San Cristóbal de las Casas is a lovely colonial city in the Chiapas region of Mexico. It’s one of the most popular destinations for backpackers in Mexico, as it’s super affordable and has a lot of incredible sights, such as mountains, jungles, caves, and other natural wonders.
When you travel here, make sure not to forget to pack a good pair of hiking shoes or boots. Also, bring warm clothes, like sweaters and jackets, as it usually gets cold.
Regarding accommodation, hostels in San Cristobal are great because they provide a home base for visitors!
Within their walls, you can meet other travelers, share stories, and create lifelong friendships.
In this post, you’ll discover three great hostels where you can stay during your visit. Also, we’ll give you some great travel tips and places to visit in San Cristóbal. So let’s get started!
Our favorite hostels in San Cristobal are:
- La Abuelita Hostal & Terraza - best for social travelers
- Casa Sofia Guest House - best for female solo traveler
- Posada del Abuelito - best for couples
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
1. La Abuelita Hostal & Terraza
2. Casa Sofia Guest House
3. Posada del Abuelito
Whether your trip is a long one or just a couple of days, San Cristobal offers numerous things to do and places to see, which will be more than worth your time.
Through its cobblestone streets, you’ll discover beautiful architecture, colorful houses, street art, intricate balconies, and many other picturesque views.
We have a lot of guides for hostels in the region, including one for the best hostels in Mexico and one for the best hostels in Oaxaca.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
What do we cover in this article?
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to San Cristobal
Average price for a bed: Hostels in San Cristobal cost $3 -$15 per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room has an average price of $26 per night. This is a rough average, just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on the season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.
Check-In and Check-Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3 pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11 am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later.
Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
Driving: The roads are pretty narrow, so it’s best to avoid driving and keep that in mind when using public transport as it might not be a good experience.
If you opt to drive, take your time and don’t rush because there are a lot of chances of getting stuck in traffic or, worse, having an accident.
You could also try leaving earlier than usual when you go out to avoid peak traffic hours.
Safety: Try not to leave valuables out in the open or dangling from your person when walking around the city – it’s better to keep them hidden away in your bag or pocket.
If possible, don’t walk alone either, as this makes you more vulnerable to attack by criminals looking for easy targets!
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or expensive items such as jewelry when walking around town, especially at night. Leave your passport and other valuables locked in your hotel room safe or hidden somewhere else.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The 3 Best Hostels in San Cristobal are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in San Cristobal.
- La Abuelita Hostal & Terraza – best for social travelers
- Casa Sofia Guest House – best for female solo traveler
- Posada del Abuelito – best for couples
These are our favorite hostels in San Cristobal. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.
1. La Abuelita Hostal & Terraza
2. Casa Sofia Guest House
3. Posada del Abuelito
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | La Abuelita Hostal & Terraza |
| 🙎♀️ Female Solo Traveler: | Casa Sofia Guest House |
| 👩❤️👨 Couple Hostel: | Posada del Abuelito |
| 👫 For Socializing | La Abuelita Hostal & Terraza |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | La Abuelita Hostal & Terraza |
1. La Abuelita Hostal & Terraza
La Abuelita Hostal & Terraza is a friendly hostel with a modern design, close to Del Carmen Arch, San Cristobal Church, and Amber Museum. The hostel offers a 24-hour front desk and a shared kitchen that’s very well-equipped.
Also, the property features allergy-free rooms, a shared lounge, and free (and strong) Wi-Fi inside and in the garden. The rooms are very cozy, with comfortable beds and private cabins where you can store all your belongings.
They include private bathrooms with showers, and some rooms feature balconies.
Besides this, during your stay, you’ll get a clean towel, free coffee, and tea all day long, free rice, and a variety of spices to cook delicious meals.
Furthermore, the hostel is a very good choice thanks to its location. Some popular points of interest near the La Abuelita include:
- Central Plaza & Park
- Santo Domingo Church
- La Merced Church
So, if you travel alone and want to create meaningful interactions, this is the perfect place to stay.
The best choice in San Cristobal for:
- Solo Travelers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. Casa Sofia Guest House
If you’re looking for accommodation in the heart of the city, then Casa Sofia Guest House is the perfect place for you. It is a friendly, cozy guesthouse, perfect if you are looking for a quiet and peaceful stay but also want to discover San Cristobal and the magic of Chiapas.
And there are even more reasons why this hostel is such a great choice. First, it will provide you with the comfort you need after a long day full of walks and adventures in San Cristobal.
The accommodation features only three private rooms and a girls’ dorm. Therefore, you should know that this is not a party hostel but a place that offers delightful rest and privacy.
Second, Casa Sofia has a great location. It is only 5 minutes from the Main Cathedral and is located in a very lovely historic neighborhood surrounded by greengrocers, cafés, markets, churches, and much more.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Last but not least, the property features an exclusive dorm for women, providing them with all the needed comfort, safety, and rest.
Here’s what your stay at this hostel will include:
- Fully-equipped kitchen
- Wood for bonfire (and marshmallows)
- Daily cleaning
- Assistance with tour & transportation reservations
Regarding the payment options, you can pay by cash (upon arrival) or by credit or debit card. Keep in mind, though, that you might be asked to pre-authorize your card before arrival (this is common in Mexico).
