This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Tuxtla.
The modern city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez is fairly new to Mexico, but is one of the most developed and populated communities in the southeastern state of Chiapas. While this area is not specifically a tourist attraction in itself, Tuxtla has become an important transportation hubs for travelers visiting this part of Mexico, and provides a reliable home base for visitors looking to explore further in this area.
Originally, the valley where Tuxtla is located was known as “Coyatoc,” which means “land of rabbits.” When Aztecs intruded into the area, they kept the meaning of the name, but the word became “Tuchtlan,” and “Gutiérrez” was eventually added in 1848 to honor a conservative Mexican politician, Joaquin Miguel Gutiérrez.
Guests staying at a hotel or hostel here can expect to see a clean, business-oriented city, filled with wide, busy avenues, shopping plazas, popular markets, and open air tianguis. There are some other accommodation options beyond hotels and hostels, including a few bed and breakfasts and holiday rentals. However, this city is primarily an economic one – travelers looking to experience Mexican culture will have to venture outside of their hostel or hotel here in Tuxtla.
Still, there are a number of parks and green spaces here, as well as a few museums and cultural centres. The botanical museum and the Dr. Faustino Miranda Botanical Garden, located along the Sabinal River, offers a large exhibition where visitors can learn more about the various wood trees that grow here, and the natural history museum contains artifacts, maps, and information about the indigenous peoples that originally settled here. The Marimba Garden Park is an especially unique attraction, where marimba bands regularly play traditional music and host various larger musical events.
There is a local airport in Tuxtla, and visitors can take advantage of the First Class bus station that provides transportation to many other destinations throughout Mexico.
Written by local enthusiast for Tuxtla hostels
Jakob Lombardi
