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cynthrod

Jun 2, 2010, 6:33 AM

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Weather in San Cristobal

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People say it's cold in San Cristobal. How cold is cold? Do you need heat in San Cristobal in the winter?
Thanks,
Cynth

Vichil

Jun 2, 2010, 7:52 AM

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Re: [cynthrod] Weather in San Cristobal

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Local do not heat their houses. I have gas heaters in the house and use them all year round off and on, mostly in the morning and in the evening. I also use a fireplace.
The winters vary widely. This winter did not get very cold may be in the high 30´s low 40´s at night with beautiful bright blue days most of the time. Some years you have a lot of overcast for part of the day.
I find that I get colder in the summer after the afternoon rain.
It can freeze at night in the winter but if it is dry and sunny it really does not feel that cold, the worst days are the wet grey days in the low 40´s. It is not unusual to have two or three types of weather within a day. If you do not like the weather wait and you are sure to see it change that day.
We have a rainy season from May to November but we can have rain at any time of the year. We get fronts from the gulf and from the Pacific.

cynthrod

Jun 2, 2010, 8:00 AM

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Re: [Vichil] Weather in San Cristobal

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Thanks, Vichil... One ought to bring lots of warm clothes, I think... For a short stay, do you know if the hotels are heated?

Vichil

Jun 2, 2010, 8:14 AM

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Re: [cynthrod] Weather in San Cristobal

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It all depends on your tolerance for cool to cold. The most important is non slippery shoes as the old stone on the sidewalks can be very slippery when wet.
We all dress in layers, you can have a day starting out cold enough to have a light coat on and end up very warm in the sun. The sun is very hot, you can be cold in the shade and too warm in the sun.
As a rule hotels are not heated. Some of them have rooms with fireplaces and I would recommend you get a room with a fireplace, it is good company in the evening and make a big difference in the evening.

All local news are on the radio so it is more important down there to listen to the radio than watch the TV. They have good music stations and some of the leftist programs play some great Latin American and Spanish music. They have a program on Saturday night called Cafe Bohemia which is great listening in front of a fire.

When we have fog or hail it is bone chilling although the thermometer may be in the 40´s. I have gotten up to cold , brisk days , cold enough to see your breath but very comfortable with a nice sweater, it all depends on the humidity.

Do get a fireplace, it makes a huge difference on your outlook on life....

When or if it gets cold take trips to Ocosingo or Palenque, Comitan or Tuxtla, you will have plenty of warmth there. WIthin 40 minutes you can go from freezing to the 80´s or 90´s.

(This post was edited by Vichil on Jun 2, 2010, 8:18 AM)

cynthrod

Jun 2, 2010, 8:29 AM

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Re: [Vichil] Weather in San Cristobal

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Good advice...thanks much... on another note, I think it was you who replied at another thread about socializing in San Cristobal... for a stranger who knows little Spanish (but will be studying the language...), what sociability is available? While I am eager to speak Spanish and know Mexicans, there will be necessary limits to any relationships due to language... so gringos don't sound so awful to me... ;>)
Do people hang out in coffee shops and talk?
I'm not interested in bars... and I'm too old for that scene...
Cynthrod

Vichil

Jun 2, 2010, 5:31 PM

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Re: [cynthrod] Weather in San Cristobal

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People socialize in their houses. I do not know of any place where people get together on a regular basis. Many of the expats there are younger and have businesses . There are a few retirees and they get together for breakfast or dinner in small group at someone´s house.

The group of US expats is small and people know each other or have heard of each other , we know where people live and can walk over to a place or another to see someone.
People tend to gather according to their interests, some around charities, some around art and so on and this is how people get to meet each other. There are concerts , art shows, DIF fund raising etc.. Get on the mailing lists at NaBalom or the Museum at Yajalon #2 or some art gallery, they will send you e-mail when they have events.

The expats are also Italian, French, German, Australians, Spanish and so on so as a rule among that group Spanish is the comon language.

Some other s are married to Mexicans as well and tend to socialize in Spanish. If you are alone you will meet people. Go shopping at the corner of Real de Guadalupe and Diego Dugeley where many foreigners shop, if you rent a casita or apartments you will meet people there too. There is an English bookstore called la Pared on the andador near the tower on the right handside going there , the woman there is American and may have clues on where the Americans get together.

I

Hound Dog

Jun 2, 2010, 5:43 PM

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Re: [cynthrod] Weather in San Cristobal

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what sociability is available? While I am eager to speak Spanish and know Mexicans, there will be necessary limits to any relationships due to language... so gringos don't sound so awful to me... ;>)

Cynthrod:

Please do not take my comment negatively but, just as a heads-up; in Chiapas, the word "gringo" is considered a pejorative as is the word "ladino" so use those words cautiously when in that region to avoid personal embarrassment. "Gringos" in places such as Lake Chapala naively refer to themselves as such which is akin to Stepin Fetchit exclaiming "Yassuh Boss" to some white moron considered generally to be of higher status. In fact, as I have found out over the years in many different places around the world, seemingly innocuous words can carry incendiary meanings so it is best to use such terms as "extranjeros" or "mestizos" in places like Chiapas and, better still, avoid regional appellations unfamiliar to you as a foreigner speaking a foreign language anywhere even if you think you may have mastered local jargon.

Now, having said that, welcome to Chiapas - a fine place. You are unlikely to be endangered there even in the deep forest so just enjoy yourself.

(This post was edited by Hound Dog on Jun 2, 2010, 5:51 PM)

cynthrod

Jun 2, 2010, 6:44 PM

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Re: [Hound Dog] Weather in San Cristobal

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Thanks for the heads up, Hound Dog... I do appreciate it...

cynthrod

Jun 2, 2010, 6:46 PM

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Re: [Vichil] Weather in San Cristobal

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Thank you, Vichil... I'll get on those email/mailing lists....