San Cristóbal de las Casas - Reminiscent of the towns in the Andes


San Cristóbal de las Casas was the first place I really liked in Mexico, I mean where I would happily be staying for an extended time, probably because it reminded me of the towns in the Andes. It is in the mountains at a high elevation (2,200 m ASL), it has beautiful colonial architecture, and a large percentage of the locals are indigenous. It is also quite touristy, another similarity, but it is laid back and very pleasant. It feels there are two centres: one, the historic, and the other around the old market, which is the authentic. If you want to visit Chamula or Oventic, this is were you find the colectivos, and this is where you can find the cheapest of everything, for example a packet of cigarettes for 20 pesos. Many hills surround San Cristóbal and there are a number of viewpoints, but I didn`t find the one I was looking for. It is better to go with a local as the paths through the forests are not easy to pick. From two hilltop churches within the town you have some views of San Cristóbal.

Map of central San Cristóbal de las Casas


1. Plaza de la Paz & Catedral de San Cristóbal; 2. Parque Quiosco Central; 3. Andador Real de Guadalupe (pedestrian street); 4. Cerro de Guadalupe; 5. Mercado José Castillo Tielemans; 6. Barrio El Cerrillo; 7. Templo del Cerrillo; 8. Templo de Santo Domingo; 9. Avenida 20 de Noviembre (pedestrian street); 10. Calle Miguel Hidalgo (pedestrian street); 11. Cerro de San Cristóbal; 12. Amber Sweets and Crafts Market; 13. Iglesia de Santa Lucía. Transport: 14. Coach terminal (ADO / OCC) and colectivos to Ocosingo; 15. Colectivos to Chamula; 16. Colectivos to Oventic.

Plaza de la Paz & Catedral de San Cristóbal. 








Parque Quiosco Central, with shops, offices, and a pavilion where people dance at night.



Demonstration on Parque Quiosco Central in front of the Museo de San Cristóbal MUSAC - Palacio de Gobierno.




Andador Real de Guadalupe, a pedestrian street filled with cafes, artisan shops, and galleries, that continues on to Cerro de Guadalupe.














Cerro de Guadalupe, with Templo de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe atop, offers views of the surroundings.











The Mercado José Castillo Tielemans area which could be considered another city center. Colectivos to Chamula and Oventic depart from here.









Barrio El Cerrillo, one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Cristóbal, with colorful facades and artisanal shops, colonial houses and cobbled streets, some views from certain points, and a quieter, local atmosphere. 
























Plazuela del Cerrillo, or Plaza 31 de Marzo, a cute little hilltop square with Templo del Cerrillo and a colonial-style gazebo. 








Templo de Santo Domingo, a beautiful 17th-century church with a highly ornate baroque facade, next to one of the largest handicraft markets in Chiapas.




Cerro de San Cristóbal, with a steep staircase leading to the hilltop Iglesia de San Cristóbalito, and panoramic views over the town.












Amber Sweets and Crafts Market. 


Iglesia de Santa Lucía on the main street, near the coach terminal.


I wanted to hike to a viewpoint on the southern outskirts of the city, however, in the end I didn't find the path. But I walked through the less touristy parts of San Cristóbal and it was also a nice experience and walk. 






















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