Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MEXICAN BORDER TOWNS
Matamoros
While Matamoros (population 440,000) could hardly be described as a cultural mecca, it has the most to offer of
all the gritty Mexican border towns that dot the frontier with Texas. You'll find a cluster of historic buildings, a
decent contemporary art museum and some stylish restaurants. The touristed areas here are generally safe during
the day.
Reynosa
Reynosa (population 510,000) is more attractive and less intimidating than Nuevo Laredo but has less appeal than
Matamoros. The tourist trade is geared to Texan day-trippers, many of whom come to visit the city's surfeit of
dentists, doctors and pharmacists.
Reynosa is 9 miles south of the center of McAllen via US 281. The easiest way to visit is to park in a guarded
lot on the US side and then make the short walk over the bridge.
Nuevo Laredo
Nuevo Laredo (population 350,000) is Mexico's busiest border town, and a significant percentage of Mexico-US
trade passes through, but it's much more famous as 'Narco' Laredo, a reference to brazen violence between rival
drug cartels that has sullied the city's reputation. But it isn't the fear of getting caught in the crossfire that should
cause you to reconsider a visit; it's that the city has little to offer other than the usual cheap trinkets, tequila and
tricks found in most border towns. The city's greatest landmark, the huge
flag
(164ft x 94ft flag on a 320ft-tall
pole) just across the border, is an arresting and at times mesmerizing sight. It's easily seen from much of Laredo,
especially when heading south on San Bernardo Ave.
Two international bridges link the Laredos. You can do the short walk (or drive) over Puente Internacional No
1 from Convent Ave and Laredo's old town right onto the north end of Avenida Guerrero. Puente Internacional
No 2 is vehicle only.
Piedras Negras
The border crossing between Piedras Negras (population 140,000) and Eagle Pass is a major commercial route.
Piedras Negras is not an attractive city and not somewhere you'll want to linger long. It has that small-border-
town roughness to it.
Walking there is popular - it's just four short blocks from downtown Eagle Pass to downtown Piedras Negras
on the main international bridge.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Around Brownsville
US 281 hugs the border and is an interesting route to see sugar cane, the Rio Grande and
the vast border fence. This 60-mile route to McAllen goes via Hidalgo.
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site
PARK
