San Cristóbal de las Casas
is ancient customs and modern luxury
Welcome to San Cristóbal de las Casas
Set in a gorgeous highland valley surrounded by pine forest, the colonial city of San Cristóbal (cris-toh-bal) has been a popular travelers’ destination for decades. It’s a pleasure to explore San Cristóbal’s cobbled streets and markets, soaking up the unique ambience and the wonderfully clear highland light. This medium-sized city also boasts a comfortable blend of city and countryside, with restored century-old houses giving way to grazing animals and fields of corn.
Top experiences in San Cristóbal de las Casas
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
San Cristóbal de las Casas activities
Sumidero Canyon, Chiapa de Corzo Tour from San Cristobal
Your tour begins with hotel pickup in San Cristobal de las Casas. Drive to Sumidero Canyon and begin your 2-hour boat ride along this majestic canyon. Admire the walls towering 2,500 feel above you and also see amazing waterfalls, caves and even spot monkeys, birds and crocodiles. Once you are done with the ride, you'll board your vehicle and drive to the Magic town (Pueblo Magico) of Chiapa de Corzo. This colonial city was founded by Spanish conquistadores. You'l'l enjoy a 2-hour visit here and have time to explore the town, walk around and, if you wish, enjoy a typical dish of the region. See the city's central fountain to admire the outstanding mudejar-style brickwork and surroundings such as the portals with colorful crafts for sale.After your visit, relax on your trip back to your hotel.
Agua Azul, Misol Ha Waterfalls and Palenque Ruins 1-Day Trip
This all-day sightseeing trip begins at 5am with pickup at your hotel in San Cristóbal de las Casas. First, head 3.5 hours north through the stunning mountains of Chiapas, a mix of jungle and pine forest that is home to 42 bodies of water and 40 protected natural areas. Your first stop is Cascadas de Agua Azul, a series of cascading waterfalls washing into turquoise blue pools. Follow any of the easy trails upstream and stop to take photos of the mineral-rich falls and the limestone coating they leave on the surrounding trees. Next, you'll proceed about an hour further north to Misol-Ha, a115-foot-tall (35-meter) waterfall that lands in a circular pool ideal for taking a cool dip, and take a break for lunch (not included).Just another 45 minutes up the road, you'll come to the restored archaeological ruins of Palenque, a former Maya city-state dating back to the 7th century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site ensconced in the Chiapas jungle is known for its advanced architecture and sculptures and for its wealth of inscriptions, which have given historians much information about the ancient Maya. Its central pyramid, the Temple of Inscriptions, contains deep within it the tomb of Pakal, a monarch who ruled Palenque for almost 70 years.Return to San Cristóbal de las Casas by 10:30pm. Round-trip transport is provided as well as entrance fees.
El Chiflon Waterfalls and Montebello Lagoons Full-Day Trip
Pickup from your hotel in San Cristòbal de las Casas is at about 8am, when you'll drive south to El Chiflón Waterfalls, a cascading falls that plunges 394 feet (120 meters) into turquoise waters. Spend about 1.5 hours here enjoying the beautiful series of falls, taking photos, or cooling off in the many water wells. If you're feeling adventurous, climb 800 steps to the top of Rainbow Falls for a panoramic view of the landscape and a rainbow produced by the mist from the falls.Continue on to Lagunas de Montebello National Park, a series of lakes known for their various colors due to their distinct mineral content. You'll see lakes ranging from deep blue to bright turquoise to dark green, reddish, and even purple. Stop for a lunch break before heading back to to your San Cristòbal de las Casas hotel.
Full Day Tour: Wonders of Agua Azul Cascades and Palenque Ruins
On the day of your tour, the driver will pick you up at your hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas in the early morning. You will be transferred 1.5 hours to Agua Azul, an amazing spectacle of cascades. Here you have free time to swim, explore, and take in the beauty of this natural wonder. After, you will continue to Misol Ha waterfalls, with a super panoramic natural view of Chiapas. Finally, you will travel to the Palenque ruins to see the beautiful archeological site. After this, you will return to your hotel in Palenque Village or in San Cristobal.
Agua Azul Waterfalls and Palenque Tour from San Cristobal
Early morning departure to Palenque stopping at Agua Azul, a group of waterfalls created by the currents of the: Otulún, Shumuljá and Tulijá rivers which have formed shallow canyons banked by vertical cliffs where you will be able to swim (if time allows it) and enjoy the different areas of such magnificent environment. You will then continue on to the Misol-Ha waterfalls which rise 30 meters in height and are surrounded by natural rain forest, which make this an extraordinarily beautiful and refreshing place. The last stop will be a visit to the archaeological site of Palenque: A Mayan city known for its architectural and sculptural heritage with a number of admirable buildings including: the Palace, the Temple of the Foliated Cross, and the Temple of the Sun amongst others. Back to San Cristobal at the end of the day (hotel drop off not included)
Chamula and Zinacantan Indigenous Villages Half-Day Tour
You will be picked up from your hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas area at 9:30am or 3:30pm based on your selected time.First, you will visit the community of Zinacantán to meet a local family. You will see the women working with the loom, a Mayan pre-Hispanic activity. You will be able to taste Pox, a traditional drink. The family will invite you to go the kitchen, so you can see how tortillas are made and have the chance to taste them with some beans and pumpkin seeds.Later, you will visit San Juan Chamula, a Mayan village where the population speaks the Tzotzil language. Within the Church you will get to see the rituals and ceremonies performed by the shamans of the people, this a good example of a mixture of religion with very old traditions and customs. You'll return to San Cristobal de las Casas' downtown at approximately 1pm (9:30am departure) or 6pm (3:30pm departure).