Scenes from around San Cristóbal de las Casas, a mountainous town in the southern state of Chiapas known for its diverse population and cuisine, it’s cultural bounty and its natural beauty.
Read more about San Cristóbal here.
Surrounded on all sides by hills, there is a picturesque mountain vista waiting down nearly every street in San Cristóbal.
Young fresh figs are sold at the local Municipal market.
A girl chases flocks of pigeons in zócalo, the town’s main square.
Kukulpan, a French-style bakery, makes a host of pastries fresh daily.
Many streets are decorated with little, colorful flags, draped from building to building.
In Chamula, a small, indigenous community near San Cristobal, women sell clothing and other textile goods on the streets.
Like many parts of Mexico, Volkswagen Beetles are very popular.
At a local bar, a rose in a beer bottle.
San Cristóbal is known for its Spanish colonial architecture with sloped, red-tiled roofs.
At the Municipal market, a vendor sells fresh pineapples.
The Mercado de Dulces y Artisenias is a great place to shop for pretty pouches and other gifts.
A woman walks through the back streets of San Cristóbal, shielding her head from the strong sun with an umbrella.
Many of the vintage Beetles in Mexico still boast beautiful paint jobs.
The streets of San Cristóbal wind up and down hills, around corners and out of sight.
San Cristóbal is known for its diverse cuisines, including the likes of this ceviche dish, served at a Peruvian restaurant.
On the 1.5-hour hike to el Arcotete, yards full of chickens are a common sight in the small hill pueblos.
Walk through zócalo on a weekend and you’re likely to encounter some free cultural performances, such as traditional, choreographed dances.
A handful of carts sell elotes — charred corn on the cob — along Real de Guadalupe, the town’s main drag.
Vendors sell chilies and spices at the Sunday market in Chamula, a small indigenous village near San Cristóbal.
Many of the buildings in San Cristóbal are bedecked with intricate street art.
The best pairing with espresso? This stunning morning view from Kukulpan bakery.
Street art, lining a row of casas on one of San Cristóbal’s side streets.
Vendors sell fresh peaches, piled into pyramid’s at the town’s municipal market.
The streetscape on Privada 20 de Noviembre.
A walk to el Arcotete, the big park on the outskirts of San Cristóbal, affords views of the city such as this one.
An ice cream shop on Real de Guadalupe in San Cristóbal.
A curious young girl residing in the hills on the edge of San Cristóbal waves at passersby.
Women catch up on a park bench in Parque de los Arcos across from zócalo.
Little winding mountain towns await hikers on the trek from the city center to el Arcotete.
A mountain dog wags his tail as he lounges outside of his casa.
San Cristóbal’s back streets are covered with creative street art.
A young man paints the rafters outside a business in San Cristóbal.
A Pisco sour at Peruano, a Peruvian restaurant in town.
Bags of beans and other legumes await shoppers at the Municipal market in San Cris.
An espresso at an early-opening hotel cafe on Real de Guadalupe. Most coffee shops in San Cristobal don’t open until 8 a.m. or later.
A noble pup sits ready to take the wheel if necessary.
The colorful back streets of San Cris.
A vendor sells peaches outside of the main municipal market.
The views from San Cristóbal wait around every and up every hill.
Korean-style bibimpap at Teddy’s Coffee Factory in San Cris, a town known for its diverse cuisine.
A black sheep mugs for the camera on the trek to el Arcotete, a big park on the edge of San Cris.
A woman cooks Chiapas cuisine at a stand near Barrio de Merced.
Climb the stairs to Iglesia de Guadalupe, and you’ll be treated to views such as this one.
San Cris boasts many French-style bakeries selling elaborate pastries, both sweet and savory.
El Arcotete features a massive cave as well as hiking opportunities and affordable zip lining.
Street performers stroll through zócalo, San Cristóbal’s main square.
The beautiful church at the center of Chamula, a small indigenous town near San Cristóbal. Photos inside are strictly forbidden.
Vendors sell dried shrimp and other goods in the Chamula Sunday market.
There are several ways to get to Chamula, including a horseback tour through woods, across a stream and up a still road.
Teddy’s Coffee Factory also serves a variety of Korean and Asian-fusion dishes.
Vendors sell ripe bananas in bunches in San Cristóbal’s main municipal market.
The beautiful Iglesia de Guadalupe awaits up a climb of 80 steps.
Rain is common in the late summer and early fall in San Cris. Prepare for quick downpours and sudden flooding!
The dueling terraces at the Airbnb guesthouse where I stayed in San Cris.
Teddy’s Coffee Factory also serves dishes like sushi rolls, though they are quite distinct from what you might find in Japan or the U.S.
