Discover Tabasco: Maya Culture, Nature and Cocoa

Tabasco can be discovered in many different ways: through Maya sites built with fired clay bricks, original Olmec pieces displayed in a jungle setting, nature and water experiences, and the history of cocoa. When choosing a holiday rental, it is therefore worth first deciding what you want to focus on during your trip. Would you like to visit archaeological sites and museums, experience landscapes from a boat, or learn more about the journey from cocoa bean to chocolate? The right base depends on which of these sides of Tabasco you want to shape your stay.

Maya Sites and Museums

The Zona Arqueológica de Comalcalco is a Maya archaeological site featuring architecture made from fired clay bricks; an on-site museum complements the visit. In Balancán, the Zona Arqueológica Moral Reforma preserves the central area of a Maya city, which covers 72 hectares. The Zona Arqueológica Pomoná is located between Emiliano Zapata and Tenosique. It comprises six buildings and an on-site museum. These sites offer different ways to learn about Maya sites and their architectural heritage.

Museums also each have their own focus. Parque Museo La Venta is an open-air archaeological museum where original Olmec pieces are displayed in a natural jungle setting. The Museo de Historia de Tabasco, known as Casa de los Azulejos, is housed in a 19th-century building. It displays objects and photographs relating to Tabasco’s history and serves as a venue for exhibitions, children’s workshops, conferences, concerts and theatrical performances. Those interested in documents, photographs, Zoque cultural archaeological pieces and regional handicrafts can find them at Casa Museo Tomás Garrido in Finca Villa Luz, three kilometres from Tapijulapa.

Water Landscapes, Caves and Nature Experiences

The Pantanos de Centla Biosphere Reserve can be reached from Villahermosa by shared transport to Frontera, followed by a shared taxi. As transport arrangements may change, it is advisable to check the latest connections before travelling. At the Jonuteek protected area, manatees and migratory birds take centre stage; canoe trips and wildlife watching are available. Casa del Agua combines boat trips with guided walks to an observation tower. At Santuario del Cangrejo Azul, boat trips pass through mangroves where blue crabs are shown in their natural habitat and conservation measures are explained.

Underground, the 492-metre route through Grutas del Coconá leads through eight chambers and passages with distinctive formations. Another experience is the ritual at Cueva de las Sardinas Ciegas: it takes place every year on Palm Sunday and is dedicated to abundance. For active excursions, Ruta Aventura en la Sierra offers picturesque villages, waterfalls, caves and rivers, as well as gastronomy and activities such as mountaineering, zip-lining and rappelling. Kolem-Jaá offers activities in the jungle including hiking, caving and canopy tours. Sport fishing, diving and swimming are possible at Playa Azul; palapas, restaurants and other services round out the offerings.

Cocoa Culture and Regional Cuisine

Ruta del Cacao al Chocolate runs through Cunduacán, Comalcalco and Paraíso. Its attractions and experiences include agritourism and archaeological sites. Guided tours of the cocoa plantations at Hacienda Jesús María explain the traditions of the cocoa-growing region and the journey from cocoa bean to chocolate production. A hacienda in Tecolutilla de Comalcalco offers chocolate-making experiences, tastings of pozol and chorote, and traditional regional cuisine. In Comalcalco, a hacienda introduces visitors to the history and origins of cocoa and offers chocolate and award-winning bonbons to taste.

DRUPA also connects cocoa with an engaging interpretation of its history: the cocoa plantation has a small natural history museum that explains the history of chocolate in pre-Columbian Mexico and introduces cocoa-based drinks. For culinary discoveries, Ruta de los Ríos is also worth exploring. It is known for artisanal Queso de Poro, smoked cheese, string cheese and provolone, as well as other cheese, cream and panetela products. When choosing a holiday rental, you can use these different interests as a guide: Maya heritage and museums, nature and water, or cocoa culture and regional cuisine.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Xalapa, Villahermosa, Buenavista, Cuajimalpa, Cárdenas, Paraíso, Tapijulapa, Ocuiltzapotlan, Tepetitán, Comalcalco, Tacotalpa, Huimanguillo, La Venta, Cunduacán.

For the main travel overview: Mexico.