Getting Around San Cristóbal de las Casas
San Cristóbal de las Casas sits in a small valley in the Central Highlands of Chiapas, and its historic center has kept its Spanish colonial layout: narrow cobblestone streets, red clay tile roofs, and wrought iron balconies. That compact, walkable core shapes how visitors get around. Most of the city's economy is based on commerce, services, and tourism, and the center is where the main plaza, the cathedral, and the Santo Domingo church with its crafts market are found.
Walking the City
Walking is the simplest way to get around San Cristóbal. If you are reasonably mobile, you should be able to walk anywhere within the city without strain. The historic center is laid out around the main plaza, officially Plaza 31 de marzo but usually called the Zócalo, which is surrounded by the city's most important buildings, including the cathedral and city hall. The cathedral itself sits to the north of the plaza, facing its own atrium, the Cathedral Plaza, rather than the Zócalo directly.
Bicycles are also a good way to get around if you have an adventurous side, though the cobblestone streets and surrounding hills are worth keeping in mind.
Rail, Metro and Tram
San Cristóbal de las Casas has no rail, metro, or tram network. Visitors should not expect to find one; the practical options in and around the city are walking, taxis, and colectivos, with long-distance buses and shuttles for arriving and leaving.
Buses and Colectivos
The main form of public transportation for locals is the colectivo: a van or minibus running fixed routes, with destinations painted on the windshield. You can be picked up or dropped off at any point along the route. Fares are low, and children under six ride free. Be prepared for a cramped ride and frequent stops.
For travel beyond the city, the bus network in Mexico is generally safe, clean, reliable, and affordable, with multiple companies and helpful ticket clerks at most main stations. The roads to San Cristóbal are winding and can be dizzying, so some travelers prefer to take a bus and let a professional driver handle the route. The big bus windows let you take in the greenery of Chiapas, or you can pull the curtain and nap.
Bus and colectivo companies have their own stands and stations clustered around Av Insurgente and Carretera de las Américas (Hwy 190) in Barrio San Diego, in the southeast part of town. The main terminal, Terminal Central de Autobuses, serves OCC (a subsidiary of Grupo ADO) with direct connections from Oaxaca, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Palenque, Campeche, Mérida, Mexico City, Puebla, Villahermosa, and other Mexican cities, plus connections to the Guatemalan border at Cd Cuauhtémoc/La Mesilla; some second-class buses also stop there, and tickets can be bought online or at the station. Autobuses Expreso Azul (AEXA) has direct connections to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Palenque, and other places in Chiapas state.
Colectivos from Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Ocosingo, Comitán, and Palenque operate from depots just south of the bus station, on the Pan-American Highway. From Tuxtla, an Ómnibus de Chiapas leaves frequently for San Cristóbal at a low fare. Local travel agents in Antigua Guatemala and San Cristóbal de las Casas sell tickets for direct colectivos between Antigua, Panajachel, and San Cristóbal.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are everywhere in San Cristóbal and easy to flag down. Rates are negotiable and generally low, with a small surcharge after 22:00. Ask the price before getting in so you know you are paying the going rate.
Because of a number of assaults by drivers, solo women are strongly advised to avoid hailing taxis on the street after dark. It is best to call for one or have one called for you.
Getting There from the Airport
The closest airport to San Cristóbal is Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport (TGZ) in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, roughly an hour and fifteen minutes away by road. Several options connect the airport to San Cristóbal:
- Taxi: A taxi from the airport to San Cristóbal costs around M$600 per taxi (about M$200 to Tuxtla itself).
- Collective shuttle: Collective shuttles direct to San Cristóbal can usually be found just beyond the taxi stand, on Blvd Juan Sabines Gutiérrez just west of the ADO station, for around M$240. These coincide with the arrival or departure of flights.
- Tour agency shuttles: Most tour agencies in town also operate shuttle services to the airport for about M$200, generally one or two a day, and will pick you up at your place of stay.
Whichever option you choose, the drive between Tuxtla Gutiérrez and San Cristóbal is a winding mountain route, so allow time and plan for a slower, curvier trip than the distance alone might suggest.