Last Updated on October 13, 2025
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San Cristóbal de las Casas is located in the state of Chiapas in Southern Mexico. The city is known for beautiful colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, colorful markets, great coffee and rich culture. Besides all the fun things to do in San Cristóbal de las Casas, the city is also a great place to base yourself to explore Chiapas, as it’s centrally located to many of the major attractions.
San Cristóbal de las Casas reminded me a lot of Antigua Guatemala, which I visited a year earlier. The colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and strong Mayan heritage were some of the similarities that stood out right away. Both are also popular with backpackers, but San Cris, as locals call it, isn’t as popular with international travelers and most visitors are Mexicans. Anyway, if you’ve been to and like Antigua, you will like San Cristóbal de las Casas.
I spent 5 days in San Cristóbal de las Casas, which was enough to see the city’s main attractions and take a couple of day trips. It’s a pretty compact city with everything you want to see within a short walking distance. Below are my suggestions for what to do in San Cristóbal de las Casas, which day trips to take and which are not the best idea.
How to get to San Cristóbal de las Casas
By plane
The closest airport is in Tuxtla Gutiérrez (Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport – TGZ), which is 75 km away and it takes more than one hour to get to San Cristóbal de las Casas. You can fly to Tuxtla direct from several Mexican destinations like CDMX, Cancún, Mérida and Tijuana. If you are coming from outside of Mexico, you will need to connect in one of those cities, as there are no direct international flights to Chiapas.
Once you arrive, you have several options of getting from the airport to San Cristóbal de las Casas. There are taxi counters, right in the Arrivals Terminal and one way ride to the center of San Cristóbal costs 1200 MXN. You pay up front at the counter and give the ticket to the driver waiting outside.
You can also pre-book a private transfer like this one and have the driver wait for you at the airport.
Another option is taking a bus. ADO buses run from the airport to San Cristóbal several times a day, and at 280 MXN one way, it’s a more budget friendly option.
As you’re heading from Tuxtla Gutiérrez to San Cristóbal, you can catch a glimpse of Sumidero Canyon.
By bus
If you are already in Mexico, you can also get to San Cristóbal by ADO bus from many cities like Oaxaca (12 hours), Puerto Escondido (13 hours), Puebla (12-13 hours) or Mexico City (16 hours). It’s a long bus ride (often overnight), but an option if you are on a tight budget. You can check the schedule and purchase bus tickets either on ADO website/app or on BusBud.com.
The buses arrive in San Cris at Autobuses OCC Terminal, which is about 8-9 blocks from the main square (it’s this exact spot if you want to save it to your maps).
Things to do in San Cristóbal de las Casas
Take a Free Walking Tour
Before you do anything else in San Cristóbal de las Casas, you should take the Free Walking Tour. It’s such a great way to not only learn some of the city’s history and culture but also get oriented in a new place. I’ve done my share of Free Walking Tours, and this was one of the best ones.
During the 2.5-3-hour tour, which started in front of the Catedral, we visited many places including the most iconic spots in the city, as well as some I may not have found on my own. The guides on those tours are very knowledgeable about their city and also have the best tips and recommendations on places to eat.
They run the tours every day at 10 am and 4 pm in English and 10 am in Spanish. There’s no need to sign up, just show up at the meeting spot, which is the wooden cross in Plaza de la Paz, by the Cathedral. Look for someone wearing an orange shirt and an umbrella.
And remember that even though the tour is free, you should always tip your guide. At least the suggested 150 MXN per person.
Plaza de la Paz and Plaza 31 de Marzo
Most Mexican towns and cities have a main square and San Cristóbal is no exception. It actually has not one, but two squares: Zócalo (officially Plaza 31 de Marzo) and Plaza de la Paz, right next to each other.
Plaza de la Paz is the bigger square and where you will find the Cathedral and Cruz Atrial, the wooden cross, that is often the meeting point for many tours. That’s exactly where you’ll be meeting your Free Walking Tour guide.
Each night around 6 pm, a big artisan market sets up in the square. You’ll find bags, textiles, leather goods, clothes – similar to what you find in the daytime markets. Great place to pick up some souvenirs.
Adjacent to Plaza de la Paz is Plaza 31 de Marzo, usually referred to simply as Zócalo. With a gazebo, plenty of trees and benches, it’s a great place to take a break from exploring and watch the world go by. Just like in the bigger square, Zócalo is always buzzing with activity, with many people, vendors and performers.
