Tonalá

Hot and busy, though not unpleasant, Tonalá is the hub of the coastal region’s ranching and agricultural activity, and known in particular as the mango capital of Chiapas [1] for the extensive orchards nearby.

For travelers, Tonalá is probably better known as a gateway—or at least a turnoff—to the beach towns of Puerto Arista [2] and Boca del Cielo [3]. It’s also a practical and agreeable place to break up a trip, with reliable hotels [4], restaurants [5], and bus service, and an attractive central plaza [6].

Getting to Tonalá

Tonalá’s main bus terminal (Av. Hidalgo at Calle 12 de Octubre, tel. 966/663-0540) is six blocks west of the center of town, and has service to Arriaga, Cintalapa, Pijijiapán [7], Tapachula [8], and Tuxtla Gutiérrez [9].

Combis provide service to the beach. Those to Puerto Arista [2] (US$1.20, 30 mins) leave every 15 minutes from a stop on Avenida Matamoros between Calles 5 de Mayo and 20 de Marzo, about five blocks southeast of the center. For Boca del Cielo [3] (US$2, 1 hr) the stop is one block down, on Avenida Juárez between the same cross streets. Both run roughly every 15–30 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.