In this city, cobblestoned streets surrounded by majestic buildings merge into a mythical place where the shades turn in vivid colors and exuberant nature. Villahermosa (beautiful village), as its name indicates, is a beautiful city that balances modern buildings with a historic heart.

    Villahermosa was attacked by American and French invaders between 1846 and 1864, basically wiping it off the face of the earth. This is why in this 450 year-old city, only nineteenth and twentieth century buildings and monuments are preserved. Some of them open to the public since they turned into museums, that you will be able to admire during your vacation in Villahermosa.

    Villahermosa seems to be a young city of less than a century year old, due to its large and modern residential areas, its gorgeous natural parks, different malls and its pretty and wide avenues surrounded by vegetation. However, you do not realize that this city has a rich historic past until the moment that you delve into its culture.

Description

     Villahermosa is a prosperous city located in the southeast of the country, in the southern area of the Gulf of Mexico; therefore, its climate is humid tropical. The city features deep rivers, amazingly gorgeous lagoon systems, deafening waterfalls such as the ones in Agua Blanca and Agua Selva, giving to this Mexican state over 30 per cent of the sweet water of the country.

Villahermosa was settled on June 24th 1519, when Cortez founded it by the shore of the Grijalva River. This was the first Spanish colony and took the name of Santa Maria Victoria. Due to the continuous pirate attack, the city had to move down south and it was renamed to San Juan Bautista in 1826.

In 1846, American troops bombarded the city and later French invaders did likewise in 1863 y 1864; therefore, they destroyed the ancient houses and colonial buildings that festooned the city of Villahermosa. Because of this, the city impoverished until the point of basically disappearing from the face of the earth. It reappeared in times of the beginning of the oil exploitation, obtaining its current name in February 1916.

Adventure in Villahermosa

      If you come to vacation in Villahermosa, you will be able to practice adventure tourism amidst its high jungle, mangroves and the most exuberant vegetation. You will find interesting ecosystems distributed along the Grijalva and Usumacinta Rivers. Tabasco territory is unique, giving you access to the lush jungle, wide savannah, mangroves, lagoons, rivers and living marshes.

     Whether it is in the center or in the surroundings of the city, there is always something to do or find in Villahermosa. In the suburbs is situated the Yumka reserve and zoo park; in the city you can find La Venta Park; in the historic center, the charming "Zona Luz" (Light Zone), and next to the Laguna de las Ilusiones (Illusions Lagoon), the fabulous Tomas Garrido Park. The splendid Grijalva River goes through the heart of Villahermosa.

    On Tabasco territory, not far from Villahermosa, you will find several archeological areas of the different civilizations, such as the Olmecs, Mayas and Nahuas. You cannot forget to visit Comalcalco, it features an enigmatic architecture on bricks; La Venta Park allows you to admire the magnificent Colossal Heads and you cannot miss the recently inaugurated area of San Claudio, to fill yourself up with culture. Less than an hour away from Villahermosa, you will be able to experience the excitement and adventure in Teapa, which is the entrance to the Sierra region. You can climb up the Madrigal Mountain, relax in the crystal clear waters of the Puyacatengo River and discover the fascinating Canicas and Cocona grottoes; these are just some of the different choices for the adventurous visitors of Villahermosa.