A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Cristobal de Las Casas vs. Bar Harbor for Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

San Cristobal de Las Casas

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a colorful, cultural, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. San Cristobal de Las Casas is a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See San Cristobal de Las Casas travel costs.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a quaint, charming, and picturesque coastal town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Bar Harbor is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

San Cristobal de Las Casas and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Cristobal de Las Casas. Although San Cristobal de Las Casas and Bar Harbor are both popular with visitors, San Cristobal de Las Casas has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. San Cristobal de Las Casas is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Bar Harbor is known for its resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. San Cristobal de Las Casas is popular for its historical buildings, local markets, and traditional churches. It is also home to the Cathedral of San Cristobal de las Casas. Bar Harbor is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is San Cristobal de Las Casas different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bar Harbor and San Cristobal de Las Casas. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into San Cristobal de Las Casas. The town is filled with historical churches such as the main Cathedral of San Cristobal. While this is the most notable church, there are also smaller churches worth visiting like the Templo Santo Domingo, Iglesia de Guadalupe, and Iglesia de San Cristobal. For museums, make sure you check out the Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya, Na Bolom, and Museo de Ambar.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both San Cristobal de Las Casas and Bar Harbor offer excellent local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in San Cristobal de Las Casas. The cuisine is a mix of Spanish-influenced cured meats such as ham and sausage, as well as indigenous flavors like tamales and burritos. There's also a lot of great pizza around town as well as several Asian restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Bar Harbor. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

San Cristobal de Las Casas offers plenty to do in the evening. There's an active nightlife scene that includes everything from late night clubs to salsa lessons. Most tourists who want to party head to the pedestrian streets around the plaza. There are countless bars where you'll likely find a crowd late into the night. Some clubs have a cover charge on weekends but, in general, drinks are cheap and getting around is easy.

Bar Harbor doesn't offer many options. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not a resort destination.

Bar Harbor has a handful of resorts to choose from. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is not a resort destination.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its beaches. However, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not a beach destination.

Bar Harbor is a good option for a beach vacation. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is not a beach destination.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor Better for its Old Town?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The town is filled with narrow pedestrian streets, colorful markets, and historic churches.

Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not a hiking destination.

Bar Harbor is a good destination for hiking. Nearby Acadia National Park has plenty of hiking options. There's also the Bar Harbor Shore Path that wanders along the coastline and offers beautiful views.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is terrific for shopping. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The nearby villages are famous for their weaving, leather, pottery, and embroidery, so many visitors pick up souvenirs at the colorful markets around town. This is one of the best towns in Mexico to purchase local items, and you should definitely set aside time to explore and shop.

Bar Harbor is well-known for its shopping. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor More Beautiful?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. Also, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Bar Harbor is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Surrounded by the water and beautiful landscaping, the town offers visitors plenty of beauty.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a beautiful place to visit, too. Set against the backdrop of mountains, this town is colorful and charming.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a family-friendly town. While kids may not appreciate the town's beauty and culture, they will have fun exploring the night market or taking a chocolate-making class. There are pedestrian streets where everyone can explore without fear of traffic and pizza restaurants that appeal to the kids as well.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bar Harbor. It is a small town with a lot of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are all fun activities for all ages.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both San Cristobal de Las Casas and Bar Harbor make for a excellent place to visit.

San Cristobal de Las Casas makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy culture, markets, traditional cuisines, and new experiences will love their time here. It's a fun place to simply wander. You can explore the markets and then eat at a local restaurant before making your way back to your boutique hotel.

Couples visit Bar Harbor frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It is a quaint coastal town that is perfect for a couple's getaway or a short honeymoon. There are romantic restaurants, scenic walks, and beautiful views that make this a wonderful retreat.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit San Cristobal de Las Casas. There are a number of hostels in town as well as budget-friendly hotels. Backpackers love the laid back nature of this town as well as the many markets and nature-oriented activities.

Bar Harbor is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's a small town with mostly high end accommodation so budget travelers and backpackers will struggle to find a place to stay.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for times when you don't have a car.

San Cristobal de Las Casas has a few public transit options. Urbano buses are minibuses that connect the town to the outlying residential areas. There are also colectivos that travel to nearby villages.

Public transit is mostly limited in Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is terrific for its walkability. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around San Cristobal de Las Casas on foot. Walking is the best way to experience the town. Most of the sights can be reached on foot and there are pedestrian-only streets that let you avoid the traffic.

Bar Harbor is a very walkable town. The town is small enough that it's easily explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is San Cristobal de Las Casas Worth Visiting? and Is Bar Harbor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

How long in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Cristobal de Las Casas and Bar Harbor. In our opinion, San Cristobal de Las Casas has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in San Cristobal de Las Casas than Bar Harbor. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in San Cristobal de Las Casas than Bar Harbor. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Cristobal de Las Casas, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in San Cristobal de Las Casas than Bar Harbor. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Cristobal de Las Casas that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Cristobal de Las Casas than Bar Harbor if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in San Cristobal de Las Casas.

One day in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor?

San Cristobal de Las Casas might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Bar Harbor, many people enjoy the shopping and food that this relaxed small town offers. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor?

Even though San Cristobal de Las Casas is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

In Bar Harbor, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this beautiful small town offers. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Many people spend a weekend here. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor?

San Cristobal de Las Casas, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Many people enjoy the shopping and food when visiting Bar Harbor. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. This coastal town offers something for everyone.

A week in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful coastal town of Bar Harbor. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Cristobal de Las Casas and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor is more expensive. And not only is San Cristobal de Las Casas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Cristobal de Las Casas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Cristobal de Las Casas and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bar Harbor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bar Harbor than you might in San Cristobal de Las Casas.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Cristobal de Las Casas Expensive? and Is Bar Harbor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Cristobal de Las Casas or Bar Harbor?

San Cristobal de Las Casas has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of San Cristobal de Las Casas and Bar Harbor, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.