An extraordinary place located in the Chontalpa region, in the state of Tabasco, is Paraíso. It is an oasis in the Tierra del Cacao, whose name comes from the old Paso de Paraíso, located on the banks of the Seco river, next to the shadow of an ancient lush mahogany tree that bears the same name as the place.
This Eden of the Mexican southeast, whose foundation dates between 1848 and 1852, borders the Gulf of Mexico to the north; to the south with the municipalities of Comalcalco and Jalpa de Méndez; to the east with the municipality of Centla, and to the west with the municipality of Comalcalco.
Its average annual temperature is 26 ° C, the climate in this region is hot-humid with abundant rains in summer and presents thermal changes in the months of November to January. May is the hottest month and the maximum temperature reached is 30.5 ° C, while the minimum is 22 ° C in January.
Paradise has a great diversity of fauna, such as herons, chocolatiers, kingfishers, seagulls, calandrias, cenzontles, carrots, peas, swallows, buzzards, parakeets, woodpeckers, parrots, parrots, hummingbirds, pelicans, night monkeys, foxes, turtles sea and river, hicoteas, guaos and chiquiguaos, squirrels, raccoons, hedgehogs, swordfish sierra and pejelagartos; in addition to a large number of small reptiles.
Its flora is secondary forest and evergreen, that is, the trees are never without leaves. The main species are palm trees, ceibas, mangroves, cuttlefish (cocoa), papaya, mango, orange, banana, walnut, barí, guayacán, macuilí, spring, red and mangrove trees. These trees are very similar to those of the Morelos region. Similarly, Paraíso has an enormous and incredible variety of ecosystems, such as beaches, rivers, lakes, jungle places, mangroves and swamps.
Near the city is El Paraíso, a very popular place with sunny beaches, with comfortable and small facilities that offer restaurant, pool, cabins and individual rooms. Varadero Beach is the best in the place, although we also find more exclusive beaches such as Playa Sol and Pico de Oro, which are located in private subdivisions.
Paraíso is a charming village-like town, as it has not yet been exploited from a tourist perspective. Towards the center there are various temples; However, the most important churches are those dedicated to San Marcos and La Asunción, patron saints of the place.
Most of the houses are very modest and built of brick and adobe; other homes are hacienda type with very striking planters. For visitors, Paraíso has a range of hotels and motels ranging from one to four stars.
This small town of 70,000 has aerial access roads and highways. Just 15 minutes before reaching Paraíso are the attractive archaeological zone of Comalcalco, an area of the Mayas-Chontales during the Classic period. There the Comalcalco museum is located, with texts and 307 archaeological pieces that expose the history of the place.
Paraíso also has boardwalks and artisan squares, tourist centers such as the San Remo cigar factory (agrotourism), the Mayan communities-
Chontales (ethno-tourism), a breeding center for freshwater turtles (unique in Latin America), the Pomposú-Juliva Wetlands (there are only in Tabasco and Cuba); a natural area at the mouth of the Mezcalapa River where one can have fun practicing water sports in the lagoons. Of the latter, the Flowers stand out due to their size; that of Mecoacán for its mangroves and amazing beauty; those of Machona and El Carmen for its mangroves, and that of Tupilco where you can take ecotourism tours to visit the Pantano Crocodile Sanctuary.
Because Paraíso is a fishing port, most of its gastronomy is rich in seafood of all kinds: crab, shrimp, oyster, snail, squid. Foods and dishes also stand out such as pickled and smoked oyster in tapesco, crab chirmole, stuffed crab, marinated iguana, seafood broth, green booklet, pejelagarto in red or green chili and roasted, as well as tamalitos and shrimp in chilpachole. We will find delicious coconut sweets with pineapple and soursop, monkey ear, real lemon, lime, milk, coconut with sweet potato, pineapple and panela, orange, nance, rose honeycomb and of course delicious cocoa.
As for drinks, soft drinks, flavored waters, matali, which is Jamaican flavored water and beers, are consumed a lot, but especially white or cocoa pozol, a drink of pre-Hispanic origin made from cooked corn and ground with lime, of thick liquid consistency and dissolved in water with cocoa. This drink continues to be, in Tabasco, a staple food for the inhabitants of rural towns.
Villa Puerto Ceiba is located near the municipality, a place from where you can take a tour of the wonderful Eden of Paraíso. There you can take a boat ride through the river and the Mecoacán lagoon, appreciating its beautiful landscapes, mangroves and even reaching its mouth with the sea.
Near Villa Puerto Ceiba is the tourist commercial port Dos Bocas and Cangrejopolis, an ideal place to taste exquisite seafood with a view of the Mecoacán lagoon, or you can visit Chiltepec and El Bellote, which are located just half an hour from this place.
Other tourist centers that are recommended to visit are: Barra de Chiltepec. It empties into the González River and its breeze blows very soft. You can fish for bass, tarpon, sailfish and shrimp; as well as renting motorboats to make tours of the river, the entrance and the beaches near Chiltepec.Centro Turístico El Paraíso. Recreation site, located on the beach. It has hotel service, bungalows, restaurant, dressing rooms, toilets, palapas, swimming pool and parking. Its slope and waves are moderate and species such as snapper, mojarra, horse mackerel, among others, can be caught, Cerro de Teodomiro. The top of this hill offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Grande and Las Flores lagoons, surrounded by coconut plantations and impenetrable mangroves. Barra de Tupilco. Very long beach, open to the sea, with fine gray sand. During the holiday season it is very crowded. Guillermo Sevilla Figueroa Central Park. With modern architecture, there is a huge tower with a clock in the center. It is made up of huge gardens full of beautiful leafy trees; It also has an open-air theater and cafeteria. All these attractions make Paraíso an excellent place to vacation, fill up on culture and enjoy the wonders that the nature of this region offers us.
Source: 1st place in the “Young people exploring Mexico” contest. School of Tourism Administration of the Universidad Anáhuac del Norte / Mexico unknown On Line.
