Tapijulapa

The streets are lined with white houses with red trim and red roofs

Tapijulapa is a scenic small town in Mexico's southern state of Tabasco. Buildings are all painted white with red trim and have red roofs. Surrounded by jungle, abundant natural scenery invites hiking and exploration. Don't miss the Villa Luz waterfalls. Tapijulapa is one of Mexico's designated Pueblos Mágicos.

Get in

The best way to get to Tapijulapa from Villahermosa is by taxi. Even though the ride is almost an hour long, the fare is unlikely to be more than about M$80, but always discuss the fare with the driver before setting out. It's possible to do the trip by bus, but generally more expensive and less convenient.

By bus

From Villahermosa, you will probably not find a direct bus to Tapijulapa, in which case you can take a bus to either Jalapa or Teapa. Both of those towns are served by daily buses on Autobuses TRT. From Jalapa or Teapa, you can take a taxi or combi to Tapijulapa.

Get around

The town is compact and delightfully walkable with numerous narrow alleys (callejon). Boats leave from the town jetty to take you to Villa Luz.

See

Church of Santiago Apostol

• 1 Parroquia Santiago Apostol (Church of St James the Apostle), Av. José López Portillo 10, Centro. Small, austere church built in the 17th century. Briefly was used as a military barracks during the Mexican War of Independence. Set on a hilltop, it provides excellent views of the town. 
• 2 Museo Tomás Garrido Canabal, Villa Luz. Small historical museum in the home of former state governor Tomas Garrido Canabal. The home was built in 1931 and has period furnishings, exhibits about Governor Garrido, and an exhibit about the local Zoque culture (one of Mexico's less-studied indigenous cultures). 

Do

Canopy zipline in Tapijulapa

The jungles, mountains and rivers around Tapijulapa offers a rich menu of activities for the adventure traveler or ecotourist. Activities include:

• Hiking
• Rapelling
• Climbing
• Ziplining
• Soaking in mineral waters
• Nature watching
• 1 Parque Natural Villa Luz, Villa Luz. The park is a unique environment with sulfurous springs producing chalky blue waters that fill several natural pools and a robust stream that drops 12 meters over the picturesque waterfalls, Cascada de Villa Luz. A karst cave called the Cueva de Villa Luz (or Cueva de Sardinas) is famous for its poisonous hydrogen sulfide atmosphere inside the cave (very hazardous to enter). Local folklore has it that indigenous Zoque shaman would enter the cave and fish for sardines on one day of the year. Access to the park is via a boat or bridge crossing the Oxolotán River to the park. The park features a swinging bridge, hiking trails, sheer cliffs with climbing and rappeling opportunities, and natural spa-like pools where you can soak your tired bones while you assault your nose with the scent of sulfuric mineral waters. 

Festivals

Indigenous Zoque ceremony of fishing for the sardines

• Sardine Fishing Ceremony, (Danza de la Pesca Sardinas), Palm Sunday - Music and dance ceremony commemorating the Zoque tradition of fishing for sardines in the Cueva de Villa Luz. Twelve shamen and three musicians dressed in traditional Zoque garb, carry baskets with wildflowers, candles, and a net laced with a natural narcotic used to catch the fish.
• Fiesta de Santiago Apóstol, July 25 - Celebration of the patron saint of Tapijulapa, festivities downtown and in front of the church with food, music and games.

Buy

• 1 Taller Artesanal Villa Luz, La Loma. Traditional weaving workshop producing wicker furniture, including tables and chairs. An unusual niche of traditional Mexican hand crafts. 

Eat

• 1 Restaurante Mariquita, Av. José López Portillo 6, Centro, ☏ +52 932 109 8070. Daily 08:00 - 20:00. Traditional style restaurant with regional cuisine and river views. No menu, so ask if you're worried about prices. Locals recommend the Pishol, a Tabasco specialty reminiscent of pizza. (updated Oct 2023)
• 2 El Sabor de la Sierra, La Ceiba, Centro, ☏ +52 932 101 1229. Daily 07:30 - 18:00. Small family-run restaurant serving authentic Tabasco cuisine, including pishol, marinated pork, and mone. Range of aguas frescas with some unusual regional flavors including matali water, soursop and passion fruit. M$200. (updated Oct 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Kolem Jaa, Carretera Tapijulapa a Oxolotán Km. 5 (across the street from the bridge to Villa Luz Nature Park), ☏ +52 800 990 0933 (toll-free in Mexico). Eco-resort with cabanas for overnight guests. The hotel offers numerous outdoor activities including caving excursions, ziplining and rappelling excursions. 

• 2 Casa Tapijulapa, Av. José López Portillo 30, Centro, ☏ +52 932 108 5209. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Cozy home-style accomodations. Clean, comfortable rooms in a safe area. (updated Oct 2023)

• 3 Casa Tisho'e, Av. José López Portillo 7, Centro, ☏ +52 993 207 8165. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Well-kept casual hotel with clean, spacious rooms that include fans. Friendly owners provide good service. (updated Oct 2023)
• 4 Mesón de la Sierra, Av. José López Portillo 24, Centro, ☏ +52 932 100 0598. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Small Moderate hotel, rooms are clean and basically furnished but have cold air conditioning and cable TV. Off-street parking available. M$1000. (updated Oct 2024)

Connect

This is a remote area where cell service can be unreliable outside of town. As of 2023, the best you will get is 3G in the town of Tapijulapa itself and along the road to Teapa.

Go next

• Villahermosa
• Tuxtla Gutierrez
• San Cristobal de las Casas