Located within the remote highlands of Chiapas, San Cristóbal de las Casas (or San Cristóbal for short) has become a key waypoint for travelers heading their way through Southern Mexico.
What I love most about the small city — which feels much more like a town — is the confluence of traditional colonial and indigenous aspects and an international and creative vibe. It’s here that artisan workshops and Mayan markets exist side by side with trendy third wave coffee places and bars with live music catering to all tastes — while somehow still blending perfectly together.
Despite being on the typical backpacker trail linking Oaxaca and the Yucatan, San Cristóbal has held onto its charms extremely well, possessing a kind of magic that few places can match.
I’ve now passed through it twice on different trips some years apart, while staying longer than most to check out everything there is to do. What follows here your complete guide — all researched in-person and based on my own experience to help you have a marvelous stay in “San Cris”.
Admiring the green landscapes of the Chiapas highlands
- How many days: You need about 2 days for just purely ticking off some of the highlights and moving on, but I recommend 3 or 4 days if you’d also like to soak up the atmosphere and dive into the nightlife.
- Activities: If you ask me, the two absolute must-see excursions are Sumidero Canyon and San Juan Chamula. It’s worth pre-booking your tours; you can check tours on Viator or at GetYourGuide. Other things in the town itself you can more easily do on your own schedule (and I’ll list all the best things to do in a moment).
- Hotels: I recommend a stay in Casa Santa Lucia ($$$) or Hostel Boutique 55 ($$). There are also many inexpensive backpacker hostels around if you’re on a budget.
First time in San Cristóbal? Here’s a preview
San Cristóbal de las Casas is a charming mountain town with narrow streets lined with colorful low-rise colonial buildings.
Within Chiapas State I’ve also visited Palenque, Comitán, Tuxtla and a handful of other places, but I would easily rate San Cristóbal as my favorite — and I bet that most travellers would agree. That said, let me give you a picture of what it’s like, as it’s quite different from many other places in Mexico.
The first thing to know is that San Cristóbal is a big melting pot, both in a traditional and modern sense.
Chiapas is one of the states in Mexico with the highest percentage of indigenous people, which you will easily notice in San Cristóbal. People of various languages, religions, and colorful dress styles – some descendants of the Maya – can be seen mixing in the cozy squares and lively markets.
The town has also lured many international residents from all over the world, including many who are drawn to its alternative and artistic scene (as well as some who sympathize with the leftist indigenous movement called the Zapatistas). This in part has helped to give the town a real soul with many creative events as well as restaurants with foreign cuisines you might not expect to find in this traditional mountain town.
In the post-pandemic years, some digital nomads and remote workers have also moved in — though not as many as in other Mexican hotspots.
All this makes it quite a contradictory place. It is both deeply traditional and surprisingly trendy and cosmopolitan. It oozes authenticity while also being wonderfully tourist-friendly. It’s in a perfect sweet spot which is why I’m especially fond of this town.
(DepositPhotos.com/graphicjet) 
Do keep in mind that Chiapas is the poorest state in Mexico, so you may sometimes see beggars and others less fortunate on the streets. The flip side of state of the local economy and development is that prices of food and accommodation are very affordable for foreign tourists.
Prices for accommodation and food in San Cristóbal are very low by Western or even Mexican standards, making it an attractive place to go if you’re a budget traveller. Stay in one of the backpacker hostels, make use of ‘free’ walking tours, and focus on the local cuisine or street food and a sub-$25/day budget is easily doable here.
But you don’t have to be a backpacker to benefit from the low prices. This town is equally a great pick if you’d like to enjoy some ’boutique’ experiences at a discount. For instance, I had some terrific meals in higher-end restaurants that cost no more than $10 – $15 USD or so.
San Cristóbal de las Casas travel tips
What is San Cristóbal de las Casas known for?
San Cristóbal de las Casas is one of Mexico’s official Pueblos Mágicos, a title given to towns that embody the country’s rich cultural and historical legacy. This town is known for its indigenous culture, hand-embroidered textiles, and an ever-present sense of history.
What’s the best time to visit?
The dry season from November to April is the best time to visit, offering sunny weather and fewer rain disruptions. Avoid June to September — this is the wet season, with frequent afternoon showers. Both my visits were in November, but even during the dry season the weather can be highly changeable due to the mountainous terrain.
