Tuxtla Gutiérrez is the heart of Chiapas that beats to the rhythm of the marimba. It is the city that receives more tourists in this state located in southern Mexico and where it is still possible to learn about the richness of the culture Zoque, Tzotzil and the benefits of the jungle, which makes its way through deep canyons and torrential waterfalls.
To familiarize yourself with the surroundings, you should start by exploring the city; the warm climate of Tuxtla Gutiérrez has allowed it to be surrounded by lush parks and gardens. Perhaps one of the most famous outdoor sites is the Parque de la Marimba, where every afternoon there's music playing and couples dancing.
Then we have the Calzada de las Personas Ilustres, flanked by bronze busts of the main characters of the Mexican Revolution. It is the oldest pedestrian walkway in the city with 250 meters ( 820 feet ) in length that connects with other main attractions such as the botanical garden and the museums of paleontology and anthropology.
In the downtown of Tuxtla Gutiérrez there are still colonial buildings such as: the San Marcos Cathedral with its white facade and its 48 bells. Its turret has a mechanism that allows you to see the parade of the twelve apostles every hour. Continuing along Avenida Central, you'll find Café Avenida, the oldest café in the city and a source of inspiration for writers and poets like Jaime Sabines. By the way, the city honored him by building el Centro Cultural Jaime Sabines (“Jaime Sabines Cultural Center”), which houses the largest library in the state, an amphitheater and a bookstore.
Take a tour of the Instituto Casa Chiapas (“Chiapas House Institute”), the site that houses all the handicrafts produced in the state. Pottery, hand-embroidered textiles (with and without stones), lacquer and basketry are souvenir options to take home. From here you can continue to the Miguel Alvarez del Toro Zoo (Zoomat), which is inside a natural reserve and is inhabited by species endemic to Chiapas. You can see quetzals, macaws, jaguars, tapirs, deer, among others.
Visit the Christ of Copoya built on top of el Cerro Mactumatzá (Mactumatzá Hill). With a height of 62 meters ( 262 feet), it surpasses el Cristo Redentor of Rio de Janeiro (“Christ the Redeemer of Rio de Janeiro”). By means of a lighting system, every certain time it changes its color to project its imposing silhouette.
At the Viewpoint of Los Amorosos, it is possible to observe a panoramic view of the illumination of the city and take a photograph next to the sculpture of Jaime Sabines. The space is located on the Libramiento Norte Poniente.
Tuxtla Gutiérrez is also a place for adventure activities and one of the main entrances to the Sumidero Canyon. It is necessary to dedicate one day to navigate this impressive formation, rappel in the Sima de las Cotorras, explore the highest stone arch in the world and walk between waterfalls.
How to get there? Tuxtla Gutierrez has one of the three international airports in Chiapas. It receives flights from all major cities in Mexico and the rest of the world.
