Top Things to do in San Cristobal de las Casas
Top Restaurants in San Cristobal de las Casas
Top 10 Things to do in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas
A stronghold of Mayan culture, San Cristóbal’s colonial stucco walls and Spanish tile roofs contrast with the surrounding villages, which remain home to an array of Mayan-descendant Indians. The city itself is a delight. Paired with the cultural diversity surrounding it, there’s nothing like it in Mexico.
Restaurants in San Cristobal de las Casas
1. Steps in San Cristobal
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 93 reviews
Steps is a story museum and a NGO, recording the stories and culture of indigenous and help local children with basic education. Here we also offer different events for people to know more about real indigenous culture: 1. Cooking Workshop, workshop of traditional indigenous cuisine everyday at 11:00 AM, to learn how to make tortillas, quesadillas and pozol in community-style, from scratch (day menu, 150 MXN) 2. Story Time, to know more about indigenous culture, legend, lifestyle and ceremony, everyday at 15:00 pm in english and 17:00 pm in spanish. (on donation) 3. Cooking Workshop, workshop of traditional indigenous cuisine everyday at 19:00 PM, to learn how to make tamales, ponche (an indigenous cocktail) and sauce in community-style, from scratch. (night menu, 250 MXN) All the donation we receive directly go to the community to help indigenous children.
Reviewed By SophieP930 - London, United Kingdom
Had the honour of attending both story time and the cooking class here. Story time with Ivan (run by donation only, we donated 100 pesos per person as it lasted nearly three amazing hours) was an incredible experience- a chance to chat one on one (well there was four of us in the group) with a Mexican which spoke honestly and candidly about the traditions, rituals, trials and tribulations of the Mexican people and indiginous communities. The cooking class with Laura carried on in a similar vein, with education more focused on the food traditions, cooking techniques and stories from history. We made sweet and savory tamales, a Mexican salsa/ sauce to accompany and a hot fruit punch. We were also given a glass of POX to toast our meal with. This was around three and a half hours and is billed at 200 pesos per person but we tipped an additional 50 as its such an amazing personal experience. All the money raised from both story time and the cooking classes goes to the projects Steps helps run within the indiginous communities, so it felt good to put your money there. If going, I'd recommend you chdck out the church of Chemal first- alot of the stories are based on this experience. Absolutely amazing- the reason you go travelling is for experiences like Steps provided.
2. Templo de Santo Domingo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,022 reviews
This 16th-century baroque church dominates one of the town's main plazas.
Reviewed By origamimoon
This is one of my favorite places to spend time. There are always interesting vendors to buy handmade arts and crafts from. The inside of the Templo is a quiet place to sit and rest in with time to think.
3. Asociacion Cultural Na Bolom
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 570 reviews
The former home of Frans and Trudy Blom, a Danish couple that worked to save the region's forests and native inhabitants, is now the headquarters of a foundation dedicated to continuing their work and also includes a museum.
Reviewed By 56MandM - Edmonton, Canada
Na Bolom is a few blocks off the main tourist areas of San Cris and a world away in terms of history, culture, art. This is a museum and gallery where you feel connected to the exhibits and the people that collected them. You can feel the love, passion and inspiration all around you, in the walls, beautiful courtyards and gardens. The personal items give you a sense of the very real people that called this home. Their important work continues in the association they left behind, the Na Bolom Cultural Centre. Definitely worth a visit. The restaurant is excellent too, for breakfast, lunch or dinner. One of the highlights of our trip to Mexico.
4. Catedral de San Cristobal Martir
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,012 reviews
A spectacular view from the hill is your reward for reaching the church of San Cristobal.
Reviewed By connierideout16 - Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Sadly, due to Covid, much of the cathedral cannot be seen due to barriers and construction. The park in front of the church is also partially covered and not accessible. Will simply have to return. Huh of activity in the square with vendors and food carts.
5. Laguna Miramar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
This lake, 190 kilometers from San Cristobal, is buried deep in a rainforest filled with diverse forms of wildlife.