I recommend a minimum of 2 days for San Cristobal and at least one tour (such as to Sumidero Canyon). 4 days is ideal to explore the city, try the food, visit the markets, and take more than one day trip into the region. If you’re a slow traveller you could choose to stay even longer, though it’s a small city so you would run out of things to do eventually.
Is San Cristóbal de las Casas safe?
The topline is this: Yes, the historic town is safe for tourists, including at night — but always use caution, especially in the outskirts and surrounding areas of Chiapas.
The town is very welcoming and feels very safe to me. I also rented a motorbike and drove around the surrounding rural areas (during the day) where I was informed it was safe, which was a great experience.
If you dig deeper and talk to locals you will realize the cartels do have a presence in this region. Mind you, this is mostly a background thing affecting permanent residents. For instance, I heard about cartel issues surrounding a landowner dispute. That’s not the kind of thing affecting tourists, but yes, you are still in Mexico here. However, in San Cristóbal you’re in a tourist bubble where you won’t have many worries.
Note: the Federal Highway 199 between Rancho Nuevo and Palenque is known to have safety issues. Check the current status if you’re heading to Palenque and take the long way round if necessary.
SIM card & internet condition
You can get a monthly prepaid SIM at Wal-Mart for around MXN 295 (≈ 0USD) or skip the hassle and get a SailyeSIM. Just consider that the network’s coverage here can be spotty, so it’s a good idea to download offline Google Maps or Maps.me before heading out.
Wi-Fi speeds in the city vary between 5 Mbps and 85 Mbps. Most of the cafes and accommodation offer free wifi but if your internet cuts out or slows down, you’ll find plenty of reliable coworking spaces nearby to get things done.
What should backpackers know
San Cristóbal de las Casas has become one of Mexico’s top backpacker hubs. It has an excellent infrastructure for travellers on a budget, with highly rated hostels averaging just $9 USD per night—often including free breakfast and daily activities. Tours to places like Sumidero Canyon or El Chiflón can be cheaper when booked locally along Real de Guadalupe street. Cash is essential as many small businesses don’t accept cards. Expect to eat well on a budget, with street food meals under $3 USD.
What’s the weather like?
It’s also useful to know that the weather can be very changeable in San Cristóbal. Being surrounded by mountains at an elevation of 2,200m or 7,200ft, you can experience sunshine, clouds, and rain on the same day. At night it can get a bit chilly, so bring some layers.
3 Epic tours to book in San Cristóbal
First of all, let’s review how you can use San Cristóbal as your launching point for excursions within Chiapas. I’ve done half a dozen tours but would narrow my recommendations down to just 3.
For activities within San Cris you don’t necessarily need a tour (though a walking tour is always a fun idea). It’s easy to visit the small museums, churches, and markets with local and indigenous crafts like jade and amber jewelry and traditional garments on your own.
However, for reasons of practical logistics, convenience and safety, several day trip tours make perfect sense. I’ll rank them here in order of priority and wow-factor. Be sure to scroll along to find out which tours I don’t recommend!
1. Day trip to Sumidero Canyon
If you do just ONE thing in San Cris, make sure it’s this!
By far one of the most stunning natural sceneries you can see in all of Southern Mexico, Sumidero Canyon features giant cliffs over 1000 feet (300 meter) tall that tower above the river and surrounding jungle below.
The area is also home to lots of wildlife, and when heading along the river you can spot everything from Caiman and Spider Monkeys to various tropical birds flying overhead.
The only way to truly experience it is by boat tour, so even the most staunchly do-it-yourself-style traveller will need to join an organized group for this one.
Not only will you have hotel pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation, but you’ll also have the boat ride included. Even better is that you’ll have a knowledgeable local guide on hand who can teach you some very interesting things along the way.
Not all tours go on all days, so it’s worth pre-booking. I suggest booking this day tour from San Cristóbal. Similar tours can also be booked at Viator.
book this Day trip to Sumidero Canyon 
2. Visit San Juan Chamula
Many travellers rate this as their most unique experience in Mexico. Visit at the right time and it may just be one of those wild stories you’ll be telling everyone back home!
