San Cristóbal de las Casas, the former capital of the state of Chiapas, is an attractive colonial city with narrow, cobbled streets located in the central valley highlands. Founded in 1528 as Villa Real de Chiapa, it is a mere 1-1/2 hour drive from the modern capital, Tuxtla Gutierrez, and is in an area surrounded by indigenous villages and a wealth of crafts, archaeological treasures and indigenous culture.
The city is at an altitude of 2,100 meters (6890 feet) above sea level. It´s anual mean temperature is 18º C. (65º F). Click here for current weather conditions in San Cristóbal and other Chiapas cities.
In its quaint streets and the surrounding villages the regional indians still wear traditional and colorful garb and sell their wares, ranging from woven and embroidered textiles in incredible variety to fruits, vegetables and housewares, in local markets such as La Merced and in streetside stalls.
Attractions and Sights in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas
Cathedral of San Cristóbal
Church of San Francisco
Located on Calle Libertad near the center of town, the Church of San Francisco once was part of a Franciscan Monastery. With a simple façade and roof of tiles and wooden beams, this church holds a fabulous collection of colonial art.
Santo Domingo Church and Ex-Convent
An elaborate baroque structure built on the site of the original, adobe church that dated from 1547. Its glowing, pink façade and ornamentation, the golden carvings and paintings in its interior, make it San Cristóbal's most fascinating and beautiful church. The Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo now houses an excellent museum of Mayan culture, and close by are stalls at which the local indigenous artisans set up their handcrafts and other wares.
Municipal Palace of San Cristóbal
Construction of the Municipal Palace began in 1885 to house the Government offices, but work was halted when the capital was moved to Tuxtla Gutierrez. As a result, the present building is much smaller in scale that the original plans called for. The heavily columned neoclassical Palace now houses the Municipal offices and is a focal point for many traditional celebrations and festivities as well as political protests.
Na Bolom Museum and Cultural Association
Na Bolom, located 8 blocks from the center of town on Av. Vicente Guerrero 33 (Tel. (967) 678-1418) is a non-profit, non-governmental educational center offering community studies, cultural and environment programs for the Lacandon Rainforest and other regions of Chiapas. The building, built in 1896, features displays of an extraordinary collection of Mayan artifacts as well as exhibits illustrating the jungle life of the indians. Rooms are also available for guests rentals.
Click here for the Na Bolom website
Casa Sirena
The House of the Mermaid is a 300-year-old stone structure located on the southern side of the town plaza, the oldest house in San Cristóbal. The Mermaid herself is depicted as armless and other decorations on the façade feature lions and sea horses.
Amber Museum
The richness of amber can be beautifully appreciated at the Amber Museum located on Diego de Maziegos and 12 de Septiembre streets, in the Ex-Convent of the Iglesia de la Merced. Open Tuesday through Sunday 10am - 2pm and 4 - 7pm. Closed Mondays.
The amber beds of Chiapas are the third most important in the world and those of the Baltic Sea and the Dominican Republic. The most common color of amber is a clear yellow, although amber can range from deep red to green and blue.
The Amber Museum of San Cristobal offers guided tours, a cafeteria, gift shop selling amber, postcards and books, amber workshops and studios and a conference room.
Taller Leñateros - Handmade Paper factory
At the Taller Leñateros, located on Flavio A. Paniagua No. 54 in San Cristobal de las Casas, a group of local men and women labor over fiber-filled kettles boiling on wood fires, surrounded by baskets and bundles of dried leaves, vines, moss and flower petals, recycling this myriad of natural materials into hand-made, highly textured and colored paper.
The shop sells small and large booklets, xylography, bookmarks and sheets of paper. The workshop also publishes codexes and texts translated from the local native tongues.
The workshop is open from 9 am to 8 pm, Monday through Saturday.
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