The Ultimate San Cristóbal de las Casas Itinerary: 3-10 Days
Nestled amongst vibrant green mountains at a striking 7,218 feet (2,200 meters) above sea level, San Cristóbal de las Casas is one of Mexico’s many hidden gems.
This endearing colorful city is a hot spot for artsy travelers, nature and history lovers, budget backpackers, and those intrigued by southern Mexico’s indigenous culture. It is also one of the places that the government of Mexico has designated as a pueblo magico (magical town) because of its historical charm.
After spending a month in San Cristobal de las Casas, I’ve carefully designed this flexible San Cristobal de las Casas itinerary. I include options for 10 days in San Cristobal, a week long itinerary, five days, three days, and one day, and of course you can customize if you’re staying longer like I did.
Before you scroll onto the San Cristobal itinerary, be sure to bookmark or pin my other Chiapas travel guides.
👋🏽 Note from the author: Did this article impact the way you planned your trip? Have any questions? Please comment at the end of the article! It helps this blog grow and helps me know what types of articles to write more. 💛
Photos Above: Montebello Lakes (Photo by Kaan Kosemen), San Juan Chamula, and Sumidero Canyon
🇲🇽 My San Cristobal de las Casas Favorites 💐
🎊 Explore the colorful downtown: Wander along San Cris’s pedestrian-only street (Real de Guadalupe), climb to the two hilltop churches, and join the free walking tour.
🚤 Day trip to Sumidero Canyon: Experience an adventurous boat ride through a lush canyon. My full guide to Sumidero Canyon.
🍫 Meet the young producers: Join local artist Nayib on a one-of-a-kind tour to three unique workshops with local artists and other businesses. Tour details on Airbnb.
🧵 Shop for artisan-made gifts: Buy intricately embroidered textiles and other locally made goods at shops like Maya Kotan Textiles, Artisan2you, and the Casa Na Bolom gift shop.
⛪️ Experience syncretism at San Juan Chamula: A short drive outside of San Cristobal takes you to a church where Catholicism, indigenous tradition, and unusual rituals meet. Join this Chamula day trip.
🌿 Where to Stay: Casa de Alma Hotel Boutique & Spa for a luxurious stay in downtown, Hotel Parador Margarita for an affordable yet highly-rated stay close to downtown, or Hotel La Casa de Mamá, a budget-friendly historic hotel with a hotel.
Find more of my Chiapas favorites and San Cristobal travel tips at the bottom of this article!
San Cristobal Itinerary
In my humble opinion this San Cristobal de las Casas itinerary is the perfect mix of adventurous day trips, immersion in the city, eye-opening artisan workshops, and unforgettable cultural experiences. Oh, and you can expect to eat plenty of yummy food and delicious drinks along the way!
One day you’ll be witnessing controversial rituals in a syncretist church and the next you’ll be cruising on a speedboat through a massive canyon. And if you’re like me, you’ll start most days with local cacao (it’s a speciality here!) and end each day with pox (Chiapan liquor) or wine.
Of course, you can always adjust the itinerary based on the activities that interest you most. If you loathe long car rides (like me) and want to skip some of the longer day trips, I offer suggestions of more things to do in the city. Or, if you want to explore more of Chiapas off the beaten path, you can rent a car or hire a private local guide.
San Cristobal Itinerary Overview:
My base San Cristobal de las Casas itinerary is for a one-week trip, but I also include adapted itineraries for 10 days, 5 days, 3 days, and 1 day later in this guide.
Day 1-2: Get to know San Cristobal on a walking tour, join local artisan workshops, taste cacao, pulque, and pox
Days 3-4: Go on a boat tour through Sumidero Canyon, visit the charming town of Chiapa de Corzo, witness syncretism at San Juan Chaumla, and climb to San Cristobal’s hilltop churches
Days 5-7: Visit local markets, shop for authentic hand embroidered textiles, go on a bike tour, go on hike, and go on an day trip to one of Chiapas’ most breathtaking sites (Palenque, Montebello Lakes, or El Chiflon Waterfalls)
San Cristobal de las Casas 1 Week Itinerary
Day 1-2
Spend your first two days in San Cristobal getting your bearings and learning about the city’s history, culture, and people.