This small Tzotzil community near San Cris mixes Catholicism with native beliefs in unique and fascinating ways. Inside its small church, you can regularly witness profound rituals that may involve chanting, loud burping, or even animal sacrifice. (If you see someone carrying in a chicken, you’ll know what time it is…)
You’re allowed to watch as long as you respect the one cardinal rule: inside the village and especially inside the church, there are strictly no photos allowed. Any disrespect of this rule can lead to a 40,000 MXN fine — and they do actually enforce this. (The above image is a stock photo.)
You can visit San Juan Chamula independently by taking a collectivo from Calle Honduras and venturing into the church on your own. Going on a tour is still highly worth it as you’ll be guided by a local and, weirdly, you feel less like an intruder when someone is showing you around. You’ll also visit the indigenous community of Zinacantán on this tour.
take this trip to Chamula
3. Discover the remote El Chiflón waterfall
Finally, this is the best waterfall to visit from San Cristóbal. You can visit it on your own if you take a bus to Comitán (1 hour) and once there find a colectivo to the waterfall (another hour or so). It’s more efficient and potentially more fun to visit El Chiflón as an organized trip. As a bonus, you’ll also visit the Montebello Lakes National Park.
I recommend El Chiflón over Agua Azul as it’s a lot closer and doesn’t involve a tiring 4-hour journey through the mountains to reach. Comitán is also a nice town to visit along the way.
Chiflon Waterfalls & Montebello Day Tour 
While tour platforms and agencies in San Cris push them heavily, I honestly do not recommend taking day trips from San Cristóbal to Palenque to visit its ruins or waterfalls.
These sights are actually amazing, but you’ll have to get up at 4 am and won’t get back until around midnight. It’ll be a grueling day with up to 12 hours (!) spent travelling usually in cramped minibuses. It’s better to skip it or to add Palenque to your itinerary and stay there overnight. You can check my in-depth travel guide to Palenque for more tips.
In my opinion, day tours to the Palenque ruins, Agua Azul, Misol-Ha, the Roberto Barrios waterfalls, or the Lacondon jungles will just take too long if done from San Cristóbal. Consider them only if Palenque is not on your onward travel route and you’ve already seen the sights closer to San Cristobal.
Where to stay in San Cristóbal
Where I Stayed: Hostel Boutique 55
On my most recent visit to San Cristóbal, I stayed at Hostel Boutique 55. This is just the perfect mid-budget ‘flashpacker’ hostel, offering comfy rooms filled with many plants and a mix cement and wood accents. The owner is also very awesome and forthcoming with local tips.
Find the BEST RATES HERE
Best neighborhoods to stay in San Cristóbal
Looking for a specific place to stay? These are my highest recommendations for places to stay in San Cristóbal de las Casas along with the best neighborhoods.
El Cerrillo
This hilltop barrio northwest of the center is all cobblestone alleys, graffiti-art-covered streets, small artisan shops, and quiet cafés tucked into colonial houses. It has a strong local character, with a blend of indigenous and mestizo residents, a few expats, and artists. Overall, if you’re drawn to art, culture, and calm, urban life, El Cerrillo is your best bet.
- Guayaba Inn Boutique Hotel $$ – a serene boutique hotel tucked into the Barrio El Cerrillo
- Hotel Penpen $$$ – a small, budget-friendly hotel located in a quiet neighborhood, just a short walk from the historic center
Centro Histórico
This is where the town really comes alive, especially at night. Around Plaza de la Paz, Plaza 31 de Marzo, and along Real de Guadalupe, the streets are buzzing with street performers, live music, busy cafés, and crowds of people just hanging out. Basically, everything’s happening here, so if you’d rather sleep somewhere quieter, just swing by El Centro for the food, drinks, and good times.
- Hotel Casa Margarita $$ – EPIC central location – Room 44, the highest in the building, is spacious, bright, and filled with sunlight
- Hotel Ciudad Real Centro Histórico $$$ – housed in a 20th‑century neo‑classical building, right in the heart of colonial San Cristóbal
- Hotel Bo $$$$ – a luxury boutique hotel and the first design hotel in the city, located on the edge of the historic center
Sweeping views from El Cerrillo, overlooking the colorful rooftops of the Centro Histórico (DepositPhotos.com/ibrester)
Barrio de Guadalupe
What makes this barrio unique is its hillside location, so it’s super strategic for epic views over the town. It’s especially convenient if you’re looking for a peaceful stay just outside the Zona Centro, but still within close steps to everything.
