Plan on about 3 h 58 min of driving for the 195-mile (314 km) trip from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Paraiso, before any stops.
| Distance | 195 mi (314 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 58 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-190D → MEX-190 → MEX-187D → MEX-187 |
| Mexican states on the route | Chiapas, Tabasco, Veracruz |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-190D, MEX-187D |
| 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 San Cristóbal de las Casas–Paraiso drive in a few lines
MEX-187 (67 mi) and MEX-187D (65 mi) carry about 68% of the 195 miles. It runs through 3 states: Chiapas, Tabasco, Veracruz. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-190D and MEX-187D. Of the 7 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Paraiso, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190D | 1–35 | 34 | Chiapas |
| local roads | 35–44 | 9 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190 | 44–52 | 8 | Chiapas |
| MEX-187D | 52–117 | 65 | Chiapas, Tabasco, Veracruz |
| local roads | 117–127 | 10 | Veracruz, Tabasco |
| MEX-187 | 127–194 | 67 | Tabasco |
| local roads | 194–195 | 1 | Tabasco |
- Mile 107 of this route: Chiapas → Tabasco (state line)
- Mile 114 of this route: Tabasco → Veracruz (state line)
- Mile 119 of this route: Veracruz → Tabasco (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Paraiso
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Comalcalco (mile 185)
- Nature and outdoors: Selva El Ocote (mile 22), Sumidero Canyon National Park (mile 38)
- Museums and history: Museo de la Laca and the Santo Domingo monastery (mile 29), La Pila fountain (mile 29), Museo de Ciencia y Tecnología de Chiapas (mile 35), Museo de la Ciudad (mile 41), Comalcalco (mile 185)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Comalcalco
Next to the modern city of the same name in Tabasco, Comalcalco is an ancient Maya site that stands out as a major Maya city built with bricks instead of limestone, and the westernmost of the civilization.
More drives to Paraiso
- Córdoba, Mexico to Paraiso
- Tehuacán to Paraiso
- Cholula to Paraiso
- Teziutlán to Paraiso
- Cuautla to Paraiso
- Mexico City to Paraiso
From San Cristóbal de las Casas to other places in Mexico
- San Cristóbal de las Casas to Copainalá
- San Cristóbal de las Casas to Cárdenas
- San Cristóbal de las Casas to Comalcalco
- San Cristóbal de las Casas to Córdoba, Mexico
- San Cristóbal de las Casas to Orizaba
- San Cristóbal de las Casas to Huamantla
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Paraiso?
About 3 h 58 min of driving without stops, over 195 miles.
How far is Paraiso from San Cristóbal de las Casas by car?
About 195 miles (314 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 San Cristóbal de las Casas to Paraiso?
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 San Cristóbal de las Casas to Paraiso?
The U.S. State Department rates Chiapas Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Tabasco Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Paraiso?
In order: MEX-190D, MEX-190, MEX-187D and MEX-187. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Paraiso?
Closest to the road: La Pila fountain (monument, mile 29, 2 mi from the route); Museo de la Ciudad (museum, mile 41, 1 mi from the route); Comalcalco (archaeological site, mile 185, 0.7 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.