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City and municipality in Chiapas, Mexico
Photo: h0lm, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Tuxtla Gutiérrez, usually just called Tuxtla, is the capital of Chiapas, and a busy government, commercial and services-oriented city. It is not a tourist attraction, but normal Mexican city, also acting as a transportation hub for tourists coming into the state due to its major airport and a bus terminal.
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Though more tourists visit here as part of a tour from San Cristóbal de las Casas, the viewpoints over the top of the canyon are actually accessed from Tuxtla, and are convenient to visit from the city center if you have your own car. For more info on the canyon, see the Cañón del Sumidero article. Though the entrance (marked on the map in this article) is accessible by colectivo Route 69, the actual viewpoints are many kilometers up the road through the national park, and the staff at the tollbooth won't let you in without a car except during "athlete" hours from 6-8 in the morning. It's possible to tour all the viewpoints by taxi for 500 pesos (total per car), but keep in mind that you may get the same thing for cheaper if you take a tour through a tour agency that also includes the boat trip through the canyon.
A spacious zoo which hosts only animals that can be found in the region naturally. In fact many of the animals roam the area freely and are not kept in cages. Don't miss the Museo del Cocodrilo while you're here.
The city's central plaza, surrounded by the cathedral, state government buildings, and some cheap food options that stay open late.
A lively alameda-style park where they have regular marimba concerts. The concerts start at about 6 and go on until late.
Museum of the Marimba, right beside the Parque de la Marimba.
Another Catholic church, this one with notable stained glass and a painting. Lots of pigeons when you're hanging around the bell tower outside.
The state government buildings.
A museum about the history of coffee along with various art and coffee sampling.
COCYTECH
A museum for all of the science lovers out there. Anthropological and zoological exhibits, etc.
If you want some stellar views of Tuxtla Gutierrez, this is a great place to get them. Also has some stations of the cross stuff, and a Jesus silhouette within the main cross statue itself.
Paleontology exhibits specific to Chiapas. Tuesdays free?
Museum dealing with MesoAmerican history and history following the Spanish conquest in the state of Chiapas.
A straight-up jungle right inside the city. Go for the forest experience, not for manicured flower beds.
Another viewpoint over the city.
Popular city park with replica of a Mayan tower on a hill from which you can look around at the city.
Park with lots of greenery and ponds (ducks, fish, etc), across from a flower clock.
A waterfall of "underground river" origin emanating from a grotto/cave in a canyon. Picturesque but may need to inquire as to condition since runs low at times. May be possible to swim in pool below.
Games, rides (e.g. go-karts), replicas of pyramids and dinosaurs, etc.
Nature preserve and swimming pool. (May want to take a look at the color of the water before jumping in.).
High ropes course with informational signs about the different trees as you go along.
Straightforward hostel with a dining terrace.
A business-style hostel, clean and comfortable but not geared towards meeting people. Tiny but functional kitchen. The only common areas are the lobby and the rooftop, which opens to the public as a bar from 5pm to midnight. Decent wifi, and a/c only at nighttime in the dorms (though it stays relatively cool during the day).
Clean, quiet, has wifi and a/c, homey, comfortable beds, recommended especially if you like pink colors and huskies (because they are pet-friendly).
This one is very chic with bright colored blankets and walls. You're going to think you're in a gelato shop possibly. It has wifi and a/c, hot water, and breakfast, and a very sleek looking exterior.
This is another modern looking one, at least on the exterior. And it includes a hearty breakfast with some papayas and other fruits in the morning, as well as wifi and a/c. Plentiful hot water.
This one is for when you really want to live it up on the town, maybe celebrate your honeymoon or just stay in a grand hotel. It has an outdoor pool, hot tub, gym, restaurant/bar, and breakfast buffet, along with wifi and a/c, airport shuttle, and bus center. If you're not acrophobic, try to get a room high up so that you can get views of the surrounding Chiapas mountain scenery. If you get bored, there's a Cinemex in the attached mall.
Pool, restaurant/bar, breakfast, all the amenities you'd expect with this chain. Where else could you stay at a Hilton Garden Inn for like US$40?
For when you need some mall time; has a theater also.
Another mall.
Like a wholesale open market. May be of limited interest.
By colectivo
The city has an extensive network of "colectivos" (white vans acting as buses) that run fixed routes, generally stopping only at designated stops marked by street pullouts and/or bus-shelter…
By bus
Avenida Central (which cuts through the city from west to east) and some other major roads may be serviced by the faster conejobus (check whether these are still running).
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Tuxtla Gutiérrez · Regional · TGZ
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