- The Coffee Bean Hostel $ – budget hostel, ideal for backpackers and travelers seeking a social, friendly vibe, within a 10–12 minute walk from the Zócalo
- Hotel Ocho Barrios $$ – a charming boutique B&B in Barrio de Guadalupe, just a 7–10-minute walk from the Centro Histórico and main plazas of the city
- Casa Santa Lucia $$$ – a tiny boutique hotel in Santa Lucía close to Centro Histórico (about a 5–10 minute walk)
Calle Pan de Paz in Barrio de Guadalupe (DepositPhotos.com/ibrester)
Barrio de Le Merced is one of the oldest and most historic neighborhoods in San Cristobal, located just a short walk from the town’s main square. There are no good restaurants or coffee shops here, but it’s a nice place to stay if you’re a backpacker, as a few fantastic hostels are located here. You’re also just a 5-10 minute walk from Real de Guadalupe Street.
- Puerta Vieja Hostel $ – rated #1 among hostels in San Cristóbal and praised for its lively social vibe
- Co404 $$ – a coliving and coworking space in San Cristóbal, made for digital nomads and remote workers
Barrio de Los Mexicanos
Barrio de los Mexicanos sits about a 15-minute stroll from Real de Guadalupe and just minutes from the local markets. It’s more of a residential neighbourhood so it’s not very lively, but this is your spot if you want to experience the charm of an authentic, historic barrio as it’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Cris and you’ll notice that from the buildings.
- Hotel Bo $$$$ – a luxury boutique hotel tucked into the colonial core of town
- Kukurutz Residencia $$ – a boutique guesthouse with a cozy homey vibes just steps from San Cristóbal’s historic center
17 Must-dos in San Cristóbal
1. Go on a walking tour (do this first!)
Free walking tours can be hit-or-miss, but I loved this one in San Cris. I suggest doing this highly insightful tour the first thing when you arrive.
You’ll gain a useful introduction to the town’s founding, the indigenous communities, the local markets, and some of the important sights.
Groups leave from the main square every day at 10 am and 4 pm. It’s not exactly free but donation-based; the suggested donation is 150 pesos–8 usd. The tour takes around 3 hours and ends with a free Pox tasting, a local corn-based brew.
2. Visit the Mercado Municipal
The Mercado Municipal is just a 10-minute walk north of the zócalo. It can be a good place to pick up some souvenirs, but exploring it is an adventurous experience in itself.
Not only can we find handicrafts here, but you can also browse local produce and eat at the various regional food stands. You may see live animals being bought and sold as well as curious types of food. Members of indigenous cultures wearing various styles of garments can be seen here as well.
While it can be a sensory overload, visiting this market is a great way to experience San Cris’ local life.
3. Climb to the two hilltop churches
San Cristóbal is a classic example of a traditional, Mexican mountainous town, with a striking mix of indigenous roots and colonial influence. And when it comes to the latter, we can find all kinds of stunning architecture throughout the town, particularly its churches.
Two of the most iconic examples sit atop hills on opposite ends of the downtown, each offering sweeping views of the city below.
Iglesia de Guadalupe is the most recognizable, with its yellow and white facade. Although there are 100 steps to climb to reach the top, it’s worth the effort for the views over San Cristóbal, particularly at sunset. It’s located just a 10-minute walk east of the main zócalo, and you can see it looming at the eastern end of the main tourist street.
Iglesia de Guadalupe
Iglesia de San Cristóbalito is the red-and-white church on the other hill, just west of the old center. It sits atop 280 steps. The church itself isn’t necessarily that impressive, but the views over the city are worth the climb.
Iglesia de San Cristóbalito (iStock/Iknuitsin Studio)
The easiest and most central church to reach in San Cristóbal is the Catedral de San Cristóbal de las Casas. It’s located in the heart of the zócalo (main square) and has a beautiful interior which is worth taking a look.
But the most ornately decorated is surely the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, found near the main market. It took 200 years to construct and has been used by followers of Catholicism as well as indigenous beliefs. Its intricately detailed facade was under renovation during my latest visit, but it should be back on full display sometime in 2024.
