San Cristóbal De Las Casas combines colonial architecture with museums, lively festival traditions and a distinctive food culture. Natural attractions nearby may also be part of your travel interests. When looking for accommodation, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on: would you mainly like to explore architectural history and collections, learn about local traditions, or make time for natural attractions?
Architecture between Mudéjar, Baroque and Neoclassical styles
The historic center is characterized by colonial buildings in the Baroque, Neoclassical and Mudéjar styles. You can also see Mudéjar features in individual buildings: the Arco del Carmen was built in this style in 1680, and the Iglesia de San Nicolás was constructed between 1613 and 1621. It preserves the Mudéjar style that is especially characteristic of the colonial religious architecture of Chiapas. These examples make the style a recurring theme, while other buildings introduce additional architectural influences.
The Catedral de San Cristóbal is a 16th-century building. Its architecture combines adobe with Baroque, Mudéjar and Neoclassical elements. The Iglesia Ex convento de Santo Domingo offers a different impression: its interiors are lined with carved woodwork, and its Baroque altarpieces are finished in gold leaf. The Centro Cultural de los Altos de Chiapas, meanwhile, offers insight into the history of a former convent. It is housed in the 16th-century Santo Domingo Convent, whose impressive façade is considered one of the finest examples of Latin American Baroque.
Museums devoted to amber, coffee and healing practices
The museums’ collections and subjects offer a range of different perspectives. The Museo del Ámbar de Chiapas opened on December 4, 2000. It is considered the only museum of its kind in Mexico and houses more than 300 exhibits. The Museo del Café explores a longer history, from the origins of coffee and its arrival in Chiapas to the organization of small producers in the region.
The Museo de la Medicina Maya is part of the Centro de Desarrollo de la Medicina Maya (CEDEMM) and presents Tzotzil-Tzeltal healing practices from the state of Chiapas. The Sala de Arte Sacro at the Archivo Histórico Municipal de San Cristóbal de las Casas offers another perspective on art history, preserving paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries. Those planning their trip around particular interests can thus choose between natural history, coffee, healing practices and religious art.
Markets, regional dishes and feast days
At the traditional market, Tzeltal and Tzotzil communities from various towns sell or trade their products, wearing colorful clothing. Regional cuisine also offers several distinctive specialties. Asado coleto is one of its main dishes, tamales de azafrán are among its traditional tamales, and sopa de pan is a traditional starter. Posh is one of the traditional drinks.
Festivals take place in the different neighborhoods during nine of the twelve months. Especially important dates are March 31, the anniversary of the city’s founding, and July 25, in honor of Saint Christopher. During Semana Santa, Via Crucis processions featuring depictions of biblical figures take place in every neighborhood in the mornings. Since Semana Santa follows the movable liturgical calendar and the dates and programs of individual celebrations may vary, it is worth checking the relevant dates when planning a specific trip.
Natural attractions nearby
The Grutas de Rancho Nuevo were discovered in 1947. The cave system has a single entrance, is 10.2 kilometers long and reaches a depth of up to 550 meters. Possible activities include hiking, camping, mountaineering and photography. El Arcotete is another natural karst formation nearby: the stone arch is about 50 meters high and features stalactites and stalagmites; pine woodland lies along the trail.
Getting there and planning
From Tuxtla Gutiérrez, you can reach the Centro Cultural de los Altos de Chiapas via Federal Highway 190D and then take the northern church walkway to the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán. Road conditions and signage may change, so check this information before setting out. When choosing accommodation, you can use your planned focus—architecture, museums, festival traditions, food culture or nearby natural attractions—as a guide and plan your trip accordingly.
Discover more destinations: Totolapa, Socoltenango, Llano Grande, Cojolita, Tapachula, El Porvenir de Velasco Suárez, Las Rosas, Ocosingo
For the main travel overview: Chiapas.
