La Venta

La Venta is one of the most important archaeological sites in the country, and certainly the most important of the ancient and little known Olmec civilization. Some 90 minutes directly west of the state capital at Villahermosa, it's known world-wide for the iconic artifacts unearthed here in the early 20th century.

Although a few of the artifacts have been moved from here, to the Parque-Museo La Venta in the capital, it's still a magificent place to visit. The Olmec people are among the oldest of advanced civilizations discovered in the Americas. Their culture spanned centuries from roughly 1800 BCE through to 200 CE. Their culture influenced all other civilizations in Mesoamerica.

Today people visit to witness the monumental architecture and of course, to see the giant and enigmatic head sculptures in their original setting. Inhabitants of the ancient site built giant mounds of earth and some of these still reach some 30 meters into the air. Sculptures weighing up to 35 tons were moved here from the coast. Jade offerings, in the shapes of people and animals are unique from this period of Mexican history. 

The complex society responsible for building and using the site also farmed corn and yucca. But it has long been speculation about the meanings, intents, and significance of their art that has drawn visitors from all over the world. The ancient city is the composed of some four sacred complexes at the center of a much larger urban development, much of it un-excavated even today. A museum on the site expertly tells this story, of the city, and of its rediscovery centuries later in our own time. 

Visitors to the site are likely to arrive from Coatzacoalcos in Veracruz, and the airport or train station there. The trip is just about 60 minutes, although lots of bus services will ferry visitors to the La Venta site from either here or the Tabasco state capital region. The little town of La Venta boasts a bus station (ADO) as well as a few hotels and vacation rentals. At nearly 10,000 residents, visitors should find everything they might need in terms of food and services. Buses from Minatitlán take just over an hour to get here, too.