A campfire-like smell fills the air as you walk down the cobblestone streets. Brightly-colored homes line each side of the small road and their fireplaces are busy providing much-needed warmth. A Tzotzil lady in a fuzzy black wool skirt offers to sell you a hand-knit scarf for protection from the morning frost.
Welcome to San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas! It’s the cultural capital of the state of Chiapas and home to a large indigenous community, fascinating museums, and bustling markets.
We spent over a month living in San Cristobal, plus a few more weeks in the rest of the state exploring the never ending list of incredible things to do in Chiapas. I’m Mexican and fluent in Spanish, so I took every opportunity I could to ask Coletos (San Cristobal de las Casas locals) for tips and advice on the best things to do in San Cris.
In this San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico article, we’re covering the best things to do, best time to visit, where to stay, what to eat, and more. Plus, we’re sharing our top insider tips to help you have an amazing time!
Listos? Let’s visit San Cristobal!
We link to products and services we think are useful for our readers. We may earn a commission for purchases made through some of these links. There’s no extra cost for you and it helps support our work. We really appreciate your support!
- About San Cristóbal, Mexico
- Things to Do in San Cristobal de las Casas
- 1. Explore the Local Markets
- 2. Visit the Cultural Museums
- 3. See the Guadalupe Church and San Cristóbal Church
- 4. Real de Guadalupe Pedestrian Street
- 5. Go for a Hike at Moxviquil Park
- 6. Taste the Regional Specialties in Chiapas
- 7. Visit San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan Villages
- 8. Take a Sumidero Canyon Tour by Boat
- 9. See the Natural Arch at El Arcotete Eco Park
- 10. Hike to El Chiflon Waterfalls
- 11. Admire the Stunning Montebello Lakes
- 12. Explore Comitan de Dominguez
- 13. Visit the Palenque Ruins and Misol-Ha and Agua Azul Waterfalls
- Day Trips from San Cristobal de las Casas
- Where to Stay in San Cristobal de las Casas
- What to Eat in San Cristóbal de las Casas
- Best Time to Visit San Cristobal de las Casas
- How to Get to San Cristobal de las Casas
- What to Wear in San Cristobal de las Casas
- Is San Cristobal de las Casas safe?
- FAQ on What to Do in San Cristobal
Looking for the top San Cristobal tours? Check out these highly-rated activities:
- ⛪️ Best Cultural Tour: San Juan Chamula and Zincantan Villages Day Tour
- 🌮 Best Cooking Class: A Culinary Adventure in Chiapas
- 🚤 Best Sumidero Canyon Tour: Sumidero National Park Full-Day Small Group Tour
- 🌲 Best Montebello Lakes Tour: Montebello Lakes and Chiflon Waterfall Day Tour
- 🗿 Best Palenque Ruins Tour: Palenque Ruins and Agua Azul Waterfalls from San Cristobal
About San Cristóbal, Mexico
San Cristobal de las Casas is a colonial city in the mountainous region of Chiapas, the southernmost state in Mexico (bordering Guatemala).
It is one of the most amazing states in Mexico and there are so many things to do in Chiapas! It’s extremely diverse and has everything from Maya ruins, rainforests, and beaches to turquoise lakes, indigenous villages, and pine forests.
Chiapas also has one of the largest indigenous populations in Mexico, with the two biggest groups being the Tzeltal and the Tzotzil, each with their own dialect. Spanish is a second language for many locals and some may not speak Spanish at all.
Not only is San Cristobal de las Casas the perfect base to explore most of what Chiapas has to offer, but it’s also a top destination in its own right. As the cultural capital of the state, San Cristobal is home to multiple museums, plazas, churches, and community markets.
➡️ Check out the Ultimate Chiapas Travel Guide for everything you need to know before visiting Chiapas, Mexico.
San Cristobal de las Casas is usually called “San Cristóbal” or just “San Cris” by locals for short. But it’s also known by its indigenous name, Jovel.
The city was founded by the Spanish in 1528 and it was actually a part of Guatemalan territory until 1824. In 1994, San Cristobal de las Casas made worldwide news when a group of leftist guerrillas known as the Zapatistas occupied the city for about 10 days.
The Zapatistas are still active in parts of the state and you’ll find vendors around the city selling yarn dolls fashioned after them.
Things to Do in San Cristobal de las Casas
There are so many things to do in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas! From visiting cultural museums to swimming in natural turquoise pools to trying the unique regional food, here’s our curated list of what to do in San Cristobal.
