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Open-air museum · Villahermosa, Tabasco
Parque-Museo La Venta
Park-museum on the shore of the Laguna de las Ilusiones with colossal heads, altars and stelae of the Olmecs brought from the La Venta site, along a trail in the forest, with a small zoo.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Parque-Museo La Venta
The La Venta park-museum is in the northern area of Villahermosa, on the shore of the Laguna de las Ilusiones. It was created in 1958 by poet and museologist Carlos Pellicer to house the sculptures from the Olmec site of La Venta, about 120 km away, which was threatened by oil exploitation.
The Olmecs are considered the oldest civilization of Mesoamerica and lived on the Gulf of Mexico coast between roughly 1500 and 400 BCE. Their best-known sculptures are the colossal heads, basalt stone faces up to about 3 meters high, which likely represent rulers.
A trail of about 1 km crosses the park's forest, passing by colossal heads, altars with figures emerging from niches, stelae and mosaics, arranged as at the original site. On the way you can see monkeys, coatis and free birds.
The park also has a small zoo with animals from Tabasco, such as jaguars, crocodiles and ocelots, and a museum at the entrance with the history of the Olmecs.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
2 to 3 hours.
Best time
In the morning, before the heat, with insect repellent. The park usually has one weekly rest day; check before going.
How to get there
It is in the northern area of Villahermosa, on Boulevard Adolfo Ruiz Cortines, about 3 km from the center. You can get there by taxi or city bus.
Tip
Follow the trail in the indicated order; the colossal heads appear along the way.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Parque-Museo La Venta
What are the colossal heads?
Basalt stone faces carved by the Olmecs, up to about 3 meters tall, which would represent rulers.
Why are the Olmec sculptures in Villahermosa?
They were brought from the La Venta site, about 120 km away, which was threatened by oil exploitation, in 1958.
How long does the visit to the park-museum take?
Two to three hours.