On the north edge of San Cristóbal, where the town gives way to forested hillside, the Orquídeas Moxviquil is a botanical garden and cloud forest reserve that makes for a good half-day escape from the cobblestones. The garden specialises in the orchids native to the Chiapas highlands — a remarkable collection, since cloud forest orchids are some of the most diverse and beautiful in the world.
The reserve protects a fragment of the humid oak and pine forest that once covered the valleys around San Cristóbal. Trails wind through the trees, passing bird feeders and orchid displays, with good opportunities to see hummingbirds and tanagers up close. The cloud forest, even in a small patch, gives a strong sense of the highland ecosystem that has been largely cleared around the city.
The garden is managed by a local conservation organisation and combines scientific work with ecotourism. Morning visits tend to be best, when the birds are most active and the mist is still on the hillsides.