Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in San Cristobal de Las Casas?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in San Cristobal de Las Casas?
Many visitors spend two to three days in San Cristobal de Las Casas during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The town offers the chance to find the best deals at the shops, spend time at the museums, browse around the old town, and soak up the small town charm.
San Cristobal de las Casas is a quaint town in the state of Chiapas. There's a beautiful mountain backdrop and colorful colonial architecture. The town has many pedestrian streets and historic churches, that make it a great base for exploring the area. There are also vibrant markets and many great restaurants.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit San Cristobal de Las Casas? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in San Cristobal de Las Casas?
Three days in San Cristobal de Las Casas is often considered ideal, as many tourists spend approximately two to three days here. This amount of time is perfect to find the best deals at the shops, spend time at the museums, browse around the old town, and soak up the small town charm. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.
How to spend 3 days in San Cristobal de Las Casas
Shopping in San Cristobal de Las Casas is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. 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 restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. 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.
San Cristobal de Las Casas is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. 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.
Don't miss the Cathedral of San Cristobal de las Casas during your trip to San Cristobal de Las Casas, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. 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.
The public transit in San Cristobal de Las Casas is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the town quite easily and affordably. Urbano buses are minibuses that connect the town to the outlying residential areas. There are also colectivos that travel to nearby villages.
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in San Cristobal de Las Casas, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. 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.
San Cristobal de Las Casas is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. Set against the backdrop of mountains, this town is colorful and charming.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Food Walking Tour San Cristobal de las Casas ($71)
- Boat ride through Sumidero Canyon and visit to Indian Villages ($81)
- Full-Day Sumidero Canyon Tour with Boat Cruise from San Cristóbal de las Casas ($84)
Is 4 days enough time in San Cristobal de Las Casas?
Four days is more than enough time to see everything that San Cristobal de Las Casas has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend two to three days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the many shops, the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the small town charm at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico
How to spend 4 days in San Cristobal de Las Casas
If you have more than 4 days in San Cristobal de Las Casas, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the town has to offer.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The town is filled with narrow pedestrian streets, colorful markets, and historic churches.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Food Walking Tour San Cristobal de las Casas ($71)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in San Cristobal de Las Casas?
Five days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in San Cristobal de Las Casas. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. You could also use San Cristobal de Las Casas as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.
How to spend 5 days in San Cristobal de Las Casas
Having 5 days in San Cristobal de Las Casas will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the town.
The small-town atmosphere of San Cristobal de Las Casas is one of the main reasons that visitors come here. Spend at least part of your day exploring the town to see the many sights and attractions. It has a small town atmosphere that is filled with culture, markets, and pedestrian streets.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Food Walking Tour San Cristobal de las Casas ($71)
- City Tour with Dinner Pizza and Wine ($71)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in San Cristobal de Las Casas.
More Info
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