san cristobal de las casas
San Cristobal de Las Casas is a small colonial city of around 150,000 people situated at an altitude of 2100m in the Chiapas highlands. The city and surrounding areas are rich in indigenous culture and the city itself has many cobbled streets, leafy plazas and bustling markets. Surrounded by beautiful pine forests, clear air and cooler temperatures San Cristobal is a pleasant place to study Spanish. The huge Sumidero canyon, beautiful water falls of Agua Azul and ancient mayan ruins of Palenque are all within striking distance.
Salsa is at the heart of Latin America – popular with people of Latin Americans of all ages. Why not learn to dance Salsa and other Latin American dances while you learn Spanish?. This 8 week course includes 20 hours of group Spanish Lessons per week and 10 hours of group Salsa instruction per week to get you moving your feet!
El Hostalito, our new student residence, is located just a street away from Real de Guadalupe, the principal pedestrian street right in the historic centre of town. El Hostalito is a house that feels like a home with a comfortable lounge with fireplace, cable TV, DVD selection, computer & free WIFI and kitchen facilities. There is a bike rental service and all accommodation options include breakfast.
Stay with a local family to get a total immersion experience and accelerate your learning of language and culture. Each homestay family has a private room with shared bathroom and ceiling fan. With our 
If you prefer the convenience of a mid-range hotel we can arrange accommodation. Please fill out our 
Want to learn Spanish in more luxurious surroundings – why not stay at one of San Cristobal’s 5* hotels or small Boutique hotels. Please fill out our 
If you’re staying to study Spanish for an extended period of time you may want the independence of a private apartment. We can help arrange apartments on a weekly or monthly basis. Please fill out our 
The following activities are examples of free cultural and social activities that are included with every Spanish course- these activities are subject to availability and change.
Mexican food is Delicious – and not all of it needs to be super spicy. Learn to prepare various dishes like tacos, chilaquiles, mexican rice and guacamole. Try our Mexican cookery classes and surprise your friends and family when you get home, In San Cristobal you also have the option of learning to prepare some classic Spanish dishes (Subject to availability).
Sumidero Canyon is a huge canyon, with towering walls up to 1000m high. The canyon is home to a wide range of animals and birds including spider monkeys, crocodiles and vultures. There is a beautiful waterfall that exits halfway up one of the canyon walls in a spectacular way. This day tour includes an hour stop at the historical colonial town of Chiapa de Corzo.
Visit the impressive El Chiflon Waterfalls in a day tour from San Cristobal! There are plenty of places were you can walk and swim in the clear blue waters or explore the local caves with a guide. The centre also has activities, including: mountain biking, rock climbing, zip-line and a nature walk. During the rainy season the waterfalls often become a powerful cascade but temporally lose their bright blue green colours. The picturesque Montebello Lakes are a group of crystal clear lakes where you can choose to take a bamboo raft or swim in the fresh azul waters.
The beautiful waterfalls of Agua Azul live up to their name - the high mineral content of the water creates a series of brilliant blue cascades. The minerals coat the rocks and trees caught in the cascades with a thick layer limestone. Misol-ha is single drop 30 m waterfall – that’s appearance and character change significantly depending on rainfall. There is also an interesting cave behind the waterfall that leads back some distance to a smaller waterfall. Palenque is one of the most spectacular Mayan archeological sights. Set in dense green jungles this collection of temples and tombs is not to be missed. Combine all these un-missible sights in a day trip from San Cristobal.
The Templo de San Juan at the indigenous Tzotzil village of San Juan Chamula displays fascinating mix of traditional beliefs and Catholicism. Idols of over fifty saints with mirrors and holy robes line internal walls which Chamulans worship for different purposes. The church is very atmospheric with thousands of lit candles and pine needles spread across the floors. Many people come from the surrounding villages to light candles and incense while they chant and pray for cures. Nearby San Lorenzo Zinacantan is another Tzotzil Village where most people still wear traditional robes. You can choose to bicycle to Chamula & Zinacantan or to take a return horse back ride to Chamula.
Make sure you see the best of Chiapas with our pack of 3 day-tours. Visit Sumidero Canyon & Chiapa de Corzo Day 1, Agua Azul, Misol-ha and Palenque Day 2 and Chiflon Waterfall and Montebello Lakes Day 3. 
