The Wayro route from Salina Cruz to San Juan Chamula is 244 miles (392 km), about 4 h 40 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 244 mi (392 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 40 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-185 → MEX-190 → MEX-200 → MEX-190D |
| Mexican states on the route | Oaxaca, Chiapas |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-190D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.7 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 Salina Cruz to San Juan Chamula: the shape of the trip
MEX-190D (86 mi) and MEX-190 (72 mi) carry about 65% of the 244 miles. It runs through 2 states: Oaxaca, Chiapas. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-190D. Of the 7 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Salina Cruz to San Juan Chamula
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-185 | 0–37 | 37 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-190 | 37–91 | 54 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-200 | 91–122 | 31 | Oaxaca, Chiapas |
| connecting roads | 122–123 | 1 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190D | 123–181 | 58 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190 | 181–194 | 13 | Chiapas |
| local roads | 194–203 | 9 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190 | 203–208 | 5 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190D | 208–236 | 28 | Chiapas |
| local roads | 236–244 | 8 | Chiapas |
- Mile 109 of this route: Oaxaca → Chiapas (state line)
Where to stop on the way to San Juan Chamula
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Botánico de Tuxtla Gutiérrez (mile 200)
- Nature and outdoors: Selva El Ocote (mile 216)
- Museums and history: Museo de la Ciudad (mile 197), Museo Botánico de Tuxtla Gutiérrez (mile 200), Museo de Ciencia y Tecnología de Chiapas (mile 204), Museo de la Laca and the Santo Domingo monastery (mile 209), La Pila fountain (mile 209)
- With kids: Zoológico Miguél Álvarez del Toro (mile 203)
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.
Museo Botánico de Tuxtla Gutiérrez
Founded in 1951 with the Faustino Miranda Botanical Garden, this Tuxtla Gutiérrez museum, also called the Museo de las Maderas, is devoted to the plant life of Chiapas.
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.
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.
Museo de la Laca and the Santo Domingo monastery
Dominican friars built this convent in Chiapa de Corzo in the second half of the 16th century; today it is a cultural center whose Museo de la Laca is devoted to Chiapas' traditional lacquerwork.
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
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.
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 Mesoamericano del Jade
The Museo Mesoamericano del Jade in San Cristóbal de Las Casas is housed in the Casa del Jade, a cultural center and company specializing in jade, with its own workshops.
More drives to San Juan Chamula
- Copainalá 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
From Salina Cruz to other places in Mexico
- Salina Cruz to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Salina Cruz to Ocosingo
- Salina Cruz to Tapijulapa
- Salina Cruz to Huamantla
- Salina Cruz to Ixtenco
- Salina Cruz to Zacatelco
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Salina Cruz to San Juan Chamula?
About 4 h 40 min of driving without stops, over 244 miles.
What is the driving distance from Salina Cruz to San Juan Chamula?
About 244 miles (392 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 Salina Cruz 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 Salina Cruz to San Juan Chamula?
The U.S. State Department rates Oaxaca 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 Salina Cruz to San Juan Chamula?
In order: MEX-185, MEX-190, MEX-200 and MEX-190D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Salina Cruz to San Juan Chamula?
Closest to the road: Museo de la Ciudad (museum, mile 197, 1 mi from the route); Museo Botánico de Tuxtla Gutiérrez (museum, mile 200, 0.7 mi from the route); La Pila fountain (monument, mile 209, 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.