6. Orquideas Moxviquil
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 449 reviews
Orquideas Moxviquil, OM, began in 1994 with a passionate desire to rescue the fallen flora of Chiapas's ever depleting forests. NOTE: Please enter through the OM entrance, NOT the Moxviquil entrance to experience the full magic of OM. The desire to maintain a small sampling of the natural flora of Chiapas for future generations was the driving force that created this oasis of the varied lifeblood of Chiapas's living natural wonders. These plants rescued from over 200 locations is a divine testament to the passion of rescuing and the desire to save the diminishing gifts of nature for future generations. The plants are preserved from further squandering of natures most delicate and little protected flora gems. This destruction is manifested in the pursuit of food, financial return and greed. OM continues to seek areas of destruction to preserve for the grandchildren of the world an expanding collection of this diversity in a sanctuary of preservation in the valley of San Cristobal, Chiapas. As of October 2014, the collection has over 25,000 rescued plants, comprising 600 species native to Chiapas. The garden located at 2100 meter above sea level has a hothouse for plants from the tierra caliente, hot lands, 1500 meters above sea level down to sea level, a fern grotto, a Maya Medicinal garden, two lakes one that is home to a rare local fish, Popoyote, several seasonal wetlands, extensive areas to walk, meditate and look for birds and other fauna in the cultivated and native wild forests of the Moxviquil 100 hectare reserve. OM has just completed the construction of our second greenhouse dedicated to the Lagos de Montebello, the most bio rich area of Mexico. Bring your headphones to tune in and relax, bring a camera to capture the colors, textures and forms available to you a lunch and a drawing pad. Sit on the last bench in the greenhouse and pretend; pretend you are deep in a Chiapas jungles, the birds will call, the wind will blow and your senses will be bathed in the exotic paradise that is OM. OM is dedicated to enriching your knowledge and enjoyment. One way we do this is by asking each person to please touch the plants, to experience with your fingers the delicate forms, the sharpness, the textural richness of the native plants of Chiapas. Smell and listen for the sounds that permeate the gardens.
Reviewed By R5457FCsandys - Albuquerque, United States
Our combi (collective taxi) on the Ojo de Agua route dropped us right at the entrance to this fascinating botanical garden devoted to hundreds of species orchids and bromeliads. Examples of species native to the surrounding mountains dotted trees along the path. Looking vaguely Tolkienesque, specialized structures housed species from three different ecological zones: rainforest, wetlands and tropical jungle. Our guide, Antonio, was cordial and knowledgeable, pointing out everything from orchids smaller than the tip of a pinkie to those the size of a bread plate, even encouraging us to smell the different varieties. We recommend visiting here before heading to Sumidero Canyon or a hike in the cloud forest. And wear sturdy rubber-soled walking running shoes. Although paths through the garden are well-maintained, this is no place for flip-flops!
7. Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 387 reviews
Reviewed By lfreede - The Woodlands, United States
A wonderful collection of textiles. If you love textiles, be sure to give yourself time to really take a look and enjoy. The museum shop is not always open when it says so I missed the opportunity to make several purchases before I had to leave. I would definitely go back to visit!!
8. El Arcotete
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 reviews
Reviewed By emilyjanelang - San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico
The Arcotete is park featuring a natural limestone arch over the Fogotico River, close to San Cristobal. In the last decade or so, a narrow pathway with cement steps has made it possible for travellers to climb up to the intricate little caves and passageways, full of stalactites and stalagmites, with a view of the river itself directly below. This is a spectacular and dizzying experience! You can also take the path down from the parking lot to the edge of the river and admire the rock formations from below, or wave to your friends up above. Wide fields cropped by sheep are great for playing soccer, there are cabins and swings, a hanging bridge and paths through the woods and along the riverside. The local indigenous people manage the place and have a restaurant by the parking lot with good quesadillas and other local snacks and dishes.
9. Museo del Ambar
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 515 reviews
This small amber museum has a cheap gift shop with various objects made from amber.
Reviewed By R5457FCsandys - Albuquerque, United States
The museum was attractive and informative. The young woman at the ticket counter handed me an English language overview of the history of amber, worldwide and in the region, and of the 18th Century ex-convent housing the museum. I was especially struck by the description of the efforts to restore the building to its original structure and design – a particular challenge, since it had served as everything from a convent to a municipal jail. The museum presented a good balance between explanatory material (in Spanish) and ample examples of amber, from its raw state to elaborate carvings, including a marimba, a Rolls Royce and a pair of sunglasses with amber lenses. Attached to well-lit cases displaying examples of amber-encased insects and plants were magnifying glasses. At one end of the exhibit space, a video with English subtitles showed an artisan transforming a piece of raw amber into a small replica of an American football. The museum included a gift shop selling amber jewelry and carvings. Although these were undoubtedly genuine, they couldn’t compete with the museum-worthy pieces I had just seen.
10. Mirador de la Escuela SolMaya
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 131 reviews
A lookout place with a great view over San Cristobal. You can see all of the most important monuments, churches, temples and almost the whole city from there. Excellent location for making the best photos. Open from 9:00 to 2:00 and from 4:00 to 7:00 For more information, contact Nolberto or Romeo at SolMaya Language & Arts School.
