Until 1990, the majority of the population worked on the harvest of
coffee, but today mining and the
Chiapan amber trade are the most important economic activities. It is also known for its gastronomic traditions inherited from their ancient
Mayan ancestors, and for cooking 'zats', a tree worm that grows in 'caulote' trees typical of the region (known there as 'tapaculo'), as well as the 'yervamora', a seasonal vegetable, a chili variety 'simojovel' native to the town region, and the 'suy' prepared food. Native inhabitants of Simojovel do not allow tourists or foreign visitors interviews, as a measure to protect their patrimony and non-ethical profit. ==References==