On one side of Zócalo you’ll also find MUSAC (Museo de San Cristóbal), that has a collection of local art, paintings and ceramics. It’s quite small, so it’s a quick visit if you’d like to check it out. It’s free to enter as well.
Visit the San Cristóbal Catedral
Right in Plaza de la Paz you’ll find one of the most important buildings in the city, the San Cristóbal Cathedral, with its façade facing the square. Painted vibrant yellow with red accents, it has a striking appearance, and you really can’t miss it.
Built in 1528, the Cathedral is a great example of Baroque Colonial architecture. In 2017, it suffered serious damage in an earthquake and was closed for several years for restoration. But it’s open again and you can visit it for free!
Walk Real de Guadalupe
Real de Guadalupe is a mostly pedestrian street lined with cafes, restaurants, boutique stores and galleries. Many places have outdoor seating, so you can grab a drink or something to eat and enjoy the people watching. Especially at night, the street comes alive with people out and about.
There are a few similar streets like it, known as Andadores, and they all branch out from the two main squares. Real de Guadalupe is the most popular and lively one, busy both day and night. It starts at Zocolo and if you continue walking it takes you all the way to Iglesia de Guadalupe, one of the must visit churches in San Cristobal (more on the church below).
Real de Guadalupe is closed to traffic for several blocks, but as you get closer to the church it turns into a regular street.
Climb up to Iglesia de Guadalupe
If you walk down Real de Guadalupe, you’ll see a white and yellow church up on a hill in the distance. That’s Templo de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, dedicated to Guadalupe, the patron Saint of Mexico. It’s a popular pilgrimage site with people visiting from all over the country.
The church sits up on the hill and there are about 80 steps to get to the top, but once you reach it you’ll be rewarded with some nice views of the city. I visited in the morning, but I’ve been told, that it’s a nice place to watch the sunset.
Not far from the church is a rooftop bar/restaurant La Charcu, if you want to grab a bite to eat with some of the best views of the city.
Climb up to Iglesia de San Cristóbalito
On the opposite side of the city is another church worth visiting, Iglesia de San Cristóbalito, more for the views than the church itself. The small Baroque style church sits on top of a hill and there are 280 steps to reach the top. But once you do, you are rewarded with some nice views of San Cristóbal.
As you start getting closer to the top, the trees do cover some of the view and to be honest I found it to be better from halfway up. Still, if you don’t mind a little work out, it’s definitely worth visiting.
I recommend going during the day both for the lightning and safety.
Mercado de Dulces y Artesanías Ámbar
In this indoor market you will find mostly candy and sweets, but there are also some stalls that sell clothing and souvenirs. Great place to try some Mexican candy.
Mercado de Dulces is open every day from 8 am – 9.30 pm.
Shop at Mercado de Artesanias de Santo Domingo
As far as things to do in San Cristóbal de las Casas go, visiting Mercado de Artesanias is a must. Even if it’s just to walk around and browse. Although, I’m warning you, it’s nearly impossible to leave that place empty handed. And if you do plan on doing some shopping, this is where you want to go, for both selection and price.
This is one of the best artisans markets I’ve visited in Mexico. It’s located right next to the Santo Domingo church and has countless of stalls selling beautiful textiles, clothing, bags, jewelry and more. Chiapas is known for textiles and most of those sold in the market are handmade by indigenous women from nearby villages.
I say most, because they do have mass produced things as well. There are ways to tell whether the textile is handmade or not though. One of them is to look at the quantity. If you see a stack of a 100 scarves that look exactly the same, that is not hand made. Artisans usually make just a couple of pieces of one thing and no items are identical.
Stop at Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
There are a lot of churches in San Cristóbal de las Casas, but this is hands down the prettiest one, if you ask me. It sits right by the Mercado de Artesanias.
The church dates back to the 16th century and was built by Dominicans. It’s a fine example of Baroque architecture, and its façade is especially striking with incredible and detailed designs. The inside of the church is just as impressive, with several altars and parts of the ceiling covered in gold.
Just like the Cathedral, Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán suffered serious damage in the earthquake of 2017. It has been restored since and it’s open to visitors again. My usual advice is that if you see that the door is open, you should definitely go inside and visit.
Visit the Textile Museum
I’m not a big museum person, but I wanted to visit Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya, since textiles are such a huge part of Chiapas. And I ended up really enjoying it. So much that I think it should be on any list of top things to do in San Cristóbal de las Casas.
