We are going to Mexico this week, but not for a Spring Break party. We’re headed to the southern part of the country and the state of Chiapas.

The capitol of Chiapas is San Cristóbal de las Casas. It’s a vibrant city with a rich history and some very unique sites.

We visited this place as part of a service trip with the Habitat for Humanity Global Village. The community we served in spoke an indigenous Mayan language known as Tzotzil which was about an hour away by bus. This city’s Tzotzil name is “Jovel”, and you can feel the Mayan influence.

San Cristobal de las Casas is a beautiful place to explore. It’s full of colorful flowers, kind people, colonial architecture, lots of red tile roofs, and cobblestone streets. There are times where you can feel like you are actually in the colonial age.

The city sits in a valley and dates back to 1528 when it was founded by the Spanish conquistador, Diego de Mazariegos. You can also trace the Maya people all the way back to 2000 BC. The history is about as robust as it gets.

The locals are inviting, proud, and fun in San Cristóbal. It’s a place where you can really feel the love and connection. Our experiences walking around the city made us feel out of our normal element but also that the world was small.

We saw things we had never seen, learned about indigenous Mayan culture, but still felt like we were more than welcome.

This edition really is about the beauty of unique culture and how it is more inviting than anything.

San Cristóbal de las Casas is tucked high in the mountains of southern Chiapas. It offers a completely different side of Mexico than the beaches most travelers know. In additional the colonial feel, there is a cool mountain climate.

The town sits in the Chiapas Highlands, surrounded by pine forests and rolling hills at over 7,000 feet (about 2,100 meters) above sea level. The elevation keeps temperatures mild, even in warmer months, making it perfect for wandering all day.

One of the most powerful parts of visiting San Cristóbal is experiencing the living culture of the Tzotzil people and their communities. These Mayan groups maintain traditions that date back centuries, from language and clothing to spiritual practices.

For two years in a row, we traveled to San Cristóbal for a week to build homes for Tzotzil families. We worked alongside the new homeowners, laying cinder blocks together and sharing meals.

Sometimes we needed translators to help us communicate. Other times we did not because not everything being said needed to be spoken.

It was on our first trip when we discovered the Tzotzil language doesn’t have an actual word for “love.” It’s simply an action that gets shown instead of being said.

There are many little markets and shops worth visiting in San Cristóbal. Food walking tours are available to help you sample the local cuisine.

A visit to San Juan Chamula offers a rare glimpse into these traditions. Inside the church, pine needles cover the floor, candles flicker everywhere, and rituals blend ancient Mayan beliefs with Catholic elements. It’s unlike anywhere else in the world and a reminder to travel with respect and curiosity.

One of the most eye-opening experiences we learned about was the impact Coca-Cola has here. A Coca-Cola bottling plant is located in San Cristóbal and it is cheaper to buy Coca-Cola than it is to buy water.

Men often gift cases of it during their formal courtship and marriage processes.

It’s believed that the carbonation in the drink helps fend away evil spirits.

People will sit in places such as San Juan Chamula, drink their bottles of Coca-Cola and burp out what they believe are the evil spirits.

Unfortunately, there is a high rate of diabetes in this region due to the high levels of soda consumption.

Just outside the city lies one of Mexico’s most dramatic natural wonders, Sumidero Canyon. The towering cliffs rise thousands of feet above the river, and boat tours take you through the canyon where you might spot crocodiles, monkeys, and waterfalls cascading down the rock walls.

It’s an easy half-day trip and one of the most unforgettable experiences in the region.

San Cristóbal de las Casas isn’t just a destination. It’s an experience rooted in culture, history, and nature. It invites you to slow down, learn, and see a deeper side of Mexico that many travelers miss.

If your travel style leans toward meaningful experiences over checklists, this is your place.

Refer a friend using your referral link at the bottom of this email so they can see it too. In addition, you’ll get a copy of our “Wonders of the World” eBook if it’s your first referral.

Getting to San Cristóbal de las Casas is easier than it feels, even though it’s tucked into the mountains.

Most travelers fly into Tuxtla Gutiérrez International Airport (about 1–1.5 hours away) and then take a shuttle or taxi up into the highlands.

Casa Mexicana Hotel - where we stayed on both of our trips

Jungla Hotel Boutique - has a spa and restaurant

Guayaba Inn Boutique Hotel - breakfast included

Chiapas has its own unique flavors, and San Cristóbal is the perfect place to try them.

Start with a refreshing glass of horchata, a sweet rice-based drink flavored with cinnamon. The hot chocolate here is also delicious.

You’ll also find regional specialties like tamales wrapped in banana leaves, rich soups, and local cacao drinks like pozol.

San Cristóbal’s elevation means the weather can shift quickly. Packing smart will make your trip much more comfortable.

Bring layers. Mornings and evenings can be cool, while afternoons warm up in the sun.

-A light jacket or sweater is essential

-Comfortable walking shoes are a must for the cobblestone street

-Add a rain jacket if you’re visiting during the wetter months

-Don’t forget a small day bag for markets and day trips

Here are a few of our affiliate links to help you when in San Cristóbal. It’s no extra cost to you and helps us keep this email free for everyone. 😀

See you next week,

Trisha & Bob