Our plane connections require an overnight in MC (from Los Angeles) before flying to Tuxtla Gutierrez (destination San Crisstobal de Las Casas) and another overnight in MC (from Tuxtla) before going on to Zihuantanejo (La Casa Que Canta, thanks to all your helpful advice).
Should we just stay at an airport hotel in Mexico City or hassle traffic & go in to the city for the evening and overnight in town. We arrive MC at 4 pm on the first leg and 7 on the second.
If we stayed in the city, what areas are safe to walk around in the evening???

You do not say how long you will have. If you are flying out early in the AM stay at the airport hotel. Mexico City is a vibrant, interesting city but it is huge. Unless you have at lest 8 hours of daylight time I would not bother. I do not recommend strolling in the evening although we have done so with out a problem. The Historic Area around the Zocalo has many interesting places/things to see including The Cathedral, Templo Mayor & Museum. I highly recommend the Majestic Hotel for location, view (be sure & get a Plaza side outside room) with a great roof top bar/restaurant & decent but not luxurious rooms. Incredibly friendly staff.

I heartily recommend the Historic Zocolo district if you have even a morning to explore. If you have just a couple of hours after your 4:00pm arrival, I still think the Cathedral and plaza are worthwhile. Be sure to account for heavy traffic in returning to the airport the next day. The Majestic is a perfect location for this area.

Depends on the time of year you're traveling too.

In the middle of winter, you're not going to have much daylight left for strolling the Zocalo if your flight arrives at 4pm. In the summer, its' an entirely different matter...

Have fun!
Mark
www.tiogringo.com

I would avoid the Zocalo around 1 Dec as AMLO is still planning disruptions for the inauguration of President-elect Calderon.
M (SMdA, Gto.)

Sorry I gave incomplete info. We arrive Mex City 4 PM on March 30, 2007 and had planned to fly onward the next morning at 10 am. In fact, we can avoid an overnight at MC Airport by connecting to a 6:25 pm flight to Tuxtla Gutierrez airport.
Then we could overnight in TG and travel to San Cristobal de las Casas the next morning for our three night stay at Parador San Juan de Dios.
Questions: 1) is it safe to arrive in Tuxtla Gutierrez at 7:50 pm and take cab in to town?
2) Anyone know a driver/guide to take us to SCdeLC?
3) Any experience with renting car & driving in this area? Muchas gracias.

for anyone wanting to stsy at an inexpensive hotel in the zocalo area, check out hotel catedral. we were there for four nights in november '04, and it was great. i highly recommend it.

http://www.hotelcatedral.com/

also, if youre interested, check out the traveller reviews on tripadvisor (i wrote a review in nov. 04). it is rated #3 of 177 hotels in mx city!