Tapachula

A sweaty, bustling city, and Mexico’s main border town with Guatemala [1], Tapachula is far from charming, but it’s not without its shining stars. The restaurants [2] are among the best and most varied in the state, and the archaeological museum [3] makes a fascinating stop for adults and kids alike.

Add to that the many surrounding sights—windswept beaches [4], an untouched mangrove reserve [5], upscale coffee fincas, [6] and the looming Tacaná Volcano [7]—and together, they all make Tapachula well worth exploring.

Getting to Tapachula

By Air: The Tapachula International Airport (TAP, Carr. Tapachula–Puerto Chiapas Km. 18.8, tel. 962/626-4189) is located about 18 kilometers (11 miles) south of Tapachula on the road toward Puerto Chiapas. Airlines that service it include Aviacsa (Av. Central Sur at 1a Calle Pte., toll-free Mex. tel. 800/284-2272, toll-free U.S. tel. 800/967-5263, www.aviacsa.com [8]) and Aeroméxico (Avenida Central Ote. near 1a Av. Nte., tel. 962/626-3921, toll-free Mex. tel. 800/021-4000, toll-free U.S. tel. 800/237-6639, www.aeromexico.com [9]).

By Bus: First-class, deluxe, and international buses service the OCC bus station (17a Calle Ote. at 3a Av. Nte., tel. 962/626-2881), located 10 blocks from Parque Hidalgo. It’s far enough from most hotels to merit taking a cab (US$1.75). The station has two ATMs in the waiting area as well as a tourist information kiosk (1–5 p.m. Mon.–Sat.) in the baggage claim area.

By Combi: Unión y Progreso (5a Calle Pte. near 12a Av. Nte.) runs combis every 5–10 minutes 4 a.m.–10:30 p.m. from Tapachula to Izapa Archaeological Zone [10] (30 mins, US$0.85).

To get to Santo Domingo [11] and Unión Juárez [12], take a Unión y Progreso combi to Cacahoatán (US$1.50, 1 hr) and transfer to a combi headed to Unión Juárez (US$0.50, 40 mins) that stops at Santo Domingo (US$0.25, 30 mins).

Servicio 12 de Octubre (13a Calle Pte. near 4a Av. Nte.) provides combi service to Barra de Cahoacán [4] (every 15 mins 7 a.m.–9 p.m., 1 hr, US$1.25); the last combi from Barra de Cahoacán leaves at 5:30 p.m. daily. Servicio 12 de Octubre also drops passengers off near the airport (TAP, Carr. Tapachula–Puerto Chiapas Km. 18.8, tel. 962/626-4189).