Is San Cristóbal de las Casas Worth Visiting? Why & Why Not

Heard Of San Cristóbal de las Casas But Not Sure If It’s Worth Visiting? Let’s Find Out Why It Is Or Isn’t Right For You

The beautiful colonial town of San Cristóbal de las Casas sits high in the Central Highlands of Chiapas, near the border of Guatemala, and far from the tourist trail.

Only people who are really drawn to this town take the time to make the journey but is San Cristóbal de las Casas worth visiting?

I loved my time here and I know it’s somewhere I’ll visit again and again, but this unique corner of Mexico may not be a fit for everyone.

This post covers why San Cristóbal de las Casas is worth visiting and why it’s not, so you can decide if it’s worth the trek for you.

Let’s get into it!

Is San Cristóbal de las Casas Worth Visiting?

Overall, it’s a resounding yes from me. San Cristóbal de las Casas remains to be one of my favourite places in all of Mexico and I believe it’s absolutely worth visiting, for the right person. So let’s boil it down.

If you like fewer tourists, rich culture, and going with the flow, you’ll probably love San Cristóbal de las Casas.

If you prefer lots of events and activities, vibrant nightlife, and a trendy vibe, you should probably skip it.

Why San Cristóbal de las Casas Is Worth Visiting

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, San Cristóbal de las Casas is one of my favourite places. So let’s get into a few of the things I love the most about this town that make it really special and worth a visit.

The Charm

The atmosphere of San Cristóbal de las Casas is one of my favourite things about it. People don’t rush around here, they amble.

The sense of stress that comes with a busier place is noticeably absent here and although it’s bustling as people go about their daily business, they do so with a sense of calm.

San Cristóbal de las Casas feels like somewhere you can sit and people watch with a cup of local coffee, wander in and out of shops, and share a smile with passersby as you roam the colourful streets.

There’s no sense of urgency here, it’s just a lovely, picturesque place to be and it’s easy to see why it was named a Pueblo Mágico (Magic Town) of Mexico.

Rich Indigenous Culture

The state of Chiapas where San Cristóbal de las Casas is located, has one of the largest Indigenous populations in the country with over a third of the population identifying as Indigenous.

So it’s not a surprise that the presence of Indigenous people and culture is very noticeable in San Cristóbal de las Casas and adds to the enchanting feeling.

You only have to go as far the square to see traditional clothing and handicrafts adding an extra splash of colour to the landscape, but for a deeper dive into Indigenous culture you’ll need to hit the road.

San Cristóbal de las Casas is surrounded by several Mayan villages that make a great day trip.

The villagers speak Mayan languages, live by many Mayan traditions, and a visit to this area is a truly authentic and special experience.

Unlike areas in Yucatán that cater to tourists like Chichén Itzá, the Mayan communities surrounding San Cristóbal de las Casas are a true window into this culture and are not diluted for visitors.

Excellent Shopping

San Cristóbal de las Casas is surrounded by several Mayan villages and the villagers make the trip into town to sell their wares in the square, on the promenade, and at the markets.

In addition to the Mayan street vendors there are also fantastic shops, permanent markets, and pop-ups that are all worth exploring.

The quality of handmade goods you can find in San Cristóbal de las Casas is fantastic and from sweet treats to clothing to jewellery, there’s so much to choose from.

One of my favourite shops in San Cristóbal de las Casas is Chiapelart, an amazing leather shop and workshop on the Real de Guadalupe pedestrian promenade.

The store is packed full of gorgeous handmade leather goods at some truly amazing prices and this is just one example of the many vendors that will have you reaching for your pocket.

San Cristóbal de las Casas is also a great place to find Mexican amber and jade.

Incredible Local Coffee & Ingredients

Another thing I absolutely love about Chiapas is the food and drink. If you don’t already know this about me, coffee is one of my favourite things on earth and Chiapas grows their own.

I love coffee so much I stayed at Casa Cafeólogo, a hotel inside a coffee shop in San Cristóbal de las Casas that dries their beans on the roof and smells of fresh coffee every day.

But coffee isn’t the only local ingredient Chiapas is known for. Mexico is the home of chocolate and Chiapas is regarded as one of the best cacao producers in the country.

Local chocolate is easy to find from fancier truffle shops like Cacao Nativa to the tiny Chocolatería Jangala (try the ice cream😋), you will have no shortage of places to taste, nibble, and sip on various chocolate creations.

You’ll also find unique ingredients that don’t rarely appear on menus outside of the area, like chipilín a leafy green from the spinach family.

I had never heard of chipilín prior to spending time in San Cristóbal de las Casas but by the end of my trip I’d had chipilín soup, eggs benedict on a bed of chipilín, avocado on toast with chipilín, chipilín tamales, the list goes on.

The local ingredients are so fresh here and opting to try them helps the local economy. So, keep an eye out for unusual ingredients and give them a try!

Why San Cristóbal de las Casas Is Not Worth Visiting

While I’m a big fan of San Cristóbal de las Casas the truth is, it’s not a fit for everyone or every trip. So here are a few reasons why San Cristóbal de las Casas might not be worth visiting for you.

The Inconvenient Location

The thing that puts people off visiting San Cristóbal de las Casas is that it’s a pain to get to. A lot of people try to include it as part of a trip to Oaxaca or Mérida but quickly realize it’s a mission to reach.

That’s why it’s so important to have an idea of what to expect from San Cristóbal de las Casas before you add it to your itinerary.

Being over an hour from the nearest airport and an overnight bus from the nearest tourist destination makes this town less accessible but that’s also the trade off for being off the tourist trail.