Day 1: Free Walking Tour, Cacao, and Nourishing Food
Free Walking Tour
On your first day in San Cristobal I highly recommend joining the city’s free walking tour. I’ve taken free walking tours in cities all around the world and this one is one of the best!
The tour is offered in English twice a day (10am and 4pm) and in Spanish daily at 10am. The tour guides are well-spoken young locals who are not afraid to share both the beautiful and difficult parts of city’s history and current issues.
During the three hour tour, you’ll walk all around the city, wander through local markets, down lesser-visited side streets, admiring street art and tasting food here and there as you go. The tour ends with a complimentary pox (indigenous alcohol) tasting.
Even though it is ‘free,’ the tour guides make a living off of tips, so be sure to come with cash (pesos or USD) for your guide.
Cacao
On your first day, I also recommend trying cacao (before or after the tour). Cacao drinks are essentially more raw versions of hot cocoa (or hot chocolate) and they’re hugely popular here with local chocolate.
Unlike hot cocoa, cacao drinks have less processed bits of chocolate in them. It is almost like you put pieces of roasted cacao beans in a blender and then steeped them in hot water. So expect lots of small chunks of antioxidant-rich cacao in your cup.
You’ll find Cacao Nativa throughout the city where you can order a diversity of chocolatey drinks. For the most authentic experience, order a ‘chocolate mas cacao’ calient (hot) with water (no milk) and no sweetener. You can choose between several levels of “darkness,” I typically go for 72-80%.
Fuel up with local food
A great place to eat on your first day is El Caldero, a popular local restaurant that specializes in flavorful soups inspired by traditional Chiapan flavors.
Although soup might not be the first thing on your mind, with jet lag and changes in elevation, your body will be craving something wholesome and this is the perfect place for it!
Choose between their vegan and meat soups, perhaps order a drink, and then sit back and enjoy music from local artists that tend to always make their way into the restaurant.
Note: San Cristobal de las Casas is located at a very high elevation, so you may feel the effects of altitude sickness upon arriving. The best way to avoid, or treat altitude symptoms is to stay hydrated, rest when needed, and avoid too much alcohol. Liquid IV is a great product that you can buy at home and bring with you to help you stay hydrated while traveling!
Day 2: Artisan Workshops, Casa Na Bolom, and Pulque
Artisan Workshops Tour With Nayib
Plan your second day in San Cristobal around what I consider to be the city’s best tour (yes, the free tour is unmissable, but this tour with Nayib is next level)!
Offered as an Airbnb Experience titled ‘Learn from the young producers,’ this three-hour immersive tour is led by artist and entrepreneur, Nayib who is a prominent figure in the local artisan scene.
Nayib instantly makes you feel like family and invites you into three unique experiences (which change every day) with small businesses and artists.
On my tour with Nayib we got to visit a small cacao factory that a local business owner started in his house, we tried embroidery with an artist who combines traditional techniques with contemporary style, and we tasted delicious food at a locally-owned plant-based restaurant. Depending on the day, any of these activities could be swapped out for experiences like flower arranging, gallery visits, demos with local nonprofits, and more.
Regardless of which activities you partake in, you will have an incredible time talking to Nayib and asking him anything and everything about life in Chiapas. He is deeply rooted in the local community, but speaks perfect English and has lived abroad.
Casa Na Bolom
Reserve some time to check out Casa Na Bolom (House of the Jaguar in English), which is one of the best museums in San Cristobal de las Casas.
The museum is situated in the former home of archeologist Frans Blom, and his wife Gertrude Duby Blom, who was a photographer, journalist, and environmentalist.
Frans Blom led excavations at many ancient sites throughout Mexico, include nearby Palenque. Together, Frans and Gertrude were the first outsiders to ever make contact with the Lacandon people, an indigenous group that lived isolated in the Lacandon jungle long after the arrival of the Spanish.
Casa Na Bolom features a restaurant, hotel, and gift shop on site, but in my opinion, the highlight is the Lacadon photography exhibit which you a unique look into indigenous life in southern Mexico.
However, the Lacadon Room is just one of several exhibits at this small museum. In other rooms you get to know the Blom’s and see their extensive collections of artifacts, books, and personal belongings.