Catedral de San Cristóbal de las Casas
4. Swig some Pox, the ancient Mayan brew
The local spirit in these parts is called Pox (pronounced: posh), a mainly corn-based liquor that has had ceremonial uses among the Maya.
You can find Pox sold in various souvenir stores around town, but your best bet is to visit the local distillery Poxna, a local project that produces branded artisanal versions. Their tasting room is super cute and forms part of Jardín el Cerrillo, a creative little mini-courtyard that includes a restaurant, cafe, and some small art shops.
5. Explore the Caves of Arcotete
After San Juan Chamula and Sumidero Canyon, I would rate this the next most worthwhile excursion outside of town.
By far one of the most underrated sites you can visit within San Cristóbal, the Arcotete Caves still go under the radar of most travelers.
Inside the park, we can find giant limestone caves (which can be rappelled), forested hiking paths with footbridges, and even zip lines.
The most impressive sight is the El Arcotete archway, which stands at over 40 meters in height and is covered in crystallized stalactites and stalagmites. You can view it at river level or clamber your way via another path to a balcony-like area near the cave’s ceiling.
Also on-site, you can find many cute, shaded picnic areas, and also a couple of restaurants on-site. It takes about 20 minutes to reach by colectivo (which regularly departs from this location).
6. Explore the region by motorbike
The best way to explore the countryside around San Cristóbal is with your own transportation. I loved the opportunity to visit several wonderful nature parks with caves and drive through scenic rural communities with brightly colored churches.
There are only two options for bike rentals in town:
- I went with Croozy Scooters, which offers a range of bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles. The prices are a bit high (I paid 650 pesos–$36 USD/day for a 125cc scooter), though I thought the freedom to explore still made it worth it. The owner provides many tips and a hand-drawn map.
- Your other option is Viva Motos. Besides renting motorcycles (but no scooters) they also provide guided motorbike trips lasting one or more days, ranging from sightseeing around San Cris to exploring deeper into Chiapas.
I opted to spend a day driving around. I visited Montetik Park, Rancho Nuevo Park, the Arcotete caves, the orchid sanctuary, as well as the forest trail mentioned next.
7. See the magical orchid forests
I’m listing this right after ‘rent a motorbike’ for a reason, as ideally, you need your own transportation to get to this secret spot.
First, drive to Montetik Ecological Park. Near its southern entrance, you’ll see a sign for a ‘mirador’ (viewing point) with pictures of various flowers and birds. You can check the approximate coordinates on Google Maps, but since it doesn’t show any of the dirt roads in this area, I recommend using the Maps.me app for navigation.
Drive the dirt road 2km up the mountain and you’ll reach a footpath leading to the viewing point.
The brief 20-minute hike goes through some gorgeously lush forest thoroughly covered in all manner of moss, ferns, bright red bromeliads, and blooming orchids (the latter only if you visit at the right time of year).
Even if you can’t find this particular spot, you may be able to find other hikes or trips where you can observe this magical ecology. This blog describes an interesting hike up Cerro Don Lauro.
8. Visit the orchid preserve
Another way to see a sampling of the local flora is to visit Orquideas Moxviquil. It’s on the north side of town, about a 7-minute drive from the main square (it’s a little too far to walk, so it’s better to grab a taxi if you don’t have your own transportation).
The site has several nurseries and wonderful greenhouses filled with orchids and epiphytes — plants that live on the trunks and branches of trees.
According to the staff, the best time to visit is in December when truly everything is in bloom. April-May is the second-best time.
9. Catch some live music
Music is noticeably present in San Cris with many options to see live performances. You can find live music in these places, among others:
- Revolucion Bar — a long-running institution where most nights feature bands, DJs, or open mic
- La Catrina Café Cultubar — great burgers, cheap drinks, and live music at night
- Cocoliche, a restaurant serving some fantastic Asian and Mexican dishes, often accompanied by a side dish of live jazz.
- Mayahuel— my hostel tipped it as another good bar to check out
San Cris has long attracted foreigners to settle there, in particular artists and musicians. Their influence can often be seen in the nightlife, which can offer anything from reggae to salsa to techno. Whatever floats your boat, you can probably find it!