1. Explore the Local Markets
Exploring the traditional markets is a fantastic way to get a taste for the local culture and way of life in San Cristobal. It’s also one of the top free things to do in San Cristobal!
A great option for budget travelers is to join this free walking tour in San Cristobal de las Casas. Keep in mind that it’s customary to tip your guide at the end of the free tour.
Mercado Viejo
Head over to the “José Castillo Tielemans” Market, commonly known as Mercado Viejo (Old Market), to see locals selling unique fruits and vegetables, fresh tortillas, a variety of legumes and grains, and live turkeys. Grab a cheap bite to eat or a traditional agua fresca at one of the food stalls.
Santo Domingo Artisan Market
Wondering what to buy in San Cristobal de las Casas? The Santo Domingo Artisan Market, in front of Santo Domingo Church, specializes in selling locally produced wool clothing, handwoven textiles, and authentic Chiapas amber jewelry. The dark red amber is supposed to be higher quality than yellow.
Mercado de Dulces y Artesanías Ambar
Candy lovers rejoice at the Mercado de Dulces y Artesanías Ambar (the sweets and artisan crafts market). Try one of the many traditional Mexican sweets, like jamoncillo, and enjoy lunch at one of the open-air restaurants just outside the market.
2. Visit the Cultural Museums
Museum Na Bolom
If you plan on exploring the ruins at Yaxchilan and Bonampak in the Lacandón jungle region of Chiapas (a must-do adventure), you simply must visit Na Bolom Museum first to learn more about the fascinating Lacandon people. They’re known as the only indigenous group to escape the Spanish conquest.
Maya Medicine Museum
Museo de la Medicina Maya (Maya Medicine Museum) is towards the edge of town, but well worth the walk to get a glimpse into the fascinating world of the modern Maya’s beliefs, traditions, and herbal remedies. Visit before heading to San Juan Chamula for a better understanding of what’s going on inside the Maya/Catholic temple.
Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya
The Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya (Maya World Textile Center) is a new museum located inside the Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo. The admission fee includes entry to the Museo de los Altos de Chiapas (Museum of the Highlands of Chiapas).
The first floor goes through the history of the Highlands and the second-floor houses a massive collection of Maya-made textiles from throughout the region, including Guatemala.
Chiapas Amber Museum, Jade Museum, and Cacao Museum
We noticed that there are some “museums” that are more like stores with small collections meant to lure in potential customers. These include the Museo del Ambar de Chiapas, Museo del Jade, and Museo del Cacao.
They’re okay to visit if you have some extra time on your hands, but I wouldn’t make it a priority.
Tip: Entry to the Cacao Museum is free if you show your ticket to the Jade Museum.
3. See the Guadalupe Church and San Cristóbal Church
Climb the stairs up to either Guadalupe Church or San Cristobal Church (or both!) for some of the best views of the city and the surrounding area. You might want to take some time to acclimatize before taking the very long set of winding stairs up to San Cristobal or be prepared to take rest breaks.
4. Real de Guadalupe Pedestrian Street
Take a stroll down the main pedestrian street, Real de Guadalupe. This cobblestone street is usually closed to street traffic and is lined with restaurants with a variety of international cuisines, bakeries, cafes, and bars.
It also has tons of walking vendors selling everything from tamales to keychains. It’s the perfect place to grab a drink, sit outside, and people watch.
5. Go for a Hike at Moxviquil Park
Orquídeas Moxviquil is a beautiful natural park with hiking trails in the forest, gardens, and greenhouses full of orchids, bromeliads, and other local flora.
It also has an educational center to help teach people about the importance of taking care of our environment. They have several hiking trails going up the hill and into the protected area behind them.
6. Taste the Regional Specialties in Chiapas
Coleto is the term for San Cristobal de las Casas natives and comida coleta is the name for the city’s local food. The cuisine in San Cristobal has pre-hispanic roots with a strong Spanish influence.
Take this Chiapas cooking class to go on a market tour, learn about local ingredients, and prepare regional San Cristóbal dishes, such as tamales, moles, and handmade tortillas.
