The Templo de Guadalupe sits at the top of a long flight of steps on the eastern hill above the historic centre, giving it one of the best views over the rooftops of San Cristóbal. The climb is worthwhile for the panorama alone: the red-tiled roofs, the towers of Santo Domingo and the cathedral in the middle distance, and the green hills rising above the city on all sides.
The church itself, painted in a characteristic yellow and white, is a simple but pretty colonial structure dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe. It is an active place of worship, particularly on Sundays and on December 12, the Feast of Guadalupe, when processions and celebrations fill the hillside below. The neighbourhood around the church, known as Barrio de Guadalupe, is one of the city's more traditional quarters — quieter than the tourist centre, with colourful street murals and a working-class Chiapaneco atmosphere.
The steps and the hilltop park are also a popular spot for local families in the late afternoons, when the light softens and the views across the valley are at their best.