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TABASCO

Exploring Villahermosa
by Ron Mader

MEXICO FORUM

MEXICO -- The city of Villahermosa (elevation: 10 meters) is the capital of the state of Tabasco.

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PHOTO GALLERY: Olmecs

The city was founded at the intersection of the Carrizal and Grijalva rivers meet en route to the Gulf of Mexico. The city's tropical atmosphere is matched by colorful flower gardens and tall palm trees. The city's name means 'beautiful city' in Spanish.

CULTURE

Much of the downtown is closed to traffic.

Places to visit include the Museum of History and the former home of Carlos Pellicer Cámara, one of Mexico's leading poets.

The famous La Venta museum is located on the Lagoon of Illusions (Laguna de las Ilusiones). Pellicer Cámara recreated the landscape of the original Olmec site (now an oil field) in the 1950s and created one of Mexico's most impressive open-air museums.

NEARBY

Villahermosa is a gateway to the Maya world. Nearby is Palenque.

VISITING?

LOCATION - Villahermosa is 112 kilometers from Palenque, 680 kilometers (422 miles) east of Mexico City and 741 kilometers (460 miles) southeast of Oaxaca City.

TRANSPORTATION - There are numerous buses to Palenque, Merida and Mexico City.

There are numerous flights available from the city airport, Carlos Rovirosa International aka Villahermosa International (VSA).

FESTIVALS - La Choca Park hosts the state fair every April.

WEATHER - Villahermosa has a tropical climate. It rains frequently in the summer. Savvy travelers are advised to wear long sleeved shirts and pants to ward off mosquitos.