Is San Cristobal de Las Casas Safe? 2024 Chiapas Safety Guide

Welcome to our San Cristóbal de las Casas safety guide.

Nestled up in the mountains of Chiapas, this town has become a staple among most travelers who backpack through Mexico.

Here we can enjoy both a cooler climate, along with a more relaxed pace of life. San Cristóbal also offers a gateway into meeting the many mysterious tribes from Chiapas, some of which (like the Tzotzil) still thrive here today.

San Cristóbal de las Casas Quick Summary:

📍 Where is it: Southern Mexico
🗺 Difficulty Getting There: Moderate
⏱ Time needed: 3-5 Days
☀️ Best Time to Visit: March/April

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What's in this guide?

Is San Cristóbal de las Casas Safe?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you’ll need to know about Safety in San Cristóbal de las Casas as a backpacker or traveler.

We’ll look at all the different factors, our top safety tips, other useful information as well as an FAQ section where we answer your key questions.

July 2023 Update: The town itself is safe for travelers to head to, especially when basing yourself in the historic center (near the Zócalo). Even the areas outside are good, although they’re better for the more experienced travelers who are used to real Mexican culture (working life, poverty and the local culture which may be a bigger shock for the newer travelers).

Whilst Los Zetas Cartel is still prominent throughout the region, it’s unlikely you’ll meet them unless you go looking for drugs. Even if you did by accident, then just comply and you’ll be on your way without an issue.

We would advise any travelers who are thinking of heading to San Cristóbal de las Casas to prepare properly before arriving, and to get in touch with us where we can offer more guidance.

Is San Cristóbal de las Casas Safe Right Now?

Quick Answer: San Cristóbal de las Casas on the whole is a really safe town to visit, and you’ll notice this more when coming from big cities like Tuxtla Gutiérrez or Mexico City. Whilst there is a small risk of pickpocketing, the area is safe for travelers to explore during both the day and night.

The biggest risks actually occur when heading outside of town to explore the Chiapas region. These include bad roads, drug cartel activity as well as using unreliable tour operators. Those heading to Sumidero Canyon will highly benefit from joining this day tour, which uses reputable staff, boats and guides who know the area really well.

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Where to Stay in San Cristóbal de las Casas

The Zócalo and nearby streets (Calle Francisco F. Madero and Calle Profesora Maria Adelina Flores – a mouthful, we know…) are the very best for tourists to stay in.

Here we’ll find tons of accommodation options, restaurants and a warm, lively atmosphere.
If you’re on a budget then we recommend staying at Hostal La Isla for low-cost comfort.

Just a couple of blocks from the main square, you’ll be staying in a super chilled-out space which boasts a garden and terrace. They also do local events too such as a native cacao ceremony.

If you’re after a more luxurious experience, then the Casa Zennia Hotel is a great option. Here you’ll be staying in a sleek private room with a mountain view, close to all of the major attractions.

Things to do in San Cristóbal de las Casas

San Cristóbal is known for its warm and friendly center, and you’ll most likely spend most of your time here exploring the sites. Some of the best include the church of San Cristóbalito as well as the main cathedral in the zócalo.

You’ll also want to visit the Casa Na Bolom to learn more about the ancient communities who still thrive in the area to this day.

Nearby to town we can also head to Sumidero Canyon, which easily makes our top 20 must-sees in Mexico! With near-vertical walls of over 1000m on each side, you’ll feel like you’re in a prehistoric film set when riding along the river below.

On this day tour you’ll also get to see lots of wildlife too, such as American Crocodiles and Spider Monkeys.

Lastly we have the further afield regions throughout Chiapas, which can easily be explored on day trips from San Cristóbal. One of the very best has to be Agua Azul Waterfalls, which is a series of bright blue cascades hidden within the jungle.

You can only get here with a tour, and we highly recommend this all-inclusive day trip which also includes a visit to the ancient ruins of Palenque.

Is San Cristóbal de las Casas Safe to Visit?

San Cristóbal de las Casas Travel Warnings

The only real warning is for when traveling outside of town, especially when heading deeper into the Chiapas region (more off the beaten path).

This is because the Los Zetas Cartel operates here, who are a powerful influence throughout the mountains and countryside.

Another risk is the water. Getting sick in Mexico is common amongst the travel community and there is no exception here. San Cristóbal doesn’t treat their public water systems, so please don’t drink the tap water. It’s a good idea to get vaccinated to prevent issues of this kind or others, so it’s worth speaking to your doctor to find out what you need.

Crime in San Cristóbal de las Casas

One of the benefits of heading here is that it’s a traditional mountainous town, which in Mexico (and much of Latin America) tends to have stronger community roots.

This means crime rates are much lower compared to the rest of the country, and is often driven out quicker than other areas such as along the coast.

This also means there’s hardly any drug cartel operations within the town, so associated violence is extremely rare (also when it has happened, it’s between rival factions or those who get involved in the drug business).

