San Cristobal de las Casas

Location: Chiapas State, southern Mexico
Distance from Mexico City: 663 miles southeast
Population: 135,000
Closest major airport: Tuxtla Gutierrez International Airport (TGZ)
Time Zone: Central Standard Time

Click on the image for larger version Photo by Guillermo Aldana

San Cristobal de las Casas is located in the heart of the Chiapas highlands nestled in the Valley of Jovel. It is considered one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico with its unique combination of vice regal ambiance and Mayan traditions.

Formerly known as the Royal City, San Cristobal de las Casas was founded in 1528 by Diego Mazariego and was named after Fr. Bartolome de las Casas, the renowned Indian defender. During the viceroyalty and until 1829 San Cristobal de las Casas was the capital of the region, and between the 16th to the 18th century formed part of several territories like Yucatan and Guatemala, before belonging to the state of Chiapas.

Today, San Cristobal de las Casas is one of the most interesting urban complexes in the country. It still preserves its traditional churches, squares, cobbled streets, red-tiled roofs, baroque facades, houses with flower-filled patios and magnificent buildings of Mudejar, Pateresque and neoclassical architecture constructed between the 16th and 19th centuries.

Click on the image for larger version Photo by Guillermo Aldana

Visitors should begin their tour of the city by strolling through the Plaza 31 de Marzo, where the Cathedral, the City Hall, the Iglesia de San Nicolas and the Casa de la Sirena are located. Other buildings worth visiting include the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman, Templo de la Caridad, Templo de San Francisco and the Templo de El Carmen.

Several archeological zones line up along the city’s surroundings. On the way to Palenque is the archaeological zone of Tonina, a settlement where the Mayans left tall pyramids, temples, palaces and stone sculptures. San Cristobal de las Casas is also surrounded by places of natural beauty such as orchards, forests and stunning mountain ranges, perfect for ecotourism.

Travelers interested in more adventurous activities, can either go hiking or horseback riding in San Cristobal. Mountains with lush vegetation and attractive scenery surround the area of Chiapas at places like Reserva Ecologica de Rancho Nuevo. Horseback riding is available at Casa de Huéspedes Margarita and Hotel Real del Valle, offering horseback riding tours of San Juan Chamula and its surroundings.

Arts and crafts in Chiapas is one of the most popular attractions, with San Cristobal de las Casas producing some of its finest leatherwork, tin ware and cotton and wool textiles. Cuisine is another local specialty, characterized by its subtle combination of flavors. Its culinary tradition includes sausages, tamales, confectionery, pressed or smoked turkey, eggnog, sweet beer and bread soup.

San Cristobal is synonymous with colorful handicrafts, exquisite gastronomy, popular fiestas, refined legends and a brilliant history.