Villahermosa, Tabasco, is a city that dialogues with water. The Carrizal and Grijalva rivers share space with parks, monuments and museums, giving us a little sample of how much the so-called “Capital del Edén” (Eden’s capital) has to offer. The second largest metropolis and the political, administrative and commercial nucleus of Mexican southeast, it’s also the gateway to discover the wonders of Olmec and Mayan cultures.
During the Porfirian era, Villahermosa lived its maximum economic splendor and one way of witnessing is behind the historic center colonial facades, mainly in Zona Luz. This area has turned into a tourist attraction since 1973, when it was renovated and closed to vehicular traffic. Some streets of the area are Benito Juárez, Miguel Lerdo de Tejada, Ignacio Aldama, Reforma and Narciso Sáenz.
Among Zona Luz attractions is the Plaza de Armas, near Grijalva River bank. It’s here where were erected the gothic-facade Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción (Church of the Immaculate Conception), the entire-city-history-housing Casa de los Azulejos; the Casa Carlos Pellicer Cámara, where was born and lived the Tabasco people’s poet, and the Astronomical Observatory with its water rocket contests.
However, another way to get to know the center is by sitting in a cafeteria drinking pozol to mitigate the intense heat, accompanied by marimba music. Another alternative is to escape to one of its “green lungs”, such as the Tomás Garrido Canabal Park with a lake for rowing and lush trails for picnics.
On the same land is Parque-Museo La Venta for admiring the colossal Olmec heads and stelae discovered in 135-kilometers-away La Venta Archaeological Site. Don’t miss the nightly sound and light show.
The nights in Tabasco capital are a delight. Four days a week there are themed evenings in public spaces. For example, Wednesdays are for “romantic dance” in the Plaza de los Tríos, while Saturday is for mariachi music in Parque J. Claro García.
Another place for visiting in Villahermosa is the Yumka’ Ecological Park. The America and Africa jungle native flora and fauna allows you to hear the roar of the saraguato monkeys and be a few meters away from zebras, giraffes and rhinos.
Finally, Tabasco capital is popular for its based on Mayan and Chontal ingredients cuisine that give rise to outstanding dishes in Mexican cuisine such as roasted pejelagarto, chiltepin tamales, chirmol, banana bread and coconut tortillas.
From Villahermosa it’s possible to travel by road to the Archaeological Site of Palenque, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapa de Corzo and Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
