Posted 22/03/2024 | 22nd March, 2024
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In my humble opinion, San Cristobal de Las Casas is one of Mexico’s most beautiful and exciting places to visit.
Cobblestone streets wind past vibrant markets adorned with traditional textiles and crafts. The city’s rich history, evident in its well-preserved architecture and lively plazas, invites you to stay for weeks.
The welcoming nature of San Cristobal de las Casas is evident from the large ex-pat scene here. During my visit, I met countless people who had moved from different areas of Mexico (and across the world) to settle on life here.
I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of all the best things to do in San Cristobal de Las Casas to help you have the best trip possible.
13 Fun Things to Do in San Cristobal de Las Casas
Orient Yourself With the Free Walking Tour
If you’re a long-term backpacker, walking tours around the city can get a little bit tiring. Often, they point out very similar (and quite obvious places) and sometimes even become a little bit of a hard sell.
However, the San Cristobal de Las Casas walking tour is excellent and a great first thing to do in the city. The walking tour is entirely free (of course, tips are expected for the superb service). It takes place in Spanish at 10 a.m. daily and in English at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
You don’t need to pre-book; just meet at the allocated time, at the wooden cross in front of the cathedral.
Shop, Eat, & Drink on Real de Guadalupe
Real de Guadalupe is the main pedestrianised street running through San Cristobal de las Casas.
I love a city focused more on pedestrians than vehicles and San Cristobal ticks this box!
Real de Guadalupe is packed with bars, restaurants and shops – it will keep you busy for hours. It is my favourite place to grab a drink as the sun was setting after a busy day of sight-seeing.
As you would expect, the prices on this street are a little higher than the rest of the city, so if you’re on a backpacker budget, I would recommend heading a few streets back to save yourself some pesos.
Wander the Zócolo
One of the best things to do in San Cristobal de las Casas (and almost every Mexican city) is to explore the Zócolo.
The Zócolo is the main square, which serves as the focal point of community social, cultural, and political activities. In many Mexican towns and cities, the Zócalo is a gathering place for locals and visitors.
San Cristóbal de las Casas is known for its rich indigenous culture, colonial architecture, and vibrant atmosphere, making its Zócalo a hub of activity and a must-visit for tourists.
Templo de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
There are two churches at either side of the city which are must-see attractions in San Cristobal de las casas, the first being the ‘ Templo de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe’ and the other being ‘Iglesia de San Cristóbalito’.
The first is much easier to access and offers one of the most stunning spots to watch the sunset in the city. Seriously, you should not miss the sunset from the top of these steps!
The temple is dedicated to Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, also known as Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of the most venerated images of the Virgin Mary in Mexico.
The temple was constructed during the Spanish colonial period in the 16th century, making it one of the oldest churches in San Cristobal de las Casas.
Interestingly, the architecture of the Templo de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe is predominantly Baroque, characterised by its ornate façade and intricate details. The Baroque style was popular among Spanish colonial builders in Mexico during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Whilst here we also got to witness the manual ringing of the bell which was amazing! I seriously recommend hanging around for that.
Iglesia de San Cristóbalito
The Iglesia de San Cristóbalito, also known as the Church of San Cristóbalito, is a small church located in San Cristóbal de las Casas. It is dedicated to St. Christopher, the patron saint of travellers.
This church is notable for its colonial architecture and historical significance. It is believed to have been built by the Spanish during the colonial period, likely in the 16th or 17th century.
The church is not as large or grandiose as some of the other churches in San Cristóbal de las Casas, but it still holds cultural and historical importance for the local community.
It is often visited by tourists exploring the city’s colonial heritage and religious sites. The Iglesia de San Cristóbalito adds to the charm and character of San Cristóbal de las Casas, contributing to its reputation as a culturally rich and historically significant destination in Mexico.
There are 100+ steps up to Iglesia de San Cristóbalito so be prepared for a workout! There are plenty of places to take a break on the way up and take in the spectacular views of this wonderful city.
El Chiflón Waterfalls
El Chiflón is a stunning natural attraction with a series of waterfalls surrounded by lush vegetation. The main waterfall, Velo de Novia (Bride’s Veil), is particularly famous.
Visitors can explore well-maintained trails to reach different viewpoints, enjoying the picturesque scenery and the calming sound of flowing water. The hike from the car park to the viewpoint for Velo De Novia only takes one hour, allowing plenty of time to take photographs.
It’s a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and tourists seeking a peaceful escape in the beautiful landscapes of Chiapas, Mexico.
🚌 El Chiflón waterfalls can be easily accessed from San Cristobal de las Casas via an organised tour. I paid $400 MXN for a full-day tour, which included El Chiflón waterfalls, Montebello lakes, and the Guatemala border.
However, you must be aware that this is a very long day with lots of driving. In fact, the trip took a total of 14 hours, with around 9 of that being in the minibus.
Nevertheless, El Chiflon was one of my favourite San Cristobal de las Casas activities, and I thoroughly recommend it.
Sumidero Canyon
Sumidero Canyon was without a doubt my favourite thing I did in San Cristobal Mexico. The views are truly breathtaking and it is unlike anything I have ever seen before.
In fact, I think this is one of the most incredible sights in Mexico (bold, right?!).
We did this trip by tour, and although you can get to this site on your own, a tour is cheaper and easier. I paid $500MXN per person, which included a hotel pick-up and transport to the canyon, as well as an entrance fee and boat ride and then transportation back to the hotel.
