San Cristobal is a magical town in the beautiful region of Chiapas. It’s actually one of Mexicos Pueblo Magico Towns, and it lives up to it. It’s full of cultural richness, locally made handicrafts, and historical relevance. We spent one month in this town and we loved it’s charming cobbled streets, colourful markets and the amazing surroundings, its close to a lot of natural gems!
Let us share with you the top 10 things to do in San Cristobal De Las Casas, so you can make the most out of your trip and don’t miss out!
How to get to San Cristobal De Las Casas
Located in the picturesque Chiapas highland region, San Cristobal De Las Casas can be easily reached from several major cities throughout Mexico via bus or air. If you’re travelling as part of a multi stop tour and time isn’t on your side, flying is the fastest and most convenient choice.
Mexico can be quite cheap in many ways but transport is not one of them, we were surprised by the bus prices and the costs of flying internally.
Here’s what you can expect depending on where you begin your journey:
From Mexico City
By air
Considering the distance from Mexico City, flying is the most convenient option, flights arrive at Tuxtla Gutierrez (TGZ) and you can either get a shuttle bus or a taxi which takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes.
By bus
Although a longer option this may be a better choice if you’re on a budget. You can get direct buses from companies such as OCC or ADO, the journey can vary from 14-16 hours. ADO offers a GL plus or Platino service, which offers more modern buses and comfier seats. I have to say buses aren’t the cheapest in Mexico, you can pay anything from $50-$100.
From Oaxaca
As there are no direct flights from Oxcaca to San Cristobal De Las Casas, you’d have to fly back to Mexico City. This could make what could be a shorter journey much longer.
By bus
ADO and OCC both offer overnight buses, they take around 12 hours. We ourselves booked an ADO bus and paid a bit extra for the premium service, around $100 each, there wasn’t actually much difference in price for the luxury bus. We’re glad we paid a little extra because the seats were super comfy and reclined loads, they had tv’s for each set of seats and provided earphones, they played an Adele concert and we both ended up crying, cause you know how she just hits those heart strings. We did manage to sleep most of the night, the emotions of Adele must have worn us out.
From Cancun
By air
The flight takes 1 hour and 40 minutes from Cancun Airport to Tuxtla Gutierrez Airport , it’s very convenient if you’re coming from the Yucatan Peninsula. From Tuxtla to San Cristobal, it takes less than 2 hours by bus or taxi.
By bus
This is defiantly a much longer option, the usual buses OCC and ADO will take roughly around 21 hours.
10 Best Things to do in San Cristobal De Las Casas
1. Free Walking Tour
This is a fantastic opportunity to experience the city with a local guide and it’s free, well it’s donation based! Every day the free walking tour in San Cristobal leaves from Plaza De La Paz 10 AM and 4 PM. You’ll get to see the best parts of the historic centre like the hillside church of San Cristobalito, which offers amazing panoramic views of the city . Your guide will give you inside tips on where to get the best coffee or street food, that won’t give you a dodgy belly. The tour usually lasts around 3 hours, don’t forget to tip your guide, around 100MXN is acceptable.
2. Shop at the Artesian Markets
The Artesian Markets of San Cristobal are a vibrant place full of colour. You’ll find local indigenous artists displaying their beautiful woven handmade tapestry and textiles, and products such as handmade bags, clothing and jewellery. A couple of our favourite markets in San Cristobal are Mercado De La Caridad and Mercado De Santo Domingo, check out the beautiful Temple de Santo Domingo de Guzmán while you’re there. These markets are like a maze and you’ll certainly find some good gifts here, make sure to get your haggle on!
3. People watching in Real De Guadalupe
Real De Guadalupe is one of the most scenic streets in San Cristobal, its free from cars as it’s pedestrian only. On this street you will find many local indigenous people selling handmade crafts and clothes. It’s a great place to grab a drink and people watch, the street has many quirky coffee shops and restaurants. You will also catch many amazing buskers here, making the scene even more idyllic , so sit back, watch people go by and feel the magic of the city around you.
4. Cathedral de San Cristóbal de las Casas
This beautiful yellow cathedral can be found in the main square, it was constructed around 1528 and renovated in the 18th century. The plaza in front of the cathedral is a bustling place, in the evenings be sure to check out the night market, where local vendors sell handmade crafts and beautiful clothes.
5. Iglesia de San Cristóbalito
This church is set on top of a hill overlooking San Cristobal. There are around 240 steps, luckily the steps are positioned in a zig zag pattern with benches along the way to help break it up. It’s steep but worth the climb for the views! There’s a chapel on the top which is eerily beautiful, people leave candles for loved ones they have lost. Take a moment here to not only catch your breath but to appreciate being alive!
6. Museo del Ambar
This is an interesting museum in San Cristobal, it displays stunning amber stones, some even including animal fossils! The museum showcases its exhibits in a room designed like a cave. You’ll get to see a close up of stones containing a lizard, a scorpion, wasps nests and more, they all date back from 15-20 million years ago! They have some stunning amber stones with butterflies and flowers and one mosquito encased amber gemstone that was even used in Jurassic Park!
7. The Church of San Juan Chamula
This mysterious church is full of ancient rituals that have taken a twist. Chamula is the most highly populated town of Indigenous people , who all still talk in their Tzotzil Maya language. Inside the church, you’ll hear chanting and see endless candles on the floor, the smell of pine and smoke floating in the air.
Rituals and sacrifice are an important part of the church, one sad part of the Chiapas region or perhaps all of Mexico, is its relationship with Coca Cola, in San Cristobal the water is severely contaminated with E-Coli, due to Coca Cola buying all the natural water sources in the area to feed its giant factory in San Cristobal. In the church of San Juan, you will see coke bottles in a shrine like manor and people using coke bottles to perform ceremonies. It feels so wrong that this giant corporation who’s drink does nothing good for our bodies, has now become such a big part of society here, even this indigenous church is now worshipping this dark brown liquid. Aside from the bizarre Coca Cola incorporated into the traditions, this church is a mysterious place and one not to be missed.
8. Taste local Cacao
San Cristobal is full of amazing chocolate due to the nearby Cacao farms! If you’re a fan of chocolate and you want to taste it in it’s purest form, then you’ll be spoilt for choice of chocolatier’s in San Cristobal. Our favourite chocolate was from Jangala, you can get the most amazing hot chocolate there that tastes so pure, it was like having your own little Cocao ceremony , they also have amazing vegan ice cream, i think the best we’ve ever tasted!
9. Temple of Our Lady of Guadalupe
A pretty yellow and white church, stood on a hill it can be seen from all over the city, walking up its 79 steps you can get lovely views of the city and the surrounding mountains. The church was built in 1834, it’s still an important pilgrimage sight in Mexico, especially for the local population of Chiapas. It’s also a popular spot with locals to watch the sunset.
10.Mesoamerican Jade Museum
This compact museum offers insights into the extraction and utilisation of jade. You can explore various types of jade and learn about its significance in Mesoamerican culture. Noteworthy exhibits include a replica of Pakal’s tomb, a renowned figure in Mayan history whose original tomb resides in Palenque! Admission is priced at $50 MXN, and the museum operates from 10 am to 8 pm Monday through Saturday, and from 10 am to 6 pm on Sundays.