Situated between the states of Veracruz and Campeche along the Gulf of Mexico, the sparsely populated state of Tabasco is known for its wide rivers, deep lagoons and charming villages.
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Tabasco attracts few foreign tourists, despite offering all the modern amenities any tourist would expect in its capital city of Villahermosa, and a fascinating array of cultural attractions and outdoor activities. For some reason, it has enjoyed anonymity as a tourist destination, but that started to change in recent years. Measuring just 330 by 195 kilometers, Tabasco is known for its humidity, the wetlands and intense tropical greenery.
Several large rivers drain from nearby mountains and tropical jungle into the Gulf of Mexico. Coastal plains give way to undulating foothills that rise to become the Sierra Madre de Chiapas mountain range. Lagoons, estuaries and marshes dominate the landscape. Tabasco is home to over 2,200 plant species, some fabulous eco parks, and one of Mexico's most delightful biosphere reserves, a paradise for every nature lover.
Visitors can use Villahermosa, "beautiful village", as a base for exploring the state. This city is home to a whole range of modern hotels, large U.S.-style shopping malls, and a number of interesting museums and cultural centers. They mostly have English signs, so you won't have to depend on your Spanish skills. Here is one of Mexico's most fascinating zoological and archaeological parks, La Venta, where you can enjoy boat rides along the Grijalva River, and the Yumka safari park – safari thousands mile away from Africa.
Tabasco History Museum or Casa de los Azulejos is set in the downtown historic center. Inside an old colonial house with tiled walls you can get information about the state's history and just the right measure of it - not too much, not too little. The pedestrian-friendly Zona Luz is popular with tourists and locals alike for its shops, cafes and the relaxed atmosphere. It is close to the river and that adds it a unique charm. There are several air-conditioned restaurants, art galleries, and musicians playing marimba music, the style that's unique for Tabasco.
Tabasco's 190 kilometers of coastline has no resorts, but it has charming seaside villages spread along estuaries and lagoons – worth a visit if you are more into the rustic rather than the all-inclusive, all-full-of-people vacation. Some of Tabasco's attractions include stunning archaeological sites, cacao plantations, old colonial towns, and the capital city of Villahermosa. Tabasco is one of Mexico's smallest states, but it is also one of its wealthiest because it is also know as as a headquarters for Mexico's oil industry.
Back in ancient days, Tabasco served as the border between the Mayan and Aztec empires, serving as a trade hub between the two cultures, and that was supported by its fertile grounds so it's rich with agriculture all year round. Today, Villahermosa and its districts attract business travelers, while outer areas are for nature lovers. Humid and warm all the time, the state's climate can be extreme with heavy rains from May to October and more temperate climate from December to March).
Today, the two largest indigenous groups are the Chontals (Mayans) and the Zoques. The Chontals preserve ancient traditions and lifestyles which can be seen in their communities even today. They live in western and central Tabasco, in small and self-sufficient communities, enjoying fishing, growing cacao and ranching. The Zoques, the State's second largest group, are direct descendants of the Olmecs, they are preserving many typically Olmec cultural traditions and they contribute to the state's complex history. ■
