How to get fromPalenque to San Cristobal de las Casas

What to expect when visiting San Cristobal de las Casas

San Cristobal de las Casas is Mexico’s magic town — a nickname it gained for its vibrant bohemian vibe. Its well-preserved, colourful colonial houses give you the feeling of stepping back in time. There’s also a remarkable cultural and artisan scene that’s worth discovering.

Check out the artisan market for some of the most exquisite handmade textile and jewellery and the municipal market for unique flavours. Finish your days in one of the many bars and restaurants that line almost every street. One not-to-miss restaurant in San Cristobal de las Casas is La Vina de Bacco where you can get wine for under $1 plus free tapas!

Road Safety from Palenque to San Cristobal de las Casas

While Palenque and San Cristobal are perfectly safe destinations to stay for tourists, it’s not the same for the roads between these two towns.

Especially the part between Ocosingo and San Cristobal is really sketchy due to roadblocks and the risk of robbery.

Alternative route via Villahermosa

Thankfully, there is a good alternative route to reach San Cristobal de las Casas from Palenque via Villahermosa. Villahermosa is part of a different state (Tabasco) and is much safer.

Compared to the direct route via Ocosingo (5-6 hours), the route via Villahermosa (11.5 hours) takes longer but is a much safer choice.

To be clear, the route via Villahermosa also has occasional roadblocks. But they are not a daily event like those in Ocosingo. They happen only once in a while. Also, more cars and public transport operate on this route so if ever there is a roadblock, you most probably won’t be alone.

Buses take a safer route than taxis

Luckily, buses only take the route via Villahermosa so you don’t need to worry about safety during the journey. However, taxis and some other private transfers often prefer the shorter route via Ocosingo.

To be fair, taxis normally travel in a convoy as a form of defence, so you will normally get to San Cristobal without any trouble. It’s usually with a short line of minivan shuttles and other private transfers that travel together for safety.

Still, the convoy isn’t always effective, so we would recommend asking the taxi driver to take the route via Villahermosa instead.

Renting a car?

Are you thinking of renting a car and driving this route on your own? It’s possible, but we don’t recommend it. Taking the bus or a taxi will be safer.

Local drivers know the area very well and are trained to take the safest roads and know how to act in case they drive into a roadblock.

If you’re really set on driving on your own, make sure you take the Villahermosa route and inform yourself very well about the route to take.

For the Ocosingo route: if you’re travelling in just one car and not as a part of a convoy, you’re an easy target.

Why we don’t recommend travelling via Ocosingo

• Roadblocks. You will pass by some of the poorest towns in Mexico. The roadblocks are like toll gates. For each roadblock, you will be asked to pay around 100 MXN ($4.90) to be able to pass. There are several of them, so better prepare the bills beforehand. If they see you taking the money out of a wallet full of cash, we can already tell you that you won’t have any money left to pay at the next roadblock.
• Robbery. On a regular day, you’ll only really have to worry about roadblocks. But there have been instances of robbery – cars being stopped and everything of value being taken away (gadgets, jewellery, cash, etc.). This is not common, but it has happened. We don’t think it’s worth taking the chance when there is a safer route via Villahermosa.
• Narco territory. The road between Ocosingo and San Cristobal is a well-known Narco territory, as well as the base of a few political and militant groups. They may have no beef against tourists and other civillians, but their presence in the area makes the government virtually non-existent.
• No order. That also means that the government has very little control over this area. If something happens to you, you are most likely on your own. You may not be able to ask for help to take back your lost things or post a complaint for an injury. There have been incidents where authorities even covered up crimes to stop any further investigation.

While speed is important, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. For guaranteed safety, always pick the Villahermosa route.

2 ways to get from Palenque to San Cristobal de las Casas

The 2 ways to travel the distance of 220 kilometers (137 miles) from Palenque to San Cristobal de las Casas are by: bus (8 hours 55 minutes to 10 hours) and taxi (6 hours). The journey duration ranges between 6 to 10 hours and the quickest way is by taxi. The lowest priced tickets start from 645 MXN ($32) for the bus.

There are at least two bus departures each day from Palenque to San Cristobal de las Casas, one in the morning and another one in the evening. The company providing this service is ADO’s sub-branch OCC. It offers first-class buses that include AC, reclining seats and a toilet.

The bus journey takes around 8 hours 55 minutes to 10 hours – much longer than the travel time of a taxi – because all buses take the Villahermosa route. It’s longer but safer. So even though it’s a lengthy journey from Palenque to San Cristobal de las Casas, you can be at peace for the entire journey. The buses also make short stops where you can stretch your legs and go to the toilet.

A bus ticket from Palenque to San Cristobal de las Casas costs 645 MXN ($32).

When taking a taxi or other forms of private transfer from Palenque to San Cristobal de las Casas, you can choose which way to take: via Villahermosa or Ocosingo.

The road via Villahermosa is the better choice for safety, especially if you’re travelling with kids.

The safer route via Villahermosa is more expensive

However, the Villahermosa route is longer and travel time by taxi can take over 7 hours, compared to 5-6 hours via Ocosingo. Taking the longer route via Villahermosa also means the ride is a bit more expensive. Rates start from around 5,000 MXN ($245) for a 3-seater car.

This is why many taxi operators and travel agencies choose to take the Ocosingo route. There are roadblocks, but the drivers are trained to react and deal with the locals.

They also know the safest roads, so most of the time, you can really complete the journey by just paying a few hundred peso extra. There’s just a high chance that you’ll be a nervous wreck throughout the 6-hour journey.

Recommended taxi companies

Rates for a taxi from Palenque to San Cristobal de las Casas via Ocosingo start from 3,400 MXN ($170) when you travel with Palenque GL. If you’re with more people, Wayak also offers a 9-seater shuttle with prices from 7,100 MXN ($355).

Note that you can always ask them to take you via Villahermosa for an additional charge (which we think is well worth it). If time and budget are more important to you, make sure to be very prepared when taking the way through Ocosingo.

Safety tips when travelling via Ocosingo

• Pick a trusted taxi company. Don’t just hail a taxi from the street. Ask your hotel’s staff to help you find a good ride or choose one that is well-reviewed.
• Ask if they’re travelling in a convoy. There is safety in numbers, especially if you’re passing through unknown territory. Tour operators know this, which is why it’s a common practice to be a part of a convoy. Just make sure your taxi also plans to join one.
• Secure your valuables. Hide all gadgets and anything flashy (especially jewellery!).
• Separate a few 100-peso bills (100 MXN ($5)) from the rest of your cash. You will encounter at least one roadblock along the way. When paying for your “toll fee”, it will be better if you don’t show that you’re carrying a lot of money.
• Look brave, not fierce. It helps to look calm and confident, but definitely not annoyed, aggressive, or scared. You don’t want to end up pissing off the locals or look like a pushover.
• Travel during the day. No taxi will want to travel at night anyway. That would be like asking for trouble.