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The Highlands · Artisan pottery

Amatenango del Valle

Where clay takes shape without a wheel and artisans fire in the Highland sun.

1,800 mAltitude
Los AltosRegion
Year-roundSeason
35 kmFrom San Cristóbal
Half dayTour length

Travel guide

What to see in Amatenango del Valle

Tzeltal town famous for sun-fired clay pottery and jaguar figures. Where clay takes shape without a wheel and artisans fire in the Highland sun.

01
Clay workshops

Artisans model figures and pots without a wheel.

CraftsCulture
02
Clay jaguars

Emblematic piece of the town, Tzeltal symbol.

CraftsSymbol
03
Sun firing

Ancestral technique without high-temperature kiln.

TraditionHistory
04
Valley viewpoint

View over the Jovel valley and surrounding hills.

LandscapePhoto
Image of Amatenango del Valle, Chiapas What to see · Amatenango del Valle
Gallery Amatenango del Valle, Chiapas Gallery · What to see
Chiapas landscape, Amatenango del Valle Chiapas · Mexico

How to get there

45 min from San Cristóbal on the road to Comitán. Half-day excursion or combined with other communities.

When to go

Year-round. Sunny mornings to see sun firing in workshops.

Practical tips

  • Buy directly from artisans.
  • Pieces are fragile: pack well for travel.
  • Ask before photographing the process.

Tours & packages

Jovel Travel includes Amatenango del Valle in day tours and multi-day packages with transport, local guide and direct WhatsApp booking.

Recommended package: Chiapas Tradicional — check availability and Essential, Classic and Premium rates.