Yumka'

Yumka' is a fantastic zoo and park area that bills itself as the area's leading Interpretation and Nature Experience Center.  Just on the outskirts of Villahermosa, the capital of Tabasco, it's one of the most important environmental centers and protected areas in the country. The name come from a Chontol-Maya word for a forest elf, or similar being, who was believed to look after forest and jungle wildlife and their habitats. As an ecological reserve, the park is unrivaled and visitors arrive especially to see the native jaguars, but end up encountering all kinds of other animals along the way.

Yumka' is home to some 80 different animal species and they get to roam over some 101 hectares. The land is divided into a rain forest habitat, African and Asian savannas plus there are big aviaries and habitats for monkeys. Most of the animals are native to the region, but African beast who found themselves in Mexico, for whatever reason, have found homes here too. 

As an education center, the reserve also protects some 250 types of orchids, ferns, bromeliads, and trees. Two big lagoons keep wetter wildlife happy. Manatees and water birds are content but people are, too. The zoo hosts all kinds of educational and encounter events. It's an important research center, and the jungle tour will show you deer, raccoons, squirrels, howler monkeys, and iguana. The big cats have their own enclosures and a big suspension bridge over part of the lagoon makes it that much more interesting.

The Yumka' zoo and nature center takes up a tremendous area directly northeast of the Villahermosa airport. As the terminal is on the other side, it's actually not unusual for visitors to arrive at the airport and never know its there. Don't miss out.

As a place to bring the kids, or as a place simply to felt you've really learned something it can hardly be beat. Most visitors are going to visit the zoo from other parts of the Tabasco capital region. From the very center of town, it takes about 30 minutes to get there.