It took around two hours to reach a lookout point from the centre of San Cristobal where we enjoyed the incredible views and had the opportunity to stretch our legs, use the bathroom, and grab a snack.
From there, it was a further hour to the canyon, so yes, this is a long time on a minibus!
The tour of the Canyon lasts for two hours, and the views are spectacular. We saw so many birds, breathtaking cliffs, and the icing on the cake: 10+ giant crocodiles!
Our tour guide was informative and friendly (the tours are in Spanish only), and gave us lots of interesting facts and stories about the area.
I can’t recommend this trip enough. It’s a unique, fun, engaging experience that is definitely one of the best things to do in San Cristobal de las Casas. You’ll find multiple tour operators throughout the city offering this tour daily.
Enjoy International Cuisine
I was absolutely blown away by the variety of food available in San Cristobal de las Casas. During my week in the city, I enjoyed tacos (of course!), sushi, ramen, Middle Eastern falafels and Indian curries.
It’s also worth noting that I found food in San Cristobal de las Casas to be some of the most affordable in the whole of Mexico.
Some of my favourite places I ate in San Cristobal de las Casas included:
🧆Restaurante Falafel 100% Vegetariano
🌮Click Tacos
Sample Pox at La Posheria
Pox is a traditional distilled alcoholic beverage originating from Chiapas, Mexico.
It is made from fermented corn, wheat, or sugar cane, and sometimes flavored with fruits or herbs. Pox has a long history in indigenous Mayan culture and is often consumed during special occasions and celebrations.
It can be enjoyed straight, mixed with fruit juices or other ingredients, or used in cocktails. La Posheria is the place to sample Pox in San Cristobal de las Casas! The staff are very friendly and gave us some great tips.
Mercados de Artesanas
The Mercados de Artesanas in San Cristóbal de las Casas offers a vibrant display of indigenous craftsmanship, textiles, and traditional artworks.
These bustling markets immerse visitors in the rich cultural tapestry of Chiapas, showcasing intricate handwoven textiles, colourful ceramics, and unique handicrafts, making them a must-visit destination for cultural enthusiasts.
If you’re on the hunt for jewellery, this is the place to come! There are so many handmade jewellery stalls with great prices.
Explore the Amber Museum
The Amber Museum is a unique place to visit in San Cristobal, Mexico. Amber is found in Chiapas and other regions in Mexico, such as Hidalgo and Guerrero.
It features exhibits detailing the formation, properties, and cultural significance of Amber, with a focus on Chiapas’ renowned amber deposits. Visitors can admire exquisite amber specimens and learn about the science and artistry behind this captivating gemstone.
This museum is relatively small and very laid back – I enjoyed seeing the different artefacts and the detailed video explaining how Amber is found and turned into beautiful jewellery and ornaments. I recommend spending around 45 minutes here.
Also, if you don’t speak Spanish, be sure to download Google Translate, as none of the signage is in English.
Casa Na Bolom
Casa Na Bolom is a historic house-turned-museum. The name “Na Bolom” means “House of the Jaguar” in the Tzotzil language. It was originally the home of Danish archaeologist Frans Blom and his Swiss wife, Gertrude Duby Blom, who was a photographer, journalist, and Maya culture researcher.
The house is known for its significant contributions to the preservation of Chiapas’ indigenous cultures and rainforest environment.
Casa Na Bolom now operates as a museum, research centre, and hotel. It contains exhibits related to the indigenous cultures of Chiapas, including textiles, photographs, and artefacts collected by the Bloms during their research expeditions.
My favourite part of this museum was the incredible photography – it’s amazing! And, if you’ve got enough room in your suitcase (and enough in cash in your wallet) you can purchase some original artwork created by local artists.
I would recommend spending around an hour here. Tickets cost $60 MXN and can be purchased from the office on the opposite side of the road to the museum.
Visit Palenque
Palenque’s ancient Maya archaeological site is located in the state of Chiapas and can be accessed from San Cristobal de las Casas in one day via tour.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is renowned for its well-preserved ruins of temples, pyramids, and other structures that date back to the Classic period of Maya civilisation (approximately 600 to 900 AD).
The most notable structure is the Temple of the Inscriptions, which houses the tomb of the Maya ruler Pakal the Great. Palenque features intricate carvings, hieroglyphic inscriptions, and a unique architectural style, making it a significant archaeological and historical site that attracts visitors interested in Mesoamerican cultures.
However, you should know this is an extremely long day trip. Most depart around 4 am and arrive back after 9 pm. If your schedule allows, I would recommend spending a couple of days in Palenque instead, to enjoy all the best it has to offer and see the ruins at your own pace.
A Note on Water in San Cristobal de Las Casas
There is a significant water issue throughout Mexico, but this is particularly prominent in San Cristobal de las Casas.
The water quality is extremely low, and many travellers get sick in the city. Of course, you should not drink tap water and clean all produce with bottled water. Brushing your teeth with bottled water is also recommended to reduce the risk of becoming ill.
Also, it is likely that if you are there for more than a few days, you will experience a total loss of running water. This may affect the opening times of bars, restaurants and laundrettes.
Again, this problem is not unique to San Cristobal de las Casas; I experienced a lack of running water in Mexico City and Oaxaca. It’s a privilege to visit these stunning areas of the world, and tourists should be aware of and respect the devastating effect this has on the locals.
Whilst I would not let this deter you from visiting San Cristobal de las Casas, it is something that all visitors should be aware of.
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