San Cristobal: Food Walk with Local Guide & Tastings

Summary

San Cristobal food walk through markets and local kitchens

You’ll wander San Cristobal’s lively markets with a local guide, tasting traditional Coleta dishes, sipping soups on a sunny terrace, and finishing with sweet desserts and strong coffee. Along the way you’ll learn about healing herbs, meet cooks in busy kitchens, and catch glimpses of street art—moments you’ll remember long after your last bite.

What’s the experience like?

We met up at Cerrillo Park, right by the old church — I was a bit early, so I watched a couple of kids chasing pigeons until our guide, Mariana, waved me over. She had this easy way about her, like someone you’d want to follow even if you weren’t sure where you were going. We started off with quick intros (I forgot everyone’s names almost instantly, but that’s just me) and then Mariana gave us a few tips for the walk — mostly about not filling up too fast. I laughed because I always do that on food tours.

The first stop was the market. It smelled like ripe mangoes and something earthy — maybe epazote? Mariana pointed out herbs used for healing; she told us how her grandmother still makes teas from them when someone’s sick. There was this woman selling tortillas who smiled at us but didn’t say much (her hands were busy flipping dough). We tried some Coleta dishes I’d never heard of before — honestly, I can’t pronounce half of them, but the flavors stuck with me. The chipilín soup was bright green and tasted like spring after rain. Someone asked about the murals we kept passing; apparently artists come from all over to paint here.

Later we sat on a terrace with bowls of soup warming our hands. The air felt thinner up here in Chiapas — or maybe it was just the altitude plus excitement. Mariana talked about how San Cristobal draws people from everywhere, which explains why our next bites were international: some kind of Lebanese pastry that didn’t really fit but somehow worked. She joked that “everyone brings their own cravings,” which made sense as we wandered past more street art and old stone buildings.

I think my favorite part was dessert — little cakes and coffee so strong it made my heart skip (in a good way). There was this moment when someone spilled chocolate on their shirt and nobody cared; we just laughed and kept talking about what we’d tasted. I still think about that mole coleto sauce — smoky, sweet, impossible to describe unless you’ve tried it yourself. The tour ended without any big speech or goodbye; we just drifted off into the city’s noise and color, full in every sense.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Food Walking Tour Highlights

• Meet at Cerrillo Park Kiosko
• Taste traditional Coleta cuisine at market
• Try traditional chipilin and other soups
• Sample mole coleto and regional sauces
• Enjoy international cuisine flavors
• Savor desserts with coffee or hot chocolate

Top questions

Where does the San Cristobal food walking tour start?

The meeting point is Cerrillo Park (Parque del Cerrillo), at the Kiosko in front of the church.

Are all food tastings included in this tour?

Yes, all tastings at each stop are included in the price.

Is there a local guide during the food walk?

Yes, a local foodie expert leads the tour throughout San Cristobal de las Casas.

Does this tour include alcoholic beverages?

No, alcoholic drinks are not included.

What types of food will I try on this tour?

You’ll sample traditional Coleta cuisine, soups like chipilín soup, mole coleto sauce dishes, international bites, desserts, coffee or hot chocolate.

Is public transportation available near the meeting point?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby Cerrillo Park.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed during the tour.

Is this food walking tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels except those with poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes all tastings at each stop along the route—traditional regional dishes from markets to restaurants—as well as guidance from a local expert throughout San Cristobal de las Casas. Alcoholic drinks aren’t included but coffee or hot chocolate is part of dessert time before you finish your walk through town.