Sima de las Cotorras
Sima de las Cotorras
4.5
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Ramirez Family
Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico8 contributions
Feb 2021 • Family
We were very excited to see this natural wonder. After the long journey in and paying 900 pesos for our family of five to enter and camp, the disappointment began. There is no infrastructure for camping and so we set up our tents on a slant, trying to avoid the rocks and horse poop from the horses who free range through the camping area. When you pay that much to camp, you expect minimum infrastructure and there was none of it and dirty bathrooms to boot. An hour and a half after we had set everything up- tents, air mattresses, etc. and as night was falling the same young girl (maybe 14 years old?) who had manned the entrance gate, charged us and let us in came back over to say that we had to pack up and leave because no animals were allowed and we had our dog with us (calm and on a leash). We were stunned! There had been no mention verbally or through signage that pets were not allowed. When I went to the owner for my refund and complained that he was not managing his business well to have let in guests who did not meet entrance criteria we had no way of knowing (no mention of it at the gate and no signs) he proceeded to blame the young lady at the gate and tell me that he was mad at her and would be following up (I heard him yelling at her as I left). It made my blood boil to watch an owner sit arrogantly at a table throughout a customer issue his poor management caused, as he delegated all challenging tasks to a child and then responded to my direct feedback with arrogance and complete lack of personal accountability as the owner. It made me sick to my stomach that a man like him would be making money off a substandard experience and that he had no shame to dump on a young and poorly trained employee.
The sink hole is beautiful and we saw parrots fly in and out. It is lovely but very poorly managed and over priced and I personally feel relieved that I did not contribute financially to the wealth of a business owner with poor customer service, ethics and management skills.
The sink hole is beautiful and we saw parrots fly in and out. It is lovely but very poorly managed and over priced and I personally feel relieved that I did not contribute financially to the wealth of a business owner with poor customer service, ethics and management skills.
Written February 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stéphane B
Laval, Canada7 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
We spent one night it was ok. But I don't think the price is worth it. Nothing to say about the guide, he was excellent. The room is quite basic but clean. The road to get there is not very beautiful, with a car it’s not so easy. For adventure it's good but don't expect to see thousands of parrots coming and going. The owners are quite demanding with the 4:30 p.m. check-in time… I found that he was quite rigid about the check-in time and meals.
Written March 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
discobal007
Utrecht, The Netherlands3 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
Had high expectations of going to Sima de las Cotorras, but turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. If you are travelling on a tight budget I would not recommend going. It started with the transportation there. It is easy and cheap enough to get from Tuxtla to Coita, but from there the tricky part starts. There are only a few busses going to a village near Sima de las Cotorras and from there it's still a bit of a hike to get there. However, we arrived a little bit late in Coita, so there were no more busses and had to take a taxi that cost 250 pesos. When arrived at the site we paid the entrance fee and found out that we couldn't afford to sleep in the cabins. Instead they offered us to hire a tent and camp. We took up this offer as we didn't have any other options and paid 150 pesos for this. A woman who worked there told us later that they gave us a one-person tent, instead of two (we thought it was really cramped) and also that they normally only charge 100 pesos for camping. It was nice to see the parrots in the morning, but we were very disappointed with the service offered.
Written August 18, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julia G
8 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
My boyfriend and I visited the Sima de las Cotorras without a car from Tuxtla. While it is a bit of a journey to get there, it is completely worth it. This is such a magical and unique place! The sinkhole itself is fascinating, watching the birds at sunrise is beautiful and there is a lot of other birdwatching and cave paintings to see as well. Plus of course, they have the option of rappelling and other guided hikes you can choose to do. The restaurant is really good and fair priced (try the tamales!) and the rooms are lovely and very well priced. Best of all, the staff were all so kind and accommodating. All in all, this place is really well run and such a fun adventure. We visited in the low season, so expected not to see any birds. However, this year some of the birds didn’t migrate, so there are a fair amount to see in the morning. Don’t skip it just because it’s the low season!
