Frederick | Warning

May 5th, 2018 by Ugly Duck Tales

Just wanted to write again about this road, as some irresponsibly wrote it's not dangerous at all. If you obey them and pay them what they want, without doing anything that might upset them (taking pictures, disputing or challenging them), you'll be probably fine.
However, to say it's completely safe and you should just"respect their traditions and culture" is wrong - holding everyone hostage on public road, blocking the road with nail boards and holding sticks or guns, that's no culture, but crime.
Overland way had their tires punctured on this road, while they bashed on their van. This guy was dragged out and beaten for taking a picture - arguably not the smartest thing to do, but to say it's safe here and you should respect the culture - seriously?
Word of warning - today, two bodies of cyclists (German and Polish) were found dead, supposedly fallen from a cliff. I am not trying to acuse them, but it was +- 500m from another roadblock that is marked here on iOverlander.
PS: the road around the Guatemalan border is beautiful, and trouble free.

May 1st, 2018 by ekennaj_nebbod

Just a note to all:

A cycle tourist was found dead in a ditch on the route from San Cristobal to Palenque on 24 April 2018 (cause of death unknown). Another cycle tourist has been missing for 12 days along this route. Another cycle tourist was kidnapped early April and tied up and asked to pay 5000 pesos for his release - he got away with 1500 pesos.

it may be different in a vehicle, but be extra vigilant .

April 26th, 2018 by hinter-dem.horizont.net

On April 26, 2018, the bodies of two cyclists from Germany and Poland were found here. An investigation for murder has been started (see screenshot in the photo section) ...

April 9th, 2018 by catherine.litalien

People here are so friendly I would not be worried at all. Just respect them and their culture and you’ll be just fine. Enjoy Chiapas :)

March 23rd, 2018 by instagram.com/elantitour

This highway is not dangerous AT ALL! We drove from San Cristobal to Palenque in 2 days and just got smiley faces and people waving us through.
It's a famous thing about camera use in Chiapas - some people do not like their picture taken, just be informed, aware of your surroundings and use common sense! And please be respectful other people's culture and beliefs!
Do not be afraid to drive through here, this is a beautiful area of Chiapas and one that shouldn't be missed! :)
One word of warning though: lots of people (specially children) will try to stop you along the road to sell you stuff (mostly food).
They generally put up a cord across the road to make you stop - pay attention since you'll probably have to suddenly step on your brakes more than once!

March 17th, 2018 by albatros-on-tour.de

Passed this area without road block. Wouldn't even think of taking pictures at road blocks.
It should be common knowledge that indigenous people from Chiapas don't like being photographed without being asked (and most likely being paid).

February 27th, 2018 by vismaplanete.com

Aucun problème pour passer, à part la route en mauvais état à certains endroits.

January 24th, 2018 by Frederick

Do not use highway 199 between San Cristobal and Palenque it is very dangerous. I stopped at a roadblock and decided to take some pictures. I was dragged out of the RV holding onto my camera. They took one of the boards with nails used to stop traffic and started to puncture my hand to force me to let go of the camera. Others were beating me with bamboo sticks while the crowd waved bamboo sticks enjoying the spectacle. I pulled off the road and started screaming at the boss in english to give me back the camera while I wiped the blood on his shirt. They returned the camera when they realized I would not leave without it. A Japanese tourist was killed here for taking pictures.