TAPACHULA (tah-pah-CHOO-lah): The n�huatl word, (TLAPACHOLI) means "flooded House." Located in the SE corner of Mexico in the state of Chiapas at the base of the Guatemalan Highlands, near the border of Guatemala and the Pacific Ocean. Tapachula is a business city. The city is the commercial center of a coffee-growing region and has thrived in coffee export. It is an important transportation link between Mexico and Central America.and hosts a large European and Asian population. In fact, Tapachula is considered to be an important city in the national economy of Mexico. Tapachula exhibits the typical style of Spanish built cities with a Central Park surrounded by the Municipal Palace. The Old Municipal Palace is now the House of Culture for the city. Ceramics and leather goods are produced by local artisans. It is also a land route for the cocaine trade between Guatemala and Mexico. If driving between Guatemala and Mexico through Tapachula, expect to be stopped by the army or police at one of the checkpoints. The locals usually avoid the checkpoints by walking overland through the jungle with their illegal cargo. One place of interest is the Museo Arqueologico del Soconusco which is a small museum displaying local finds. Including some finds from Izapa. Everything is in Spanish. It is open 11 am to 6 PM every day except Mondays. Located at the main plaza, which is called Parque Hidalgo. Tapachula also sits at the base of an extinct volcano called El Tacan�. El Tacan� is important in the archaeology of the area since many structures at Izapa were aligned to El Tacana. We were at Tapachula on January 28 and 29 of 2004.

A great place to stay when visiting the business city of Tapachula (tah-pah-CHOO-lah): The n�huatl word, (TLAPACHOLI) means "flooded House." Tapachula is located in the SE corner of Mexico in the state of Chiapas at the base of the Guatemalan Highlands, near the border of Guatemala and the Pacific Ocean. The city is the commercial center of a coffee-growing region and has thrived in coffee export. It is an important transportation link between Mexico and Central America.and hosts a large European and Asian population. In fact, Tapachula is considered to be an important city in the national economy of Mexico. Tapachula exhibits the typical style of Spanish built cities with a Central Park surrounded by the Municipal Palace. The Old Municipal Palace is now the House of Culture for the city. Ceramics and leather goods are produced by local artisans. It is also a land route for the cocaine trade between Guatemala and Mexico. If driving between Guatemala and Mexico through Tapachula, expect to be stopped by the army or police at one of the checkpoints. The locals usually avoid the checkpoints by walking overland through the jungle with their illegal cargo. One place of interest is the Museo Arqueologico del Soconusco which is a small museum displaying local finds. Including some finds from Izapa. Everything is in Spanish. It is open 11 am to 6 PM every day except Mondays. Located at the main plaza, which is called Parque Hidalgo. Tapachula also sits at the base of an extinct volcano called El Tacan�. El Tacan� is important in the archaeology of the area since many structures at Izapa were aligned to El Tacana. We have links on this page that will connect you with one of the best hotels in Tapachula. TAPACHULA, CHIS. KM. 3.5 CARRETERA A PUERTO MADERO, TAPACHULA DE CORDOVA Y ORDO EZ TAPACHULA, 30700 MEXICO. We suggest getting a hotel and then letting them arrange either a car or a tour of Izapa. If you call their Concierge Services ahead of your arrival, all of this can be pre-arranged for you. We do this all the time, when traveling in Mexico. It is safe and it works!!! We have never experienced a problem, doing it this way! Tapachula International Airport (IATA: TAP, ICAO: MMTP) is the international airport located at Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico. It is Mexico's southernmost airport. It handles national and international air traffic for the city of Tapachula. Therefore, we have placed a link to Priceline.com on this page so you can arrange your flights into and out of Tapachula; as well as your hotel, when visiting this area.