Taste Pulque
Pulque is a pre-hispanic fermented alcoholic beverage made from the maguey plant, which is also used in tequila and mezcal. Sometimes compared to kombucha, pulque is much thicker and has a higher alcohol content. Most people love it or hate it, but I always recommend trying it when visiting Mexico for the first time.
Pulque used to be the drink of Mexico, consumed daily by the majority of the population. Although other beverages like Coca-Cola and beer have replaced pulque, plenty of pulquerías still exist throughout the country.
One of the best places to try pulque in San Cristobal de las Casas is at Nectar de las Madre Tierra Pulquería. This charming small pulquería is located on Real de Guadalupe, San Cristobal’s main pedestrian street.
Days 3-4
Day 3: Sumidero Canyon and Chiapa de Corzo
On day three take an unforgettable day trip to the breathtaking Sumidero Canyon and the charming city of Chiapa de Corzo.
During this day trip you’ll cruise through the Rio Grijalva, which flows through the base of Sumidero Canyon, spotting wildlife along the way. Then you’ll get the chance to see the canyon from viewpoints above, and explore Chiapa de Corzo on your way back to San Cristobal.
I recommend reading my full Sumidero Canyon guide ahead of time, which details everything you should know before going on a day trip here.
Truth be told, there aren’t any amazing tour companies that offer day trips to Sumidero Canyon, mostly just drivers who will provide roundtrip transport to the canyon and not much else.
However, it is still important to book a tour ahead of time and you can book a day trip from San Cristobal here.
Day 4: San Juan Chamula and San Cristobal Church Hikes
San Juan Chamula
On your fourth day in San Cristobal de las Casas you have the opportunity to head seven miles outside of the city to the San Juan Chamula. The town’s main church is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area, and it is certainly one of the most interesting places I’ve visited in all of my travels.
From the outside, Templo de San Juan looks like a beautifully decorated Catholic Church. But a regular mass hasn’t been held in this building since the 1970s.
The type of religion practiced at this church is a perfect example of syncretism—a term I learned about when completing my degree in Anthropology, but probably a term most people haven’t heard of.
The Oxford English Dictoinary defines syncretism as “‘the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought.” In more simple terms, syncretism is what happens when different religions and spiritualities get mixed, creating something new.
In the case of San Juan Chamula, Catholic practices and beliefs are mixed with indigenous spirituality and even modern marketing campaigns. It’s difficult to explain, but certainly worth experiencing in person. Visitors are allowed to enter the church for a small fee (bring pesos), but you cannot take photos inside. However, its unlikely you’ll forget what you wittness.
There are no pews in the church, and at any given time, the church floor is covered with thousands of melting, burning candles and pine needles. Worshippers sit on the ground lighting candle by candle, sipping pox (hard alcohol) and Coca Cola because the carbonation causes burping which is believed to release evil from the body. And you’ll almost definitely see a chicken or two being sacrificed on the floor.
You can hire a Spanish speaking guide outside of the church, or visit by yourself. Either way, after visiting the church, you can explore the town a little more. The majority of the town’s population are of indigenous decent who speak Tzotzil instead of Spanish. Women wear unique traditional clothing consisting of wool skirts and embroidered tops, and most locals drink more Coca Cola (roughly 2 liters a day) than water.
Wandering around the town and visiting the church is interesting to say the least! To get to San Juan Chamula from San Cristobal you can hire a taxi, take a colectivo (shared shuttle), or drive a rental car.
If you’re willing to pay a little more and are okay with a long-ish bike ride, I highly recommend booking this guided bike tour to San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan from San Cristobal. Not only is it one of the highest rated tours in Chiapas, but it is also a way to explore Chiapas off the beaten path and meet with Tzotzil Mayans in their own community.
The San Cristobal Hilltop Churches
After spending a few hours in San Juan Chamula, head back to San Cristobal de las Casas. Perhaps you’ll want to grab lunch or relax for a little bit at your hotel.
Once you’re ready, get ready to hike to one or both of San Cristobal’s hilltop churches. The first church is on a hill on the western side of the historical center called Iglesia de San Cristóbalito. The second church is up on a hill on the eastern side of the historical center called Templo de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.
