Hotels in San Cristóbal de Las Casas

San Cristóbal de Las Casas: Colonial Highland City of Chiapas

San Cristóbal de Las Casas sits at 2,200 metres above sea level in the Jovel Valley, Chiapas, roughly 80 km east of Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Founded by the Spanish in 1528, its colonial centre remains largely intact — cobblestone streets, ochre-and-white facades, and the 16th-century Catedral de San Cristóbal anchoring the Plaza 31 de Marzo. The surrounding highlands are home to Tzotzil and Tzeltal Maya communities, and the city serves as a base for day trips to the weaving village of San Juan Chamula (10 km north) and the textile market of Zinacantán.

Where to Stay

Most hotels concentrate within walking distance of the Andador Turístico, a pedestrian corridor running from the cathedral toward Templo de Santo Domingo. The Real de Guadalupe street and the Barrio de Mexicanos neighbourhood hold guesthouses and boutique properties across all price ranges. Altitude means cool evenings year-round, even in the dry season (November–April).

Practical Tips

• Getting there: ADO buses connect Tuxtla Gutiérrez airport to San Cristóbal in about 1.5 hours.
• Altitude: Pack a warm layer — temperatures drop to 8–12 °C at night in December and January.
• Currency: Most small markets and indigenous cooperatives accept cash only; carry Mexican pesos.
• Best timing: The Semana Santa and Día de Muertos periods bring festivals but also higher occupancy — book hotels at least three weeks ahead.