10. Enjoy authentic local dishes in San Cristóbal
Yeah, yeah… I know what you’re thinking, “eat the food” is such rote advice for a travel guide. But hear me out! The restaurant scene in San Cristóbal is truly out of control in terms of both quality and value and is deserving of a special call-out.
I would even say it’s comically easy to eat extremely well in this town — perhaps more so than anywhere else in Mexico I’ve been.
The Mexican cuisine is predictably great, though other international cuisines are also well-represented should your tastebuds tire of the local fare.
Many dishes are 100 pesos–$5 USD and under and you’ll notice a lot of care and attention to detail in the local restaurants. You can check this list of best restaurants in San Cristobal.
Local corn-based dishes here such as tamales use the indigenous chipilín herb, while there are other regional specialties such as sopa de pan, chanfaina, and putzatzé.
11. Visit the Ambar museum
Chiapas is known to be one of the world’s largest natural reservoirs of amber, with some dating as far back as 20 million years.
You can find amber jewelry sold everywhere, but you can also visit the Amber Museum. Here you can see a collection of beautiful amber formations and appreciate just how old our Earth really is. Several samples include trapped insects and even a large beetle.
It takes one miner a week to extract just 250 grams of amber from the mine in the mountains north of San Cristobal.
12. Check out the Jade Museum
The Museo Mesoamericano del Jade is another worthwhile museum to visit while in San Cristóbal.
Although gold and silver were very valuable, nothing was as important to Mesoamerican tribes as jade. This precious stone represented immortality and love, and in this museum, we can see a really impressive collection that was used during ancient times in this region.
13. Visit Casa Na-Bolom (house of the jaguar)
Human presence within Chiapas has dated back several thousands of years (originally as hunter-gatherers), although the Mokaya was the first organized civilization to have existed here.
From here, there have been many cultures that have ruled these lands, and there’s no better place to learn about them than by heading to Casa Na-Bolom (which is a museum as well as a hotel). Here we can see how these ancient cultures lived, with a range of rare and interesting artifacts on display.
The museum has a keen focus on the Lacandon people, which is an indigenous group that still flourishes in the region, closer to the border with Guatemala.
14. Try the local coffee and chocolate
Chiapas is also a great place to try chocolate, with this region thought to have been one of the original birthplaces of this sweet snack.
Dating back over 4000 years ago (during the time of the Olmecs), cacao was a common snack, which they used to eat at its full, bitter strength. Chocolate was also used for spiritual purposes and even as an offering to the gods.
In San Cristobal, you’ll be able to try chocolate in all its many forms, but especially as a hot chocolate drink sold in many cafes.
Those who love coffee will also be in good hands here, given Chiapas has grown to become the biggest cultivator of coffee in Mexico.
You can find plenty of small cafes and restaurants near the zócalo to try one of these quality brews, including several specialty cafes serving V60 or Chemex using locally roasted beans. Check out the low-key Libre Cafe, which is also a roastery.
15. Browse indigenous crafts and souvenirs
With Chiapas being so rich in various traditional crafts, it’s a good place to buy souvenirs. You can find a variety of textile products, amber jewelry, art, and more.
Over 35% of the population in Chiapas is indigenous and, more often than not, specializes their craft in producing stunning textiles, garments, and ceramic pottery.
You can shop very well in these locations:
16. Visit Montetik or Rancho Nuevo park
Arcotete (described earlier) is the best natural park to visit overall, but these two other options are worth highlighting as well, in particular since they’re fun for families.
Montetik has a very big slide and some swings that kids will definitely love, while Rancho Nuevo has ziplines, horse rides, and a cave that’s made more accessible thanks to a spacious walkway.
While Arcotete feels more like an ecotourism park where you’re fully in nature, here you’ll find a large BBQ and picnic area with various forms of entertainment around it, which can make for a fun afternoon out.
Even adults can enjoy the cave in Rancho Nuevo, which has a straight path for the first few hundred meters, followed by a more natural section that you can enter with helmets and flashlights (for a small extra fee).
Where to go next?
San Cristóbal is the most popular base for tourists in the state of Chiapas, but there are several other great destinations to add to your list.
1. Palenque
Located roughly 110 km east of San Cristóbal, this town in the tropical lowlands of Chiapas is a must-visit.
