Day Trips from San Cristóbal de las Casas

San Cristóbal is one of Mexico’s best bases for day trips — a dense collection of significant sites within 2 hours in every direction.

Chamula and Zinacantán (combined half-day)

The most important and accessible Tzotzil Mayan communities near San Cristóbal, 10 km apart and easily combined.

San Juan Chamula: the church of San Juan Chamula operates outside the Catholic hierarchy — Tzotzil Maya religious practices involving pine needles, candles, incense, and ritual are performed inside alongside some Catholic imagery. Photography strictly forbidden inside; remove hats on entry. The village market surrounds the church on Sundays.

Zinacantán: a textile-producing community known for woven flowers in pinks and purples. Women sell textiles and demonstrate the backstrap loom in their homes. Quieter than Chamula; worth the 10-minute colectivo from Chamula.

Colectivos depart from Mercado de Abastos in San Cristóbal throughout the day; the combined trip is easy without a tour.

Cañón del Sumidero

The dramatic canyon of the Grijalva River, 80 km northwest of San Cristóbal. Boat tours from Chiapa de Corzo travel the canyon floor past 1,000m sheer walls, waterfalls, and occasional crocodiles. Tour operators in San Cristóbal run combined bus-boat trips for MXN 400–600; alternatively, take a colectivo to Chiapa de Corzo and book a boat independently for less.

Agua Azul and Misol-Há

Approximately 4 hours from San Cristóbal (most easily done as a long day trip with transport). Misol-Há is a single waterfall into a turquoise pool with a path behind the falls. Agua Azul is a series of cascades and pools in brilliant turquoise water — the colour results from calcium carbonate. Swim in the lower pools (marked as safe); the upper sections have strong currents.

Most day trips to Agua Azul also include Palenque ruins — see below.

Palenque ruins

150 km from San Cristóbal, on the edge of the jungle in the lowlands. One of the most important Maya sites in Mexico — the Temple of Inscriptions (containing Pakal’s tomb), the Palace with its observation tower, and a jungle setting unlike the open sites of the Yucatán. A long day trip (6–7 hours travel total); alternatively, overnight in Palenque town. See the Palenque guide for full details.

Lagunas de Montebello

A system of 59 lakes in varied colours from emerald to blue-grey to turquoise, near the Guatemalan border (2 hours from San Cristóbal). Less visited than the better-known sites; a good option for a quieter natural landscape.