Introduction
Some small ceremonial centers appeared in the valley of Tuxtla around the year 400 BC. The Tuxtleco origin is traced later in a
Zoque town called Coyatoc (Rabbits house, Koyá, rabbit, toc, house) name that the nahoas tongue people traduced as Tochtlan;
Diego de Mazariegos expedition went along Tuxtla in 1528 when it was part of Zoque province; the first expedition made by
Frailes Tomás de la Casilla and Alonso de Villalba was made in 1546, and the ancient Tuxtla village was founded in 1560,
when the first Catholic hermitage dedicated to San Marcos Evangelist was built.
The name of San Marcos was put before Tochtlan
town (Tuxtla) Tuxtla was the place where Chiapas independence was proclaimed in 1821. It was upgraded as a city in 1829, and
the name Tuxtla Gutiérrez, on behalf of Don Joaquín Miguel Gutiérrez, soldier and politician, state’s Governor,
was formalized in 1829. Tuxtla Gutiérrez has a population of more than 430,000 inhabitants and it is located 550
meters over sea level.
Description
Tuxtla Gutiérrez is at present a city characterized by its fast demographic growth; very hot seasons and strong winds, and its neighborhoods festivities. Although it is a modern city, many traditions survive as cuisine, legends, rites, vernacular architecture, and its rich and varied vegetation.
Historical monuments
· Cathedral ·
Originally dedicated to San Marcos Evangelist was built by Frailes Dominicos in 1560, date in which was named
Tochtlan before San Marcos Evangelist, so named Marcos Tuchtla (Tuxtla).
· Antigua Presidencia Municipal ·
Style classified as neocolonial eclectically building proper of post revolutionary aesthetical built in 1942 , noted its big door
over the main balcony.
· Templo del Calvario ·
It was built at the end of XIX century, its entrance is modestly neogotical.
· Templo de San Pascualito ·
In 1872 neighborhoods made a brotherhood to Build a Hermitage to honor San Pascual Rey.
· Templo del Niño de Atocha ·
Started to be built in the 1940—1944, structure is Latin cross plant and its towers were built later, the frontispiece presents an
access vane of half point arch.
· Monumento a la Bandera ·
It is a huge flagstaff 25 meters high, built in 1942 covered by flat relieves prehispanish inspired as a background to 2 female
figures shaking hands representing Chiapas Federation to Mexico.
Museums
· Museo Regional de Chiapas ·
It was the first Chiapas museum in 1932. it has 2 permanent exhibition rooms, the first one displays one of the most valuable
prehispanish collections of archeological items; the second one embraces historical, artistic and ethnographic from
XVI century to date.
· Museo Paleontológico Eliseo Palacios ·
This room helps to understand the present natural richness of Chiapas, showing the patterns of plants and animals evolution
during the different geological stage through exhibition places.
· Jardín prehistórico ·
Paleontology universe, life trough geological time, healing laboratory, Chiapas fossils, Chiapas old landscapes, and Chiapas amber.
...Don’t miss!
· In this lovely city don’t forget the
following recommendation:
· Visit Zoo Miguel Álvarez del Toro
· Dance at Rythm of marimba in the el
Parque de la marimba
· Visit Museo Regional de Chiapas and the
Paleontología
· Parque Ecoturístico Cañón del sumidero
· Visit la Casa de las artesanías
· Visit miradores del Cañón del Sumidero.
· Jardín Botánico “Faustino Miranda”
· Centro de Convenciones and Polyforum
Chiapas
· Museo de la Ciudad “Emilio Rabasa”
· Centro Cultural Jaime Sabines
· Teatro de la Ciudad Emilio Rabasa
· Museo de Historia Natural
Gastronomy
It is impossible to talk about Chiapas gastronomy in a general way, since it varies from place to place. Most establishments offer traditional dishes, a mix of two cultures, Indian and Spanish. An example of this are Sopa de Chipilín, tasajo con chirmol (salted beef meat with tomato sauce) Tostadas tuxtlecas, several, tamales, and tazcalate drink, el agua de chia and typical sweets as puxaxe.
Handcrafts
Chiapas owns a great diversity of handcrafts techniques. In La casa de las artesanías different handcrafts made in Chiapas, like amber items wood carving, fabrics, jarciería, lapidary, iron forged, pottery, crushed paper, lacquers, baskets can be found.
Night life
Amusement is not only limited to visit the city attractions, but also enjoy this magic city famous environment; here the visitor can drink a glass of wine in a trova environment, or a sophisticated discos music or salsa, Raggae or techno music; all of these can be found in the city center. There are a different kind of bars and discos. Add links of bars and discos.
Weather
Hot most part of the year, hot humid, with rains in summer (July—October)
Ethnics group
Zoques
Lodging
From $10 USD to $200 USD, combining the beauty, charm, simplicity, and the luxury, adventure and passion, good taste prevails resulting in an unique and unforgettable experience, taking care of a pleasant environment, both in its open spaces and its colonial architecture. Add establishments links, from the cheapest to the more expensive are the establishments in the city.
Location
State’s capital located in the center, 829 Km from the Republic Capital.
How to get there?
From Mexico City take the freeway to Villahermosa, Tabasco to 616 Km, crossing to las Choapas, then to Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
Attractions
Chiapa de Corzo, El Cañón del Sumidero, Cascadas El Correadero, Cascada El Aguacero, San Cristóbal de Las Casas.
Recomendations
If the tourist travels from the country center, consult the road map to arrive at Chiapas capital using the fast highway.
Places nearby
Chiapa de Corzo and Ocozocoautla de Espinoza
Festivities
Chiapas is tradition, folklore, dance and over all the marimba Music, in the many fairs and festivities along the year, on behalf
of Santo Patrono on April, the San Marcos Fair and sports and cultural events, night processions, cutting twigs to adorned leaves
for sweets and fruits. In October the Panamericana Race that starts in Tuxtla Gutiérrez. The automobile exhibition takes place
in the fair’s facilities, and an automobile parade.
The race ends in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. The Chiapas fair takes place at the
beginning of December, with Bullfights horse races, motocross, cocks games, artists performances, mechanical games, dogs
exhibition, cattle exhibitions, handcrafts selling, industrial and commercial expos. Guadalupes Virgin celebration is on December 12,
with special masses, serenades to the Virgin, peregrinations from all the state.
Contact
For additional information visit the following:
Airport
Zoológical Regional Miguel Álvarez del Toro
Tourist Delegation
Boulevard Dr. Belisario Domínguez No 950
Tels. 01 961 60 25074, 01 800-280-3500
