San Cristobal de las casas

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San Cristobal de las Casas
pop. 142,000 , elevation 2160m

This colonial town is the heart of one of the most deeply rooted indigenous areas in Mexico.
Ancient customs coexist with modern luxuries.

Highland valley surrounded by pine forest.

Backpackers town
Cobble-stoned streets

LOCAL TOURS TO OUTLYING VILLAGES
San Juan Chamula
pop. 3000, elevation 2200m

Main village of Tzotzil tribe practicing a mixture of traditional Catholicism and pre-Hispanic rituals
Templo de San Juan
Traditional dresses of Chamulans are white wool tunics
Curanderos / curers practice their healing methods

Graveyard
black crosses - people who died old
white crosses - people who died young
blue crosses - others

Market - Tzotzil people are mostly traders of various goods such as local vegetables, foods and arts

Zinacantán (Tzotzil town)
pop. 3700, elevation 2558m

Una familia local / Visit local family
traditional clothes
local drinks - Jamaica, made out of hibiscus flower


Canón de Sumidero

Boat ride through gorge with lanchas (speed boats)
Cliff face covered with moss resembling a Christmas tree
Birds - voltures and kingfishers
Crocodile

Chiapa de Corzo
pop. 38,000 , elevation 450m

Colonial town on Río Grijalva
Once a town of the Chiapa tribe, Diego de Mazariegos invaded the area in 1528. The Chiapa hurled
themselves by the hundreds to their death in the canon instead of surrender. Marazdiegos
founded a settlement called Chiapa de los Indios. Due to better climate, he quickly shiftet his base
to San Cristobal de las casas though.


- Ancient Ciapatree, was here before Spaniards
- 1562 fountain, built by Spaniards; resembles the Spanish Crown (Mudejar, gothic style of
architecture found also in Southern Spain)

- Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman
Late 16th century and built by the Dominican order

- Culture Centre museum
includes woods and lino prints by Chiapa born Franco Lázaro Gomez (1922-49)
and lacquered gourds incl. pieces from 1606 onwards


Museo de la laca - local crafts, laquered gourds

FOOD
Postres / special desserts
Rojo con crema
Emparedado con chocolate

Organic coffee grown locally

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