Coita Carnival & Chiapas Grand Fair

Chiapas is a state of living traditions and festivities that stop time. Two celebrations concentrate the best of that festive culture: the Coita Carnival — one of the most colorful and authentic carnivals in southeast Mexico — and the Chiapas Grand Fair, the region's most important fair event, which transforms Tuxtla Gutiérrez for weeks.

If your visit coincides with either of these dates, prepare for an experience that goes far beyond conventional tourism: live music, mask parades and traditional dances, livestock fair, regional gastronomy at its finest, and the warmth of Chiapas people celebrating what's theirs.

Staying in Coita or Berriozábal puts you at the epicenter of these festivities. You don't need a tourist hotel to experience them — they're literally at your doorstep.

The Coita Carnival is one of the most deeply rooted celebrations in the municipality of Ocozocuautla and the western Chiapas region. It takes place every year in the days before Ash Wednesday — generally in February or early March — and for several days the town transforms into a stage of music, color and tradition.

What to expect:

• Parades and comparsas — Groups in elaborate costumes, masks, and disguises march through the downtown streets. Each comparsa has its own music, choreography, and aesthetic. The atmosphere is festive and completely participatory — people don't just watch, they join in.
• Traditional Chiapas music — Marimbas, wind bands, and cumbia and son groups play on improvised stages and in the central plaza. Music is constant throughout the carnival days.
• Crowning of the Carnival Queen — One of the central ceremonies of the festival. Each year a local representative is chosen and her crowning is an event with protocol, speeches, and a great deal of community pride.
• Games and attractions — The popular fair arrives with rides, street food stands, and an atmosphere that both children and adults enjoy equally.
• Seasonal gastronomy — Street stalls multiply: tamales, cochito, pozol, tostadas, regional sweets. It's one of the best times of year to eat authentic Chiapan food.

Dates: Varies each year according to the liturgical calendar (Carnival Tuesday = 47 days before Easter). Check the local calendar or ask your host at the Marimbas properties.

The Chiapas Grand Fair — formally known as the International Fair of Chiapas — is the state's most important fair event. It takes place in Tuxtla Gutiérrez during December (generally the 8th through the 31st), coinciding with the Virgin of Guadalupe festivities and the Christmas season.

It's not just a fair: it's the convergence of livestock, crafts, gastronomy, culture, and festivity from across the state in one place for weeks.

What the Grand Fair includes:

• Livestock exhibition — One of the most important in the southeast. Zebu cattle, creole breeds, horses, and more. For those from rural areas, it's the event of the year.
• Artisan pavilions — Artisans from across Chiapas display and sell amber, textiles from San Juan Chamula, clay figures, lacquered wood from Chiapa de Corzo, and dozens of unique regional crafts.
• Chiapas gastronomy — Restaurants and specialized stalls offer the best of the state's regional cuisine: baked cochito, sopa de pan, chipilín tamales, mezcal, and highland coffee.
• Palenque and shows — The fair's palenque attracts top national artists: banda sinaloense, grupero, pop, and more. These are special-entry concerts with a unique atmosphere.
• Rides and family area — A zone completely dedicated to families with children, with attractions, games, and free shows.
• Cultural events — Many December cultural events are free and accessible to all audiences.

Location: Parque Exposición Agropecuaria, Tuxtla Gutiérrez. 15-20 minutes from the Marimbas properties in Berriozábal and Coita.

Chiapas never rests when it comes to celebrations. Beyond the Carnival and the Grand Fair, the region has a dense festive calendar worth knowing:

• Feast of San Jerónimo (September 30) — Berriozábal's patron saint festival. Solemn mass, procession, music, fireworks, and local fair. A very communal and authentic event.
• Feast of the Lord of Esquipulas (January) — Important religious celebration in several Chiapas municipalities. Processions, music, and special gastronomy.
• Day of the Dead (November 1 & 2) — The region's cemeteries light up with candles and flowers. The tradition is more intimate than in other parts of Mexico, but equally moving. Families bring food, music, and flowers to their deceased.
• Holy Week — The Holy Week processions in Chiapas, especially in San Cristóbal de las Casas and Chiapa de Corzo, are among the most solemn and spectacular in the country.
• Chiapas Cervantino Festival (October) — Cultural event featuring theater, dance, music, and visual arts in Tuxtla Gutiérrez and other state cities.

Book in advance: During Carnival and the Grand Fair, accommodation demand in the region spikes. Marimbas properties in Coita and Berriozábal tend to fill up weeks in advance. Book direct to secure your spot.

Transport: During fair and carnival days, traffic in Tuxtla can be heavy. Having your own car or using colectivos is the best option. If you're going to the palenque, consider a taxi back — exit traffic can be considerable.

Safety and logistics: The festivities are massive but generally safe. Bring cash (many stands don't accept cards), wear comfortable walking shoes, and don't forget sunscreen for daytime events.

Gastronomy: Be adventurous with the street food at established stalls. Baked cochito, tlayudas, and freshly steamed tamales are gastronomic experiences that no restaurant can replicate.

Ask your host: Marimbas property hosts are locals who know the year's events. Before arriving, ask them what's happening during your dates — they can guide you on the best days, schedules, and unmissable events.