San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico: travel guide
Cool highland colonial town of Tzotzil markets, textiles and cafés
A cool highland colonial city in Chiapas, known for its indigenous Tzotzil markets, colorful textiles, nearby Sumidero Canyon, and bohemian café scene.
About San Cristóbal de las Casas
San Cristóbal de las Casas is a colonial town in the highlands of Chiapas, a cool, cobbled place surrounded by pine-covered hills. The air is thin and fresh, and the atmosphere is part Spanish, part Maya, and part café-and-bookshop student town.
Walk the historic centre to see the cathedral, the Templo de Santo Domingo with its craft market, and the viewpoint at the Templo de Guadalupe. The Na Bolom museum is a good introduction to the region's peoples, and nearby villages such as San Juan Chamula are home to the Tzotzil Maya and their distinctive church. Beyond the town lies the Sumidero Canyon, a deep gorge usually visited by boat from Chiapa de Corzo.
San Cristóbal suits culture-minded travellers and slow walkers. Evenings are cold, and the drier months from November to April are the most reliable.
- Country
- Mexico
- Currency
- MXN
- Time zone
- America/Mexico_City
- Nearest airport
- TGZ
Last updated
Plan a San Cristóbal de las Casas trip
Top places to visit in San Cristóbal de las Casas
San Cristóbal Historic Center
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A Spanish baroque Cathedral, colorful Real de Guadalupe pedestrian street, indigenous Tzotzil markets, and a vibrant café and textile scene in a cool highland colonial city.
Andador Eclesiástico (Real de Guadalupe)
Cultural · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Pedestrian street of cafés, bars and craft shops linking the plaza to the Guadalupe church.
Templo de Guadalupe (viewpoint)
Viewpoint · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Hilltop church reached by a long stairway, with fine views over the red rooftops.
San Juan Chamula
Cultural · about 1.5 h · entry $30 (≈ ₹160)
Autonomous Tzotzil-Maya village whose church blends Catholic and Maya ritual (no photos inside).
Na Bolom Museum
Museum · about 1 h · entry $80 (≈ ₹420)
House-museum of the Blom family documenting the Lacandón Maya and Chiapas culture.
Catedral de San Cristóbal
Church · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Ochre-and-white Baroque cathedral on the main plaza, the city's centrepiece.
Templo y Ex-Convento de Santo Domingo
Church · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Chiapas' most ornate Baroque church facade, fronted by a Maya textile market.
Museo del Ámbar de Chiapas
Museum · about 0.8 h · entry $40 (≈ ₹210)
Amber museum in a former convent showcasing Chiapas' prized fossil resin.
Mercado de Dulces y Artesanías
Market · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Colourful market of Maya textiles, amber and Chiapan crafts near Santo Domingo.
Grutas de Rancho Nuevo
Nature · about 1.5 h · entry $40 (≈ ₹210)
Pine-forest limestone caves just outside the city, with lit walkways.
Things to do
- Sumidero Canyon Boat Tour Adventure · 4 h · from MXN 600 per person
- Chamula & Zinacantán Indigenous Villages Tour Tour · 4 h · from MXN 550 per person
- Sumidero Canyon & Chiapa de Corzo Day Trip Day Trip · 7 h · from MXN 700 per person
- El Chiflón & Montebello Lakes Day Trip Day Trip · 10 h · from MXN 850 per person
- San Cristóbal Coffee & Pox Tasting Walk Tour · 2.5 h · from MXN 400 per person
Day trips and tours
- Sumidero Canyon Boat + Chiapa de Corzo 6 h · from 900
Where to stay in San Cristóbal de las Casas
- Centro & Real de Guadalupe about MXN 1,600 per night
Cobblestone core along the andador — cafés, bars and easy day-trip pickups.
Hotels
- Hotel Bo 4-star · MXN 2,800 to MXN 5,500 per night
- Hotel Boutique Casa del Alma 5-star · MXN 2,600 to MXN 4,500 per night
- Rossco Backpackers Hostel 2-star · MXN 280 to MXN 850 per night
- Hotel Casa Mexicana 4-star · MXN 1,500 to MXN 2,600 per night
Where to eat
- Tierra y Cielo chiapaneco, mexican · about MXN 350 per person
- El Secreto Contemporary, Chiapan · about MXN 800 per person
- LUM (Restaurante) Contemporary, Chiapan · about MXN 450 per person
- El Caldero Chiapan, Mexican · about MXN 180 per person
- TierrAdentro Cafe, Vegetarian · about MXN 200 per person
- Frontera Artisan Food Cafe, International · about MXN 190 per person
- El Fogón de Jovel Chiapan, Mexican · about MXN 320 per person
Getting to San Cristóbal de las Casas
Airport: Tuxtla Gutierrez (TGZ)
Getting around
- Bus
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Mexico
Frequently asked questions about San Cristóbal de las Casas
- What are the main places to visit in San Cristóbal de las Casas?
- Places covered in our San Cristóbal de las Casas guide include San Cristóbal Historic Center, Andador Eclesiástico (Real de Guadalupe), Templo de Guadalupe (viewpoint), San Juan Chamula, Na Bolom Museum.
- Where should I stay in San Cristóbal de las Casas?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in San Cristóbal de las Casas: Centro & Real de Guadalupe.
- How do I get around San Cristóbal de las Casas?
- Ways to get around San Cristóbal de las Casas covered in our guide: City bus, Taxi, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to San Cristóbal de las Casas?
- The nearest airport to San Cristóbal de las Casas has the code TGZ.