Here is some info on how we got to the Sima de las Cotorras without a car:
1) Take a bus from Tuxtla to Ocozocoautla (often called Coita). We caught this bus on the corner of Calle Central Sur and Avenida Novena Sur in Tuxtla. The cost was 21 pesos per person and it took about an hour.
2) Take a bus from Coita to the small town of Piedra Parada. This bus leaves from the corner of Calle Primera and Avenida Segunda Norte, one block north of the central square. When we went, the three scheduled departures were 5 AM, 7 AM and 1 PM. Of course, be prepared to wait. In reality, our bus left closer to 1:30. The cost was 12 pesos per person and it took about 30 minutes. You could also choose to take a taxi directly to the Sima if you are fine with paying about 250 pesos.
3) Tell the driver you are going to the Sima and he will drop you off at the road, where you’ll see a sign that says 5 km to Sima de las Cotorras. From here, we walked along the muddy road to the Sima, which took about an hour and a half. It was a relatively easy walk, with pretty views of the hills and farmland. The bus driver offered us a ride up with one of his friends for around 150 pesos, so that’s also an option if you don’t want to walk.
4) Coming back, the bus from Piedra Parada to Coita departs at 6 AM, 8 AM and 2 PM. Buses back to Tuxtla depart frequently. The owners of the hotel can also set you up with a ride back to either Piedra Parada or Coita.
One final word of advice, check the weather before departing! We got caught in some unexpected rain, plus it was quite cold at the Sima, given the time of year. If you’re visiting in the low season, bring a few layers and a rain jacket just in case. Enjoy the adventure getting there and the amazing Sima de las Cotorras!
Here is some info on how we got to the Sima de las Cotorras without a car:
1) Take a bus from Tuxtla to Ocozocoautla (often called Coita). We caught this bus on the corner of Calle Central Sur and Avenida Novena Sur in Tuxtla. The cost was 21 pesos per person and it took about an hour.
2) Take a bus from Coita to the small town of Piedra Parada. This bus leaves from the corner of Calle Primera and Avenida Segunda Norte, one block north of the central square. When we went, the three scheduled departures were 5 AM, 7 AM and 1 PM. Of course, be prepared to wait. In reality, our bus left closer to 1:30. The cost was 12 pesos per person and it took about 30 minutes. You could also choose to take a taxi directly to the Sima if you are fine with paying about 250 pesos.
3) Tell the driver you are going to the Sima and he will drop you off at the road, where you’ll see a sign that says 5 km to Sima de las Cotorras. From here, we walked along the muddy road to the Sima, which took about an hour and a half. It was a relatively easy walk, with pretty views of the hills and farmland. The bus driver offered us a ride up with one of his friends for around 150 pesos, so that’s also an option if you don’t want to walk.
4) Coming back, the bus from Piedra Parada to Coita departs at 6 AM, 8 AM and 2 PM. Buses back to Tuxtla depart frequently. The owners of the hotel can also set you up with a ride back to either Piedra Parada or Coita.
One final word of advice, check the weather before departing! We got caught in some unexpected rain, plus it was quite cold at the Sima, given the time of year. If you’re visiting in the low season, bring a few layers and a rain jacket just in case. Enjoy the adventure getting there and the amazing Sima de las Cotorras!
Written February 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AriRent
9 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
We went there today & found it quite hard to get to the place (it would be very preferable for you to rent a car or you will probably suffer as much as we did).
-->How we got there <--
First of all, since we are staying in San Cristobal de las Casas, we went to Tuxtla by bus (For us it was $9 MXN because we have student IDs & it is the season for discounts as well), then we took another bus from the station to Ocozocoautla/Coita (your can buy the tickets in the terminal as well & they cost like $20 MXN). Now, this is when it got tricky: wet wanted to find a bus that would us to Piedra Prieta (a ranch like 4km away from the Sima) but it turns out there is only one in the day (at 12 a.m.), & since we didn't want to waste time, we had to look for a cab, which charged us $350 MXN to take us to the Sima, wait for us & then return us to the city (which apparently was a fare deal because some taxi drivers charge you for every hour they wait for you).
