When to go
The highland city has a pleasant temperate climate with temperatures in the low 20°C throughout the year. Maximum sunshine hours in Jan - Feb. Most rain falls Jun - Sep.
Palenque is in the tropical lowlands, with temperatures in the low 30°C throughout the year. The heaviest rainfall occurs in May - Oct.
Getting local currency
Mexican peso. Notes can be withdrawn from several ATMs in San Cristóbal using a UK credit or debit card You may have ask your bank to authorise withdrawals before you leave the UK, and amounts are lower than permitted in the UK. Banks, casas de cambio and travel agencies exchange dollars cash.
Time difference
GMT -6 hours.
Getting there
Fly to San Cristóbal or Tuxtla Gutiérrez (1.5 hours by road from San Cristóbal) from Mexico City, 1 hour.
Key events
Carnival: Feb/Mar. Especially festive at San Juan Chamula.
Day of the Dead, Nov 1st - 2nd, celebrated throughout the region.
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe), 12 Dec. Not a public holiday, but it is Mexico's biggest religious festivals of the year and celebrated throughout Chiapas.