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

Should you visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charlottesville?

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

Should I visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charlottesville? 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 cultural, charming, and colorful town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. San Cristobal de Las Casas is a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See San Cristobal de Las Casas travel costs.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a southern, proud, and traditional university town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums. See Charlottesville travel costs.

San Cristobal de Las Casas and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Cristobal de Las Casas. Although San Cristobal de Las Casas and Charlottesville are popular destinations, San Cristobal de Las Casas has more sights and attractions for tourists. San Cristobal de Las Casas is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Charlottesville attracts visitors for its hiking and quaint atmosphere. San Cristobal de Las Casas is more touristy than Charlottesville and is known for its historical buildings, local markets, and traditional churches. It is also well known for the Cathedral of San Cristobal de las Casas. Charlottesville is famous for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is San Cristobal de Las Casas different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a great town for its historical sights. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlottesville. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

San Cristobal de Las Casas has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a great town for nightlife and partying. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in San Cristobal de Las Casas has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a great town for its old town. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its historic old town charm.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of San Cristobal de Las Casas. The town is filled with narrow pedestrian streets, colorful markets, and historic churches.

Charlottesville offers a nice historic old town area. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

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

Charlottesville is a good destination for hiking. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is not a hiking destination.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is terrific for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Known for shopping, San Cristobal de Las Casas draws large crowds to its 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.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charlottesville More Beautiful?

San Cristobal de Las Casas and Charlottesville both are comparable with their nice scenery and beauty.

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

Charlottesville is a beautiful place to visit, too. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charlottesville Better for Families?

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

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 Charlottesville. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a great town for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Charlottesville is a good town for couples to visit. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlottesville is not known for backpackers.

Many backpackers 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.

Charlottesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is camping an hiking in the area that is a good option for backpackers.

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

Charlottesville is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Charlottesville. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is not popular with students.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Charlottesville is not known for its public transit.

While San Cristobal de Las Casas offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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 generally limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is terrific for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a very easy town to get around 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.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

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

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

How long in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Cristobal de Las Casas and Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a small town with plenty to do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Charlottesville, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this young 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 Charlottesville?

San Cristobal de Las Casas might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

In Charlottesville, many people enjoy the nightlife and museums that this small town destination 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 Charlottesville?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Charlottesville. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. This university town offers something for everyone.

A week in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Charlottesville?

Since San Cristobal de Las Casas is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the university town of Charlottesville. 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 Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

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

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of San Cristobal de Las Casas and Charlottesville, 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.