But when we got there, all the trouble was absolutely worth it; it is a beautiful & breathtaking place, which you cannot miss of you're in Chiapas
--> Tips <--
1. If you can, rent a car. You'll enjoy the ride & you can probably visit as lot of places once you're Tuxtla: the Cañón del Sumidero & Chiapa de Corzo.
2. If you don't have (n)or want a car, then be patient & go with the flow.
3. It costs $20 MXN to go to the Sima plus transportation (as mentioned above)
4. You can also book a hiking kind of tour ($100 MXN), which is amazing & very worth it or go rappelling ($700/$400 depending on how deep you want to go)
-->How we got there <--
First of all, since we are staying in San Cristobal de las Casas, we went to Tuxtla by bus (For us it was $9 MXN because we have student IDs & it is the season for discounts as well), then we took another bus from the station to Ocozocoautla/Coita (your can buy the tickets in the terminal as well & they cost like $20 MXN). Now, this is when it got tricky: wet wanted to find a bus that would us to Piedra Prieta (a ranch like 4km away from the Sima) but it turns out there is only one in the day (at 12 a.m.), & since we didn't want to waste time, we had to look for a cab, which charged us $350 MXN to take us to the Sima, wait for us & then return us to the city (which apparently was a fare deal because some taxi drivers charge you for every hour they wait for you).
But when we got there, all the trouble was absolutely worth it; it is a beautiful & breathtaking place, which you cannot miss of you're in Chiapas
--> Tips <--
1. If you can, rent a car. You'll enjoy the ride & you can probably visit as lot of places once you're Tuxtla: the Cañón del Sumidero & Chiapa de Corzo.
2. If you don't have (n)or want a car, then be patient & go with the flow.
3. It costs $20 MXN to go to the Sima plus transportation (as mentioned above)
4. You can also book a hiking kind of tour ($100 MXN), which is amazing & very worth it or go rappelling ($700/$400 depending on how deep you want to go)
Written December 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aleescandonm
Mexico City, Mexico159 contributions
This is an activity that is not well promoted... I don't know why because it's a must see. It's like 1 hour and a half from tuxtla Gutierrez. Open from 8.00 till dawn.
It has a beautiful view. The parrots are from March till October. There are plenty of activities like rappel.
Loved it
It has a beautiful view. The parrots are from March till October. There are plenty of activities like rappel.
Loved it
Written December 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arboreal Platypus II
Davis, CA246 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
In terms of transport, we drove our rental car to the site. We lived in Mexico for several years, so the driving for us was fine. Overall, we really enjoyed seeing the site. There’s some clear things to know. Although we did enjoy it, we really only had part of the possible experience. 1. There’s convenient parking at the site entrance and a modest entry fee that we paid to the lady waiting in the hut, 2. the Sima is basically a fascinating hole in the ground with a forest in the bottom with a nice circuit path for walking around the upper rim, 2. The birds are only there for their early morning departure and their evening return (and even then not for all of the year - apparently they mostly skip out in the colder months), 3. It’s a slow dirt road for the last several km (But that is part of what we enjoyed). The road was passable but could be tricky at times (after a storm), 4. You can rappel down (we didn’t). This seems the only way to get to the bottom. We went out from Tuxtla around mid morning - and spent about an hour at the location (before going on to la Cascada El Aguacero - a nice combined trip).