The two hilltop churches both offer incredible views, and are about 1.5 miles (2.3 kms) apart, making the trek between the two a decent walk. You’ll walk through the main part of downtown San Cristobal between the two hikes, offering an opportunity to stop for a drink or snack along the way.
As you walk, you can take some time to process what you experienced in San Juan Chamula, and also think about what other things you want to do in your remaining days in town.
Day 5: Day Trip to Palenque and Agua Azul, or Montebello Lakes and El Chiflon Waterfalls
A week in San Cristobal de las Casas gives you the opportunity to explore other parts of Chiapas on day trips.
For this day, choose between two day trip options: Palenque and Agua Azul Waterfalls, or a day trip to the Montebello Lakes and El Chiflon Waterfalls. It is a difficult choice, but if you want to see them all, you can add more day trips to your San Cristobal schedule and condense your time exploring the city itself.
To help you figure out which day trip(s) to take, here is a brief overview of each of these incredible destinations:
Palenque & Agua Azul Waterfalls (Book here)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Palenque is a remarkable archeological site with well preserved ruins of a classical period Mayan city. It is the most visited site in the state of Chiapas and for good reason. While a day trip to Palenque from San Cristobal is certainly possible, keep in mind that you will spend most of your day in the car (it is nearly a 6 hour drive one way). Most tours leave around 4am and include a stop at the Agua Azul waterfalls.
Montebello Lakes & El Chiflon Waterfalls (Book here)
Chiapas’ Parque Nacional Lagunas de Montebello (Montebello Lakes National Park) is an enchanting UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with 59 turquoise lakes and a diversity of wildlife. Most tours stop at the El Chiflon Waterfalls along the way. They are some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country and certainly rival my favorite Mexico waterfalls in Santiago Apoala, Oaxaca.
Keep in mind that if you book a guided tour, most are offered only in Spanish. Alternatively, you can rent a car and drive to these destinations yourself.
Days 6-7
Day 6: El Arcotete Park and Optional Bike Ride
El Arcotete Park
After a full-day adventure on day five, you may sleep in and grab brunch in town before anything else.
However, if you’re up for an 8am bike ride, I recommend booking this incredible bike tour to El Arcotete Park, a park on the edge of town that features caves, ziplines, and an even an underground maze that was discovered just over ten years ago.
You can also visit El Arcotete on your own by taking a taxi or colectivo from downtown. The drive is about 20 minutes. However, to experience it all with a professional guide and get some exercise in, book this tour.
The tour takes about 4-6 hours, but you can spend as much time as you’d like at the park if you go by yourself.
Optional Intimate Dinner With Plant-Based Chef
If you’re up for a unique dinner experience, make your way over to Art Liberia, a tiny vegan restaurant in San Cristobal with one communal table. You’ll get to watch as the quirky chef makes a flavorful plant-based meal from scratch. Expect interesting conversations and delicious food made with local ingredients. If you’re nervous about trying vegan food, this is the place is a great introduction!
Update: Since I visited Art Liberia in Autumn 2022, I believe that they have moved into a larger space with more tables!
Day 7: Shopping for Artisan Goods, Local Markets, and Last San Cristobal Adventures
After such a packed 7 days in San Cristobal de las Casas, spend your last few hours in town soaking in the city’s charm, buying locally made goods, and visiting any last places that have been on your San Cristobal bucket list.
As you may have learned on tours earlier in the trip, unfortunately the majority of the embroidered textiles and other souvenirs sold on the streets and even in shops are made in China and Taiwan. Vendors will tell you otherwise, but sadly it is true.
However, finding locally made textiles is easier in San Cristobal compared to most other places in Mexico. Some places I recommend to shop include:
★ Maya Kotan Textiles: My favorite shop to buy handmade textiles made by Chiapan artisans. Prices are fair and designs are beautiful.
★ artisan2you: Another great place, located above Restaurante Xut. It can be difficult to find but you can ask the servers for help.
★ Casa Na Bolom Gift Shop: The gift shop at this hotel is another place you can find locally made gifts.
Keep in mind that handmade embroidered goods will (and should) cost quite a bit more than the fake ones on the street. However, buying authentic textiles is one of the ways you can give back to the local community as a visitor.
