San Cristobal de Las Casas Attractions
How to get there
By bus from Mexico City about 18 hours, from Tuxtla Gutiérrez about 2 hours; by car from Tuxtla Gutiérrez 83km/52mi on the MEX 190 (Panaméricana) from Mexico City.
San Cristóbal de Las Casas, the oldest Spanish settlement in Chiapas, lies in the Jovel Valley surrounded by forest-clad mountains, of which the highest are Tzontehuitz (2858 m (9380 ft)) and Huetepec (2717 m (8917 ft)). Although a typical Colonial town with many churches and low houses with tiled roofs and barred windows, considerable Indian influence is evident, creating an unusual atmosphere. San Cristóbal and its surroundings are some of the most interesting places to visit in Mexico. Despite its southern location the high altitude of the town affords it a cool climate, a fact particularly apparent after sunset. The area also experiences a considerable amount of precipitation, with rain falling even during the dry period (November-May).
Until 20 years ago the town was completely cut off from and unaffected by tourism, which has since expanded greatly and led to changes. On New Year's Day 1994 the town was temporarily occupied by members of the Zapatist Army of Liberation (EZLN). Negotiations between the insurgents and the government took place in the cathedral.
Advice
When visiting Indian villages it should be remembered that their inhabitants strongly dislike being photographed; pictures should only be taken from a distance or permission requested beforehand. The easiest way to avoid difficulties is not to take a camera on such trips. Note also that very casual dress and inconsiderate "tourist behaviour" can also cause bad feeling.
By bus from Mexico City about 18 hours, from Tuxtla Gutiérrez about 2 hours; by car from Tuxtla Gutiérrez 83km/52mi on the MEX 190 (Panaméricana) from Mexico City.
San Cristóbal de Las Casas, the oldest Spanish settlement in Chiapas, lies in the Jovel Valley surrounded by forest-clad mountains, of which the highest are Tzontehuitz (2858 m (9380 ft)) and Huetepec (2717 m (8917 ft)). Although a typical Colonial town with many churches and low houses with tiled roofs and barred windows, considerable Indian influence is evident, creating an unusual atmosphere. San Cristóbal and its surroundings are some of the most interesting places to visit in Mexico. Despite its southern location the high altitude of the town affords it a cool climate, a fact particularly apparent after sunset. The area also experiences a considerable amount of precipitation, with rain falling even during the dry period (November-May).
Until 20 years ago the town was completely cut off from and unaffected by tourism, which has since expanded greatly and led to changes. On New Year's Day 1994 the town was temporarily occupied by members of the Zapatist Army of Liberation (EZLN). Negotiations between the insurgents and the government took place in the cathedral.
Advice
When visiting Indian villages it should be remembered that their inhabitants strongly dislike being photographed; pictures should only be taken from a distance or permission requested beforehand. The easiest way to avoid difficulties is not to take a camera on such trips. Note also that very casual dress and inconsiderate "tourist behaviour" can also cause bad feeling.
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Archaeological and Ethnological Museum
This museum, first established by archeologist Frans Blom, provide insight into the culture of the Indians of Chiapas.
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Church of Santo Domingo
The church of Santo Domingo was built in the mid 16th C and shows a 17th C Mexican-Baroque facade.
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Market
This daily market is frequented by Indios from local villages in the area who often wear traditional village costumes.
Amber Museum
Also worth a visit is the little Amber Museum (Museo del Ambar) at Utrilla 10. The grandiose and controversial Theatre/opera complex was opened in 1993. It can seat 1000.
Casa Sergio Castro
This house in Av. 16 de Septiembre 32 contains a famous private collection of Indian costumes.
Church of San Nicolás
The parish church of San Nicolás stands next to the cathedral. It was built between 1613 and 1620 and restored in 1815.
The house of the founder of the town, now a hotel, lies opposite the cathedral on the corner of Av. Insurgentes. Stone heads of Castillian lions can be seen on the doorway.
The house of the founder of the town, now a hotel, lies opposite the cathedral on the corner of Av. Insurgentes. Stone heads of Castillian lions can be seen on the doorway.
Churches
The following churches are also worth mentioning: Caridad, Merced, San Francisco, Carmen, which burned down in 1993 and has been rebuilt (with the Arco del Carmen), Guadalupe and San Cristóbal, on the hill of the same name to the west of the town, which offers an excellent view.
Museo Na Blom (La Casa del Jaguar)
Archeologist Franz Blom and his wife Gertrudis owned this mansion. The two spent their lives studying the Maya. This museum is filled with photos of their journeys as well as artifacts. The library is open to the public and features more than 5,000 books on the Maya.
San Cristobal de Las Casas Surroundings
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Huixtan, Mexico
Residents of this small mountain village are known for wearing traditional clothing.
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San Juan Chamula, Mexico
San Juan Chamula holds a number of interesting sights, including a small church, and the local people themselves dressed in traditional wear.
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Tenejapa, Mexico
The main attraction in the small village of Tenejapa, north-east of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, is the people.
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Toniná
This archeological site reveals a Mayan village that flourished during the 8th and 9th C.
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Zinacantan, Mexico
The small village of Zinacantán is the political and religious heart for the Tzotzil-speaking Zinacantecos residing in the area.
Comitan, Mexico
From San Cristóbal de Las Casas it is 57km/35mi south-east on the MEX 190 (Panaméricana) to reach Comitán (1630 m (5350 ft); population 63,000), a pleasant Colonial town in a garden-like setting (orchid growing). There is a small museum in the Casa Dr Belisario Dominguez.
Ocosingo, Mexico
Ocosingo, until recently a completely isolated small town in the middle of the Tzeltal Indians' settlement area, is reached after a further 50km/31mi on MEX 190 past Huixtán. It still retains a certain importance as a centre for lumberjacks, chicle gatherers and hunters. The magnificent scenery of the surrounding area, parts of which are difficult to reach, contains unspoiled Indian settlements and haciendas (El Real, Australia, etc.), as well as the picturesquely situated village of Altamirano.
San Cristóbal Grottoes
Follow the MEX 190 from San Cristóbal de Las Casas for 10km/6mi towards Comitán until reaching a right-hand turning to the nearby Grutas de San Cristóbal (San Cristóbal grottoes). The part of these now open constitutes only a fraction of the extensive dripstone caves.
