The historic centre of San Cristóbal is compact and almost entirely walkable. The main pedestrianised street, Real de Guadalupe, runs east from the cathedral past shops, cafes, and the entrance to Santo Domingo — most visitors spend the majority of their time within a few blocks of this axis. The hills above the centre, where the Templo de Guadalupe and Templo de San Cristóbal sit, require a short climb but no transport.
For the Orquídeas Moxviquil garden on the northern edge of town or the Museo de la Medicina Maya, taxis are cheap and plentiful. The city has a reliable fleet of small taxis that cover almost all destinations within and around town for modest fares.
For day trips to the indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán (10–15 kilometres away), shared colectivos leave from the market area throughout the morning. Tour operators throughout town offer guided half-day trips to these villages if you'd rather have a guide who can provide context — it's worthwhile, particularly for Chamula, where the church has unusual rituals that are easily misunderstood without explanation.