Located in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico, San Cristobal de las Casas is a beautiful Pueblo Magico home to indigenous communities, colorful churches, cobblestone lanes, and architectural gems.
This municipality is the fourth largest in Chiapas, it is home to a population of over 200,000 people that is still rising.
You can travel, visit, and enjoy Chiapas’s natural beauties from the lovely Town of San Cristobal de las Casas.
In this post you´ll get to know the 10 top things to do to make the most of your stay:
- Explore San Cristobal de las Casas Town
- Chiflón Waterfalls and Montebello Lagoons Tour
- Sumidero Canyon and Chiapa de Corzo Tour
- San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán Tour
- Agua Azul, Misol Ha Waterfalls and Palenque Tour
- Rancho Nuevo Caves and Arcotete Tour
- Sima de las Cotorras & Aguacero Waterfalls Tour
- Tonina Archaeological Zone Tour
- Secrets of Chiapas coffee workshop
- Explore San Cristobal’s Gastronomy
1. Explore San Cristobal de las Casas Town
Any trip to San Cristobal de las Casas would surely end in the town’s central cathedral, which has a view over the main square in the middle of the town. It’s also a good idea to take a stroll down in the various streets that welcome pedestrians. Real de Guadalupe serves as the primary pedestrian road. There are numerous fantastic cafes and restaurants along this central corridor, which is always alive with local activity.
2. Chiflón Waterfalls and Montebello Lagoons Tour
El Chiflón Waterfalls
In this ecotourism center you will travel a distance of 1 km up stairs until you reach the impressive Velo de Novia waterfall. To go down you can decide to do it on a zip line which adds a touch of adrenaline to your day.
Montebello Lagoons
This national park has many lagoons but usually you visit two. One of them is called Pojoj lagoon, here you can take a tour on rustic rafts. The second is the international lagoon because half of the lake is in Mexican territory and the other half is in Guatemalan territory.
- Price: around 950 MXN
- Book your tour HERE.
3. Sumidero Canyon and Chiapa de Corzo Tour
Sumidero Canyon
For starters, on the road you will stop at the viewpoints to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views. I recommend you to take lots of pictures and videos as the views are super beautiful. Afterwards you will take a boat to cross the impressive Sumidero Canyon, the tour will last approximately 2 hours. You will be able to observe a great diversity of flora and fauna of the region, great waterfalls, caves and the majestic canyon.
Chiapa de Corzo
The tour through the Sumidero Canyon ends in the town of Chiapa de Corzo. Here you have time to visit the Mudejar style fountain, the Church of Santo Domingo and buy handicrafts made in the region.
- Price: around 950 MXN
- Book your Canon del Sumidero trip HERE.
4. San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán Tour
Zinacantán
The tour begins with a visit to the house of indigenous craftswomen who are dedicated to the backstrap loom. They invite you into the kitchen to taste tortillas and pox (traditional alcoholic beverage made from corn and sugar cane).
San Juan Chamula
This town is well known for the church of San Juan Chamula, where the traditional rituals and cleansings are something very interesting and mystical. To respect the customs of the community, it is not allowed to take pictures inside the church.
- Price: around 650 MXN
- Book your tour HERE.
5. Agua Azul, Misol Ha Waterfalls and Palenque Tour
Agua Azul Waterfalls
Arriving at Agua Azul waterfalls there is plenty of time to walk around, swim and relax.
Misol Ha Waterfalls
This is a waterfall of approximately 40 meters. It is recommended not to go swimming and take advantage of this time to visit the grotto behind the waterfall.
Palenque
Here you will visit the archaeological zone in a tour of approximately 2 hours. The best thing is that a guide will explain the history of this place.
- Price: around 950 MXN
- Book your tour HERE.
6. Rancho Nuevo Caves and Arcotete Tour
The journey begins exploring the Rancho Nuevo Caves. Admire the magnificent stalactite formations decorating the caverns. Afterwards go hiking and horseback riding and finish with a visit to the Ecotourism Park El Arcotete.
- Price: around 300 MXN
- Book your tour HERE.
7. Sima de las Cotorras & Aguacero Waterfalls Tour
Sima de las Cotorras
See this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle: dozens of happy, chattering parrots flying in an infinite spiral. Not only that, but you can also engage in optional activities like rappelling or tracking.
Aguacero Waterfalls
Enter “Cueva del Encanto,” a mysterious cave that is home to “Aguacero” waterfall. With every drop of water that falls on the rocks, a fresh and refreshing breeze is created in the form of a downpour.
- Price: around 650 MXN
- Book your tour HERE.
8. Tonina Archaeological Zone Tour
On this full-day private tour, explore the ancient Mayan city of Toniná, a pre-Columbian archeological site replete with old palaces, temples, sculptures, and a towering pyramid.
- Price: around 1,800 MXN
- Book your tour HERE.
9. Secrets of Chiapas coffee workshop
Prepare to experience the aroma and taste of Chiapas coffee. Go on an espresso coffee adventure with a skilled barista and learn how to prepare a superior cup of coffee.
- Price: around 400 MXN
- Book your activity HERE.
10. Explore San Cristobal’s Gastronomy
You must set time aside during your visit to San Cristobal de las Casas to sample some of the regional Chiapan food, both on your way back from the numerous excursions and day trips mentioned above!
Here are some regional delicacies and beverages you ought to sample while there:
- Chiapas Coffee: This coffee is well-known for having a smooth finish and a rich flavor.
- Chocolate from Chiapas: Chiapas is well known for its superior cocoa.
- Tamales Chiapanecos: These have a unique Chiapas spin on the masa (corn dough), wrapped in a banana leaf, and are comparable to conventional tamales found throughout Mexico.
- Pox: Pronounce it “posh,” this traditional Mayan alcoholic beverage is the local firewater and is commonly used in ceremonial settings.
- Sopa de Pan: Known as “Bread Soup,” this Chiapas specialty is especially connected to San Cristobal de las Casas.
- Mole Chiapaneco: Unlike other areas where mole is common, like Oaxaca, Chiapas has its own mole style. The intricate combination of ingredients in Chiapas mole might include, among other regional items, tomatoes, peanuts, onions, prunes, chocolate, and chilies (guajillo and ancho).
- Pozol: a non-alcoholic beverage from this area that is usually served cold and is formed from maize dough and frequently flavored with cocoa.
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