Top Things to do in San Cristobal de las Casas
Top Restaurants in San Cristobal de las Casas
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Things to do in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas: The Best Specialty Museums
A stronghold of Mayan culture, San Cristóbal’s colonial stucco walls and Spanish tile roofs contrast with the surrounding villages, which remain home to an array of Mayan-descendant Indians. The city itself is a delight. Paired with the cultural diversity surrounding it, there’s nothing like it in Mexico.
Restaurants in San Cristobal de las Casas
1. Steps in San Cristobal
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 93 reviews
Steps is a story museum and a NGO, recording the stories and culture of indigenous and help local children with basic education. Here we also offer different events for people to know more about real indigenous culture: 1. Cooking Workshop, workshop of traditional indigenous cuisine everyday at 11:00 AM, to learn how to make tortillas, quesadillas and pozol in community-style, from scratch (day menu, 150 MXN) 2. Story Time, to know more about indigenous culture, legend, lifestyle and ceremony, everyday at 15:00 pm in english and 17:00 pm in spanish. (on donation) 3. Cooking Workshop, workshop of traditional indigenous cuisine everyday at 19:00 PM, to learn how to make tamales, ponche (an indigenous cocktail) and sauce in community-style, from scratch. (night menu, 250 MXN) All the donation we receive directly go to the community to help indigenous children.
Reviewed By SophieP930 - London, United Kingdom
Had the honour of attending both story time and the cooking class here. Story time with Ivan (run by donation only, we donated 100 pesos per person as it lasted nearly three amazing hours) was an incredible experience- a chance to chat one on one (well there was four of us in the group) with a Mexican which spoke honestly and candidly about the traditions, rituals, trials and tribulations of the Mexican people and indiginous communities. The cooking class with Laura carried on in a similar vein, with education more focused on the food traditions, cooking techniques and stories from history. We made sweet and savory tamales, a Mexican salsa/ sauce to accompany and a hot fruit punch. We were also given a glass of POX to toast our meal with. This was around three and a half hours and is billed at 200 pesos per person but we tipped an additional 50 as its such an amazing personal experience. All the money raised from both story time and the cooking classes goes to the projects Steps helps run within the indiginous communities, so it felt good to put your money there. If going, I'd recommend you chdck out the church of Chemal first- alot of the stories are based on this experience. Absolutely amazing- the reason you go travelling is for experiences like Steps provided.
2. Corazon de Jade, Museo Jardin
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
An old house from the 18th century with a beautiful garden which once belonged to two anthropologists from the US and now forms part of a civil association called Pronatura Sur, that works in the field of environmental conservation. The space offers the oportunity to learn about region medicinal plants, have a cup of organic coffee and enjoy the tranquility of the garden in the midst of the city.
3. Museo Del Cafe
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Este es un espacio cultural que se encuentra en el Centro Histórico de San Cristóbal de las Casas. Su objetivo es mostrar al público la historia del café desde su origen, su llegada a Chiapas, así como el proceso de organización de los pequeños productores de la región. El Café Museo permite el encuentro de diversas expresiones culturales, enfocado a la promoción del consumo de café orgánico.
4. Templo de Santo Domingo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,022 reviews
This 16th-century baroque church dominates one of the town's main plazas.
Reviewed By origamimoon
This is one of my favorite places to spend time. There are always interesting vendors to buy handmade arts and crafts from. The inside of the Templo is a quiet place to sit and rest in with time to think.
5. Asociacion Cultural Na Bolom
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 570 reviews
The former home of Frans and Trudy Blom, a Danish couple that worked to save the region's forests and native inhabitants, is now the headquarters of a foundation dedicated to continuing their work and also includes a museum.
Reviewed By 56MandM - Edmonton, Canada
Na Bolom is a few blocks off the main tourist areas of San Cris and a world away in terms of history, culture, art. This is a museum and gallery where you feel connected to the exhibits and the people that collected them. You can feel the love, passion and inspiration all around you, in the walls, beautiful courtyards and gardens. The personal items give you a sense of the very real people that called this home. Their important work continues in the association they left behind, the Na Bolom Cultural Centre. Definitely worth a visit. The restaurant is excellent too, for breakfast, lunch or dinner. One of the highlights of our trip to Mexico.
