El Caldero

San Cristóbal de las Casas


Perfect for a cold day, simple, friendly little El Caldero specializes in delicious Mexican soups – pozole (shredded pork in broth), mondongo (tripe) and caldo (broth). Although calling them mere 'soups' does them an injustice: these are more massive portions of thick, hearty stews than watery soups and they come with a spread of avocados, tortillas and salsas.

Vegetarian options, too.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby San Cristóbal de las Casas attractions

1. Hotel Santa Clara

0.05 MILES

The Hotel Santa Clara was built by Diego de Mazariegos, the Spanish conqueror of Chiapas. His coat of arms is engraved above the main portal. The house is…

2. Templo de San Francisco

0.08 MILES

Founded by the Franciscans in 1577, this fairly plain little church contains baroque altarpieces and pulpit.

3. Plaza 31 de Marzo

0.12 MILES

The leafy main plaza is a fine place to take in San Cristóbal’s unhurried highland atmosphere. Shoe-shiners, newspaper sellers and ambulantes (mobile…

4. Centro Cultural El Carmen

0.13 MILES

This ex-convent, just east of the Arco del Carmen, is a wonderful colonial building, with a large, peaceful garden. It’s now the Centro Cultural El Carmen…

5. Catedral

0.13 MILES

On the north side of the plaza, the candy-colored cathedral was begun in 1528 but wasn't completed until 1815 because of several natural disasters. Sure…

6. Arco del Carmen

0.15 MILES

The Arco del Carmen, at the southern end of the Andador Turístico on Hidalgo, dates from the late 17th century and was once the city’s gateway.

7. Café Museo Café

0.18 MILES

This combined cafe and coffee museum is a venture of Coopcafé, a grouping of more than 17,000 small-scale, mainly indigenous, Chiapas coffee growers. The…

8. Museo del Cacao

0.24 MILES

This chocolate museum runs along an open upstairs balcony of a cafe. Learn about the history of chocolate and how it was used by the Maya. Also on display…