Tapachula

At the foot of the Tacaná volcano, just a few miles from Guatemala, lies Tapachula, the tropical capital of the Soconusco. A trip to Tapachula takes you to coffee fincas founded by German immigrants, Maya ruins and Pacific beaches.

A Border City with Many Roots

Even in pre-Hispanic times, the Soconusco was famous for its cacao, which the Aztecs demanded as tribute. In the late 19th century, immigrants from Germany, Japan and China arrived, established coffee plantations and shaped the region. The Chinese community left behind a food culture that is still thriving today, and the German fincas on the slopes of the Tacaná still produce coffee. As a border city, Tapachula is also an important arrival point today for migrants from Central America and beyond – something that visibly shapes the look of the city.

Sights in Tapachula

The center of life is the Parque Central Miguel Hidalgo, with its arcades, evening marimba concerts and the former city hall, which now houses a cultural center and a small regional museum. The Church of San Agustín stands right next door. About 12 miles west lies Izapa, one of the most important early sites in Mesoamerica, known for its stelae with mythological scenes, which are considered a link between Olmec and Maya culture. Above the city rises the Tacaná, at roughly 13,000 feet the second-highest mountain in Central America, which experienced hikers can climb in two days.

Eating in Tapachula

The Chinese-influenced menu is unique in Mexico: the city has numerous Chinese restaurants whose dishes have been adapted to Mexican ingredients over generations. Alongside them you'll find typical Chiapas dishes such as tamales de chipilín, caldo de shuti – a snail soup – and fresh fish from the coast. Mangoes, bananas and rambutan from the Soconusco are available at the Mercado Sebastián Escobar at very low prices. And of course coffee: several fincas along the Ruta del Café offer tours, tastings and overnight stays.

City Life Between Marimba and Market

Tapachula is a city that lives from trade. Around the central market, vendors from Chiapas and Guatemala crowd together, selling cacao, cheese, hammocks and textiles. In the evening, life shifts to the main square, where marimba orchestras perform and couples dance danzón. In the residential areas to the north, such as Los Encinos or Colinas del Rey, cafés, restaurants and shopping centers have sprung up in recent years. Once a year, the city celebrates the Feria Internacional Tapachula with concerts, amusement rides and stands from across the region, showing the borderland between Mexico and Central America at its liveliest.

Excursions, Getting There and Best Time to Visit

A winding road through cloud forest leads to fincas such as Argovia or Hamburgo in the mountains. On the Pacific coast you'll find Puerto Chiapas and the beaches of Playa Linda, and to the south the border region along the Río Suchiate. Tapachula Airport has connections to Mexico City, and long-distance buses run to Tuxtla Gutiérrez and San Cristóbal. As a border city, Tapachula has problems with crime; travelers should use taxis at night and avoid the border area. The best time to visit is between November and April. From May to October is the rainy season with heavy thunderstorms, and it is hot and humid all year round.