6. Museo de Trajes Regionales de Sergio Castro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
An important private collection of traditional Mayan textiles which were given to the owner, Sergio Castro, in thanks for his tireless work for the people of Chiapas. The exhibit includes very rare ceremonial costumes from many communities in Chiapas and are a sign of the high esteem the people have for Don Sergio.Personal tours can be arranged by calling Sergio Castro and scheduling an appointment. Tours are conducted in English, French, Italian and Spanish.Visitors are asked to make a donation to help support Sergio Castro's work of building schools and clean water systems and providing wound care to people with serious burns. Sergio does not accept money from the people he helps and instead uses donations from visitors to the museum to buy building materials and medical supplies
Reviewed By R5457FCsandys - Albuquerque, United States
My visit to this gem of a small museum ranks among the most interesting, instructive and moving experiences of my month in San Cristobal de las Casas. It was well worth seeking out the location several blocks from the main plaza. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ADDRESS IS GUADALUPE VICTORIA 38, not Gokomachi 6. There is no sign on the building, only the number "38" and the double wooden doors. Ranged around a courtyard where Dr. Sergio Castro holds his medical clinic treating indigenous patients, the collection he assembled over decades is both attractively displayed and clearly and succinctly explicated. Some of the textiles are antique; many are exquisite. All are arranged as complete outfits worn by people of various Chiapas villages -- everything from official attire to Carnival costumes and wedding clothes. Beneath every outfit is a sign identifying its traditional purpose, the name of the village, and the main occupations particular to its men and women. For example, I learned that the main industry of Zinacantan is cultivation of flowers. In several of the villages, men as well as women wear floral embroidery. Displayed above the outfits are photos showing their use. Another room adjacent to the courtyard displays spears, knives and other implements. Yet another contains photos and newspaper clippings. Taken as a whole, this collection was superior to better-known Na Bolom. One reason was that the focus was on the people whose traditions were presented, rather than on the collector. Another reason was that as I admired this fascinating cultural display, treating myself to two circuits through it, Dr. Sergio Castro continued treating his patients -- with obvious respect as well as with skill and compassion. I never picked up even a whiff of condescension -- not in the arrangement of this fine collection, not in his manner toward his patients.
7. Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 387 reviews
Reviewed By lfreede - The Woodlands, United States
A wonderful collection of textiles. If you love textiles, be sure to give yourself time to really take a look and enjoy. The museum shop is not always open when it says so I missed the opportunity to make several purchases before I had to leave. I would definitely go back to visit!!
8. Museo Centro Cultural Altos de Chiapas
9. Museo del Ambar, Lilia Mijangos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 126 reviews
Reviewed By L3127MSvictors
This museum is very interesting and you can discover a different universe in a piece of amber. it`s a good experience.
10. Museo del Ambar
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 515 reviews
This small amber museum has a cheap gift shop with various objects made from amber.
Reviewed By R5457FCsandys - Albuquerque, United States
The museum was attractive and informative. The young woman at the ticket counter handed me an English language overview of the history of amber, worldwide and in the region, and of the 18th Century ex-convent housing the museum. I was especially struck by the description of the efforts to restore the building to its original structure and design – a particular challenge, since it had served as everything from a convent to a municipal jail. The museum presented a good balance between explanatory material (in Spanish) and ample examples of amber, from its raw state to elaborate carvings, including a marimba, a Rolls Royce and a pair of sunglasses with amber lenses. Attached to well-lit cases displaying examples of amber-encased insects and plants were magnifying glasses. At one end of the exhibit space, a video with English subtitles showed an artisan transforming a piece of raw amber into a small replica of an American football. The museum included a gift shop selling amber jewelry and carvings. Although these were undoubtedly genuine, they couldn’t compete with the museum-worthy pieces I had just seen.