The best choice in San Cristobal for:
- Female solo travelers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Posada del Abuelito
Posada del Abuelito is a small hotel, but it has everything you need for your vacation. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and spacious enough, with air conditioning and private bathrooms.
Outside there is a large terrace where you can relax while drinking coffee or enjoying some food from their restaurant (while this isn’t included in the price, it is quite affordable). They also offer tours that can be booked at their reception.
The staff is very friendly and helpful. And if you want to go out at night, they will give you tips on where to go and what to see in San Cristobal.
The hostel is located in the town center, 200 m from Na Bolom Museum, 600 m from Santo Domingo Church, and 800 m from the central plaza and park.
It has a small but comfortable lobby, where you can enjoy breakfast (from 7 am to 10:30 am every day) or relax with a cup of coffee or tea after dinner.
Several restaurants within walking distance from the hotel offer reasonably priced authentic Mexican cuisine.
The best choice in San Cristobal for:
- Couples
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Best Hostels in San Cristobal for Solo Travelers?
La Abuelita Hostal & Terraza is the best hostel for solo Travelers in San Cristobal.
It will provide you with a very safe and cozy space that promotes social familiar interactions. The location is also perfect as it’s close to most of the city’s main sights and attractions.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
A Few Recommendations for things to do in San Cristobal
Take a walk on Real de Guadalupe: It’s the main pedestrian walkway in San Cristobal, and it’s lined with a lot of restaurants, shops & bars.
You’ll have many chances to meet indigenous people selling their handicrafts and handmade clothing here.
Visit the volcanoes and waterfalls: Many interesting places are worth visiting when you visit San Cristobal, but here are some of our favorites:
- Volcan Chico. It is one of the smaller volcanoes in the area, not too difficult to climb, and offers fantastic views when reaching the top.
- Cascadas El Chiflón Waterfalls has five tiered waterfalls with water tumbling over rocky cliffs and turquoise mineral pools. The view is simply perfect, but make sure you visit it during summer. At the end of the rainy season, the water is quite murky because of the mud.
Visit the Museo Fray Diego de Landa: You should definitely visit this museum if you get the chance. The museum contains many different artifacts from the Mayan civilization.
You can also see other types of artifacts from other cultures, such as Aztecs and Olmecs, here as well. If you are interested in learning more about Mesoamerican history, this museum might be just what you need.
What about the cheapest hostels in San Cristobal?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in San Cristobal.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in San Cristobal
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.
It is completely free to join!
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of San Cristobal best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Need an eSIM Card for San Cristobal?
Get your eSIM Card with Airalo.com instantly online. It is easy to set up and cheap! Read our review of Airalo here.
No more searching for mobile shops. Get your eSIM Card for now and enjoy it instantly after landing in your new destination.
Our Favorite Hostels in San Cristobal put on a map + sights
We love to plan our trips with a map with all sights and potential hostels. We thought this map would help you with planning your trip as well.
We also added our favorite sights (some that we already mentioned above) here. Have a great trip in San Cristobal!
Any questions about hostels in San Cristobal? 🤔
Join our Facebook Group!
Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
Are hostels in San Cristobal safe?
Not all hostels in San Cristobal are necessarily safe, especially ones that offer very low prices in sketchy areas. It might be an illegal hostel without the proper license to run and safety measures.
So in all fairness, it is best to check out Hostelgeeks.com because we feature safe hostels in San Cristobal. You can find backpacker hostels with top ratings! It's always good to keep a close eye on the overall ratings on booking platforms!
If you are not sure, you can send us an email and ask us!
What is the best hostel for solo travelers in San Cristobal?
The best hostel for solo travelers in San Cristobal is:
La Abuelita Hostal & Terraza
What are the best hostels in San Cristobal, Mexico?
The best hostels in San Cristobal are:
- La Abuelita Hostal & Terraza - best for social travelers
- Casa Sofia Guest House - best for female solo traveler
- Posada del Abuelito - best for couples
Is San Cristobal Mexico safe for travel?
While we always recommend using common sense when it comes to safety and security (avoiding shady areas, not carrying anything that might draw attention, and not walking alone at night), San Cristobal is generally a relatively safe town in Mexico.
Flights to San Cristobal?
San Cristobal has no airport, and you will probably need to take a bus or private transportation to reach it. The nearest Airport is Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas.
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
More handmade Guides for you
Now that you have found the best hostels in San Cristóbal.
We created more handwritten hostel guides for you.
- best hostels in Mexico
- best hostels in Mexico City
- best hostels in Tulum
- best hostels in Cancun
- best hostels in Sayulita
- best hostels in Puerto Vallarta
- best hostels in Playa del Carmen
- best hostels in Puerto Escondido
- best hostels in Guadalajara
- best hostels in Cozumel
- best hostels in Oaxaca
- best hostels in Holbox
- best hostels in Bacalar
Party Hostels:
- coolest party hostels in Mexico
- coolest party hostels in Cancun
- coolest party hostels in Mexico City
Surf Hostels:
Find all our guides for the best hostels in the world here.
Over to you
Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!
Your question will help us to improve this San Cristobal guide.
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.
Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks
