Chiapas, its handsome colonial capital in the pine-clad Valle de Jovel and the surrounding delightful Tzotzil and Tzeltal villages where age-old customs are spiced with modernity are like a magnet for travelers wanting to learn a little Spanish in Mexico, absorb the bohemian atmosphere and soak up the lively bar scene. San Cristóbal has a fine plaza and a swag of churches including the strikingly pink Templo de Santo Domingo. Popular pursuits include stocking up at the local weavers' co-op, sampling delicious organic coffee, horse riding in the hills and breathing in the amazingly clear highland air.

All pictures in this Mexico photo gallery are copyrighted by Victor Ovies unless stated otherwise. This includes (but is not limited to) the following photo galleries: Mexico DF, Chiapas, Yucatan, Guadalajara, Guanajuato, Puebla, Taxco and the pre-Columbian sites of Chichen Itza, Dzibichaltun, Edzna, El Tajin, Monte Alban and Mitla (Oaxaca), Palenque (Chiapas) and La Venta (Tabasco), Ruta Puuc, Tulum and Uxmal in addition to the Maya Route highlights  You may download and store them for personal use only. Unauthorized reproduction or commercial use of this material is forbidden and will be prosecuted.