Where To Stay In San Cristobal de las Casas (Neighborhood Guide)

Trying to figure out where to stay in San Cristobal de las Casas?

Matthew and I lived in San Cristobal for 2.5 months as digital nomads. This magical pueblo surprised us in the best ways (after living in Playa del Carmen)!

San Cristóbal de las Casas is a charming, picturesque town nestled in the mountains of Chiapas, a southern state in Mexico. As a Pueblo Mágico, it’s known for its vibrant architecture, cobblestone streets and rich cultural heritage.

This colonial gem is incredibly walkable, you can explore the town center in as little as 30 minutes by foot making it easy to see and explore to your heart’s content.

Planning your trip to San Cris (as the locals call it) begins with choosing the perfect place to stay.

After checking out the neighborhoods, we’ve narrowed it down for you! Here’s our complete guide on where to stay in San Cristobal de las Casas to help you have the best trip!

Top Picks: San Cristobal‘s Best Neighborhoods For Everyone

San Cristobal can be divided by the north, east, south and west neighborhoods of the town. Each area in San Cristobal has its own unique characteristics, whether your looking to experience the exciting food and drinks scene – or you’re looking to enjoy a quiet getaway as a couple or family in the mountains.

Read on for our San Cristobal de las Casas neighorhood guide, including affordable accommodation within the best areas to stay.

Let’s look at each of these neighborhoods in-depth to get a realistic idea of where you’re staying. There’s a few considerations to take into account including things to do, restaurants, bars and the best accommodation for the type of people who will love the area the most!

Need a whole guide on San Cristobal? Read our comprehensive guide on living in San Cristobal de las Casas, which we have compiled after 2.5 months living there as digital nomads.

Where To Stay In San Cristobal de las Casas: Neighborhood Guide

This neighborhood guide shares the accommodation and hotel options focused on one thing: LOCATION!

Even though San Cristobal is walkable, where you end up staying can determine the things you do in San Cristobal de las Casas and where you spend the most time.

After living in San Cristobal for 2.5 months, these are the best neighborhoods we recommend you stay in and the top places to stay based on extensive reviews and our experience in each neighborhood. Enjoy!

Centro Historico Neighborhood First-timers Short Stays

Centro Historico is the area we recommend anyone staying if it’s their first time to San Cris and staying less than 3 days.

This is the most central location in San Cristobal de las Casas so Centro Historico is the best neighborhood for sightseeing. This area is filled with cafes, restaurants and bars right outside your hotel. We enjoyed walking through here after dinner because of the energy and atmosphere.

Located in the middle is the famous, La Viña de Bacco, a wine bar where a glass only costs $1.65 USD. We loved coming here for the vibes and free popcorn! And only 5 minutes away, you have stunning San Cristobal Cathedral.

Honestly, this is a busy and crowded street in the afternoons and evenings. Our friend, Andrea, stayed along in the middle of Centro Historico and struggled to have a good night’s sleep because of the street noise outside his window.

Best hotel in Centro Historico: Sombra del Agua

Sombra del Agua is a dreamy hotel with comfortable rooms and a beautiful, colonial style courtyard. This highly-rated hotel is a historic monument dating back to 1907 with a modern touch to keep you comfortable.

We stayed at Sombra del Agua for 2 nights to kick off our time in San Cris. It was the perfect landing spot to get acquainted, it’s located in the middle of Centro Historico and it’s a cozy place to call home for a few nights.

For my birthday we dined at the hotel restaurant, Tarumba. The cold weather, cozy fireplace and amazing friends was just the right spot for a special occasion!

Sombra del Agua is slightly more expensive but you do get your money’s worth. It’s an iconic hotel for less than $100. We suggest to book in advance for the best price and the best rooms.

I can’t rave enough about this hotel and 100% would stay again!

Budget hotel in Centro Historico: Casa de los Arcángeles

This highly rated (9.2) hotel is a great option for anyone who wants to stay central and stick to a budget. The rooms feature large beds and private bathrooms.

You don’t have to sacrifice comfort even when the price is very affordable at Casa de los Arcángeles. You get access to a beautiful courtyard to relax after a day of touring San Cristobal.

Barrio El Cerrillo Neighborhood Best for Nomads Longer Stays Quiet

El Cerrillo is the neighborhood we recommend anyone to stay in because you’re close to all the action but far enough away for a good night’s sleep.

If you stay in El Cerillo, there’s easy access to great cafes, restaurants around the corner. And you’re only ever a 5-10 minute walk to trhe main street — Real de Guadalupe.

The local craft and artisan market is a must-visit in San Cristobal. Countless hours are spent producing a beautiful bag or souvenir made by the indigenous people in the area. I got 2 great coin wallets from this market and it’s just so unique!

