1

If you love hot weather and sunshine, consider rescheduling your trip for the seaside during the winter or spring. The summer is the rainy season, and San Cristobal de las Casas is at 2200 m, so it's chilly.

By the way, what in the world do you mean by "do I need to pack pants?"

2

I live in San Cris and July is warm during the day and cool at night. It is the rainy season so you will need a rain jacket. Yes it USUALLY rains in the afternoon but the rainy season is never usual.
If you want really hot then SC is not for you.

3

In response to post # 1. Packing pants. Is it warm enough to wear shorts and is it acceptable to wear shorts. For example in Some cities in central and south America even though it is very hot at night you would wear pants. Some places are more casual than others.

4

I spent 2 weeks in San Cristobal in early August (so it wasn't July, I know) but I wouldn't really describe it as "hot". The nights are quite chilly and damp due to the altitude. It does get warm and sunny and lovely during the day, but I wouldn't say it consistently gets hot.

I wore jeans and t-shirts every day I was there- it was never shorts weather. I understand your question re: pants/shorts and no, honestly it was not a place where I needed shorts. I remember having packed some nice summery skirts to wear and honestly I couldn't even really wear those. Early in the day or in the evenings/night I always needed a fleece jacket along with jeans. And it did rain in the afternoons/nights but not all day.

I have to agree with #1 and #2 that if you love hot weather San Cristobal might not fit the bill. It's a fantastic, fascinating place and I think it would be great for language study, but it's not hot and sunny.

5

I saw some Lacandon Indians, men, wearing shorts (they looked like dresses or long shirts, do you know what they're called, heyduke?) in San Cristobal this past winter, but they are dessed for the jungle, not the mountains, don't recommend it for tourists.

6

I wear shorts most and Teva's most of the year but I am use to it. During the spring, summer, and fall you can wear shorts. Almost no locals wear shorts. None of the Indians wear shorts except some of the men wear a Huipil showing the town they are from. Its more like a miniskirt. Even if its hot like today 28c\86 f the Indians are dressed like its in the arctic. They say the sun is bad. The sun will cook you at this altitude.The Lacandon indians come from the Jungle and come here because of Na Baloom. You just have to be prepared for any kind of weather. Wear shorts if you want but at night you will need a light jacket.

7

I think I am much more concern with rain rather than cold :))) Rough guide says that some minor roads in Chiapas are not usable in the Fall. Does anyone know if the same is true for July? Will we have issues travelling roads to Sumidero and Lagos de Montebello park? What about ruins (e.g., Palenque, Yaxchilan, Bonampak)?

(we too plan two weeks trip in July but now am thinking may be it's better to go Pachuca/Sierra Gorda instead and come back to Chiapas in the winter.)

8

Ok once more. Its the rainy season and if its a normal rainy season some roads do get washed out but most highways are ok. Unless you will be driving in the country you will most likely be ok. Driving to Sumerdero or Montebello should be no problem. Some of the roads around Palenque and Bonampak could have rock slides. Yaxchillan is on the river. During the rainy season it usually only rains for 2 or 3 hours in the afternoon. Chiapas in the winter will be cold in the highlands. By the way I only charge $200.00 peso's per question.

9

By the way I only charge $200.00 peso's per question.
You are cheap!
Chiapas in the winter will be cold in the highlands.
OK, once more. My family is Russian. We can handle whatever you think is cold.
Thanks for the rest of the info! - I am sure you got to answer these a lot (that's what happen when your user-pick appears all the time on the discussion list, isn't it? :-) -- so I really appreciate the answers :)))))

10

I'm interested too as I will be there in mid July, visiting from hot Cozumel. Glad I found this thread - I will be sure to bring my fleece jacket, pants and umbrella!