We have just returned from 12 fabulous days in this region over Semana Santa. This is the first time I have used a tour company (Latin Destinations);I was very reluctant and nervous. Everything went so well, from the moment we were met at the Villahermosa airport to the delivery to the Tuxtla Gutierrez airport, we were treated like royalty. We started in Villahermosa in order to see the Olmec heads and were pleasantly surprised with the added trips to the ruins at Comalcalco and a side trip to Hacienda la Luz, a cacao plantation. They are just getting ready for tours and we were among their first. Very beautiful property--grounds like a botanic garden and most informative on the process of turning cacao into chocolate.
Next stop - Palenque (4 days). We stayed at the Chan Kah Ruinas, a beautiful resort in the jungle; most relaxing place to end days climbing the pyramids. Yaxchilan and Bonampak - Marco negotiated a private boat in Y that waited for our return trip and a private van in B--very nice touch. In the initial planning stages, didn't think these were possible, but having a driver/guide was a bonus. Wouldn't have missed this for the world! (Take a box lunch next time!)
One day of rest in Palenque--the only day it rained--was a welcome respite. Sat in the rocking chairs on the porch of our casita, listening to the jungle rain, catching up on journaling and reading (and coupling!).
Good Friday--off to San Cristobal de las Casas. Stops at Misol-Ha and Agua Azul waterfalls. Beautiful--very crowded on this holiday weekend--but worth it (just to get out of the van and stretch). Intersting side note on this stretch of "Zapatista Highway" where the local children pull a rope across the road so you'll stop and they can sell you stuff. My husband looks like Santa Claus (he was riding in the front passenger seat), after the third or fourth rope trick, he would just lean out the window and shout "Ho, ho, ho!". It stopped the kids in their tracks and we were able to move on with little bother (bring candy canes next time?) As there are almost 300 topes on this highway--any way you can speed up the journey is a bonus.
San Cristobal de las Casas - stayed at Casa Mexicana--beautiful hotel with a fantastic cafe across the street. We woke up to the smell of roasting coffee beans each morning! Semana Santa weekend in San Cristobal de las Casas was especially festive as it was also the opening of the Primavera y Paz Feria. The annual burning of the Judas effigies was followed by fireworks in the zocalo. What a beautiful town--and wonderful people--we will definetely return here (language school in the summer?). The higher altitude and its cooler weather was a welcome change after the jungle heat.
San Juan Chamula and Zinancantan outside SCdlC was especially interesting to learn about the native cultures (I'm a history teacher).
Grutas de Rancho Nuevo (caves) and Casa Na Bolom - this was added in place of an all-day trip to Montebello lagoons and Chincultic Ruins (which we will save for our next trip). Very interesting.
On our way to Tuxtla Gutierrez we toured the Sumidero Canyon, again on a private boat. This was a great ending to our trip--we saw monkeys, crocs, a possum-like animal (forgot the name) as well as many different birds.
Only stayed in TG one night for the flight home. Arrived in town as a protest march was going down the road--held us up for 20 minutes but as we are interested in the politics of Mexico--we found it interesting. did enjoy the market in the plaza as the vendors come from all parts of Mexico and we encountered a man we had met two years ago in Oaxaca!
The tour guides from Nativo Tours (San Cristobal de las Casas), Luis and Marco, were excellent and very attentive. We realized in SCdlC that the itinerary was pretty full and Marco worked with us to adjust our tour. The added stops, suggested by Solar Tours, were spectacular and something we just wouldn't have included if we had planned the trip on our own. Will definetely use these companies again!
TrvlMaven

A great trip report. Thank you so much.
Will have to bookmark yet another place on my computer. Glad the tour company worked out. Sometimes it can be scary putting all yours eggs in one basket. Sounds like the Easter bunny was watching out for your basket .

Suzie2,
It was scary when I saw that we had been sub-contracted several times. When we left, we only had one piece of paper even though we were told we should have vouchers for everything (talk about blind faith!). Glad you enjoyed the report.

TrvlMaven, we didn't stay at Casa Mexicana, but we did stop for a coffee at that cafe across the street a couple of times. Excellent coffee. We also brought back 2 kg of Chiapan green beans to roast here at home.

My one regret is that we didn't bring home more coffee--but the lingering aroma in my carry on bag is a nice souvenir, too.

Great report, TrvlMaven. Just 3 months 'til I visit this part of the world! And I plan to bring home tons of coffee!