On the way to the market, you can’t miss the famous landmarks in San Cris — Santo Domingo Church with an intricately designed facade.

San Cristobal is an affordable travel destination and the accommodation reflects that! You can stay in beautiful, colonial style hotels for a great price. The most important thing is to book in advance, especially since the unique properties sell out quicker!

Here are two of the best-priced options for accommodation in the El Cerrillo neighborhood.

Best hotel in El Cerrillo: Guayaba Inn Boutique Hotel

The Guyaba Inn Boutique Hotel is the place we recommend in the El Cerrillo neighborhood. There’s a lot of reasons why — the property is unique with the beautiful, colonial style rooms (perfect for a getaway). You have access to the outdoor gardens, sauna and it comes with breakfast.

The location is walkable with the Casa Na Bolom Museum right next door. Our favorite cafe in the area, Frontera Artisan Coffee, that serves local beans is nearby. It’s also located near the best “menu del dia” (menu of the day) lunch at Sarajevo Cafe Jardin.

You’re only a 10 minute walk to Real de Guadalupe and 15 minutes away from most sightseeing. In the evening, it’s the perfect escape from all the hustle and bustle of the center. For what you get, we’d say this is great value for money!

Budget hotel in El Cerrillo: Hotel PenPen

Hotel Penpen is great for anyone who is sticking to a budget and wants to stay closer to the center. This highly rated hotel (9.2) is very affordable but at the same time you get a comfortable, private stay.

Barrio de Guadalupe Neighborhood Foodie Paradise Sunset Views

The Barrio de Guadalupe neighborhood is located a few blocks above the main walking street. It’s great for anyone who doesn’t want to stay in zona centro but still be close enough (5-10 minute walk) to it.

From budget friendly eats to gourmet dining, there’s plenty of options in the Real de Guadalupe neighborhood. If you don’t mind walking up the hills, trek up the 76 steps to Guadalupe Church for the best views over the city. Sit on the steps, relax and enjoy the quiet atmosphere here.

On our restaurant guide in San Cristobal, a lot of them can be found in this neighborhood! Some recommendations are Sapporo & Tokio Ramen and Restaurante Falafel.

Best hotel in Barrio de Guadalupe: Hotel Ocho Barrios

Hotel Ocho Barrios (aka Posada Ocho Barrios) is great for anyone who wants to stay in the Real de Guadalupe neighborhood. There’s a lot to love about this place — from the colonial style architecture with traditional elements to the spacious rooms and private garden area with seating.

The location is great. You’re just a short stroll from the Guadalupe Church, it’s easy enough for you to watch the sunset from here. Only a 12-minute walk from Central Plaza & Park, Hotel Ocho Barrios is close enough to the city center but far enough away for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Value for money is unbeatable at Hotel Ocho Barrios! With such a high rating (9.4), very affordable price and breakfast included, we’d say it’s a fantastic option!

Budget hotel in Barrio de Guadalupe: Coffee Bean Hostel

Usually, we don’t recommend hostels but Coffee Bean Hostel stood out to us. This cozy, spacious hostel has both dorm rooms (for insanely cheap prices <$15 per night) but also private rooms for more comfortable stays!

Coffee Bean Hostel’s amenities are a share kitchen, comfortable seating area to work and even a billiard table! Nearby you can walk to Black Dragon, a coffee shop with specialty coffee. Restaurante La Lupe is only a 5 minute walk from Coffee Bean Hostel which has a great menu del dia.

Honestly, the price at Coffee Bean Hostel is unbeatable. If you enjoy the hostel atmosphere, this is a great choice in the Real de Guadalupe neighborhood.

Barrio de la Merced Neighborhood Best for Backpackers On a budget

Barrio de la Merced is the neighborhood we recommend for those sticking to a budget. The cost of living in San Cristobal is relatively low but it still helps to stay in this area.This area sits at the base of a hill with a great spot to people-watch: Plaza de la Merced and a stunning rotunda in the middle of the park.

Nearby you can walk to San Cristobalito Church and Iglesia de la Merced, beautiful churches with interesting architecture. Although this area doesn’t have lots of cafe or restaurant options, the main walking street (Real de Guadalupe) is only a 5-10 minute walk away.

For digital nomads especially, this isn’t the best area because you’re further from cafes and coworking spaces located in the north and northeast side of San Cristobal. That said, Barrio de la Merced is a quieter and more budget-friendly neighborhood for backpackers traveling through.

If you love museums, you’ve got plenty to see in La Merced: Amber Museum, Museum of Popular Culture of Chiapas and the Museum of History and Curiosities of San Cristobal.

Best hotel in Barrio de la Merced: Hotel La Casa de Mamá

Hotel La Casa de Mamá is our top pick in the Barrio de Guadalupe neighborhood. The amenities include private rooms, a courtyard and garden area plus a swimming pool (super rare in San Cris).

