After spending some time in Tulum, on the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, we felt an urge to venture further into the country, specifically towards the Chiapas region, the highlands, and the city of San Cristobál de las Casas.

We took the bus from Tulum and headed south towards the border with Belize, then continued west. We drove most of the night and arrived the next day, filled with anticipation.

All fatigue was left behind as the city revealed itself with its colored houses, indigenous people, and the smell of burning smoke in the otherwise clear and cool mountain air.

There is a busy vibe in San Cristobal de las Casas
There is a busy vibe in San Cristobal de las Casas

San Cristobál, former capital of the Chiapas region, now regarded as the cultural capital of Chiapas.

The city captivated us with its numerous beautiful houses painted in the wildest colors.

Wherever our eyes wandered, we were greeted with the most enchanting combinations of green shades, pink and yellow, blue, orange, and indigo…

Nice car in San Cristobal de las Casas
Nice car in San Cristobal de las Casas

The churches were scattered throughout the streets, and it was a joy to step inside.

Adorned with golden garlands, glitter, and banners that hung as if celebrating every day and everyone who passed by.

People gathered around the squares, and the locals were in town to sell their crafts.

Woman with boy, San Cristobal de las Casas
Woman with boy, San Cristobal de las Casas

San Cristobál was one of the adventures we hadn’t seen or planned. Even though the Lonely Planet guidebook was on the table, it was the long walks around the city, the markets, and the incredibly beautiful people that now reside in our memories, shining like the fireflies that accompanied our bus there at night.

  San Cristóbal de las Casas, Yucatán, Mexico