What to do in San Cristóbal de las Casas

Activities, attractions and tours
Plaza de La Paz featuring a sunset as well as a large group of people

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Top places to visit

1. San Cristóbal de las Casas Cathedral

The Catedral de San Cristóbal is a beautiful construction in the old quarter of the colonial city of San Cristóbal de las Casas, in Chiapas. The building was once a modest church, built in the 16th century and dedicated to the Virgen de la Asunción (Virgin of the Assumption). It was later torn down to build an elegant cathedral dedicated to San Cristóbal, the patron of the city. Visit Catedral de San Cristóbal to discover a fantastic construction full of baroque, Moorish and indigenous influences.
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San Cristobal de las Casas Cathedral showing heritage architecture and night scenes

2. Santo Domingo Handicraft Market

An explosion of color greets you as you enter the Santo Domingo Handicraft Market in San Cristóbal de las Casas. Piled high are rainbow-colored textiles, leather goods and all types of handmade crafts whose traditions date back decades and even centuries. Buy fabulous gifts to take home at this must-see outdoor market.
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Handicrafts Market which includes a park

3. Plaza 31 de Marzo

Plaza 31 de Marzo is San Cristóbal de las Casas’ main city square. It provides a perfect starting point from which to explore the historic center and is an easy landmark for daily meetings. Yet it’s more than that. The square is the hub of local life. Take a seat on one of the wrought iron benches and view the beautiful colonial buildings flanking the square as you watch people go by.
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Plaza 31 de Marzo which includes heritage architecture and night scenes

4. Mesoamerican Museum of Jade

Be dazzled by the pieces of carved jade at the Mesoamerican Museum of Jade and discover just how important this stone was to the region’s ancient peoples. This delightful museum holds hundreds of items of jade, including replica masks and statues and jewelry. Visit the store where you can purchase beautiful jewelry items made on site.
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Mesoamerican Museum of Jade which includes interior views

5. Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo

The Templo y Exconvento de Santo Domingo de Guzmán (Temple and Former Convent of Saint Domingo) is one of the most visited places by both locals and tourists in the picturesque city of San Cristóbal de las Casas. Marvel at an iconic symbol of Mexican colonial art and view beautiful traditional artworks and colorful weavings.
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Templo de Santo Domingo featuring a church or cathedral and heritage architecture as well as a small group of people

6. Na Bolom Cultural Museum

The Na Bolom Cultural Museum provides a fascinating insight into the lives of the Lacandón indigenous people of Chiapas. The building was the home of Swiss-born Trudi Duby and her Danish husband Frans Blom, who dedicated their lives to researching and documenting the culture of these ancient Mayan people. Spend some time exploring the museum and cultural center to appreciate their dedication and skill.
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Na Bolom Cultural Museum as well as a couple

7. Arches of Carmen

The Arches of Carmen and the tower in which they exist are among the most intriguing architectural sights in San Cristóbal de las Casas. Follow the self-guided tourist walk or sightseeing trail. At the very end you will be rewarded with one of the most striking colonial buildings in the city.
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Arches of Carmen showing heritage elements and a statue or sculpture

Popular places to visit

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San Cristóbal de las Casas Cathedral

3/5(1 review)

In the heart of the historic center, discover a colorful cathedral and one of the most significant buildings of this traditional Mexican city.

San Cristóbal de las Casas Cathedral
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Santo Domingo Handicraft Market

3/5(1 review)

Spend a delightful morning perusing the myriad colorful stalls at the city’s famous outdoor crafts market. Buy some souvenirs to take home.

Santo Domingo Handicraft Market
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Plaza 31 de Marzo

Join locals at the city’s main square where evening music, leafy trees and a plethora of impressive colonial buildings await.

Plaza 31 de Marzo
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Mesoamerican Museum of Jade

4/5(1 review)

Understand the importance that jade held in ancient Mesoamerican cultures at this fascinating museum, where you will find replica masks and jewelry.

Mesoamerican Museum of Jade
Image for Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo

Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo

With its spectacular ornamental church, two museums showing beautiful Mayan textiles and a bustling market, this spot in Chiapas is quite popular.

Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo
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Na Bolom Cultural Museum

Tour this remarkable museum and cultural center, which depicts the lifetime of study of the Lacandón indigenous people by Gertrude Duby and Frans Blom.

Na Bolom Cultural Museum
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Arches of Carmen

Stand in the peaceful square and appreciate the beauty and unique architecture of this impressive colonial tower, which belongs to the adjacent church.

Arches of Carmen
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Guadalupe Church

4/5(1 review)

Climb the 79 steps to appreciate the staggering views from this hilltop church. The church itself is a pretty example of colonial architecture.

Guadalupe Church
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Orquídeas Moxviquil Botanical Garden

5/5(1 review)

Be enchanted by this beautiful botanical garden, which rescues, protects and conserves orchids and other native plants of the Chiapas region.

Orquídeas Moxviquil Botanical Garden

Explore areas of San Cristóbal de las Casas

San Cristobal de las Casas which includes heritage elements

Zona Centro

Unique features of Zona Centro include the museums and gardens. Make a stop by San Cristóbal de las Casas Cathedral or Plaza 31 de Marzo while you're exploring the area.

Zona Centro
Arches of Carmen which includes cycling and heritage elements as well as an individual male

Santa Lucía

If you're spending some time in Santa Lucía, Santo Domingo Handicraft Market and Arches of Carmen are top sights worth seeing.

Santa Lucía
Guadalupe Church showing a church or cathedral and heritage elements

De Guadalupe

While De Guadalupe may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Na Bolom Cultural Museum and San Cristóbal de las Casas Cathedral.

De Guadalupe
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De Mexicanos

While De Mexicanos isn't home to many top sights, Mesoamerican Museum of Jade and San Cristóbal de las Casas Cathedral are some notable places to visit nearby.

De Mexicanos
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De La Merced

While visiting De La Merced, you might make a stop by sights like Amber Museum of Chiapas and Church of San Cristobal.

De La Merced
San Cristobal de las Casas showing interior views

Del Cerrillo

4/5(1 area review)

If you're spending some time in Del Cerrillo, Na Bolom Cultural Museum and Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo are top sights worth seeing.

Del Cerrillo

Day trip destinations from San Cristóbal de las Casas

Photo by Isa

San Juan Chamula