Here are just some of the San Cristobal de las Casas food and drinks to try:
- Sopa de pan: chicken-broth soup with bread
- Chalupas: tiny fried tortillas topped with beans, shredded pork, shredded beets and carrots, and a sprinkle of cheese
- Asado coleto: coleto-style pork ribs
- Pan coleto: coleto-style sweet bread
- Tamales de azafran o momo: tamales with saffron or a sacred local herb, called momo
- Pox: local liquor made of corn and wheat, pronounced posh
- Pozol: corn drink sometimes mixed with cacao or peanuts
7. Visit San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan Villages
The indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán are only about a 30-minute drive or 2-hour hike away from downtown San Cristobal de las Casas, but it’s a vastly different culture.
The Tzotzil Maya people that inhabit these self-governed towns follow a syncretic religion that’s a mix between ancient Maya beliefs and Catholicism. The temple at San Juan Chamula is a true once-in-a-lifetime experience that gives you a glimpse into their mystical world. Expect to see sacred soft drinks, rows of multi-colored candles (each color is symbolic), and shamans performing cleanses with eggs or sacrificing chickens.
This highly-rated tour to Chamula and Zinacantan includes a visit to San Juan Chamula’s temple and a visit to an artisan family’s home in Zinacantán to see the women at work on pre-Columbian waist looms and try a taste of the local liquor and handmade tortillas.
Two other villages to consider visiting are Amantenango del Valle, a Tzeltal village known for its pottery, and Simojovel, known for its amber production.
Looking for a mix of outdoor adventures and cultural experiences? Check out these active tours to the villages:
- Bike Tour to Chamula and Zinacantan
- Horseback Riding Adventure to Chamula
- Hiking Excursion from San Cristobal to Chamula Village
8. Take a Sumidero Canyon Tour by Boat
Visiting Sumidero Canyon is one of the most popular day trips from San Cristobal de las Casas. The Grijalva River cuts through the 3,300 feet (1,000 m) high walls of the impressive Sumidero Canyon National Park. Located about about a 45-minute drive from San Cristóbal de las Casas, this national park is a bucket list adventure in Chiapas.
Take a boat tour of the river to get up close with the crocodiles and monkeys that live on its banks and get some stunning views of the canyon’s towering cliffs. After the boat ride, take a stroll around the Pueblo Magico (Magical Town) of Chiapa de Corzo and see its famous fountain.
This Sumidero Canyon tour includes a boat trip on the Grijalva River, a visit to Chiapa de Corzo, and stops at the overlooks along the canyon’s upper edge. Many tours don’t include stops at the epic lookout points, so make sure yours does!
9. See the Natural Arch at El Arcotete Eco Park
Take a half-day trip out to this natural park and explore the caves and tunnels in the natural limestone above the flowing river at El Arcotete Eco Park. The ecotourism park also offers camping, zip lining, and boat rentals. Best of all, it’s just 20 minutes away from the city.
Book this Arcotete tour from San Cristobal to explore the Arcotete and Dragon caves all in one day!
The horseback riding and underground caves at nearby Grutas de Rancho Nuevo are also a worthwhile day trip from San Cristobal de las Casas.
10. Hike to El Chiflon Waterfalls
The bright turquoise color of the water at El Chiflon waterfalls is unreal! Visiting these waterfalls is one of the best things to do near San Cristobal de las Casas.
These are some of the most beautiful and majestic waterfalls we’ve ever seen. You can spend a whole day at this park: hiking, zip lining, swimming, and having a picnic by the water.
This series of incredible waterfalls is located about a 2.5 hour drive south of San Cristobal. The easiest way to get here is to take this day tour to El Chiflon and Montebello Lakes.
11. Admire the Stunning Montebello Lakes
The Lagunas de Montebello, or Montebello Lakes, are a group of multi-colored lakes surrounded by pine and oak trees. You can rent a balsa, a raft made of tied up togs, and paddle out to an orchid garden island.
Lagunas de Montebello National Park is one of my favorite spots in Mexico and it’s only about a 2.5 hour drive south of San Cristobal.
You can spend a few tranquil nights in a lakeside cabin or take this guided day trip to Lagunas de Montebello.
12. Explore Comitan de Dominguez
If you’re looking to get away from the crowds and off the beaten path a bit, visit Comitan de Dominguez. It’s a colonial town in Chiapas, about a 2-hour drive south of San Cristobal, with a lively plaza and plenty of restaurants and hotels.
It’s also much less touristy and more authentic. It’s the perfect place to stay overnight if you want to spend more time visiting El Chiflon Waterfalls and Lagunas de Montebello.
This guided tour to Comitan also takes you to the off-the-beaten-path Las Nubes Waterfalls and the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve.