They have a huge collection of beautiful textiles from Mexico and Guatemala, with . You can see pieces and learn what goes into making them. Displays are in both Spanish and English.
The museum is open Tuesday – Sunday from 9 am – 6 pm (closed on Mondays!). It’s right by Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán and Mercado De Artesanias. There’s no entrance fee, but you can throw some money into the donation box as you leave.
Other Museums
- Museo del Ámbar – housed in a historical convent, the museum has an amazing collection of amber (over 300 pieces), as well as a workshop and a store. Open Tuesday-Sunday (10 am -2 pm and 4-7 pm) and the entrance fee is 50 MXN.
- Casa Na Bolom – this museum and hotel is a former home of a European couple, who dedicated their lives to advocate for the Lacandon indigenous people. For a small fee of 60 MXN you can tour the house and learn about their life and work through photographs, archaeological finds and personal items.
- Museo de San Cristóbal MUSAC – in this small museum you’ll find exhibits of art and sculptures from local artists. Located right in Zocalo and free to visit.
Try Pox
Although not as well-known as Tequila or Mezcal, Pox is the regional drink of Chiapas. Made out of corn, wheat and piloncillo (sugar cane), the alcoholic beverage has deep roots in the indigenous communities of Chiapas.
Pox, which means “healing” or “medicine” in Tzotzil is believed to have healing properties, and it’s often used in religious and spiritual ceremonies. If you make it to San Juan Chamula, you’ll see people drink it inside of the church during the rituals.
If you’d like to try Pox, there are several places in the city where you can do the tasting. I did it at a small place called Poxna, which was part of the Free Walking Tour. Poxna is one of the best artisan Pox distillers and they have a really cool tasting room.
Aside from the traditional kind, they also have variety of flavored Pox, like chocolate and hibiscus. And if you’d like to bring some home, you can purchase a small bottle (or several), that you can put in your carry on.
You can also try it in a cocktail at any bar in the city.
Try local cuisine
Of course, you are in Mexico, so trying local food will be one of the top things to do in San Cristóbal de las Casas. I found the cuisine in Chiapas to be a bit similar to Oaxaca, the neighboring state. Some of the staples of Chiapaneca cuisine are tamales, mole, Sopa de Pan and Pepita con Tasaje.
One of the new things I got to try in San Cristóbal were Chalupas. They are a popular snack made with small fried tortillas topped with beans, shredded beets, carrots, meat and Chiapas cheese. Great place to try chalupas in the city is a place called Carmelita. A casual local spot and very inexpensive.
A couple of local drinks to try are Tascalate (made with corn, cacao, achiote, pine nuts and sugar) and Pozol (a fermented corn drink) – not to be mistaken with the soup Pozole. Both are traditional pre-Historic drinks made from corn.
If you’d like to discover other local gems, there’s a 3-hour Food Walking Tour you might enjoy.
Have a drink at a rooftop bar
At the end of the day, head to one of the rooftop bars for a sunset drink. Kinoki, right in the heart of San Cristóbal is one of the favorites. From the terrace you can enjoy great views of Real de Guadalupe below and the mountains surrounding the city. They also have a huge selection of teas, if you are a tea drinker.
Kinoki is also a small movie theatre, where they screen independent movies and documentaries. At the entrance you’ll find the movie schedule if you are interested.
I didn’t make it to Habanero Terrazas, but it comes highly recommended as a rooftop bar and restaurant. It’s close to Plaza de Merced and just around the corner from Museo del Ámbar.
La Charcu is another bar with a terrace offering great city views, especially for sunset. It’s close to Iglesia de Guadalupe, so it’s a good stop either before or after you visit the church.
Coffee shops
Chiapas is one of the leading producers of coffee in Mexico, with about 40 % of coffee coming from the region. So, if you are a coffee drinker make sure to take advantage of that and put visiting a few coffee shops on your San Cristóbal de las Casas itinerary.
It’s safe to say, you won’t have trouble finding a good cup. Quite the opposite. There are so many great coffee shops, that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. You’d need to stay awhile to try them all, but below are some really good ones.
- El Tostador
- Carajillo
- Cafeologia
- Sweetbeat
- Amor Negro
Find Street Art
You can find a lot of street art as you walk around the city streets of San Cristóbal de las Casas, with most of it in the El Cerillo neighborhood. Many walls there are covered with colorful murals that show the local culture and often contain political messages and depict the struggles of the indigenous communities in Chiapas.
