Comitan

About

Originally a Mayan settlement known as Balún Canán, the Spanish built their own city atop the site, and renamed it Comitan. As the city grew over the centuries, it managed to preserve its colonial core and quaint atmosphere, which has made it a popular vacation destination among Mexican nationals. The colonial churches are particularly charming, such as the 17th century Templo de Santo Domingo, with its Moorish-inspired architecture and peach-colored facade. The towering Templo de San José is an unusual blend of Neo-Gothic and Baroque, done up in a whimsical white, while the vivid orange Iglesia de San Caralampio sits atop a checkered brick staircase. For those looking to dive deeper into the city’s history, the free Museo de Arqueologico de Comitan exhibits a small collection of Mayan artefacts, while the Casa Museo Doctor Belisario Domínguez honors the life of the early 20th century doctor after whom the city is named.