13. Visit the Palenque Ruins and Misol-Ha and Agua Azul Waterfalls
It’s best to stay at least a couple of days in the town of Palenque to see the famous Palenque ruins, the Agua Azul and Misol-Ha Waterfalls, and take a day trip out to explore the amazing ruins at Bonampak and Yaxchilan.
But if you’re short on time, you can take a full day tour from San Cristóbal to Palenque. This day trip from San Cristobal to the Palenque ruins includes a visit to both Agua Azul waterfalls and Misol-Ha waterfall.
Day Trips from San Cristobal de las Casas
Where to Stay in San Cristobal de las Casas
There are plenty of places to stay in San Cristobal, Mexico with accommodations ranging from hostels to boutique hotels to vacation rentals. Make sure to reserve your stay ahead of time because places get fully booked during high season.
Stay within walking distance of the historic city center and plaza for easy access to most restaurants and attractions. If you’re visiting in the winter, try to book a place with a fireplace because San Cristobal can get chilly!
San Cristobal Hotels
Hotel Diego De Mazariegos: cozy room with fireplaces set in a colonial building, located a block away from the pedestrian street
Hotel Na Bolom: beautiful rooms decorated with local folk art with private terraces and fireplaces, located within the Na Bolom Museum grounds, about half a mile from the main square
Posada del Abuelito Hostal: considered one of the best hostels in Mexico, featuring dorm beds and private rooms with bathrooms
San Cristóbal Vacation Rentals
Barrio El Cerrillo Home: this beautiful 2-bedroom rental has a fireplace for chilly nights and a fully equipped kitchen for preparing delicious meals with fresh ingredients from the nearby local market
What to Eat in San Cristóbal de las Casas
San Cristobal de las Casas has restaurants with all types of cuisine, from vegan tamales to colonial-era pork sausages, and even things like ramen and falafel. If you’ve been traveling around Mexico for a while and are ready for some international cuisine, this is the place to be!
After having spent over a month and a half eating our way through Oaxaca, I was a little bit excited to try something different. I know, I know… I was spoiled rotten by Oaxaca and taking its delicious food for granted by the end of it, but (like the typical vegetarian that I am) I was really craving some hummus and San Cris delivered.
San Cristobal de las Casas Restaurants
Anyway, after spending a month in San Cris, these become our favorite spots to grab a bite or drink.
La Viña de Bacco
This is at the top of the list because we went here countless times during our stay in San Cristobal. Why? It’s less than 50 pesos for a glass of wine AND a tapa. Oh, and you also get unlimited bowls of popcorn (Michael loves popcorn). They also have cheap bottles of wine and bar food.
Grab a bottle, order some tapas, and sit outside to enjoy the live music and performances by musicians that stop to play along Real de Guadalupe. I wish they had one of these in every city we visit!
La Espirituosa
A tiny craft liquor store in Jardin Cerrillo with a counter for ordering drinks. Try their pox with jamaica (hibiscus) and the pox with cacao. Grab a bottle to go!
TierrAdentro
Our favorite thing about this Zapatista-inspired restaurant is the setting and ambiance at night. They also have a huge selection of food including everything from pizza to enchiladas, plus plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. The best part is the live music after 8:30 pm. Oh, and the beautiful metal star lanterns hanging from the ceiling. I’m a sucker for those.
El Caldero
The massive soups at El Caldero really hit the spot on those cold winter nights. They have all of the traditional local soups and some vegan versions. Come hungry.
Falafel
Vegetarian and vegan heaven. $75 pesos for a massive falafel pita slathered with hummus and stuffed to the brim with veggies.
Xoco’latte
A small coffee shop that has cacao bean peel tea, called “té de cacao.” Yes, that’s a thing. Try that or the tascalate, another local cacao drink.
Casa del Pan
One of the first vegetarian restaurants to open in town is now 100% vegan. Since most tamales and mole in Mexico are made with animal products, make sure to try the vegan versions prepared here. They also have a delicious bakery if you need a snack.
🌱 Vegetarian or vegan? Check out this Guide to Being Vegetarian and Vegan in Mexico for must-read insider tips from a life-long Mexican vegetarian.
Best Time to Visit San Cristobal de las Casas
The best time to visit San Cristobal de las Casas is in April and November because of the comfortable weather and fewer tourists.
