San Cristobal De Las Casas Tabasco And Chiapas, Mexico Travel Guide
Mexico has three main providers: Telcel, AT&T Mexico, and Movistar. Telcel generally has the best coverage, especially in Chiapas and areas outside of towns.
Wi-Internet access is widespread in hotels, guesthouses, cafes, and restaurants throughout San Cristobal. Quality varies. Limited public Wi-Fi.
Correos de México can be used for postcards or small packages. Delivery times can be slow, and reliability for international mail inconsistent.
Spanish is the official language. Basic Spanish phrases are very helpful. English is used by some staff in tourist-oriented places, but less common elsewhere.
Learning a few Spanish phrases goes a long way.
San Cristóbal businesses typically follow established hours, with some variations.
Banks Monday-Friday, 9 AM-4 PM; some Saturday mornings. ATMs accessible 24/7.
Shops Monday-Saturday, 10 AM-8 PM. Smaller shops may close for siesta (2-4 PM). Markets with artisanal goods open earlier.
Breakfast roughly 8 AM. Lunch 2-5 PM. Dinner 7-10 PM or later. Cafes open earlier.
The majority of museums operate Tuesday-Sunday, usually 9 AM or 10 AM to 5 PM. Usually closed on Mondays.
Banks and government offices close on major public holidays. Visitor services (hotels, most restaurants, tours) usually open.
Confirm opening hours for specific attractions or places to eat, especially on national or religious holidays. Websites or direct calls are best.
Respectful exchanges are to a positive experience in San Cristóbal.
Use formal greetings ('Good morning') for strangers or elders. 'Hola' is fine for casual greetings. A handshake is common on introduction.
Always seek permission to photograph people, notably for children. Respect a 'no'.
Avoid making assumptions or being condescending regarding local culture. Do not mock or trivialize rituals.
Mexico is generally more conservative than some Western countries. Public displays of affection are common for heterosexual couples. Women traveling alone may receive more attention, but San Cristobal is generally safe.
Exercise common sense precautionary steps. San Cristóbal is usually thought of as safe, but awareness of surroundings is always a good idea.