The Mayan ruins of Palenque are some of the most memorable you can visit in Mexico. Being in the middle of the jungle, you can sometimes hear howler monkeys and spider monkeys, or see toucans flying around.
Usually, Palenque is a major stop of its own rather than a day trip. It’s better this way for those who are independent and have more time (public buses between the two can take as long as 9 hours one-way).
However, those who are short on time can join this day trip, where you’ll visit the ruins as well as other gems such as the Agua Azul Waterfalls along the way. As I mentioned earlier, I think these day trips involve a lot of driving, but if it’s your only chance to see Palenque within your schedule then it can still be a good way to include them!
check Tour on getyourguide
2. Comitán
️ Getting here – Comitán is just 2 hours from San Cristóbal by ADO or OCC bus. Tickets are cheap and you can also book on Busbud.
️ Stay – Hotel Nak’An Secreto Maya is a highly rated boutique hotel, ideally located for exploring the cultural and historical sites of Comitán. For a budget-friendly alternative, La Casa del Marqués offers charming accommodations right in the heart of town.
This town 2 hours southeast of San Cristóbal is a little off the tourist radar, but has plenty of charm to warrant a day trip or overnight stay.
It has a beautiful main square, colonial-era architecture, small museums, and some viewpoints. Most of all it’s a great springboard into the more remote corners of Chiapas, including the El Chiflón waterfalls and Las Nubes ecotourism area.
I once happened to be there during the Día de la Independencia when the squares were full of musicians, people dancing, and other festivities, but normally the place is pleasant but fairly low-key. I recommend it if you’re a traveller looking for authenticity and an escape from the typical tourist trail.
3. Agua Azul waterfalls
Agua Azul
This series of bright-blue cascades has to be seen to be believed. While travel photos can sometimes be deceiving with lots of post-processing, these waterfalls truly are this mesmerizing color, which is due to an abundance of rich minerals found in the river.
The distance between San Cristóbal and Agua Azul is just over 150 km, which takes around 3 hours to drive to. However if you do opt for public transport to get here, it can take almost half a day given unreliable schedules and multiple bus stops.
The better way to do it is to head with this day tour from San Cristóbal, which includes transport in an air-conditioned minivan as well as having all entrance fees included. You’ll also visit Palenque and the waterfalls of Misol-Ha.
However, if time allows in your travel schedule, it’s best to stay in Palenque and visit these waterfalls from there.
check tour on getyourguide 
Getting to San Cristóbal
By Air: The nearest airport is in Tuxtla, which is about one hour from San Cristóbal. There are 4 daily bus services by OCC direct from the airport to San Cristóbal, as well as numerous airport shuttle services by local companies (these run almost hourly). There’s not much point in staying in Tuxtla itself, which isn’t as attractive or notable, so I recommend heading straight to San Cristóbal.
Tip: if you’re trying to book tickets for the OCC buses to or from the airport, don’t search for ‘Tuxtla’ but for ‘Angel Albino Corzo International’.
From Palenque: The road between Palenque and San Cristobal has seen a number of crime incidents in years past, including some robberies. This is why the coach buses by OCC or ADO still go the long way round via Villahermosa — a journey taking around 9 to 10 hours.
Security may not be as big of a concern anymore by the time you read this, but I advise inquiring locally to be sure. Local minivan services still take the more direct route which takes about 5 hours. You’ll be going through Zapatista territory and they sometimes stop vehicles to demand a small donation (e.g. around a dollar or so).
There are tour companies that make stops at Misol-Ha and Agua Azul waterfalls on the way between San Cristóbal and Palenque, which can be an efficient way to tackle these sights.
From Oaxaca: San Cristóbal is the logical next stop after Oaxaca City on the classic Mexico backpacker trail. The bad news is the coach buses from Oaxaca City take around 12 hours (two hours more if coming from Puerto Escondido) and there aren’t really any notable places along the way that let you break up the journey.
The good news is you can travel this section overnight, saving time and the cost of a night’s accommodation. It’s a long overland journey for sure, but sometimes you just have to suck it up in order to include all the highlights in your Mexico itinerary!
Keep researching your Mexico trip with our other guides to this colorful country! From San Cristobal, consider heading to the popular Yucatan Peninsula, or go off the beaten track by swerving into Veracruz, a little-visited but super interesting state.