Serving as the capital of Chiapas state, Tuxtla Gutiérrez is a bustling government and commercial hub in southern Mexico. It’s home to a magnificent, whitewashed cathedral and several fine museums exploring the city’s links to Mexico’s coffee culture and marimba music.

Things to do

Overlooking Plaza Cívica in the heart of Tuxtla Gutiérrez is Catedral de San Marcos, a 16th-century Catholic church and former monastery dedicated to Tuxtla Gutiérrez’s patron saint. Constructed in 1965, it features an elegant, whitewashed exterior and a tower that contains a carillon of 48 bells cast in the Netherlands by Petit & Fritsen.

Music enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a visit to Museo de la Marimba, which lies within Parque de la Marimba where live concerts are regularly held. Learn about the marimba’s African origins and its links to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, as well as some of the city’s most influential instrument makers and composers. In addition to around 20 marimbas, the museum features a workshop and an electronic board where you can test your marimba-playing skills.

Another museum not to miss is the Museo del Café, where you can learn about the history and traditions of coffee farming in Chiapas. After admiring the historic architecture of the building, join a guided tour to learn about the bean’s arrival in Mexico and its cultivation in the Chiapas region. Inside the museum’s coffee cupping laboratory, you can discover the secrets of a gourmet brew.

Getting around

Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport is a 35-minute drive from the city centre and has flights to destinations across Mexico. Long-distance buses travel from Mexico City, Oaxaca, Merida and Cancun to the Tuxtla Gutiérrez bus station while local buses travel throughout the city. The centre of Tuxtla Gutiérrez can be explored on foot.