Coatzacoalcos is an industrial port city at the southern tip of Veracruz (state). It has limited appeal to tourists, but serves as a transportation hub between the main body of Mexico, the Yucatan peninsula, and Central America.
Understand
History
Coatzacoalcos was historically Olmec territory in the pre-Hispanic era, though by the time the Spanish arrived in the early 16th century, the region was dominated by the Aztec. The Spanish settled the area in 1522 under the leadership of Gustavo Sandoval. Its importance as a regional port grew steadily over the next four centuries. In the 1970s petroleum shipping became an important part of the port business, connecting to the oil fields of Campeche. Four major petrochemical facilities are in Coatzacoalcos.
One of the oldest mesoamerican archaeological sites is El Mantial, a sacrificial bog in the Laguna Mantial where a number of relics dating from 1650 BC were discovered.
Get in
- 🌍 Central de Autobuses, Villas del Sur, Coatzacoalcos. Main bus station for intercity bus routes. Spacious, clean waiting area. ADO is largest bus line. Serves routes to points north in Veracruz, east to Campeche and the Yucatan peninsula, south to Chiapas and Guatemala.
- 🌍 Coatzacoalcos/Minatitlan International Airport MTT IATA, Carretera Antigua a Minatitlán, ☏ +52 9212780064. Small regional airport with modern facilities and a good range of rental car services. Aeromexico flies two flights per day to MTT from Mexico City (MEX).
Get around
Taxis are plentiful and affordable. Uber works as well.
See
- Coastal Malecon - walk along a seawall fronting the Gulf of Mexico. The views at sunrise and sunset are the best in the city.
- Olmec Archaeological Museum, John Sparks s/n (on the Coastal Malecon), 10ː00-18ː00 Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday, M$10. Impressive pyramid structure houses an interesting collection of more than 1,000 artifacts from the Olmec civilization that inhabited the southern Gulf coast of Mexico over 1,000 years ago.
- Jaguaroundi Ecological Park, Camino al Ejido Cangrejera 1, Coazacoalcos, Phoneː +52 921-276-9582, free admission, 09ː00-17ː00 Tuesday through Sunday (closed Monday) - environmental reserve housing hundreds of birds and more than 65 mammal species.
Do
Buy
Eat
- 🌍 El Brasero, Av. Francisco Sarabia 428, Frutos de la Revolucion, ☏ +52 9212142575. 09ː00 - 21ː00. Barbecue rotisserie chickens and grilled ribs, steak and other meats.
- 🌍 La Picadita Jarocha, Malecón 2407, ☏ +52 9212137072. 08ː00 - 22ː00 (closed Wednesday). Long time "go to" seafood restaurant with ocean views. Regional Veracruzano (Jarocho) seafood dishes at very reasonable prices. Colorful, inviting atmosphere, kid friendly, live music, off-street parking.
- 🌍 Enchiladas el Yaqui, Av 18 de Marzo 1807, Puerto Mexico, ☏ +52 9211443741. 09ː00 - 17ː00 (closed Monday). Popular enchilada house with very good, regional style enchiladas and sauces. The pipian salsa is a favorite. Several combo packages (paquetes) can simplify ordering. No credit cards (cash only).
Drink
Sleep
- 🌍 Los Andes, Av. Transístmica km. 7.5, Tierra Nueva, ☏ +52 9212157496. Check-in: 13ː00, check-out: 14ː00. Unpretentious budget hotel on the main road, 2 blocks from ADO bus station. M$700 (Feb 2023).
- 🌍 Hotel Terranova, Boulevard Rio Calzadas 5, ☏ +52 9212117700. Check-in: 14ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Upscale hotel, modern, clean, and comfortable with riverfront location. M$1000.
- 🌍 Hotel Terraza del Sol, Malecon Costero 1201, Centro, ☏ +52 9212140125. Small, moderate beachfront hotel with low rates. M$700 (Feb 2023).