Another thing you can do on your last day is explore the Mercado Viejo, a local market just north of the main downtown area. Some city tours (including the free walking tour I recommend) stop here, but if you didn’t get a chance to visit earlier, stop by on your last day.
Finally, fill your last day with any other activities you missed throughout the week! Maybe there are some churches you wanted to visit, or perhaps you wanted to spend some time wandering the Zocalo (main square). Or, maybe there was one more restaurant you wanted to check out.
How to spend 1 day in San Cristobal de las Casas
If you only have one day in San Cristobal de las Casas, you’ll probably want to just focus on exploring the city. Here are some recommendations for your day:
★ Take the free walking tour or learn from the young producers tour depending on which interests you most
★ Try cacao at Cacao Nativa
★ Dine at El Caldero, one of the best restaurants in San Cristobal de las Casas
★ Climb to one of the two hilltop churches, either Iglesia de San Cristóbalito or Templo de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
★ Shop for artisan made goods at stores like Maya Kotan Textiles
How to spend 3 days in San Cristobal de las Casas
You’ll have a decent amount of time to explore the city with a three day San Cristobal itinerary.
On your first day, get to know the city by joining the free walking tour or learn from the young producers tour, trying caccao at Cacao Nativa, eating at El Caldero, and perhaps climbing to one of the hilltop churches if you have time.
Go on a day trip to Sumidero Canyon and Chiapa de Corzo on your second day. My my full Sumidero Canyon guide will explain you everything you need to know before this day trip, including tour recommendations. You’ll probably get back to San Cristobal late but you can get a yummy dinner and try pulque at Nectar de las Madre Tierra Pulquería or sip wine and eat tapas at La Viña de Bacco.
On your third day in San Cristobal, I recommend visiting either San Juan Chamula, or El Arcotete Park, depending on your interests. Both are about 20 minutes from downtown San Cristobal. San Juan Chamula is where you will find a syncretist church and a vibrant indigenous community, whereas El Arcotete Park is the place to go for caving, ziplining, and other outdoorsy activities. I recommend this El Arcotete bike tour and this San Juan Chamula bike tour, if you’re in good physical shape and don’t mind biking long-ish distances. Both of these are half-day trips, leaving you plenty of time to recoup, explore more, and pack back in San Cristobal.
How to spend 5 days in San Cristobal de las Casas
With five days in San Cristobal de las Casas, I recommend following my three day San Cristobal itinerary (above) for the first three days.
On day four, it is up to you whether you want to go on one of those longer day trips in my weeklong San Cristobal itinerary (above) to either Palenque and Agua Azul or the Montebello Lakes and El Chiflon Waterfalls. If you’re up for an adventure, book one of those long day tours. If not, opt for whichever experiences you missed on day one and three: the free walking tour or learn from the young producers tour, El Arcotete, or San Juan Chamula.
On your final day in San Cristobal, explore local markets like the Mercado Viejo, wander through Real Guadalupe (the city’s main pedestrian-only street), hang out at the Zocalo (main square), and perhaps climb to the two hilltop churches if you haven’t already.
How to spend 10 days in San Cristobal de las Casas
If you’re lucky enough to have ten whole days in town, you’ll be in for a treat!
You can follow my seven day San Cristobal de las Casas itinerary (above), and perhaps break up the activities more so you can take it a little slower. In addition, you can go on one more day trip, to either Palenque and Agua Azul or the Montebello Lakes and El Chiflon Waterfalls, whichever you weren’t able to do earlier in the trip. You can also spend one day hiking at Montetik, an ecological park south of town.
San Cristobal de las Casas Itinerary FAQs
How many days do you need in San Cristobal de las Casas?
You’ll need at least five days to fully immerse in San Cristobal’s historical center, explore nearby villages, and take a day trip to the breathtaking Sumidero Canyon.
Of course, you can also spend 2-4 days in the city, though you won’t be able to do as much and you’ll probably be exhausted by the end of it.
When is the best time to visit San Cristobal de las Casas?
When considering what time of year to visit San Cristobal de las Casas, you need to factor in weather and temperature. Even though San Cristobal is located in the southernmost part of Mexico, it gets quite cold in the fall and winter because of its high altitude. I visited in October and was totally unprepared for how chilly and rainy it was.
