Tapachula de Córdova y Ordóñez or simply Tapachula is a city of 320,000 people (2010) in Chiapas. Tapachula is Mexico's main border city with Guatemala on the Pacific coast area although it is some kilometers away from the border.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
It is one of the most important cities of Chiapas economically as the capital of the agriculturally rich Soconusco region, and a port for trade between Mexico and Central America. The first human settlements of the peoples that later developed into the Mayan civilization have been found on the northern Pacific coast of what is now Guatemala. However, southern Chiapas state in Mexico and Guatemala were a unified region prior to colonization. One archaeological site of note, Izapa, is 10 km from Tapachula.
Most of the city's monumental structures in the historic center were built in the first decades of the 20th century, although there are large homes near this same area built in the 1960s in Art Deco style, such as the La Portaviandas building. Outside the city downtown, the structures just about all date from the latter 20th century on due to recent growth. The historic center is marked by a large, tree-lined plaza called Parque Miguel Hidalgo. The center of this plaza contains an octagon kiosk with Baroque ironwork with some Moorish influence. Parque Miguel Hidalgo is the center of the city.
A tour of Mayan archaeological sites in western Guatemala and southwest Chiapas is available. These sites include: Izapa, Iximche, Zacalueu, Tenam Puente, and Chinkultic. The Cafetaleros de Tapachula represent the city in the Ascenso MX, the second division of Mexican football.
1 Papablita, MEX-200, Los Naranjos, ☏ +52 962 626 6388. Daily 10:00 - 01:00. Long-time Tapachula institution serving up thick grilled steaks and big baked potatoes. If you're not sure what to get, order the picaña. M$300. (updated Mar 2024) 2 La Monalica, 11a. Avenida Nte. 81, Los Naranjos, Centro, ☏ +52 962 626 0275. Tu-Sa 08:00 - 23:00; Su 08:00 - 20:30, M 08:00 - 17:00. Modern contemporary restaurant serving traditional Mexican cuisine. M$200. (updated Mar 2024) 3 El Mito-T, 4a. Avenida Sur 133, Los Naranjos, Centro, ☏ +52 962 184 4446. Tu-Sa 13:00 - 01:00, Su-M 13:00 - 22:00. Casual fun restaurant serving regional Mexican cuisine.
1 Mi Casa es tu Casa, 9ā Avenida Sur 81-83, Los Naranjos, 16 de Septiembre. Daily 13:00 - 22:00. Botanero serving beer and cocktails with snacks. Family friendly with soft drinks and kids area. (updated Mar 2024)
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Aug, Tapachula typically sees ~32°C daytime highs and 28 rainy days.
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