Major city · Mexico
CardenásCárdenas
Half a day to a full day: see the Carlos Pellicer Museum and the municipal mural, then eat a torta at Tortas Alvarez. Not a base — use Villahermosa, 50 km (31 mi) away.Half a day to a full day: see the Carlos Pellicer Museum and the municipal mural, then eat a torta at Tortas Alvarez. Not a base — use Villahermosa, 31 mi (50 km) away.
Cardenás is a small oil-and-agriculture town in Tabasco, 50 km from Villahermosa. Its main draws are the Carlos Pellicer Museum (Olmec pieces and local history) and the mural in the Municipal Palace. Most travellers pass through on Highway 180 between Villahermosa and Coatzacoalcos. One meal and one museum is enough; you do not need to sleep here.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (cooler, less rain)
- avoid May–Sep (heat up to 45°C (113°F), high humidity, rain)avoid May–Sep (heat up to 113°F (45°C), high humidity, rain)
- Airport
- VSA
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Cardenás911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cardenás, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyCardenás is generally safe for daytime visits.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10 (≈ under US$1).Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportVSA Carlos Rovirosa Pérez International Airport (Villahermosa) (About 50 km (31 mi) east; ADO bus or taxi to Cardenás, about 1 h).VSA Carlos Rovirosa Pérez International Airport (Villahermosa) (About 31 mi (50 km) east; ADO bus or taxi to Cardenás, about 1 h).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Local taxi rideMXN 30–60 (≈ US$2–4)
- Metro or bus rideADO bus Villahermosa–CardenáscheckMXN 80–120 (≈ US$5–7)
- Budget bedBasic hotel double room, a night, per roomMX$500 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedBasic hotel double room, a night, per roomMX$800 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedBasic hotel double room, a night, per roomMX$1,500 (≈ US$85)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$400 (≈ US$25) · Mid MX$700 (≈ US$40) · High MX$1,200 (≈ US$65)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- VSA Carlos Rovirosa Pérez International Airport (Villahermosa) (About 50 km (31 mi) east; ADO bus or taxi to Cardenás, about 1 h)VSA Carlos Rovirosa Pérez International Airport (Villahermosa) (About 31 mi (50 km) east; ADO bus or taxi to Cardenás, about 1 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest May (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Mar (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cardenás: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable. For the museum and the palace, walk. Taxis and colectivos cover the rest; no Uber in Cardenás — check.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 40 min
Colectivo or bus from Cardenás, about 30 min
Maya brick ruins and cacao museum.
Door to door: About 1 h
ADO bus, about 45 min
La Venta Park Museum and the city's museums.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre (near the zócalo)
Basic hotels and a few guesthouses; most travellers stay in Villahermosa and day-trip.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- MXN 400–700 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- MXN 700–1,200 (≈ US$40–65) excl. bed
- High
- MXN 1,200 (≈ US$65)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic hotel double room1 × 1 night × MX$800 | MX$800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MX$700 | MX$1,400 |
| ADO bus Villahermosa–Cardenás, one way2 × MX$80 · check | MX$160 |
| Local taxi ride (within town)2 × MX$40 | MX$80 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$244 |
| Trip total≈ MX$1,342 per person per day, bed included | MX$2,684≈ US$150 |
2026 estimate in Mexican pesos; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Torta at Tortas Alvarezcheck | MXN 30 (≈ US$2) |
| ADO bus Villahermosa–Cardenáscheck | MXN 80–120 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Local taxi ride | MXN 30–60 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Bottled water (1.5 L) | MXN 15–25 (≈ US$1–2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Heat and humidity: carry water and a hat.
- Spanish is essential; very few locals speak English.
- Hitchhiking is not recommended in Mexico.
- Museums may close on Mondays — check the official site.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CardenásCárdenas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Fire and ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- ADO bus Villahermosa → Cardenás: about MXN 80–120 (≈ US$5–7), about 45 min (check)
- Taxi from bus station to centre: MXN 30–50 (≈ US$2–3)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (oh-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (grah-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost? (kwahn-toh kweh-stah)
- ¿Dónde está el museo? — Where is the museum? (dohn-deh ehs-tah ehl moo-seh-oh)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah kwen-tah por fah-vor)
Spanish is essential; very few locals speak English.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cardenás. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb (cooler, less rain) · avoid May–Sep (heat up to 45°C, high humidity, rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the Carlos Pellicer Museum and the Municipal Palace mural with verified hours.
- Eat page for Tortas Alvarez with last orders.
- Day-trip page from Villahermosa with bus times.
Sources
Ask about Cardenás
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