A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Cristobal de Las Casas vs. Charleston for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charleston?

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

Should I visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charleston? 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 charming, colorful, and cultural town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. San Cristobal de Las Casas offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See San Cristobal de Las Casas travel costs.

Charleston

Charleston is a historic, classic, and picturesque coastal town. Charleston 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, shopping, and museums. See Charleston travel costs.

San Cristobal de Las Casas and Charleston: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Charleston than San Cristobal de Las Casas. While San Cristobal de Las Casas is larger than Charleston, Charleston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Charleston is better known for its food, music, resorts, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while San Cristobal de Las Casas is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and small town charm. San Cristobal de Las Casas is well known for its historical buildings, local markets, and traditional churches. Charleston is well known for its historic city market, low-country cuisine, Civil War history, and antebellum houses. Also, Charleston is famous for The Waterfront Park.

How is San Cristobal de Las Casas different from Charleston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Charleston 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 Charleston?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to San Cristobal de Las Casas can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Charleston is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. This city is famous for its many historic churches and plantations. The plantations are open to visit and will educate you on the city's past, which is heavily involved in slavery. You can also visit Fort Sumter National Monument by boat or take a tour of the USS Yorktown.

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

Charleston is very popular for its restaurants. Also, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Charleston is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Food lovers will enjoy the city's low country classics. There are many local restaurants in town that serve southern specialties. You can also head a bit out of the town center if you want a waterfront restaurant. Local favorites include she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, cornbread, and fried green tomatoes.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charleston Better for Nightlife?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for nightlife.

San Cristobal de Las Casas has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Charleston. As a college town, there are plenty of bars and nightclubs around town. There's also a lively music scene. Head to the areas near the college for the most affordable and active nightlife. Popular clubs in town include Cure Night Club, Deco Nightclub, and Mynt.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charleston Better for Music?

Charleston is a popular place for live music. However, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Charleston is active and vibrant. You can hear a number of local bands or enjoy a more widely known group at larger venues in the area.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is not a live music destination.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charleston Better for Resorts?

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

Charleston has a handful of resorts to choose from. The town has mostly hotels and bed and breakfasts in the downtown area, but nearby Kiawah Island has a number of nice resorts to choose from. Kiawah Island is particularly kid-friendly if you're looking for a family beach vacation. If you have a bit more money to spend and want something more residential, check out nearby Seabrook Island.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is not a resort destination.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charleston Better for Beaches?

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

Charleston is considered a top beach destination. The area has a number of beautiful and fun nearby beaches including Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island. Folly Beach is an active and quirky beach area, while Kiawah is more family-friendly. Seabrook is more residential and more expensive.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is not a beach destination.

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

Charleston is very popular for its historic old town. Also, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

Charleston has a world-famous historical area. Charleston's downtown is one of the most charming and well preserved Old Town's in the United States. It's easy to see why it's become a world class destination.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of San Cristobal de Las Casas. The town is filled with narrow pedestrian streets, colorful markets, and historic churches.

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

Shoppers can find a variety of fantastic stores in both San Cristobal de Las Casas and Charleston.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in San Cristobal de Las Casas. 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.

The abundance of shops in Charleston make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is famous for its historic market in the center of town. Local goods, foods, and crafts are sold daily here. There are also many clothing and local shops throughout town, particularly along King Street, which has boutiques and high end outlets. Outside of town, stop by Tanger Outlet Mall if you want name brands at a discount price.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charleston More Beautiful?

Charleston 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.

Charleston is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The charming history, beautiful architecture, and historic churches all make this city one of the most beautiful in the southern United States.

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 Charleston Better for Families?

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

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 Charleston. The city has a number of family-friendly activities like carriage rides and boat rides. There's also an aquarium, a waterfront park, and many kid-friendly museums. The nearby beaches also make it a wonderful place to visit with kids.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charleston Better for Couples?

Charleston is very popular for romance. Also, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Charleston makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful city is one of the most popular wedding destinations in America. It's a very romantic setting with beautiful hotels and bed and breakfasts that are perfect for couples on their honeymoon or looking for a romantic setting.

Couples visit San Cristobal de Las Casas frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is notable for backpackers. However, Charleston is a mediocre coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Charleston is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Hotels in the old town tend to be pricey and there isn't the backpacker community that you find in many other destinations. Still, there are a couple of hostels.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charleston Better for Students?

Charleston is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Charleston. The city is a college town with a young vibe that is perfect for students. There's a nice university area where you'll find cheaper places to eat and a good nightlife scene.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is not popular with students.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Charleston is a mediocre 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 Charleston. While there are some buses, you really must have a car to fully experience the entire area.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its 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.

Charleston is very walkable. The downtown area is very walkable, but once you leave the historic heart, it's best to have a car.

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

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

How long in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charleston?

Both San Cristobal de Las Casas and Charleston have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Charleston than in San Cristobal de Las Casas. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for San Cristobal de Las Casas, and 2-7 days is enough time in Charleston.

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

Couples should spend more time in Charleston than San Cristobal de Las Casas. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Charleston that are perfect 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 Charleston 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 Charleston?

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 Charleston, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this historic destination offers. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Charleston?

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 Charleston, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful destination offers. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Charleston?

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.

In Charleston, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this picturesque destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This is a popular place to visit for five days.Five days is often enough time to do most activities. This coastal town offers something for everyone.

A week in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charleston?

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.

In Charleston, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this beautiful coastal town offers. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. If you have one week, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

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 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Cristobal de Las Casas and Charleston, we can see that Charleston 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 Charleston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charleston 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 Charleston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charleston?

San Cristobal de Las Casas has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Charleston. When comparing the sizes of San Cristobal de Las Casas and Charleston, 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.