The San Cristobal de las Casas weather is temperate most of the year with average temperatures varying between the mid-50s to mid-60s Fahrenheit (12°-18° C). The rainy season lasts from May through October.
San Cristobal can get very busy during Mexican holidays like Easter and Christmas and during the local festivals.
Annual Festivals in San Cristóbal de las Casas:
- Feria de la Primavera y de la Paz – April
- Fiesta de San Cristobal – July 16-25
- Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – December 12
San Cristóbal de las Casas Altitude
San Cristóbal, Mexico is located in a mountainous region in the Central Highlands of Chiapas. The city is inside a valley surrounded by hills and has an elevation of 7,218 feet. If you’re visiting from sea level you might need to take a day to acclimate.
How to Get to San Cristobal de las Casas
The closest airport is in Tuxtla Gutierrez (TGZ), Chiapas’ capital city. Non-stop flights from Mexico City to Tuxtla are about 1 hour and 30 minutes and flights from Cancun to Tuxtla are about 1 hour and 40 minutes long.
Book a rental car with Discover Cars in Tuxtla Gutierrez and drive along the scenic road for 1 hour to reach San Cristobal de las Casas. Be sure to stop in Chiapa de Corzo (it’s on the way) to see the impressive Sumidero Canyon.
Check out our guide to Renting a Car in Mexico for everything you need to know before booking and some essential driving tips from a Mexican.
Another option is to take a comfortable and affordable first-class ADO bus in Mexico. ADO buses to San Cristobal de las Casas depart from most major cities in southern Mexico. The bus from Huatulco, Oaxaca to San Cristobal takes about 10 hours, while the bus from Merida, Yucatan to San Cristobal takes about 16 hours and 30 minutes.
The easiest way to book ADO tickets in English is through Bookaway.
San Cristobal de las Casas Map
What to Wear in San Cristobal de las Casas
I’m going to assume that you’ll be doing your fair share of day trips from San Cristobal. Which means that you’ll need clothing for pretty much every climate in Chiapas.
Take a look at our Ultimate Packing List for tons of tips on packing light when you’re traveling to multiple climates.
San Cristobal de las Casas Packing Tips
• If you’re visiting during the winter, you’ll need gloves, a scarf, and a puffy jacket.
• Although it’s cool in San Cristobal, nearby Chiapa de Corzo is much warmer since it’s lower elevation. Dress in layers for your Sumidero Canyon boat ride and bring a hat. Don’t forget a jacket for the trip back to San Cris.
• Bring a bathing suit for swimming in the lakes and waterfalls.
Is San Cristobal de las Casas safe?
San Cristobal de las Casas is widely considered a safe place to visit. Many people wonder about Chiapas safety because of the state’s Zapatista political uprisings a few decades ago. But nowadays, Chiapas is actually the third safest state in Mexico! Especially when traveling to Chiapas’ top tourist destinations such as San Cristobal de las Casas, San Juan Chamula, Palenque, and Comitan de Dominguez.
We spent almost two months traveling throughout Chiapas and never had a single issue. We ran into welcoming smiles and friendly people everywhere we went. We also found San Cristobal to be very safe at night and spent many fun nights out on the town.
But we made sure to follow all of our usual tried-and-tested Mexico safety tips, like staying vigilant, not being flashy, and only walking in well-lit areas at night.
👉 Check out these 60 Best Mexico Travel Tips for insider tips from a local on everything from safety to tipping.
Consider Travel Insurance
Of course, you don’t want to think about everything that can go wrong on your San Cristobal de las Casas vacation, but it’s always best to be prepared.
Mexico travel insurance policies vary, but they may cover things like lost luggage, trip cancellation, travel delays, and emergency medical care.
Having travel insurance coverage can give you peace of mind and help you travel confidently on your trip to Chiapas.
These are the companies we recommend for Mexico travel insurance:
- Safety Wing offers general travel and medical incident insurance for Mexico, including coverage for digital nomads.
- TravelInsurance.com makes it easy to compare and buy travel insurance from reputable insurers for the best prices.
FAQ on What to Do in San Cristobal
What are your best tips for visiting San Cristobal de las Casas? Let us know in the comments below.
Save this post to Pinterest for later.
Hola, I am a retired senior, disabled by deafness. I have a highly trained service dog, donated to me 8 years ago. We have travelled extensively in Central and South America. I would like to spend 2 weeks in the area, boots on the ground for retirement purposes. Would we be welcomed in museum, restaurants and shops?
