San Cristobal de las Casas, was established in 1528 by Captain Diego de Mazariegos, who named the city as Ciudad Real de los Españoles, since then, the city had many names such as: Chiapa de los Españoles, Villa Viciosa, Villa de San Cristóbal de los Llanos, Ciudad Real de Chiapa, Ciudad de San Cristóbal, and so on. Finally, in 1848, was named San Cristóbal de las Casas, which is the name it’s known today.

For many years, this city wasn’t very popular in the world, until 1994, when the Zapatista Army of National Liberation Movement arise. Since then the world started to notice the city, where nowadays is the home for many NGOs who have settled and developed many projects.

You will have time to visit museums, walking tracks and market streets, but while doing the Social Track, it’s the moment to experience the city with responsibility and awareness getting to know the real issues social organizations are facing every day. The Social track will show you what conventional tourism can’t, giving you every detail of the story behind everything that you can see and experience in the city.

Activities

It gives you the opportunity to talk with young entrepreneurs, who have opened a Coffee shop thanks to a local project by one of the civil associations in town.

Or maybe you would prefer to visit one very special building, where disabled people are looked after, yes, special because the council does not provide any facilities either resources for them.

The Social Track ends by showing Chiapas’ art! In particular textile art. You will visit an organization that fights for fair trade. You will learn about some famous and traditional techniques in the region. Also, you will be able to see an awesome exhibition of the ancient practice of back-weaving and in addition you will be able to participate in an embroidery workshop, where you will let your creativity flow and gain knowledge in the craft of embroidery.

Definitely, it’s a beautiful and unique experience where the locals will share their traditions and also their history by visiting different parts of the city including some of the most emblematic neighborhoods.

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