Visit El Arcotete
If you want to get away from the city and spend some time in the nature, there are several nature parks around San Cris with nice hikes. El Arcotete Ecological Park is one of them, just a short ride away. There, you can walk some trails, explore the caves and even go ziplining.
It’s a nice tranquil place and with just a 15 MXN entrance fee, one of the cheapest things to do in San Cristobal de las Casas. It costs another 20 MXN to enter the caves and if you want to try the ziplines, that’s extra as well. Having said that, if you are in the city just for a couple of days, I’d focus on all that the city itself has to offer. But if you happen to be in San Cris for longer, El Arcotete is a nice side trip from the city.
To get to El Arcotete from San Cris, you can grab a taxi or do what I did, which is take a Colectivo. You can hop into one at the corner of Plaza de la Paz (in this exact spot), or near the Iglesia del Cerro de Guadalupe. It costs 15 MXN one way and El Arcotete is the last stop, near the park’s entrance. To return, wait at the same spot, which is marked Parada Colectivos. It’s about a 30-minute ride.
Visit San Juan Chamula
Chiapas has one of biggest indigenous populations in Mexico, with many villages located right outside of San Cristóbal. One of them is San Juan Chamula, home to Tzotzil people who are of Mayan decent. The traditions are still very much alive in this small village, which you see in the way people dress, language they speak and customs.
You won’t hear much Spanish in San Juan Chamula, as most people speak Tzotzil, the native language. Their way of dressing is also very traditional with woman wearing long black skirts made with sheep fleece, that is very unique to the San Juan Chamula community.
What brings most people to San Juan Chamula is the church, which is very unique, to say the least. It might look like just another church from the outside, but once you walk through the big wooden door, it’s a whole different experience. What you’ll witness inside are rituals, that are a blend of Catholicism and Mayan traditions.
Inside, the floor is covered in pine needles, there are no benches, instead people are gathered in groups around candles, praying and chanting while passing around Pox and Coke. Instead of a priest, there are local shamans, who perform healing rituals, that often include chickens being sacrificed (by neck twisting).
While the church is open to visitors, taking photos and videos is strictly forbidden. To go inside you’ll need to buy a ticket for 30 MXN sold in the little kiosk right next door. You can visit anytime, as the church is open daily 24/7. Some days might have more activity than others. I was there on Sunday, which was very busy. Not just inside of the church, but also with a big market outside.
You can easily get to San Juan Chamula on your own by taking a Colectivo from this spot. They run very frequently it takes 15-20 minutes to get there.
If you prefer a guided tour, there are plenty offered in the city. Most tours, like this one, combine San Juan Chamula with a visit to another indigenous town nearby, San Lorenzo Zinacantán.
Take a day trip to Canyon Sumidero
One of the best things to do in San Cristóbal de las Casas is to visit Canyon Sumidero, one of the natural wonders in Chiapas. Being just 2 hours away it makes for a fun full day trip from the city.
Cañón del Sumidero was formed over 35 million years ago as a result of tectonic activity and Grijalva River cutting through rocks. This created a truly dramatic landscape with the tallest walls of the canyon reaching 1 km (1.6 miles) in height.
Most people who visit San Cristóbal de las Casas will do this tour and there are many to choose from. You want to book one that includes the boat ride, at least a couple of Miradores and a visit to Chiapa de Corzo. This is exactly what this Sumidero Canyon tour offers and what I booked and can highly recommend.
There are tours that do not include the viewpoints, so be sure to read carefully the itinerary of what you’re booking. You really don’t want to miss the views of the Canyon from above.
NOTE: The viewpoints are closed on Tuesdays, so make sure to plan your Canyon Sumidero Day trip on another day.
The highlight of the trip for many is the 2-hour boat ride, where you really get to see just how massive the Canyon is. Parque Nacional Cañon del Sumidero is also home to birds, spider monkeys and crocodiles, and you’ll see quite a few as you cruise along.
A visit to Canyon Sumidero is a full day trip. It takes 2 hours to get there from San Cristóbal de las Casas, 2 hours back and about 5.5-6 hours spent there (which includes a 2-hour boat ride, a visit to Miradores and a stop in Chiapa de Gorzo, one of Mexico’s Pueblo Mágicos)
It’s worth noting that most tours are in Spanish and the couple I found in English were double the price.
