Things to do in Villahermosa
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Restaurant Los Tulipanes
Overlooking the Río Grijalva, near the Museo Regional de Antropología, Los Tulipanes is the best place in town for Tabascan specialties, including seafood-filled corn tortillas, and empanadas of pejelagarto, the tasty freshwater 'lizard fish' that is a symbol of Tabasco. It also serves steaks, chicken, róbalo (snook) and other fish - and on Sundays a Tabascan buffet (around $180) that's the perfect opportunity to gorge yourself silly.
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El Refugio de la Luna
A funky high-ceilinged coffeehouse with Spanish tiles and wicker seating, this place offers some of the most consistent arts offerings in town. Stop in for live jazz, trova or fandango on Fridays and Saturdays, literary readings on Wednesdays, and free rooftop movies – Cine Bajo las Estrellas (Cinema Under the Stars) – on Thursday nights. Serves food, but no alcohol.
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Parque-Museo la Venta
This fascinating outdoor park and museum was created in 1958, when petroleum exploration threatened the highly important ancient Olmec settlement of La Venta in western Tabasco. Archaeologists moved the site’s most significant finds, including three colossal stone heads, to Villahermosa.
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Café Punta del Cielo
A respite from the raging heat and humidity, this small air-conditioned glass box next to Parque-Museo La Venta is a dream come true. Primarily a café, it serves premium hot and cold coffee drinks (some organic), as well as panini and light snacks. Succumb to brain freeze with an arctic frappé.
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Italianni’s
This quality Italian restaurant serves well-prepared pasta, pizzas, salads, chicken and steaks and plenty of Italian wine amid classic checked tablecloths. Don’t miss the M$99 two-course special Monday to Thursday, and bring backup if you intend to polish off the flan.
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Museo de Historia
Housed in a striking 19th-century building known as La Casa de los Azulejos (House of Tiles), the Museo de Historia has sparse exhibits on Tabasco history, but the Spanish azulejos themselves, which cover the facade and most of the interior, are gorgeous.
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Museo Regional de Antropología
Still being reconstructed following the 2007 flood, the regional anthropology museum holds some interesting exhibits on Olmec and Maya cultures in Tabasco. It’s 1km south of the Zona Luz in the ‘CICOM’ complex, and is due to reopen by 2012.
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Turismo Nieves
Turismo Nieves offers a range of comprehensive tours around Tabasco, including an eight-hour 'Ruta del Cacao' day trip northwest of Villahermosa, which packs in a turtle farm, two cacao haciendas, Comalcalco ruins and a boat trip on Laguna Mecoacán.
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La Xícara
Celebrate bohemia at this tiny new chill-out arts space on a pedestrian alley, where the resident DJ spins techno and you can nibble on waffles and quesadillas while sprawled out on the red leopard-print sofa. Look for a red light.
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Salsa
At the southern end of the malecón, river breezes swing through this open-air club, which pulses with salsa and reggaetón. DJs and live bands get people on their feet, with crowds getting thick by midnight.
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Casa de la Trova Tabasqueña
Casa de la Trova Tabasqueña Trova artists play once or twice most weeks, usually at 20:00 Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, at this café-style venue next to the Museo Regional de Antropología.
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La Sevillana
For a more upscale experience, share a pitcher of sangria at this gourmet café with comfortable outdoor tables. A block off the malecón, its breezy arcade is a pleasant place to while away the evening.
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Rock & Roll Cocktelería
A maelstrom of heat, swirling fans, thumping jukebox and garrulous punters. Everyone’s here for the cocteles (fish or seafood, tomato sauce, lettuce, onions and a lemon squeeze) and the cheap beer.
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Atarashi Sushi
Air- conditioned Atarashi presents a tasty Mexican angle on Japanese food, offering all sorts of tantalizing – and satisfying – seafood, meat, vegetable and sauce combinations. Delivery service available.
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Riviera Villahermosa
The Euro-Mex menu is pretty good, and the air-conditioned 4th-floor setting with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river is spectacular. Steaks, seafood and pasta are all good here.
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Regional Anthropology Museum
Still being reconstructed following the 2007 flood, the regional anthropology museum holds some interesting exhibits on Olmec and Maya cultures in Tabasco.
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Artesanías de Tabasco
You might find something you like among the Tabascan baskets, wickerwork, hats, gourds and pottery at Artesanías de Tabasco in the Galerías Tabasco 2000.
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Food Court
This open-air eating and drinking area on the deck beside the river has the greatest location in town. Several of the city's best eateries have branches here.
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Museo de Historia Natural
The Museo de Historia Natural has quite well set-out displays on dinosaurs, space, early humanity and Tabascan ecosystems (all in Spanish).
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Torre del Caballero
Known locally as ‘El Mirador,’ this lookout tower, on a footbridge over the Río Grijalva, affords good panoramas over the city and river.
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Barco Capitán Beuló II
Barco Capitán Beuló II offers relaxing one-hour riverboat excursions (M$90, minimum 10 people) on the Río Grijalva.
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Hotel Madan
It’s not glamorous, but this very reliable and popular hotel restaurant has good Mexican dishes and efficient, friendly service.
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Blanc Noir Music Hall
A two-level club with big windows facing the river, Blanc Noir often has local bands playing after 22:00 Thursday to Saturday
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Bougainvillea
The Bougainvillea offers a large choice of Mexican and international dishes with live jazz in the evenings
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La Ceiba
La Ceiba serves a wide range of Mexican and international dishes. They also serve some buffet meals.
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