Villahermosa is the capital city of the state of Tabasco in Mexico.
Recently the city 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.
- La Venta Museum-Park, 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 Oltec culture can be seen there. For example one of four really big stone heads. They also have some animals in the park. Make sure you wear long clothes and use a mosquito repellent. M$40 foreigners, M$35 Mexican nationals, M$10 students.
- Planetarium, Av. Paseo Tabasco (Next to the Convention Center, +52 993 316 3641. Tu-F 18:30, Sa Su 17:00 and 18:30. The planetarium is part of a cultural center. Omnimax screen shows films about the evolution of aeronautics, marine ecosystems, atmospheric studies, formation of the earth and ecosystems. Also located nearby is a big shopping mall and the city hall. M$30, seniors M$10.
La Venta Museum-Park, 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 Oltec culture can be seen there. For example one of four really big stone heads. They also have some animals in the park. Make sure you wear long clothes and use a mosquito repellent. M$40 foreigners, M$35 Mexican nationals, M$10 students.
Planetarium, Av. Paseo Tabasco (Next to the Convention Center, +52 993 316 3641. Tu-F 18:30, Sa Su 17:00 and 18:30. The planetarium is part of a cultural center. Omnimax screen shows films about the evolution of aeronautics, marine ecosystems, atmospheric studies, formation of the earth and ecosystems. Also located nearby is a big shopping mall and the city hall. M$30, seniors M$10.
- Tomás Garrido Park. The park is located at the corner of Paseo Tabasco and Av. Ruiz Cortines. The La Venta Museum is in this park.
- Yumka, Las Barrancas S/N (connected to the airport, +52 993 356 0115. 09:00-16:00 (closes at 17:00). Yumka is a ecologic reservation with a size of 101 hectares. You can find there three ecosystems which are also present in Tabasco. Savanna, a lagoon and forest with all the animals normally living there. Every tour takes about 30 minutes. Afterwards, you can relax in a recreational area. Apparently only Spanish is spoken.
Tomás Garrido Park. The park is located at the corner of Paseo Tabasco and Av. Ruiz Cortines. The La Venta Museum is in this park.
Yumka, Las Barrancas S/N (connected to the airport, +52 993 356 0115. 09:00-16:00 (closes at 17:00). Yumka is a ecologic reservation with a size of 101 hectares. You can find there three ecosystems which are also present in Tabasco. Savanna, a lagoon and forest with all the animals normally living there. Every tour takes about 30 minutes. Afterwards, you can relax in a recreational area. Apparently only Spanish is spoken.
The main shopping mall is found in the area known as Tabasco 2000 and called now Galerias. It hosts the department store Liverpool and other small shops.
You can find big malls located at Paseo Usumacinta and Periferico Carlos Pellicer Camara (Plaza Villahermosa) and another one at Avenida Ruiz Cortinez and Periferico Carlos Pellicer Camara (near Cinepolis).
Also there are many stores which sell small souvenirs from the Olmec culture.
If you go directly into the city center, west of Avenida Jose Maria Pino Suarez and north of the city's palacio, you will find a rather big pedestrian-only shopping area with lots of stores, restaurants and a few hotels. This area is called Zona Luz - Centro Historico y Commercial.
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.
VH, Buddah Khan, Bfore, Underground
You can find some internet cafes in the city. If you need it, there is one located close to the ADO bus station under the Hotel Palomino Palace.
- Campeche - Campeche, part of UNESCO world heritage, has a refurbished city center. But still, around you can find the typical mexican city parts.
- Palenque - It is famous for Mayan ruins.
- Guatemala - Located not too far away, another country is waiting to be explored.