The Sima de las Cotorras is an imposing natural abyss located in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. Its fame comes from several factors such as its great natural beauty, besides being home to thousands of green parrots, which nest in its rocky walls.

This fantastic place is located in the municipality of Chicoasén, about 30 kilometers northeast of the capital Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Some of the unique characteristics of this hole in the ground are its depth of 140 meters with a diameter of 160 meters, as well as its walls covered with vegetation and rocks, where you can see a huge number of green parrots showing off their striking plumage.

Also known as green-cheeked conures, these parrots are medium-sized and have bright green plumage with blue spots on their wings. Their diet is based on wild fruits and seeds, and they are known to be very noisy.

The Sima de las Cotorras is a popular place to observe the green parrots in their natural habitat, as they fly, feed and nest on the walls of the abyss.

To reach the Sima de las Cotorras it is necessary to walk a trail of approximately 500 meters, and when you are visiting, consider that access is limited to a small number of visitors per day, who also require a permit to enter.

This fabulous natural sanctuary has great cultural importance for the local communities of the region, as the indigenous communities that inhabit the area consider the green parrots as a sacred species.

Sima De Las Cotorras Ecotourism Center

This facility located very close to the Sima de las Cotorras has as its main objective to promote the conservation of the region’s biodiversity, while promoting responsible and sustainable tourism.

Some of the activities that the center offers to visitors are:

– Bird watching: The main attraction of the ecotourism center is visiting the Sima de las Cotorras to admire the thousands of green parrots that nest there. Visitors can observe the birds in their natural habitat and listen to their calls and squawks.

– Hiking: The center has several trails that visitors can hike to explore the nature of the region. The trails are designed to be accessible to people of all ages regardless of their physical condition.

– Camping: The ecotourism center has a camping area for those who wish to spend the night in the area. Visitors can camp in tents or rustic cabins.

– Workshops and cultural activities: The center offers workshops and cultural activities for visitors who wish to learn more about the culture and history of the region. These activities include demonstrations of traditional cooking, handicrafts, and local dances.

As the Sima de las Cotorras Ecotourism Center’s main focus is the conservation and protection of the region’s biodiversity, visitors are instructed about the importance of preserving the natural habitats of the birds and other animals that inhabit the area. Responsible tourism practices, such as proper waste management and reducing environmental impact are also encouraged.

Do you know the Zoque Culture?

The Zoques are an indigenous ethnic group that inhabits the central region of the state of Chiapas. They are believed to be one of the oldest indigenous groups in Mesoamerica, and their presence in the region dates back more than 3,000 years.

This group speaks their own language, also called Zoque, which belongs to the Mixe-Zoquean linguistic family. Although there are some variants of this language, they are all mutually intelligible.

The Zoque region of Chiapas has a wealthy biodiversity, so agriculture and fishing are important activities for the subsistence of the Zoque. Corn, beans, squash, and chili are some of the traditional subsistence crops grown by the Zoques, although they also fish in the nearby rivers and lakes.

Culture and traditions include music, dances, and religious ceremonies. In their worldview, nature and the spirits of the earth and water play an important role, and they have a great reverence for the rivers, mountains, and forests.

The state of Chiapas is surrounded by magic and mysticism, so before visiting it is important that you plan well to choose some of the endless activities you can enjoy here. Mexico is a country brimming with culture, nature, archeology, gastronomy, ecotourism, and the renowned friendliness of its people. This can be discovered both in the exploration of these mystical places, as well as in a relaxing vacation in front of the Caribbean Sea in all-inclusive hotels like The Sens Cancun, where you can enjoy the greatest comfort and pamper yourself with signature cuisine, spa treatments and a beach with calm waves. Get to know it, fall in love, and book your stay at discounted prices.

Alan Harlow Author

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