This is a teeny tiny guide to the best sunrise hike in San Cristobal de las Casas!
I’ve spent a total of three months in San Cristobal de las Casas and have done this hike six times! Every single time, it looks completely different. I know it’s tough waking up at 5 am, but I promise you it’s worth pulling your sleepy body up that mountain to witness San Cristobal de las Casas coming to life at sunrise.
Where is the sunrise hike in San Cristóbal de las Casas?
The sunrise hike is on Cerro Don Lauro, a mountain only five to ten minutes from the historic centre of San Cristobal de las Casas. And “El Mirador” (the peak of Don Lauro) will take you only 40 minutes once you reach the start of the trail.
Of course, you can hike Don Lauro any time of the day, but without a doubt, the best is at sunrise.
To reach the trailhead, it’s best to take a taxi from the historical centre around 1.5 hours before sunrise. For us, in January and February, this was at 5 am. You can find the exact time the sun rises here.
Catching a taxi early in the morning in San Cristobal shouldn’t be a problem; the maximum time we waited was 5 minutes. Once you find a cab, tell the driver you want to go to ‘El Mirador’, or show this point on Google Maps. The taxi should take around 10 minutes from the historical centre and cost MXN 50. Sometimes, the drivers can be cheeky and ask for up to MXN 80, so be prepared for this, just in case.
Once you get out of the taxi, you’ll walk uphill immediately. Download maps.me to see the trail. It’s not too difficult to follow, but it can be comforting to have downloaded, especially when it’s dark.
How difficult is El Mirador Don Lauro?
El Mirado Don Lauro is a relatively short hike and not too difficult if you take it slow. That being said, it is pretty steep with a series of switchbacks. After 20 to 30 minutes, you’ll reach a bigger opening area with a big drum circle, as this is where some temazcal ceremonies take place.
From this area, you’ll be given the choice to fork left or right. Both ways lead to some kind of viewpoint, but the best is to go left. After a little bit of uphill and scrambling, you’ll reach the top. From starting the trail, it should take you 40-50 minutes in total.
If you get up to the top in good time, it’ll still be dark, and you’ll be able to watch the lights flickering all over the city. When the sun rises and pops its head up over the mountains, the whole valley will light up, and you’ll see this pueblo magico from an entirely new perspective.
What to bring with you on the Don Lauro hike?
- Take a warm jumper and coat, as it’s chilly up there until the sun rises. Layers are good so you can take them on and off.
- Torch or your phone light, as it’ll be pitch black when you start hiking.
- A little snack for the top and some coffee in a flask.
How do you get back to San Cris after hiking Don Lauro?
Getting back to the city is relatively easy. You can:
1) Hail a taxi on the main road (but in the morning, these are not so frequent).
2) Hitch a ride, which I always did. Mexicans are so friendly, and we never waited more than 5 minutes.
(3) Walk down, along the main road towards San Cristobal, and then you can catch a colectivo for MXN 10 leaving from here back to the centre.
Once you’re back in the historic centre, it’ll be around 8 am. I recommend grabbing a coffee and pastry at one of San Cristobal’s best cafes.
In San Cristobal for some time? Be sure to check out my other San Cristóbal-related posts! Enjoy your time in this beautiful town that has my heart.