If you’re short on time, it may not be worth the time and effort it takes to detour here.

You Might Be Bored

Compared to a bustling city like Oaxaca or a buzzy beach town like Puerto Escondido, San Cristóbal de las Casas is quiet.

When I say quiet, I don’t mean it’s a ghost town, I just mean that the pace here is slower. Sure, there are a few places to go dancing and see live music. There is also a great restaurant scene and some interesting day trips to take.

But if you’re looking for late nights, bumping bars, and endless activities, this is not the spot.

Part of the charm of San Cristóbal de las Casas is just being there. This is a place to wander and explore. Somewhere to slow down and take in local life. Breathe the mountain air, sip on delicious coffee, and browse the markets.

If you like a jam packed itinerary full of lots of different activities, this may not be the place for you.

It Requires Some Spanish

Being that San Cristóbal de las Casas is off the tourist trail it’s hard to find English speakers here so you’ll need to be comfortable speaking (or just getting by with) Spanish.

Taking the free walking tour is a great introduction to the town. This is a fantastic way to familiarize yourself and get some recommendations in English, but after that you’re on your own.

I visited tour offices, cafes, hotels, restaurants, markets, shops, museums, and no one I encountered spoke English other than tour guides.

If you struggle with communicating in Spanish or don’t like a language barrier this may not be a fit for you.

Tensions In The Wider Area

Chiapas has had a long history of political tension and rebellion from declaring independence in the 1800s to the more recent Zapatista movement.

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that on occasion there are flare ups that can cause some disruption, mainly to the access roads.

There are only three main roads in and out of San Cristóbal de las Casas and when there are road closures or blockades due to demonstrations or even just construction it can cause long delays.

It’s also important to consider the location of Chiapas which shares a border with Guatemala.

Because of the current migrant situation it’s not uncommon to see police checkpoints and even vehicles being checked for migrants.

San Cristóbal de las Casas itself is a peaceful place to visit but getting to and from it can have its challenges, primarily when it comes to road delays and detours.

Getting Here

There are only two options when deciding how to visit San Cristóbal de Las Casas, by air or by road.

By Air

Flying to San Cristóbal de Las Casas is the easiest option with the modern airport in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, about 60 – 90 mins away.

Direct flights operate to Tuxtla Gutiérrez from Guatemala, San Diego, and a handful of cities in Mexico, as well as international connections to countries like the US and Canada.

From the airport you can take a bus or taxi to San Cristóbal de Las Casas. Taking buses in Mexico is safe and easy. OCC, operated by ADO runs five buses a day from the airport and is approximately $250MXN [$13.50USD/$18.50CAD] per person.

If your flight doesn’t line up with one of these buses you’ll need to take a taxi.

I recommend using Taxi Seguro San Cristóbal. You can contact them via WhatsApp, they are super reliable and reasonable, and I have personally used them multiple times.

Taxis from the airport cost around $900 – $950MXN [$50USD/$70CAD] but you can quote with Taxi Sequro San Cristóbal before booking.

By Road

Whether you’re self-driving or taking the bus there’s a few things you should know about reaching San Cristóbal de Las Casas by road.

San Cristóbal de Las Casas is located at an elevation of 2,200m/7,218 ft and it takes some very windy roads to get up there, so this may not be a great option if you’re prone to car sickness.

It’s also pretty far from anywhere else you’re likely to be visiting in Mexico so the time investment is also something to consider.

When entering Chiapas by road it’s like crossing an international border. There are large border checkpoints with armed guards monitoring the comings and goings and if you’re not used to that sort of thing it can be intimidating.

If you decide to self-drive to San Cristóbal de Las Casas make sure you prepare to drive only during the day and allow lots of extra time for delays and potential detours.

OCC (owned by ADO) operates multiple overnight buses daily from popular places like Mérida and Oaxaca. These journeys are scheduled to take anywhere from 12 – 16 hours but have been known to be delayed by up to ten hours due to blockades and road closures.

Although I’m a huge fan of the Mexican bus system, I do recommend flying instead of taking the bus on this occasion.

FAQs

How Many Days Should I Spend in San Cristóbal de Las Casas?

Two or three days is enough time to get a feel for San Cristóbal de Las Casas and explore the town. If you’d like to take a slower pace or want to include a day trip or two, four to five days is a good amount of time to spend here.

Is It Safe in San Cristóbal de Las Casas?

Yes, San Cristóbal de Las Casas is a safe place to visit and spend time. The state of Chiapas has occasional unrest including political demonstrations and disruption but this almost never reaches the quiet town of San Cris.

Is San Cristóbal de Las Casas Expensive?

No, San Cristóbal de Las Casas is not expensive. Although on the whole Mexico is not as cheap as people expect it to be, San Cristóbal de Las Casas is one of the more affordable places to visit with accommodation, food, and shopping costing less than much of the rest of Mexico.

Does San Cristóbal de Las Casas Have an Airport?

San Cristóbal de Las Casas does not have an airport but there is one nearby. The capital city of Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez and is located about an hour away and is home to Tuxtla Gutiérrez International Airport.

Summary: Is San Cristóbal de las Casas Worth Visiting?

By now, you should have a clear idea about whether or not San Cristóbal de las Casas is worth visiting for you.

The first time I saw pictures of this town I was drawn to it and if you have the same feeling, you’ll probably fall in love with it as quickly as I did.

There is something about this region of Mexico that feels foreign and comfortable all at once and it has a magical feeling I have yet to find elsewhere.

If you’re looking for somewhere to slow down and be in the moment, a visit to San Cristóbal de las Casas could be exactly what you’re looking for.