San Andrés Tuxtla was possibly founded by natives displaced by volcanic eruptions in 1530 and originally named Tzacoalco.
By 1830 the city was recognized as an official villa (town).
City of San Andrés Tuxtla
Since then, the city rose to become the economic and political
capital of the northern Los Tuxtlas. Aside from most major
banks, the city headquarters its area's state legislator, upper
judicial court and major federal and state offices. In addition the
Catholic diocese and the Mexican army maintain outposts here.

San Andrés came to international prominence in the late 1800's
after the introduction of tobacco farming, which attracted
Cuban and European entrepreneurs and todate still provides an
important employment base.

The population of app. 55,000  (2005), occupies the southern
lower slopes of Volcano San Martin Tuxtla,  at app. 985 feet
(300 m) altitude, along the Rios Tejalate, Pipisole and Bichilapa.
The terrain is extraordinarily hilly.
Numerous hotels cater to primarily commercial travelers, and
the city abounds with restaurants. Culturally the municipio  
offers a small Casa de Cultura, some religious structures
dating to the 19th century and a new regional museum opened
in 2008.

Interesting architectural homes from the 19th and early 20th
century are still present and give the city a limited historic
charm, enhanced by its narrow undulating streets and rock
strewn arroyos.

Touristically the city has close access to the Eyipantla
waterfall, cigar factories  and some difficult to find geographic
and historical jewels, such as Laguna Encantada and Maquina
Viejo.
Important local celebrations center on September 16th and the
release of hundreds of colorful paper ballons, and the week
long festivities to celebrate the city's patron saint, Saint
Andrew, around November 29th.