San Juan Chamula?
Closest to the road: Museo de la Ciudad (museum, mile 39, 1 mi from the route); Regional Museum of Anthropology and History of Chiapas (museum, mile 42, 0.7 mi from the route); La Pila fountain (monument, mile 50, 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.