The value for money is unbeatable. Since you’re staying a little further away, you get more bang for your buck at Hotel La Casa de Mama.

You’re only a 5-10 minute walk to spots like Oh La La! Cafe, a french patisserie serving the best pastries in town.

With its quiet atmosphere and proximity to the main attractions, Hotel La Casa de Mamá is great value for your stay in San Cristobal.

Best budget stay in Barrio de la Merced: La Embajada Hostel San Cristobal

La Embajada Hostel is a great choice for budget travelers in San Cristobal. You can book both dorm rooms and private rooms at La Embajada for a low price.

The laid-back vibes and wonderful staff will make you want to stay longer. There’s common areas perfect for socializing and making friends!

La Embajada Hostel is close to popular bars like Cafe Bar 500 Noches and the main walking street. For the price and location, it’s a great option in the Barrio de la Merced neighborhood!

Barrio de los Mexicanos Best for Digital Nomads Coliving

Barrio de los Mexicanos is the neighborhood we stayed in for 2.5 months! Located on the north side of town, its more laid-back and quiet — ideal if you’re looking for a chill stay in San Cristobal de las Casas.

We found a beautiful apartment hotel with a tranquil courtyard. This area is located in the north side of San Cristobal de las Casas. It’s a 10-15 minute walk to Real de Guadalupe street so it’s further from the center but it’s very peaceful!

We felt super safe and there was barely any road noise on our street. Barrio de los Mexicanos is only of the oldest neighborhoods in San Cristobal and the architecture of the houses reflect that.

The value for money is great in Barrio de los Mexicanos. They tend to have bigger haciendas and spacious courtyard gardens. If you don’t mind being a further walk from town, this is an ideal neighborhood!

Best hotel in Barrio de los Mexicanos: Hotel Bo

Hotel Bo is our top pick for a luxurious stay in San Cristobal de las Casas. This 5-star hotel is located in Barrio de los Mexicanos, boasting a stylish blend of modern design with Chiapas culture.

This property is a true gem with a high attention to detail and friendly service. The courtyard area is dreamy filled with flowers, a perfect place to relax and unwind.

From the unassuming front door, you’ll enter the gourmet dining area. Matthew and I spent our Valentine’s dinner at Hotel Bo. The staff made it feel very special with candles, lovely staff and a romantic setting!

Everything about Hotel Bo exudes luxury at a fair price! That’s why it’s ideal for anyone looking for a luxurious getaway at a very unique property in Mexico. Book in advance because the best rooms sell out quick!

Best hacienda in Barrio de los Mexicanos: Hotel Kukurutz Residencia

We stayed in Hotel Kukurutz Residencia for 2.5 months. This colonial style hacienda was exactly the kind of stay we were looking for. The staff are lovely and we got daily cleaning. Such a highlight!

When you stay at Kukurutz Residencia, you get access to a beautiful garden area. Our apartment patio was facing the garden and it was perfect for quiet mornings in San Cris!

Most apartments are 1-2 bedrooms which are spacious, including a fireplace feature and a kitchen to cook if you stay longer. We recommend booking in advance if you want the apartment with a garden view.

Best coliving in Barrio de los Mexicanos: Co.404 Coliving & Coworking Space

Co.404 is the best coliving space in San Cristobal de las Casas. Located in the Barrio de los Mexicanos neighborhood, just around the block from where we stayed. We met the owners who are lovely and passionate about building a solid digital nomad community.

You can choose from dorm style rooms to private rooms for a comfortable stay. Included in your room, you’re free to use the coworking space and common areas like a shared kitchen and garden area.

If you want to socialize, this is the perfect place! When you arrive, you join a Whatsapp chat sharing cool events happening throughout the week. DM them on Instagram to book or check out their website.

So, Where To Stay In San Cristobal de las Casas?

Barrio El Cerrillo is the best overall neighborhood to stay in San Cristobal de las Casas.

Located only 10 minutes to the main walking street, Real de Guadalupe, you have great bars and restaurants in close proximity! Besides that, El Cerrillo is a quieter neighborhood so you can sleep well and still be close enough to the heart of the town.

Barrio Real de Guadalupe and Centro Historic are great neighborhoods for first-visitors to San Cristobal. For long-term stays, Barrio de la Merced and Barrio de los Mexicanos is the ideal area.

We loved our stay in San Cristobal! Everyone was so friendly – we didn’t pass anyone on the streets without saying “bueno dias” in the mornings. And there’s just so much to do and explore nearby!

No matter where you stay in San Cristobal de las Casas, you’re bound to fall in with the charming locals, intricate architecture and rich culture that keeps you want to revisit.

Frequently Asked Questions