What to do & where to dine in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas
*Please take in mind that this trip was not a regular touristy vacation.
It was my second time in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas; but had a different mindset towards this vacation. It was not going to be the usual adventurous vacation, but a more intimate one - but not romantically. Fortunate enough, it was a granddaughter-grandma trip. My grandma from my Dad’s side was born here 83 years ago, and it was the first trip to her hometown with her only two granddaughters. We walked throughout the heart of San Cristobal, dined in the trendiest places - where she showed us b&w pictures from back in the day, talked us through her childhood, and even visited the house where she was born in.
Our 5 day vacation pretty much involved late cocktails, playing cards, walking around the colonial town, dining regional food, buying crafts, laughing to old-intimate stories, and meeting old relatives and family members.
Feel free to check out the highlights of the trip below:
1. Visit Church and former Convent of Santo Domingo:
The religious complex was built in the seventeenth century, and it is known for its Baroque expression in its facade. The church is overloaded with ornamented figures and it known for being one of the most decorated of Mexican colonial art.
Santo Domingo Ex-Convent
Religious Complex from the 17th Century.
2. Visit Museo de Los Altos de Chiapas
On the western side of the Church, there is a regional museum and the excellent Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya exhibition.
Museo de los Altos
3. Visit the Artisan Market:
The Artisan Market of San Cristobal is known for the Indigenous textile-makers and artists that expose their incredible artwork for tourists to buy. This markets is filled with vibrant colorful handcrafts - from handbags, clothes, to amber jewelry.
Artisan Market
Indigenous artwork
4. Dine at LUM Restaurant
Chefs: Daniela Mier y Joaquín Iturralde.
Out of 5 nights in San Cristobal, 2 of them were at LUM Restaurant - that good.
Some of the memorable dishes and cocktails were the following:
Beef tongue tacos
roasted in spices and sweet chili sauce and hoja santa leaf-flavored tortilla
Mushroom broth
spinach, guajillo chili, ginger and epazote leaf
Bendito Mezcal
5. Visit the Amber Museum
More than 350 classified pieces are exhibited, which complement each one of the subjects that explain the origin of amber, formation, location of the deposits, extraction, commercialization, ancient uses and current amber.
Amber Museum
More than 350 classified pieces
6. Visit “Las Pichanchas”
It is a gastronomical and cultural experience. You’ll listen the marimba playing in the background. In the evening, a multicolored regional dance show begins, where all the audience participates. Don't miss the pozol, a very cold Pumpo (traditional home-made drink) or a tascalate with milk - mandatory regional drinks.
Las Pichanchas
Gastronomical and Cultural Experience
7. Lunch at Tierra y Cielo
Chef Marta Zepeda:
Ocosingo Ball Cheese stuffed with jamaica tinga in tomato sauce
Café de olla ice cream with cardamom meringue
Chocolate tamal with sour atole
Chamorro in asado coleto