Written December 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Virginia C
San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico28 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
Just an hour or two's drive from Tuxtla is this magical limestone sinkhole,150 meters deep and another 150 across the top, with a lush jungle growing at the bottom, far below you. Just at dawn during the rainy season (May-November), pairs of parrots begin to shriek and flit from their hidden caves below the treetops,joining with others to form a noisy ribbon of birds that spiral up into the first rays of the sun and fly out over the countryside. This goes on for an hour or so, then again in the afternoon the parrots return and circle down into their secret hideaway. With only two days' holiday, we arrived at the Sima just an hour or so before sunset, but were still able to catch the last flocks returning to their caves in a squawking rush. We roamed around the wooded path along the cliffs' edge, admiring the ancient rock paintings, then listened to the cicadas and crickets and watched the distant lightning as night fell.
Although the food in the restaurant is quite expensive (20 pesos for a small bottle of Coke!), we had brought our own picnic, and the opportunity to get a good night's sleep in a comfortable and beautiful double bed, before getting up at 6:00 to see the parrots' dawn flight,was well worth the $400 pesos for the room. From there, the Aguacero is an easy trip and a great way to round off the weekend.
Although the food in the restaurant is quite expensive (20 pesos for a small bottle of Coke!), we had brought our own picnic, and the opportunity to get a good night's sleep in a comfortable and beautiful double bed, before getting up at 6:00 to see the parrots' dawn flight,was well worth the $400 pesos for the room. From there, the Aguacero is an easy trip and a great way to round off the weekend.
Written August 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz C
Boston, MA7 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
The Sima was an easy but long drive from San Cristobal (even more accessible if you're traveling from Tuxtla). There is a well-made path around the chasm for bird-watching and we observed an orange-breasted falcon, orioles, and a lessen's motmot in addition to the hundreds of racous parrots. The rappelling was closed due to the rain, but it was a spectacular site that was well-worth the drive. The friendly restaurant staff pointed out birds. The entire place was exceptionally clean and almost completely empty. Skip the tourist traps and come here, it is amazing!
Written June 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndreaAgosti
Piacenza, Italy4 contributions
Dec 2015 • Friends
The Place is beautiful and the hotel as well. However be advised that the host of the hotel just see you as a cash machine. We stayed for dinner and night and they tried to cheat on bills charging 100 pesos more for dinner( i thought it was a mistake but after what happened i m sure it was not). They charged us 250 pesos for a short ride to town the day after to the nearest bus station. Due to a strike (the road was Blocked all day) there was no bus that day and the guy just left us on the middle of the street with zero help. This is the thanks he gave us for staying at the place. Turned out that He already knew the road was blocked but was not his fault, he said, and escaped with his car. Remember, this place sponsored as a cooperative to help the environment and local families is a joke. This families have absolutely zero interests and passion. They just want your money.
Written December 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Al amanecer literal. En este horario salen a las 7 am que es cuando sale el sol.
No esperes ver muchas. Hay más en otros lados.
Written April 25, 2019
Ya tengo hospedaje en Tuxtla y un auto rentado. Puedo llegar por mí cuenta y contratar ahí los servicios de rapel y caminata? Cuanto tarda el recorrido con rappel?
Written June 23, 2018
para hacer rappel hay que reservar? o puedo en el momento que llegue contratar el servicio?, sabes de q hora a que hora se puede hacer el rappel?
Written January 6, 2018
Hola, para hacer el rappel se puede contratar en el momento ahí en la sima? o hay que reservar desde antes?. .....y por las fotos veo que esta la opción como de bajar por las escaleras o bajar a rappel...estoy correcta?
Written January 6, 2018
genesiscitalan
Villahermosa, Mexico
Que días esta abierto al público? Y que horarios tienen?
Written November 15, 2017
¿cómo podemos llegar ahí desde Tuxtla en transporte público?
How can we get there from Tuxtla in public transportation?
Written December 28, 2016
How can I book rappelling only witj out the pick up. I will be renting a car?
Written December 21, 2016
¿Alguien tiene el numero de las cabañas?
Written November 30, 2016
Lilibeth Krysthell, me puedes indicar con quién contrataste el tour a la Sima de las Cotorras a ese precio por favor?
Estoy en San Cristóbal y me gustaría hacerlo el sábado.
gracias, saludos
Written September 22, 2016
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