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What's the best food in Tuxtla?
You can't skip the chipilín tamales, they're a little earthier than the ones with hoja de santa and locals tend to be fiercely loyal to one or the other. I'd try both and decide for yourself, but I lean chipilín. For a solid one, the Comedor Lupita on 2a Calle Poniente does them fresh every morning and they're gone by 10am. They also serve a great caldo de res if you need something heartier.
You'll want to start with cochito horneado, it's pork baked in achiote and wrapped in banana leaves. For a solid version, head to El Fogón on Calle 11 Poniente, they've been doing it forever and the portions are generous.
Don't skip the tamales chiapanecos either, they're wrapped in hoja de santa and have a totally different flavor than what you'd get in central Mexico. A good spot to try them is Mercado Juan Sabines, just look for the stall with the longest line around lunchtime.
For something quick, try a salbut, it's a thick fried tortilla with shredded chicken and lots of cabbage. There's a taquería on 5a Avenida Sur near the zócalo that does them really well for about 30 pesos each.
Honestly, don't leave without trying a pozol, it's this corn and cacao drink that's super refreshing and kinda filling. The best one I've had is from a little stall at the Parque de la Marimba, just grab one from any of the abuelas there.
Things to Do in Tuxtla (2026)
Begin your visit at the Plaza Cívica, the main square in the city center. It's surrounded by the Catedral de San Marcos and the Palacio de Gobierno, which features striking… 🏛️ Start at the Zocalo
Begin your visit at the Plaza Cívica, the main square in the city center. It's surrounded by the Catedral de San Marcos and the Palacio de Gobierno, which features striking murals of Chiapas history. The square is lively in the evenings with street food vendors and local families.
🌳 Explore the Sumidero Canyon
Take a boat tour through the Cañón del Sumidero, a dramatic gorge with 1,000-meter cliffs. Tours depart from the Chiapa de Corzo pier, about 15 minutes from Tuxtla, and cost around 350 MXN per person. Keep an eye out for crocodiles, spider monkeys, and the iconic rock formation known as the Arbol de Navidad.
🦁 Visit the Miguel Álvarez del Toro Zoo
This zoo, known as ZOOMAT, focuses on native Chiapas species in naturalistic enclosures. It's located at Calzada Cerro Hueco S/N and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Admission is free, making it a budget-friendly family activity.
🌺 Stroll through the Marimba Park
Parque de la Marimba is the heart of Tuxtla's evening culture, with live marimba music starting around 7 PM. Grab a seat on a bench or dance under the gazebo. The park is at 2a Avenida Sur and Calle 2a Poniente, and it's free to enjoy.
🍽️ Try Local Chiapanecan Cuisine
Head to El Mercado de los Ancianos for authentic tamales, pozol, and cochito horneado. A meal costs around 80-120 MXN. For a sit-down experience, try Restaurante Las Pichanchas at Calle 5a Poniente 524, which serves regional dishes with live music.
🚌 Getting Around Tuxtla
Taxis are plentiful and affordable, with short trips costing around 40-60 MXN. For a local experience, take a colectivo (shared van) along major routes for just 10 MXN. The city is also walkable in the center, but use ride-hailing apps like Didi for convenience.
🌄 Day Trip to Chiapa de Corzo
Just 15 minutes east of Tuxtla, Chiapa de Corzo is a colonial town with the iconic Mudejar-style fountain in the main square. Visit on a Sunday to see the artisan market. The town is also the launch point for Sumidero Canyon tours.
🎭 Catch a Show at the Teatro de la Ciudad
The Teatro de la Ciudad Emilio Rabasa hosts dance, theater, and concerts throughout the year. Check the schedule at the box office on Calle 1a Sur. Tickets often range from 100 to 300 MXN, offering a glimpse into local performing arts.
if you're up for a little detour, the museo regional de antropología e historia is a 15 peso coletivo ride from the zocalo and has some really good pieces from the maya sites around chiapas. the jade masks and the stelae replicas are the standout stuff, and it's never crowded so you can take your time. takes about an hour or so to go through
for a cheap lunch that's not in the guide, try the loncheria la estrella on 3a poniente near the mercado. the tortas de pierna are like 35 pesos and they load them up with avocado and jalapeños. way better than the touristy spots near the zocalo and the family that runs it is super nice
honestly the botanic garden at ZOOMAT is worth its own mention, it's behind the main zoo area and has a bunch of native plants labeled with their traditional uses. i spent like 45 mins just wandering through there and learned that some of the stuff i see at the mercado is actually medicinal
for a late night snack after the marimba park, there's a guy who sets up a tamales stand on 2a poniente near the corner of 4a norte around 9pm. he sells the green ones with chicken in hoja de plátano for like 12 pesos each and theyre way better than the ones at the market during the day
the colectivos are honestly the best way to get around but watch out for the ones that say "tuxtla-chiapa" on the side, they'll take u all the way to chiapa de corzo for like 15 pesos instead of paying for a taxi. just flag one down on the main avenues
Solid list, covers the essentials. One thing I'd add is that if you're at the Palacio de Gobierno, go upstairs to see the murals on the second floor. Most people only check out the ground level ones, but the ones upstairs by a different artist cover more of the state's indigenous history and are less crowded.
For the Sumidero boat tour, the 350 MXN price is standard but some operators at the pier will try to tack on a "guide fee" or extra for life vests. Just insist on the posted rate and you're fine. I'd also skip the food they sell at the halfway point on the tour, it's overpriced and nothing special.