Villahermosa, the Capital of the State of Tabasco, Mexico

Villahermosa is the capital of the state of Tabasco and its foundation dates back to 1596 when it was a small fishing village under the name of San Juan Bautista. Nowadays, it is a beautiful city that represents the great economic development achieved by Tabasco through agriculture, cattle raising, fishing, commerce, and the oil industry. Villahermosa can be reached by air, since it has a modern airport, or by land (bus or car) through the federal highway.

Attractions in Villahermosa

The city is practically on an island surrounded by the Grijalva, Carrizal, and Mezcalapo rivers; one of its main attractions is its rich archeological heritage. A good example of this is the Museum Park of La Venta, which reproduces in a natural environment, the most representative pieces of the Olmec culture found in the archaeological zone of that name, in Huimanguillo.

Another collection worth admiring is the one offered by the Carlos Pellicer Camara Regional Museum of Anthropology, whose rooms are Preclassic, Cultures. This museum is part of the architectural complex of the Olmec and Moyo Culture Research Center (CICOM), which includes the Esperanza Iris Theater, a commercial area selling handicrafts, and a living area for researchers.

A few meters from the CICOM is the Laguna de la Pólvora, on the banks of which there is a beautiful area with artificial waterfalls, lookouts, palapas, playgrounds, and a cafeteria. A special enjoyment for the visitor is the tour through the city on the Grijalva river, aboard the boat Capitan Beulo, in whose restaurant you can taste the best dishes of the exquisite and original Tabasco food, as well as international cuisine.

The pride of the capital is the Tomas Garrido Canabal Park, the splendid natural setting of the famous Laguna de las Ilusiones. Within the area of this exuberant garden is the aforementioned Museum of La Venta, where 30 extraordinary Olmec sculptures are displayed. The park has numerous specimens of the regional fauna such as white-tailed deer, tepescuintle, monkey, and squirrel, among other animals, and can be visited daily. On Sundays, various folkloric shows take place at the entrance.

In the center of the city, it is worth visiting the Museum of Popular Culture, installed in construction of the purest Tabasco style and where there are interesting ethnographic manifestations, a specialized library, and a handicrafts store. Also interesting is the so-called Zona Luz, an area of cobblestone pedestrian streets, with great commercial activity and where social life is very pleasant under the shade of the flamboyant trees; the Cathedral of Our Lord of Tabasco; the Government Palace, in neoclassical style; the Plaza de Armas and the Plaza de la Corregidora.

Also worthy of admiration is the Tabasco 2000 Complex - north of the oldest urban center - where the Municipal Palace, a modern shopping mall, a large convention hall, a modern planetarium, and the very interesting La Choca Park are located. This has a vast area called Parque Cerrado, where the configuration of the state, its tourist resources, rivers, and roads are reproduced to scale. The walkways represent the main highways and link 17 kiosks -representative of the different municipal capitals- where the economic activities, folklore, and relevant historical aspects of each region of Tabasco are symbolized. In another area of this large complex, there are plazas and multipurpose facilities.

Handicrafts of Tabasco

In the capital of Tabasco, you can purchase the varied handicrafts that are made throughout the state, such as the drums of Tucta; palm and wicker items from Huatacalca; the famous engraved jícaras from Jalpa; basketry and wicker furniture from Tapijulapa; and of course fine leather goods (belts, jackets, shoes, boots, bags) from the region of Tenosique.

Surroundings of Tabasco

30 km from Villahermosa, in the region known as the Chontalpa, is Jalpa de Mendez, a typical Tobasqueña town that owes its fame to the extraordinary work of its artisans in the production of filigree jícaras. Don't forget to visit the Casa Museo Coronel Gregorio Méndez Magana, where besides exhibiting a splendid collection of such jícaras, it is possible to learn about the history of this character who fought against the French intervention.

22 km from Jalpa is located Comalcalco, the main archaeological zone of Tabasco; a settlement of the Mayan culture that has the characteristic that its buildings were built with baked bricks. It stands out in the archaeological complex the Great Acropolis of the East; also visit the Museum of Sino which shows a wide panorama of this place.

Paraíso is 19 km from Comalcalco and is the most visited beach in the state. In addition to its natural beauties such as the Laguna de las Flores, the Barra de Tupilco, and of course the beach with its resorts, here you can enjoy delicious fish and seafood.

Puerto Ceiba is a tourist stop on the shores of a lagoon, with boat rentals, and children's games, and the main attraction is the tasty regional food. It is located 7 km from Paraíso.

71 km southeast of Villahermosa, on the way to Escárcega, is a group of small waterfalls called Agua Blanca, which has been conditioned as a tourist attraction, where visitors will find natural swimming pools, barbecue grills, tables, and parking. It is an ideal place for country walks.

Las Grutas de Coconá, 64 km south of Villahermosa, is a unique attraction because, in addition to its natural beauty, it has been conditioned with speakers, light and sound, a restaurant, and a family camping area. In its surroundings, you can enjoy the thermal water springs such as El Azufre, Teapa, and Puyacatengo.

There are also other very attractive destinations nearby, such as El Espino, a tourist inn specializing in authentic Tabasco food; Pico de Oro, a coastal resort; Miramar with beautiful beaches; Frontera, an old port on the banks of the Grijalva River; and El Bosque, a beautiful beach with boating facilities.

Festivals and fairs in Villahermosa

Villahermosa dresses with joy and color during April, when the famous State Fair is celebrated, with handicraft, gastronomic, commercial, industrial, livestock, and tourist shows; the election of the most beautiful flower of Tabasco is also held, all of this in La Choca Park. In Tapijulapa (90 km from Villahermosa) during May, the festival called "La Pesca de la Sardina" (Sardine Fishing) is held. On variable dates in Villahermosa, the famous Grijalva Marathon, a great motorboat show, and the Carnival, with dances and a parade of rich floats, are celebrated.

Gastronomy in Villahermosa

Tabasco is an entity with a great culinary tradition and this is reflected in its varied dishes such as snook pasta, dogfish, shark meat, fresh mojarra, smoked oysters, mandanga, lizard fish, shrimp prepared in multiple ways. And in fruits, a whole variety of colors and flavors - plums, soursop, chicozapates, grapefruit, bananas, lemons, mangos, mamey, papayas, guavas, and the typical marañon. Among its beverages are chorote (cocoa-based), chocolate and pozal.

Services in Villahermosa

Villahermosa is a city that offers visitors a wide range of amenities for different tastes and budgets. Villahermosa has hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, travel agencies, car rental companies, tourist guides, handicraft shops, exchange houses, and information modules.