Is San Cristobal de Las Casas worth visiting?
We loved visiting San Cristobal de Las Casas and, yes, it's absolutely a town that any traveler should visit. By the end of our time here, it felt like a second home.
Whether you're a traveling as a family, a couple, or a backpacker, this town has a lot to offer. Any local will tell you what makes it special is the amazing shopping and fantastic museums and attractions.
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.
San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico
6 Reasons to Visit San Cristobal de Las Casas
1. Shopping
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.
2. Museums and Attractions
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.
3. Food
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.
4. Nightlife
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.
5. Historical Sights
The town is filled with narrow pedestrian streets, colorful markets, and historic churches.
6. The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, San Cristobal de Las Casas might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for San Cristobal de Las Casas here or see if San Cristobal de Las Casas is expensive here.
Things to Consider Before Visiting San Cristobal de Las Casas
Not As Family-Friendly
While there are some family activities, it's not as child-friendly as other destinations.
Related
What is San Cristobal de Las Casas most famous for?
San Cristobal de Las Casas is most famous for its historical buildings, local markets, and traditional churches. People visit this impressive town for its great shopping. It is also known for its great museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and historical sights. It is often described as colorful, cultural, and charming.
What is the most famous sight in San Cristobal de Las Casas?
The most popular sight in San Cristobal de Las Casas is the Cathedral of San Cristobal de las Casas. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in San Cristobal de Las Casas on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for the Cathedral of San Cristobal de las Casas and other attractions here.
How touristy is San Cristobal de Las Casas? Is it a popular town to visit?
San Cristobal de Las Casas is a popular town for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Canyoning El Chorreadero Cave- Adventure Chiapas: $156
- From San Cristobal : Sima Tour of the Cotorras and El Aguacero: $112
- Private Tour in San Cristobal de las Casas: $48
- From San Cristobal Tour to Agua Azul, Misol Ha and Palenque: $83
- Bike Tour Chiapas Indigenous Peoples: $61
- Food Walking Tour San Cristobal de las Casas: $71
- Tour Sumidero Canyon and Magic Town of Chiapa de Corzo: $42
- Montebello Lakes and Chiflon Waterfalls Tour: $48
How long should I spend in San Cristobal de Las Casas?
The ideal length of time for a trip to San Cristobal de Las Casas is two to three days. Since San Cristobal de Las Casas has a variety of activities such as shopping, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in San Cristobal de Las Casas? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in San Cristobal de Las Casas?.
For guided and organized tour options, check out The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.