Tok Tok Wok, an Asian fusion restaurant in San Cris, known for its diverse cuisine.
In San Cris, views wait around every corner.
The best mornings in San Cris start at Kukulpan, with their excellent espresso and pastries.
A woman walks down San Cristóbal’s back streets.
A small pup wanders through the hill towns near el Arcotete.
El Arcotete offers hikers meandering trails around the large cave.
Buildings in a hill town on the edges of San Cristóbal.
The best wood-fired pizza in town comes from El Punto Pizzeria — the location near El Cerrillo is the coziest.
San Cris is known for its beautiful Spanish colonial architecture and colorful windows and door frames.
Women sell clothes, blankets and scarves on Real de Guadalupe.
Those in the market can buy just about anything at the Municipal market, including whole chickens.
Most windows in San Cristóbal are bedecked with potted plants.
Kukulpan, a stellar bakery and coffee house gets filled quickly on most mornings.
A local busker plays the accordion for tips outside of La Viña de Bacco wine bar.
Narrow stone streets wind up hills and disappear into the horizon in San Cristóbal.
At Comida Thai, a restaurant boasting a Thai chef and self-proclaimed “slow food,” diners can find the likes of spring rolls, unusual in Mexico.
The views on the hike to el Arcotete are well worth the long stroll.
La Viña de Bacco, a wine bar boasting $1 glasses of wine, is among the most popular places in all of San Cris.
A home in the hills on the road to park el Arcotete.
The coffee culture in San Cristóbal, including shops like Carajillo, is top notch.
Snacks from a stand out side el Arcotete: a quesadilla and meat and cheese empanadas made with masa.
Breakfast at Frontera Artisan food and coffee in San Cris.
Street performers warm up on Real de Guadalupe.
There are plenty of small markets to find fresh produce around the center of San Cris.
The interior of Kukulpan coffee shop and bakery.
Colorful buildings line the back streets of San Cristobal.
One of the magnificent view during the climb up to Iglesia de Guadalupe.
Pedestrians walk down Real de Guadalupe.
Sheep graze in the small hill towns outside of the big park, el Arcotete.
A couple gets a moment alone, halfway up the 40 stairs to Iglesia de Guadalupe.
Real de Guadalupe, San Cristoabal’s main drag, is lined with cafes and wine bars.
Caldo de pollo from a market stand in the nearby town of Chamula.
Kids play in Parque de los Arcos.
A man carries souvenirs by Calle Miguel Hilalgo.
A vendor sells fresh break at the main municipal market.
Dancers perform in zócalo.
Tourists and locals walk down Calle Miguel Hidalgo.
Chilaquiles at Kukulpan.
Diners eat lunch at a stall in the main municipal market.
A young boy sings on a street corner for tips.
The courtyard at Frontera.
Because of its steepness, many streets in San Cristóbal have sections of stairs.
A truck hauls more produce into the main market in San Cris.
Typical Chiapas food at a small, nameless restaurant in the center.
A fresh salad — a rarity in Mexico — at Pizzeria el Punto
A family buys bananas at the municipal market
Throughout Mexico, vintage Beetles are very popular.
Street vendors sell pipes and jewelry along Real de Guadalupe.
The view from the road to Chamula.
In Chamula, native women wear black wool skirts.
Te Quieres Verde, a vegan cafe in San Cris.
Hungry for a cheap snack? Churros carts are all over the center in San Cris.
A man gets his shoes polished in the square.
Mangos for sale at the municipal market
Cafes and bars line the pedestrian-friendly Real de Guadalupe.
Vendors sell fresh produce and various pickled items at the Sunday market in Chamula.
A meeting of the elders on a Sunday afternoon in Chamula.
Two elders — identifiable because of the white tunics they wear — stroll through the square outside of the town’s church.
A vendor in Chamula sells dried shrimps.
Children play along the reflecting pool at Parque de los Arcos.
Vendors sell chilies and spices at the Sunday market in Chamula.
A woman buys market goods at the municipal mercado.
Fresh seafood, including crabs and whole fish are for sale at the municipal market.
El Arcotete, on the outskirts of San Cris, is known for its towering cave.
One of the options for traveling to Chamula is on horseback.
A woman makes fresh tortillas at the municipal market.
Vendors sell fresh churros — sugary fried dough.
A street vendor sells hats on the stroll into Chamula.
The municipal market is almost always packed with those seeking groceries.
Tianguis sell various artisan goods in San Cristóbal’s center.
San Cristóbal is known for its variety of cuisines, including restaurants like Falafel, which serves middle eastern fare.
