Villahermosa is the capital city of the state of Tabasco. This city is both a modern city and one of the oldest in Mexico, with a rich history dating back to the early 1500s.
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Villahermosa is an important city because of its cultural history, natural resources, commercial development, and modern industrialization. It became rich because oil has been found in the area. The search for oil resulted also in the finding of artifacts of the Olmec culture. Its natural resources like cacao, sugarcane, bananas, tobacco, rice, and hardwoods has made Villahermosa attractive to domestic investors. The city has become a hub for oil and gas operations in Southern Mexico and is referred to as the “Energy City of Mexico.”
There are two main streets in Villahermosa, Av. Gregorio Mendez and Av. 27 de Febrero, these are the two main routes for public transportation. Mini-buses and especially combis (refurbished small VW vans) are widely used by locals at a price of M$9.5. Stops are fixed as well as routes. Feel free to ask (in Spanish) the driver if they are going close to your destination. You will see destinations written on the windshields. People also rely on a network of collective taxis. As a tourist, you should ask the driver if they are going by your destination.
1 La Venta Museum-Park (Parque-Museo La Venta), Av. Adolfo Ruiz Cortines, ☏ +52 993 314 1652. Daily 08:00-16:00. The museum, situated in a park, is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Villahermosa. La Venta is a swamp area north of the city. Scientists found pieces of the culture whilst drilling for oil. A lot of exhibits connected to the Olmec culture can be seen there. For example one of four really big stone heads. They also have some animals in the park, and a natural history museum. Make sure you wear long clothes and use a mosquito repellent. M$48 foreigners, M$42 Mexican nationals, M$12 students. (updated Jul 2017) 2 Planetarium (Planetario Tabasco 2000), Av.
1 Tomás Garrido Park, ☏ +52 938 181 4771. The park is located at the corner of Paseo Tabasco and Av. Ruiz Cortines. The La Venta Museum is in this park. It's a very watery place with a lagoon framed by walkways and Aztec-like architectural forms like the observation platform Mirador de las Aguilas, other statuary, an orchid house, and wildlife-friends like coatimundi. 2 Yumká (spelled tshumka), Las Barrancas S/N (connected to the airport), ☏ +52 993 596 6704, yumka@prodigy.net.mx. 09:00-16:00 (closes at 17:00). Yumká is an ecological reservation covering 101 hectares. You can find there three ecosystems which are also present in Tabasco.
The area features a distinctive cuisine, particularly featuring seafood, and the prices are typically affordable. Aguas frescas are refreshing in the hot weather and you should try the well-known Horchata la Catedral, on Paseo Tabasco across from the Cathedral, for Esquimos or Horchata. A lot of cheap, good Mexican restaurants can be found downtown at the Avenida Pino Suarez. Also, if you are in the ADO central bus station and want to eat well-prepared food, next to it a small restaurant called Los Comales can be found. 1 El Teapaneco, Plaza Farole, Vía 3 126-Local 3, 4 y 5, Los Rios (in Galerias Tabasco). Daily 08:00 - 18:00.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Villahermosa typically sees ~35°C daytime highs and 12 rainy days.
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