San Crist�bal has the second lowest rate of economic marginalization in the state of Chiapas following Tuxtla Guti�rrez. Only 4.5% of workers do not receive a salary or a regular income. Approximately 9% are employed in agriculture, compared to 54.86% regionally and 47.25% in the state. 21% are employed in construction, energy and transportation. The most important sector by economic output is mining. About 600 truckloads of jade, gravel, stone and metals are exported from the city daily. Most of the material is destined to other municipalities in the region, although some goes to other cities in Chiapas, and states such as Tabasco and Campeche. This heavy strip mining has gradually eaten away at the natural landscape of some areas of the city and has negatively affected the recharge of surface and subsurface water.
The most important economic sector is commerce, services and tourism, which employs almost 67% of the workforce compared to 29% for the region and 37% for the state. The city has become a renowned tourist location for its preserved colonial architecture and retention of indigenous culture and traditions. Many residents of the city wear indigenous clothing regularly. Market vendors in the city are known for being very aggressive when trying to secure a sale.
In 2003, the city was named a �Pueblo M�gico� by the Mexican federal government. In 2010, President Felipe Calder�n recognized the city as �the most magical of the Pueblos M�gicos (Magical Villages)� of Mexico. The tourism itself has affected the city�s culture with many foreign visitors staying and many businesses, foreign owned or not, catering to international tastes. Italian, French, Thai and other cuisines can be found and the nightlife of the city offers musical styles such as reggae, salsa, techno and more.
The municipality contains over 80 hotels with more than 2,000 rooms. The city government serves tourists through traditional information booths with guided tours, and
