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San Cristobal de las Casas
Country: Mexico.

Since its foundation in 1528 up to now, San Cristóbal de las Casas has had ten different names. San Cristóbal (the saint) is the protector of the travelers, it would seem that it is one of reasons of the great affluence of travelers to this city.

The Ciudad Real de Chiapa (the name of San Cristóbal in 1536 when city was declared as such), consisted of only two areas: the enclosure and the neighborhood. The enclosure was the center and it embraced some blocks around the biggest square. It was occupied by Spanish families and the servitude. The neighborhood (barrio) was the area around the convent of La Merced populated by Indians, mestizos and mulattos. Around the city there were six neighborhoods of Indians: Mexicanos, Tlaxcala, San Antonio, San Diego and Cuxtitali which were founded in 1528. The first three were inhabited by"Indian friends" of Tlaxcala, Mexico and Oaxaca who came with Diego Mazariegos to conquer these lands. The last two by Guatemalan Indians. The sixth neighborhood, the Cerrillo, was founded in 1549, when the abolition of slavery was proclaimed and it was founded by zoques, tzotziles and tzetales families.

What to visit?

* The Cathedral built in 1528, dedicated to San Cristóbal.

* The Torre del Carmen, originally part of a convent of nuns erected in 1597.

* Casa de las Artesanías y Museo Etnográfico. (Open 10:00-20:00 on Niños Heroes street corner with Hidalgo, near the Torre del Carmen.)

* The house of Na Bolom the archaeologist's Frans Blom and his wife Gertrude Duby-Blom, now museum and headquarters of the Association Na Bolom that works for the Lacandones. It can only be visited in guided tour at 11:30 or 16:30, adminsiion fee $25 pesos.

* The Museum of the Amber, next to the church of La Merced. Tuesday to Sundays from 10:00-14:00 and 16:00 to 19:00 hours. Cost for students $10 pesos.

* Leñateros workshop, learn how to recycle paper by hand.

* Community Museum of Traditional Medicine OMIECH.

* The Reserve of Huitepec only 15 minutes away from San Cristóbal de las Casas.

* Convent of Santo Domingo and the Market of Crafts.

* The Cultural Feminist Center "La Luna Creciente". (Calle Cristobal Colón 9)

* Cooperative Maya Ik' (Calle Real of Guadalupe 69)

* Network of Community Tourism. For tours with a different and socially conscious focus. (Real de Mexicanos 16, Barrio Mexicanos)

Where to stay and eat?

* Café Museo Café - Cultural Center, Museum about the Coffee and representation of COOPCAFE A.C. An ideal place for a good cup of organic coffee from Chiapas. (CAlle María Adelina Flores 10).

* La Casa del Pan - vegetarian restaurant with live music every day at 20:00 o'clock. (Calle Dr. Navarro 10, Barrio El Cerrillo)

* Inn "Los Camellos". Calle Real of Guadalupe. $35 p/p the night it includes breakfast in mixed rooms with bunks for 6 people.

* Kia. Calle Tonalá 5. $35 for person the night in shared rooms with breakfast included.

How to get there?

Air and terrestrial transportation constantly arrive at San Cristóbal de las Casas. An alternative route is going to Tuxtla Gutiérrez (the capital of Chiapas) and get transport from there. There are buses from Mexico City from the terminal of TAPO with an average cost of $400 pesos. You can also arrive directly from Oaxaca, Merida and Cancun.

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Mexico: Colonial Towns
	San Cristobal de las Casas Country: Mexico. Since its foundation in 1528 up to now, San Cristóbal de las Casas has had ten different names. San Cristóbal (the saint) is the protector of the travelers, it would seem that it is one of reasons of the great affluence of travelers to this city. The Ciudad Real de Chiapa (the name of San Cristóbal in 1536 when city was declared as such), consisted of only two areas: the enclosure and the neighborhood. The enclosure was the center and it embraced some blocks around the biggest square. It was occupied by Spanish families and the servitude. The neighborhood (barrio) was the area around the convent of La Merced populated by Indians, mestizos and mulattos. Around the city there were six neighborhoods of Indians: Mexicanos, Tlaxcala, San Antonio, San Diego and Cuxtitali which were founded in 1528. The first three were inhabited by"Indian friends" of Tlaxcala, Mexico and Oaxaca who came with Diego Mazariegos to conquer these lands. The last two by Guatemalan Indians. The sixth neighborhood, the Cerrillo, was founded in 1549, when the abolition of slavery was proclaimed and it was founded by zoques, tzotziles and tzetales families. What to visit? * The Cathedral built in 1528, dedicated to San Cristóbal. * The Torre del Carmen, originally part of a convent of nuns erected in 1597. * Casa de las Artesanías y Museo Etnográfico. (Open 10:00-20:00 on Niños Heroes street corner with Hidalgo, near the Torre del Carmen.) * The house of Na Bolom the archaeologist's Frans Blom and his wife Gertrude Duby-Blom, now museum and headquarters of the Association Na Bolom that works for the Lacandones. It can only be visited in guided tour at 11:30 or 16:30, adminsiion fee $25 pesos. * The Museum of the Amber, next to the church of La Merced. Tuesday to Sundays from 10:00-14:00 and 16:00 to 19:00 hours. Cost for students $10 pesos. * Leñateros workshop, learn how to recycle paper by hand. * Community Museum of Traditional Medicine OMIECH. * The Reserve of Huitepec only 15 minutes away from San Cristóbal de las Casas. * Convent of Santo Domingo and the Market of Crafts. * The Cultural Feminist Center "La Luna Creciente". (Calle Cristobal Colón 9) * Cooperative Maya Ik' (Calle Real of Guadalupe 69) * Network of Community Tourism. For tours with a different and socially conscious focus. (Real de Mexicanos 16, Barrio Mexicanos) Where to stay and eat? * Café Museo Café - Cultural Center, Museum about the Coffee and representation of COOPCAFE A.C. An ideal place for a good cup of organic coffee from Chiapas. (CAlle María Adelina Flores 10). * La Casa del Pan - vegetarian restaurant with live music every day at 20:00 o'clock. (Calle Dr. Navarro 10, Barrio El Cerrillo) * Inn "Los Camellos". Calle Real of Guadalupe. $35 p/p the night it includes breakfast in mixed rooms with bunks for 6 people. * Kia. Calle Tonalá 5. $35 for person the night in shared rooms with breakfast included. How to get there? Air and terrestrial transportation constantly arrive at San Cristóbal de las Casas. An alternative route is going to Tuxtla Gutiérrez (the capital of Chiapas) and get transport from there. There are buses from Mexico City from the terminal of TAPO with an average cost of $400 pesos. You can also arrive directly from Oaxaca, Merida and Cancun.