Villahermosa travel guide

Ins and outs

The Tabasco State Tourism Office (Plaza Estrada, Av Juan Estrada Torres 101, T993-310 9700, Mon-Fri 0800-1600) has some information but is usually understaffed and the person available doesn’t always speak English.

Alternatively, the Municipal Tourism Office (Prolongacion Paseo Tabasco 1401, T993-316 5201, Mon-Fri 0900-1500 and 1800-2100 and Sat 0900-1300) is very helpful and has more information. Useful websites include http://www.visitetabasco.com and http://iec.tabasco.gob.mx.

Air

Airport Carlos R Pérez (VSA), 18 km from town – international flights from Havana and Houston, good national connections. VW bus to town US$5 each, taxi US$11.

Airline offices

AeroMéxico, Blv Ruiz Cortines 102 local 8, T993-352 4129. Aviacsa, Av Vía 3, No 120, T993-316 5731. Mexicana, Av Via 3, No120, locales 5 y 6, Tabasco 2000, T993-316 3132.

Taxis

City taxis charge US$1 for journeys in the centre.

Bus

Reserve your seat as soon as you can; buses to Mexico City can sometimes be booked up well in advance. 1st-class ADO bus terminal is on Javier Mina and Lino Merino, 12 blocks north of centre, computerized booking system. Beware of long queues at the 1st-class ticket counters. The Central Camionera 2nd-class bus station is on Av Ruiz Cortines, near roundabout with fisherman statue, 1 block east of Javier Mina, opposite Castillo, 4 blocks north of ADO.

To Mexico City (TAPO, Norte or Tasqueña), regular departures, 10-12 hrs, US$52-US$84; to Cancún, many daily, 12 hrs, US$52.50; to Chetumal, 7 daily, 8 ½ hrs, US$27; to Campeche, many daily, 6 hrs, US$18; to Mérida, many daily, 8 hrs, US$25-US$36; to Palenque, OCC 2 daily, ADO 6 daily, 2½ hrs, US$8; to Puebla, 4 ADO services daily, US$40; and 4 luxury services, US$49; to San Andrés Tuxtla, ADO services, 0255, 0930, 1100, 1925, 6 hrs, US$16; to San Cristóbal de las Casas, 2 OCC services at 0930 and 1230, 7 hrs, US$16; to Tapachula, 1 OCC at 1915, 10 hrs, US$41; and 1 ADOGL luxury at 0335, US$50; to Veracruz, many daily including luxury services, 8 hrs, US$26; to Xalapa, with ADO at 1055, 1800, 1925, 2230, 8 hrs, US$31; and 2 luxury services at 2100 and 2120, US$37 and US$48; to Emiliano Zapata, many daily, 2½ hrs, US$8; to Tenosique , many daily 3½ hrs, US$10.

Car hire

Hertz car rental is available from the airport. Agrisa, Paseo Tabasco corner of El Malecón, T993-312 9184, good prices, such as US$40 per day including taxes and insurance, but it is expensive to return the car to another city.

Banks

American Express, Turismo Nieves, Sarlat 202, T01800-504 0400. Banamex, Madero and Reforma, Mon-Fri 0900-1700. HSBC, Juárez and Lerdo, changes TCs at good rates. There is also a good branch on the Constitución corner of Merino, 0900-1700, Mon-Fri.

Internet

Many along the pedestrianized section of Benito Juárez, all charging about US$1.50 per hr. Others scattered around town.

Post office

On Saénz and Lerdo in the centre. DHL, parcel courier service, Paseo Tabasco and El Malecón Carlos A Madrazo.