For practical tips, Cañón del Sumidero was also much warmer than San Cristóbal, so dress in layers! Also, bring some cash for tips, food and drinks you might want to buy.
You can book a day trip to Canyon Sumidero from San Cristóbal de las Casas here.
Things to know before visiting San Cristóbal de las Casas
Altitude
San Cristóbal de las Casas sits at around 2,100 m (6,900 ft) above sea level, so you might experience mild altitude sickness symptoms, especially if coming directly from sea level. I felt fine, but I usually don’t feel a difference until I’m at a very high elevation (i.e. Cusco in Peru). But that really depends on a person, everyone reacts differently.
Also, due to the higher elevation, the weather is cooler in San Cristóbal de las Casas. Days are warm with the sun out, but it gets chilly in the morning and night.
Water
A lot of people get sick when visiting Chiapas with the number one reason being contaminated water. It’s a huge problem in San Cristóbal de las Casas and the state. While it’s not safe to drink tap water anywhere in Mexico, in San Cristóbal de las Casas you have to take precautions one step further.
To avoid getting sick, use bottled water for drinking, brushing your teeth and try not to get water in your mouth while showering. Also be very careful of what and where you eat. Stick to cooked meals and avoid fresh produce, that might have been washed with bad water.
Learn some Spanish
There’s not a lot of English spoken in San Cristóbal de las Casas, so it’s a good idea to learn some Spanish before visiting. And have that translating app handy if you don’t speak the language.
Day trip to Palenque
Palenque is one of the most important Mayan cities and one of the most popular places to visit in Chiapas. It’s definitely a must visit, but not as a day trip from San Cristóbal de las Casas, and here’s why.
Even though most companies offer it as a day trip, Palenque is more an overnight visit. It’s about 5-6 hours each way depending on traffic, so just getting there and back will be 10 hours. When you finally make it there, the visit to the Ruins is very rushed.
Instead plan to stay overnight, so you can get there first thing in the morning before the tour crowds arrive and have plenty of time to explore.
Where to eat and drink
There’s no shortage of great cafes and restaurants in San Cristóbal de las Casas. You’ll find plenty of places serving traditional Mexican dishes and regional specialties, but there’s also a wide variety of international food like Asian and Italian. Here are just a few places I found and enjoyed:
La Viña de Bacco – this is a great wine bar right on Real de Guadalupe with tables outside. You can get a glass of wine for as little as 30 MXN, and they have a huge variety of wines from all over the world. Each drink comes with a free tapa. Always busy, great atmosphere and people watching.
El Caldero – a restaurant that specializes in soups and stews from all over Mexico. Perfect for a chilly night.
Carmelita – this place was recommended to me by our Free Walking Tour Guide as the spot to try chalupas, a popular local dish. They also have tacos and a few other things. Simple, no frills, off the beaten track local spot worth trying if you need a little snack.
Burros San Cris -a small place with great burritos.
Sarajevo Café Jardin – one of the best and most beautiful restaurants in San Cristóbal de las Casas. Known for their menu del dia on weekdays (1-6pm), which includes a starter, main course and a drink for 150 MXN.
Where to stay in San Cristóbal de las Casas
As a first-time visitor, you definitely want to stay in the city center, especially if you are there just for a handful of days. That will put you close to most attractions, many restaurants, cafes and markets.
There are plenty of accommodations that fit any budget. I actually found San Cris to be an affordable destination, and you can get a pretty nice hotel at a reasonable price.
Piedra Negra Boutique Hotel – new modern hotel in an unbeatable location, a short walk to the main square and many restaurants. Rooms are comfortable and spotless, continental breakfast is included in the rate and there is a terrace with nice views.
Guayaba Inn – this B&B is where you want to stay if you want to be a bit away from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet close enough that you can still walk to most attractions. It’s about a 15-minute walk to the main square. With the colonial style rooms and a beautiful courtyard, Guayaba Inn is like an oasis in a busy city.
Hotel Bo – if you don’t mind splurging a bit on your accommodations, this is considered to be one of the best hotels in San Cris. Some of the amenities include a spa, fitness center and an excellent restaurant on site. There is a roof top and a nice ground garden space to enjoy.
READ MORE:
- The Ultimate Guide to Oaxaca, Mexico
- Best Things to do in Merida, Mexico
- Best things to do in Morelia, Michoacán – the most underrated city in Mexico
- Valladolid in Mexico – a hidden gem in Yucatán
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