The usual incidents that occur here are pickpocketing, especially when tourists get overly drunk at night and lose awareness of their surroundings.

You’ll also want to take care when heading into local markets too, and as such we recommend investing in this Money Belt to keep your valuables safely hidden away whilst out and about.

Safety in San Cristóbal de las Casas during the day

During the day you’ll feel safe to walk around pretty much everywhere here, and we felt the same when visiting too. Just remember to keep valuables like your wallet in your front pocket, since you never know who’s about.

Aside from this there’s no other real risks, and the chance of any serious crime happening (such as being assaulted) is very low.

San Cristóbal de las Casas Safety at Night

The safety situation at night is also pretty good, and you can enjoy the many restaurants and bars that start to get busy by the late afternoon.

The area around the Zócalo is usually fine, however if you’re planning on more than just a few beers then it’s better to head out in a group so you can be taken home (thieves will target overly drunk people since they’re easy pickings).

Non-touristy areas are okay, as long as you know where you’re going and dress down. This also means to avoid wearing expensive jewelry or walking with your phone in your hand.

7 Safety Tips for San Cristóbal de las Casas

Below we will list 7 of our top safety tips for when heading to San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Eat in Clean (or busy) Restaurants

This one comes straight from our experience, where I (George) ended up getting food poisoning here. Whilst most places are fine, it’s always worth following where locals eat since they can vet which places have good quality – or at least don’t make customers sick!

Use Reputable Tour Companies

This is especially important when heading to Sumidero Canyon, where there have been boat crashes in the past (mostly due to inexperienced operators). We highly recommend this reputable day tour, which includes a safe driver, knowledgeable local guides and transport to and from your accommodation.

Dress Down

Whilst pickpocketing is less likely here (mountainous villages are generally more relaxed), it definitely helps to dress in a more humble fashion. Not only do you avoid less attention from any potential thief, you’ll also be able to relax more as you don’t stick out so much!

Don’t forget Travel Insurance

Like anywhere you visit, there’s always a risk which you’d rather be prepared for (unless you don’t mind forking out for the bill). I (George) can remember the several-hundred dollar bill I got after a night stay in hospital – very glad to have taken out insurance before to say the least.

World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

Only Drink Bottled Water

No matter where you visit in Mexico, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to drinking water (given water systems are rarely ever treated). We recommend buying sealed bottles of water to keep you hydrated, and throwing them out after a few days.

Know the Risks of Independent Travel

As previously mentioned, the state of Chiapas is known for the notorious drug cartel of Las Zetas, and some travelers have bumped into them at road blocks when driving through the more remote parts of the state. If getting off the beaten path, then just remember to be nice and comply, and you’ll have no issues.

Stay within the Historic Center

This is the safest part of the city, where all the major attractions and amenities are located. Whilst assault and crimes are low in the city, there’s definitely a bigger risk when exploring outside this zone at night (crimes associated with the Motonetos group).

San Cristóbal de las Casas Safety FAQ Guide:

Here are some questions our readers ask when it comes to visiting San Cristóbal:

Can you get altitude sickness in San Cristóbal de las Casas?

San Cristóbal de las Casas is located up at an altitude of 2100m, which is generally okay for most travelers. There is a possibility of developing altitude sickness symptoms like a headache or nausea, but it’s very unlikely here (and if you do get it, it will be very mild).

Can you drink the water in San Cristóbal de las Casas?

100% no! Tap water (and anything else given to you where you didn’t see the original source) should be avoided, since public water systems aren’t treated. This means you can easily get sick with bacterial or parasitic infections. Sticking to bottled water is a much more sensible choice.

How many days do you need in San Cristóbal de las Casas?

For most travelers, between 3-5 days is enough to see all of the highlights and enjoy the mountainous town for its tranquil and humble scenes. You could easily spend a week here if you’re traveling slower, or even more if enrolling in a Spanish school here.

Is it safe to drive from San Cristóbal to Palenque?

This stretch of road is known to be one of the most dangerous in Mexico (unofficially), mostly due to the winding mountain roads and lack of safety. If you’re not comfortable driving then it’s completely safe to take the public buses, whose drivers are used to this as they pass the route daily.

Is San Cristóbal de las Casas Safe? Final Words

And that’s all for our guide on how to stay safe in San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Known for its rural atmosphere and proximity to Sumidero Canyon, San Cristóbal de las Casas is a great stop for travelers heading through Southern Mexico.

The safety situation here is also pretty good, and we recommend following our basic tips outlined above to keep yourself safe (mostly food and water precautions).

In this guide, we’ve explored the current safety situation in San Cristóbal de las Casas, which includes the areas to avoid, as well as any current travel advisories.

As well as looking at the best things to do in San Cristóbal de las Casas, we’ve also included our FAQ which answers your most burning questions.

While you’re still here, read our Chiapas Itinerary for more tips and travel inspiration.

👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.

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