Introduction
Tapachula is the head of one of the most important state’s municipalities, this city is at the base of Tacaná Volcano. This city has
province and modern features with European architecture, keeping many vernacular elements in houses made of otate, adobe
or raw cane, with palm or mud tile roofs.
This city is 120 meter over sea level and has a present population of 271,141 inhabitants.
This city is located in Soconusco region and is one of the most economical outstanding, since it is located just in the entrance
gate towards Central America, in the narrow Pacific plain. Is was inhabited by people with a self culture almost unknown and
they established one of the most amazing ceremonial centers in the Izapa region.
Description
Tapachula is a city with hot and humid weather, with surrounding beautiful landscape, exuberant vegetation, traditional architecture
both of big public buildings and houses surrounding this beautiful city center.
An example of this splendor are: Iglesia de San Agustín, old municipal palace, transformed Culture house, Parque Hidalgo the
new municipal palace. Economic activity is reflected in many family huge houses from the sixty’s, Art Decó style and the building
La Portaviandas and the Verdun house that show long ago social life in this part of the Soconusco.
Historic monuments
· Parroquia de San Agustín ·
It keeps its architectural simplicity, with wooden roof with mud tiles. Its most important element is the frontispiece of neoclassic
influence, the Ionian pilasters at the side of blind arches similar to the far church of Teopisca.
· Casa de cultura ·
This building shows the prosperity reached in the city. It is one of the XX century architectural worth, it was inaugurated in 1929.
Several constants influenced in its construction as Art Decó style, very popular in all Mexico. This style was born in Europe.
The Tapachula nationalism retook the figures at the side of the main frontispiece, such as Oaxaca Grecian frets, Aztec warriors,
styled snakes and the use of the national and state shields.
· Parque M. Hidalgo ·
This is one of the preferred places for the Tapachula people. Here, thousands of love stories and so many things about life are
told; for this reason this park gives amusement as well as cover to every visitor that sits to admire people warmness and the
pulse of this commercial and border city. It is surrounded by Palacio Municipal, el Portal Pérez and the open air Theater,
where marimba concerts are performed, giving a joyful touch to the area.
· Panteón Municipal ·
One of the best funeral art. It is located just in the city because its tombs and chapels express the great economical activity and
also the ethnics plurality; here graves with German names or Chinese writing are found. The best examples are from late XIX
century and beginnings of XX century.
Museums
· Museo Arqueológico del Soconusco ·
This culture space has five rooms that show the different region historical aspects from the prehispanish period, with items
coming from near archeological places, as Iztapa and other places of the Chiapas Coast.
...don’t miss!
Tapachula is a graceful well located city with kind people; it has many attractions that a tourist should not miss.
Some of them are:
· Archeologic Soconusco Museum
· Marimba performance at Parque Hidalgo
in the afternoons
· Puerto Madero
· Playa San Benito
· Eat sea food in Las Escolleras
· Visit Casa Grande de Santo Domingo
· Taste a good coffee ( this region
produces the best export coffee)
· Unión Juárez Coffee farms.
Gastronomy
It would be impossible to generalize the Chiapas gastronomy, due to the diversity of this state’s weather and inhabitants,
the gastronomy changes from region to region. Tapachula offers an important gastronomic experience, given by Soconusco
Pearl.
Remember Tapachula has economical activity and attraction for visitors from every parts of the world; that is the reason
to the diversity of international dishes, for example we mention Italian, Chinese, from Thailand, Cantonese, Japanese and the
classic vegetarian cuisines. Add corresponding restaurant links.
Handcrafts
Tapachula doe not offer handcrafts different from other municipalities due to the great influence of other foreign cultures that established in this region. Most handcrafts found here come from the far east, like China and Japan.
Night life
Amusement and night life are characteristic in this city. Here, the visitor can find a diversity of bars and discos for different tastes, from trova to the salsa, Raggae or techno music. Add bars and disco links.
Weather
The hot humid weather is characteristic of this region. Mornings are very hot and humid at the same time most months of the year.
Ethnics group
Mámes are the most characteristic ethnics, although Tapachula has acquired considerable Guatemala ethnics due to its nearness.
Lodging
From $10 USD to $200 USD, always combining the charm and beauty, simplicity and luxury, adventure and passion, resulting in a unique and unforgettable experience, taking care of the pleasant environment, where the good taste prevails. Add establishments links from the cheapest to the more expensive.
Location
It is located in the state’s coast, in the Soconusco region, near the Guatemala border. 446 Km from the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez and only 22 Km from Talismán border bridge.
How to get there?
Tapachula is considered the central point in the state’s south. It is geographically located as a crossing of the most important
region highways. From Tuxtla Gutiérrez Panamericana Highway 190 has to be taken to the city of Arriaga and then take the
coast highway 200 to finish five hours later.
On the other hand, if it is preferred to travel through Comitán, the Panamericana
highway 190 should be taken as far as Ciudad Cuauhtémoc, and then continue on highway 211 to detour Huixtla, and
continue on coast highway 200, approximately in four and a half hours.
Attractions
Vulcano Tacaná, Unión Juárez, Barra de Mazatán, Barra de San José, Estero Las Palmas, Reserva de La Encrucijada, Barra de Cahoacán.
Recomendations
Bring clothes for hot weather, sun screen and if Unión Juárez is visited protected clothes should be brought, because weather is cold at night. If interested in visiting Guatemala don’t forget to bring passport.
Places nearby
Tonalá and Comitán.
Festivities
· International Tapachula Fair ·
It is considered one of the most important of the state and the country; it is celebrated on February
and after cattle and agricultural exhibitions from other countries take place, as well as the participation of
national artists.
· Feria de San Agustín ·
It takes place from August 20 to 30 on behalf of the city’s patron Saint, with peregrinations from different
neighborhoods.
Contact
For additional information contact Tourist Delegation
Prolongación Central Oriente s/n
Plaza Camiko P/B local 20
Tel: (962) 62 554-09
or call toll free 01 800-280-3500
