Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico

Capital City

With a population of 578,830, Tuxtla Gutierrez is the largest and most developed city in Chiapas - but that comes at a cost. The rapid growth has outpaced infrastructure, leading to issues like 15,000 illegal water hookups and persistent bureaucratic headaches. And while the city is officially deemed "safe", the political instability of the 1990s lingers. Tuxtla may appeal to those seeking a bustling regional hub, but it's no idyllic tropical escape.