A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Cristobal de Las Casas vs. Boone for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

San Cristobal de Las Casas

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a charming, colorful, and cultural town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Boone

Boone is a relaxing, quaint, and picturesque town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

San Cristobal de Las Casas and Boone: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Boone than San Cristobal de Las Casas, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Boone is better known for its skiing, hiking, and impressive beauty, while San Cristobal de Las Casas is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. San Cristobal de Las Casas is well known for its historical buildings, local markets, and traditional churches. Boone is well known for its proximity to great hiking, skiing, and small town charm. Also, Boone is famous for the Blue Ridge Parkway.

How is San Cristobal de Las Casas different from Boone?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Boone and San Cristobal de Las Casas. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone Better for Skiing?

Boone is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not a skiing destination.

Boone offers world-class skiing that is fun for everyone. It's a very popular ski destination in North Carolina. There are family-friendly slopes as well as more challenging options. Head to the popular Appalachian Ski Mountain, nearby Beech Mountain, or Sugar Mountain for some of the area's best skiing.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a great town for its historical sights. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to San Cristobal de Las Casas specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The town is filled with historical churches such as the main Cathedral of San Cristobal. While this is the most notable church, there are also smaller churches worth visiting like the Templo Santo Domingo, Iglesia de Guadalupe, and Iglesia de San Cristobal. For museums, make sure you check out the Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya, Na Bolom, and Museo de Ambar.

Boone is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Most people spend the majority of their time exploring the natural beauty, but there are also several small local museums such as the Banner House Museum.

Is the Food Better in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

San Cristobal de Las Casas has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The cuisine is a mix of Spanish-influenced cured meats such as ham and sausage, as well as indigenous flavors like tamales and burritos. There's also a lot of great pizza around town as well as several Asian restaurants.

Boone offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find farm to table restaurants, local cafes, and all of the standard chain restaurants nearby. Check for a High Country Grown certification if you want to prioritize locally sourced ingredients.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone Better for Nightlife?

The great nightlife scene is relatively similar in San Cristobal de Las Casas and Boone.

San Cristobal de Las Casas has a large number of nightlife venues. There's an active nightlife scene that includes everything from late night clubs to salsa lessons. Most tourists who want to party head to the pedestrian streets around the plaza. There are countless bars where you'll likely find a crowd late into the night. Some clubs have a cover charge on weekends but, in general, drinks are cheap and getting around is easy.

Boone is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. It's a small town, but there are local breweries and a great nightlife scene that is, in large part, influenced by the large student population.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone Better for its Old Town?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a great town for its historic old town charm. However, Boone does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of San Cristobal de Las Casas. The town is filled with narrow pedestrian streets, colorful markets, and historic churches.

Boone does not have a historic old town.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone Better for Hiking?

Boone is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Boone. The area is filled with wonderful hikes, particularly around Grandfather Mountain and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The famed Appalachian Trail passes through the area as well. Many hikes take you through beautiful forests, passed dramatic waterfalls, and to breathtaking viewpoints.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is an amazing town to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many people travel to San Cristobal de Las Casas specifically to go shopping. The nearby villages are famous for their weaving, leather, pottery, and embroidery, so many visitors pick up souvenirs at the colorful markets around town. This is one of the best towns in Mexico to purchase local items, and you should definitely set aside time to explore and shop.

Boone is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Wander along King Street for some of the town's best shopping. There are independent vendors and antique shops that are fun to pop into. The town is also known for its farmer's markets.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone Better for Families?

Boone is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Boone is a very family-friendly destination. Near town you'll find kid-friendly hikes, such as Linville Falls. There are also several places where kids can go ziplining or rock climbing. Parks and outdoor activities are abundant and the whole family will enjoy the setting.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in San Cristobal de Las Casas. While kids may not appreciate the town's beauty and culture, they will have fun exploring the night market or taking a chocolate-making class. There are pedestrian streets where everyone can explore without fear of traffic and pizza restaurants that appeal to the kids as well.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both San Cristobal de Las Casas and Boone make for a great place to visit.

San Cristobal de Las Casas makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy culture, markets, traditional cuisines, and new experiences will love their time here. It's a fun place to simply wander. You can explore the markets and then eat at a local restaurant before making your way back to your boutique hotel.

Couples visit Boone frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The charming town has a romantic setting with local restaurants, beautiful hikes, and plenty of shopping. Couples enjoy staying at bed and breakfasts and enjoying the quaint atmosphere.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit San Cristobal de Las Casas. There are a number of hostels in town as well as budget-friendly hotels. Backpackers love the laid back nature of this town as well as the many markets and nature-oriented activities.

It's common for backpackers to visit Boone. While there aren't many hostels in the area, there are plenty of campgrounds. The nearby Appalachian State University also ensures that there are plenty of fun activities for young visitors.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone Better for Students?

Boone is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Boone. This mountain town offers a great setting for students who enjoy hiking and skiing. Appalachian State University is a fun college with plenty of activities going on.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is not popular with students.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Boone is not known for its public transit.

While San Cristobal de Las Casas offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Urbano buses are minibuses that connect the town to the outlying residential areas. There are also colectivos that travel to nearby villages.

Public transit is generally limited in Boone. You really need a car to make the most of your time.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone a more walkable city?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a very easy town to get around on foot. Walking is the best way to experience the town. Most of the sights can be reached on foot and there are pedestrian-only streets that let you avoid the traffic.

Boone is very walkable. Head to King Street for the best shopping and the most pedestrian-friendly part of town.

For even more information, also check out Is San Cristobal de Las Casas Worth Visiting? and Is Boone Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boone or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

How long in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone?

It's fun to spend time in either San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Boone due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for San Cristobal de Las Casas, and 2-4 days is enough time in Boone.

Families should spend more time in Boone than San Cristobal de Las Casas. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Boone, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in San Cristobal de Las Casas than Boone. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Cristobal de Las Casas that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Cristobal de Las Casas than Boone if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in San Cristobal de Las Casas.

One day in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone?

Even though San Cristobal de Las Casas is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the shopping. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Boone, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this charming small town offers. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Cristobal de Las Casas. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Boone, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful small town offers. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Many people spend a weekend here. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a fun place to experience. San Cristobal de Las Casas is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Lots of people come for the shopping. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and skiing when visiting Boone. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. This town offers something for everyone.

A week in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the beautiful town of Boone. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Cristobal de Las Casas and Boone, we can see that Boone is more expensive. And not only is San Cristobal de Las Casas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Cristobal de Las Casas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Cristobal de Las Casas and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Boone would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boone than you might in San Cristobal de Las Casas.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Cristobal de Las Casas Expensive? and Is Boone Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Cristobal de Las Casas or Boone?

San Cristobal de Las Casas has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Boone. When comparing the sizes of San Cristobal de Las Casas and Boone, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.