Also can you post about car rental estimates? Thx, Suzi n “Jeff”
Hi Suzi! Thanks for reading our article. That’s wonderful that you have a service dog that can assist you while traveling. Mexican law states that people with perros guías (guide dogs) are permitted to enter any public place, including restaurants.
For car rental estimates, we recommend using Discover Cars to find the best deals. You can find more info on renting a car in Mexico here. Enjoy your trip!
Hi, my friend & I have a trip planned in April to San Cristobal. We plan to visit several areas- on your web link site for day trip to Palenque- 2 are mentioned, one with breakfast and English guide at Palenque & one without meal or English Guide. Do you a suggested preference? My friend speaks Spanish, me not so much. I also found a day trip without meals or guide & they leave Palenque at 5pm, which gets you back to San Cris than the other 2. thanks for your assistance, Marian
Hi Marian! That really is more of a personal choice. I enjoy learning about the Maya culture along with the in-depth information and fun facts that the guides provide at ruin sites. They always discuss and point out so many interesting things that you would never know about without hiring a guide. If you’d rather explore the site on your own, you can save a bit of money by booking this Palenque Ruins Tour without a guide. Enjoy your trip!
One more: We’d like a day at the beach if we can squeeze that in. Suggestion for a close-ish beautiful beach. We also loovvee hiking, so any hike options we will take!
Unfortunately, we haven’t personally explored the beaches in Chiapas (yet!), but some popular beaches are Playa Puerto Arista, Barra Boca del Cielo, and Playa Azul.
We enjoyed the hiking trails at Orquídeas Moxviquil and El Arcotete Ecopark in San Cristobal and the hiking trail along the road up to the Palenque ruins. You can check AllTrails for more hiking trails in San Cristobal.
Safe travels and enjoy México!
Hola, how many full days in San Cris do you recommend? One for city center, one for Chamula/Zinacantan and one for cave ecopark would be ok?
Hola Pati! That is a pretty good itinerary for three days right around the city. Of course, you can spend a lot longer to soak it all in, but it looks like you’ve got the best of the best on your list. Sumidero Canyon is nice to do as a day trip from San Cristobal and is totally worth the time as well.
Seems like you probably have a good idea of how you’re spending your time, which hopefully also involves heading up to Palenque, but we absolutely love El Chiflon waterfalls, if you like hiking. Lagunas de Montebello is another unique spot with stunning views that’s easier to drive between. Those two can be done as day trips from San Cristobal as well, or you can stay in the smaller Comitan, another cute town worth visiting.
Here is all of our Chiapas-related content. Have a great time! We can’t wait to return soon.
We love the idea of having a car and getting to explore on our own time table.
Is it safe and fairly easy to drive? Is parking at these sites ever an issue? Any other things we should know when it comes to renting a care?
We would ideally fly into Tuxtla Gutierrez-spend 2 days in Palenque and then on to San Cristo for the rest of the week and a half.
Knowing that, any advice?
Hi Mollie! We also prefer the freedom of driving! It is safe and easy to drive in Chiapas with the exception of the route from San Cristobal to Palenque. There is a risk for roadblocks due to government protests there. They sometimes stop each car and ask for a small fee to pass. You may not experience this (as many people we’ve know have done the drive without incident), but it does happen, so it’s up to you to decide.
There is parking at most sites, that’s not an issue.
For the rental car, just make sure that Mexican insurance (it’s mandatory) is included in the total cost. Some rental companies surprise you at the counter by adding this on last-minute.
You might want to consider flying into Villahermosa in Tabasco instead (it’s closer to Palenque), and then heading south to San Cristobal before departing from Tuxtla. I’d add an overnight or two in Comitan for faster access to all of the attractions around there.
This was a great read thank you. In a few days we are going to spend a week there. We are strongly considering hiring a car from Gutierres so we can make it ehre and do little days trips. How accesible, safe and affordable was transport for excursions like the ones you have mentioned in this guide?. Should we save money and not hire the car and organise transportation for each adventure?
Since you’re on a tight schedule and it seems like your budget can handle it, I’d go ahead and hire the car. It will be much more convenient and will allow you to squeeze in as many places as you can handle. We love using public transit, but we have a bit more flexibility with time. It takes time and effort to find the pick-up/drop-off points, plus it’s generally slower going since it will stop for other passengers. Whatever you choose, have a great time in San Cristobal! We can’t wait to return!