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

Should you visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Durham?

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

Should I visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Durham? 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.

Durham

Durham is a student-filled, sports oriented, and diverse city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Durham travel costs.

San Cristobal de Las Casas and Durham: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in San Cristobal de Las Casas than Durham. While Durham is larger than San Cristobal de Las Casas, San Cristobal de Las Casas has more sights and attractions for tourists. San Cristobal de Las Casas is more touristy than Durham and is popular for its historical buildings, local markets, and traditional churches. Also, San Cristobal de Las Casas is famous for the Cathedral of San Cristobal de las Casas. Durham is well known for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is San Cristobal de Las Casas different from Durham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either San Cristobal de Las Casas or Durham.

San Cristobal de Las Casas offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Many visitors head to Durham specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in San Cristobal de Las Casas is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Durham. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Durham. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

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

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

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.

Durham does not have a historic old town.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is an amazing town to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Durham. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Durham More Beautiful?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.

San Cristobal de Las Casas offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Set against the backdrop of mountains, this town is colorful and charming.

Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.

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

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

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 Durham. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a well-known place for couples. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Durham is a nice destination for couples. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Durham is not a good city 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.

Durham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The student population means there are a number of parties and bars around town, but most backpackers overlook this city.

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

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

Durham is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is not popular with students.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is very good for its public transit. However, Durham is not a good city 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 Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

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

San Cristobal de Las Casas is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city 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.

Durham is generally not a very walkable town. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

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

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

How long in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Durham?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Cristobal de Las Casas and Durham. 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 Durham. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for San Cristobal de Las Casas, and 1-3 days is enough time in Durham.

Families should spend more time in San Cristobal de Las Casas than Durham. 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 Durham. 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 Durham 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 Durham?

San Cristobal de Las Casas might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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.

In Durham, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this sports oriented destination offers. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Durham?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Durham, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this 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 Durham?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Cristobal de Las Casas. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

A week in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Durham?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Durham. 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 Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

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

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

Durham has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of San Cristobal de Las Casas. When comparing the sizes of San Cristobal de Las Casas and Durham, 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.