Town 9 km west of San Cristóbal de Las Casas
A Tzotzil town of flower greenhouses and back-strap weavers, famous for clothing embroidered with bright flowers.
Zinacantán is a Tzotzil Maya town in a valley a short drive west of San Cristóbal, and the usual second stop after Chamula. Its name comes from the Nahuatl for "place of bats," and the people call themselves the bat people in their own language.
What strikes you first is color. The valley is covered in greenhouses where families grow chrysanthemums, roses and carnations sold across Mexico, and the same flowers cover the town's clothing: men's ponchos and women's shawls are densely embroidered with blossoms, and the colors and patterns change from year to year like a local fashion. Weaving on the back-strap loom is still part of daily life.
Many visitors stop at a family home where women weave, sell textiles and make handmade tortillas over the fire. The church of San Lorenzo, on the main square, is usually filled with fresh flowers. As in Chamula, photography is not allowed in the church and churchyard, and you should always ask before photographing people.
What to see and do
Visit the church of San Lorenzo, usually decorated with fresh flowers (no photos inside or in the churchyard).
Stop at a weaving family's home to see the back-strap loom at work and buy embroidered textiles.
Try fresh handmade tortillas cooked over the fire.
Look out over the valley's patchwork of flower greenhouses on the drive in.
Getting there
Zinacantán is about 20 minutes west of San Cristóbal by car or taxi, off the highway toward Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Colectivos leave from near San Cristóbal's municipal market. Half-day guided tours from San Cristóbal often combine it with Chamula; there is a short road between the two towns. The church charges a small entry fee.
9 km west of San Cristóbal de Las Casas
Directions from San Cristóbal de Las Casas on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather cool
Zinacantán shares the climate of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, 9 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.
See the month-by-month climate of San Cristóbal de Las Casas
Make San Cristóbal de Las Casas your base
Zinacantán is an easy trip from San Cristóbal de Las Casas, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
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Grutas de Rancho Nuevo
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.