For the best weather, I would recommend visiting in the late spring or early summer as it will be slightly warmer and less rainy. However, the rain does start in late summer, so packing a rain jacket or travel umbrella is always a good idea.
If you don’t mind rain and cold, visit during the rainy fall and winter months and you’ll be blessed with vibrant greenery and smaller crowds.
What is San Cristobal de las Casas known for?
San Cristobal de las Casas is one of Mexico’s official pueblo magico (magical towns) because of its cultural heritage and colonial architecture. San Cristobal and nearby villages are famous for their intricate hand embroidered textiles, and many of the traditional clothing sold throughout other parts of Mexico come from artisans in this part of Mexico. San Cristobal de las Casas’ high population of indigenous Mayans is also notable, though Mayans has been historically expelled from the city.
A little more historical context about indigenous people and the city’s formation:
The city was founded in 1528 by Spanish colonial forces after a violent conquest of the area. Although Chiapas has one of the largest indigenous populations in Mexico, San Cristobal de las Casas specifically has a history of forcibly removing indigenous people from the city. You will see plenty of indigenous people when walking the streets of San Cristobal today, but most of them live in villages outside the city because of the city’s history.
Is San Cristobal de las Casas expensive?
San Cristobal de las Casas is one of the more affordable destinations in Mexico, with even luxurious hotels costing about $100 a night, restaurant meals costing anywhere from $40-150 pesos ($2-9 USD), and transportation costs being minimal since most of the city is walkable.
Is San Cristobal de las Casas safe?
The state of Chiapas is the most impoverished state in Mexico, but it has a much lower violent crime rate than other Mexican states. The US Department of State has issued a level 2 travel advisory for the state of Chiapas. This is the same type of travel advisory for most of the country’s most popular tourist destinations: Quintana Roo (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum), Baja California Sur (Los Cabos), Mexico City, and Oaxaca.
Also, for context, the state of Jalisco, which is where Puerto Vallarta is located, has a level 3 travel advisory, meaning it is considered more dangerous than Chiapas, yet Puerto Vallarta is still one of the most popular destinations in Mexico. I’ve lived in both Puerto Vallarta and San Cristobal de las Casas and never felt unsafe in either.
I don’t want to sugarcoat how safe or unsafe San Cristobal de las Casas is though. Crime does happen, and you should exercise caution like the US Department of State recommends. For instance, locals in San Cristobal told me to avoid walking on dark residential roads alone at night, and to not bring any valuables if you go hiking in the hills surrounding the city.
How to do you get to San Cristobal de las Casas?
The nearest airport is the Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport (Tuxtla Gutiérrez International Airport) in the nearby city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez. From the airport you can take a shuttle (taxi) directly to your hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas. Most flights to Tuxtla Gutiérrez include a layover in Mexico City, and making it a long layover is always an option so you can see Mexico’s vibrant capital city.
Where else should you visit in Mexico?
Mexico is such a diverse country full of so many hidden gems! Whether you’re a first time traveler to Mexico, or someone who visits every single year, here are some places that should be on your Mexico bucket list—plus links to my other travel guides where relevant!
★ Mexico City: Often overlooked, Mexico City is a metropolis full of surprises where you can do everything from riding a cable car above the city to floating down Mayan-made canals past vibrant gardens. Read my four day Mexico City itinerary.
★ Oaxaca de Juarez (Oaxaca City): Home to the best food in Mexico and all the artsy charm you could ever imagine, Oaxaca is one of my favorite places in the country. If you visit, stay in Jalatlaco and make sure you take a day trip to Santiago Apoala.
★ La Paz: Two hours north of Cabo you’ll find the most beautiful beaches in Mexico and the slow yet expansive city of La Paz. If you don’t stay in La Paz, make sure to visit it on a day trip from Cabo San Lucas.
★ Puerto Escondido: An increasingly popular beach destination on the Oaxacan coast, Puerto Escondido is a surf town with my all-time favorite beach in Mexico, delicious food, and opportunities to swim with dolphins in the wild. Read my Puerto Escondido itinerary.
★ Quintana Roo: Even though Quintana Roo’s main cities (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, etc) are not my favorites, I can’t get enough of this region’s cenotes and jungle landscapes. If you go, be sure to check out Sian Kaan, Cozumel, and Bacalar.
