Tabasco is a flat and tropical state with picturesque wetlands and forests. The large rivers Grijalva and Usumacinta run through the lush terrain. Explore the countryside and visit the state capital of Villahermosa for its museums and parks. Offshore oil discoveries brought the city to life in the 1970s.
Stroll through the Villahermosa City Center for its cultural highlights. Learn about the Olmec peoples that inhabited the region at the La Venta open-air museum. Its 17 acres (7 hectares) contain over 30 monuments, including altars and monoliths. Sit by the lake in the Tomas Garrido Canabal Park and bring your kids to see the animals in the Yumká ecological reserve.
Try the local cuisine, which is heavily influenced by the produce from the Gulf of Mexico coastline. Enjoy oysters, ceviche raw fish and seafood cocktails. Those brave enough should taste the Salsa Chimay hot sauce, which is made from habanero peppers.
Much of the state’s highlights are outdoors. Expect year-round hot and humid weather, with the wettest months from June to October. Arrive in November through January for the most comfortable temperatures and hike or drive along one of the main trails. These include the Chocolate Route from Comalcalco to Paraíso and Cunduacan and the Olmeca-Zoque Route from Cardenas to Huimanguillo.
Paraíso is popular due to its stretches of sand on the northern coast of Mexico. Enjoy the serene ambiance in this underdeveloped area with uncrowded beaches and houses made of adobe.
Meet the state’s locals, who are known as Tabasqueños or Chocos, to get a sense of their identity. They speak a dialect of Spanish influenced by the Caribbean and few understand English.
The state stands between Mexico City and Cancun in the southeastern part of the country. Fly to the Carlos Rovirosa Pérez International Airport or arrive in Cancún, followed by a 14-hour bus journey to get here. Get around the many towns by bus.
Tabasco is a varied tropical landscape with reserves, museums and parks.