Which place is cheaper, Flores or San Cristobal de Las Casas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Flores?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Flores? 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.
Where Should I go: San Cristobal de Las Casas or Flores?
San Cristobal de Las Casas
Far away from the luxuries of Cancun and Cabo, Mexico's San Cristobal de las Casas is a stunning colonial city located in the southern state of Chiapas. Due to its strategic location, the town is commonly used as a transfer point for travelers looking to cross the border between Guatemala and Mexico. San Cristobal also has an immensely strong appeal among budget-minded travelers as it's one of Mexico's most affordable cities.
Flores
The town of Flores is located in Peten, Guatemala. The main hub is located on an island on Lago Peten Itza, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. On the other side of the causeway are the towns of Santa Elena and San Benito, however, all three are often referred to as Flores. Most people visit the area for its proximity to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, though the town itself is also charming with colonial buildings and historic churches lining the cobbled streets.
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 Tours for Seniors to Guatemala, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Guatemala.
-
San Cristobal de Las Casas Prices
Mexico PricesFlores Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $116Flores $43
The average daily cost (per person) in San Cristobal de Las Casas is $116, while the average daily cost in Flores is $43. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for San Cristobal de Las Casas and Flores in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Cristobal de Las Casas $46Flores $8.77
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Cristobal de Las Casas $92Flores $18
Compare Hotels in San Cristobal de Las Casas and Flores
Looking for a hotel in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Flores? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: San Cristobal de Las Casas Hotel Prices and Flores Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Cristobal de Las Casas $32Flores $8.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Cristobal de Las Casas
Also for San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas to TGZ Airport: $106
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Flores
Also for Flores, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer : Mayan World Airport to Flores Island Hotels: $10
- Tikal Transfer and Tour Guide From Flores: $90
- Same day Round-Trip VIP Exclusive Transfer to Tikal from Flores: $160
- From Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Tikal: $39
- Transfer from Flores to Semuc Champey, Lanquin, Tourists Only: $40
- Tikal National Park Guided Tour with Transfers: $24
- One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $49
- Belize/Caye Caulke/San Pedro Van or Ferry Transfer: $20
- Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Rio Dulce, Izabal: $39
- Bus transfer from Flores, Guatemala to Belize City: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into San Cristobal de Las Casas or Flores?
Prices for flights to both Flores and San Cristobal de Las Casas change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $40Flores $23
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Cristobal de Las Casas $14Flores $20
Tours and Activities in San Cristobal de Las Casas
For San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure Drops: Chiflón Waterfall and Montebello Lakes Tour: $42
- Adventure through the Grottos del Arcotete, and Rancho Nuevo: $39
- Adventure to the Sumidero Canyon Viewpoints and Chiapa de Corzo: $49
- Agua Azul & Misol-Ha Day Tour ending in Palenque: $68
- Bike Tour Chiapas Indigenous Peoples: $62
- Blue Water Misol-ha and Palenque Tour from San Cristobal.: $82
- Canyoning El Chorreadero Cave- Adventure Chiapas: $169
- Coffee Tasting, Sensory Experience and Chiapas Nectar: $62
- Experiences Xanil Culture and Nature: $115
- Food Walking Tour San Cristobal de las Casas: $77
- From San Cristobal City Walking Tour: $38
- From San Cristobal Tour to Agua Azul, Misol Ha and Palenque: $90
Typical Entertainment Prices in Flores
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Flores's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Tikal Entrance (for 2)$39
-
Map of Tikal$3.27
Tours and Activities in Flores
For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Day Tour to Tikal and Yaxhá from Flores Island: $220
- All Inclusive Tikal Tour from Flores and Airport: $105
- All Inclusive Tikal Tour from Flores or Mayan World Airport: $78
- Basic Tour to Tikal Includes Transportation and Guide Service: $25
- 1-Day Tikal Tour Private Service From your Hotel: $185
- Blue Crater, Imox Lagoon & Hidden Pools Tour: $75
- Tikal National Park Tour with Mayan Energy Reading: $222
- Yaxha Shared Sunset Tour with Transportation & Guide: $25
- From Flores Guided Tour to Tikal with transportation + lunch: $75
- From Flores Petén: Tour to Playa 3 Naciones: $150
- From 2-Day Semuc Champey Tour with Caves & Tubing: $38
- From 2-Day Tikal & Yaxhá Tour: $299
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $29Flores $21
Typical Alcohol Prices in Flores
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:
-
Two Margaritas$2.62
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Cristobal de Las Casas and Flores, we can see that San Cristobal de Las Casas is more expensive. And not only is Flores much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Cristobal de Las Casas is in North America and Flores is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Flores would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flores 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Cristobal de Las Casas than you might in Flores.
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 Flores Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Cristobal de Las Casas or Flores?
San Cristobal de Las Casas has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Flores. When comparing the sizes of San Cristobal de Las Casas and Flores, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.