NUEVO LAREDO Contents

Travel Guide NUEVO LAREDO Contents

DISCOVER NUEVO LAREDO 01

NUEVO LAREDO PROFILE 02

NUEVO LAREDO ATTRACTIONS 03

NUEVO LAREDO DINING 07

NUEVO LAREDO SHOPPING 08

THINGS TO DO IN NUEVO LAREDO 10 DISCOVER NUEVO LAREDO

Located in the north of the state of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Laredo is one of the main Mexican border cities. In economic terms, it is a major force due to its trade, logistics and textile industries, which have made this metropolis one of the cities with the highest per capita income in all of Mexico.

What’s more, the cultural and intellectual flow between the U.S. and Mexico is constant here, and evident in the exhibitions, theater shows, and book fairs, as well as in the diverse array of museums and auditoriums in the area.

MAJOR BORDER CITY The industrial development and demographic growth of Nuevo Laredo, in addition to its proximity to Laredo, Texas, have led to a surge in the intense commercial life shared by inhabitants and tourists alike. It is the main land port of entry into Mexico and the most direct connection between Mexico, the US, and Canada.

Every day, year after year, more than 10,000 cargo trucks full of merchandise cross the border and more than one thousand railroad cars do the same. More than 36% of all merchandise that Mexico exports departs to the US through Nuevo Laredo, positioning the city as one of the most important land ports of entry on the whole continent.

1 NUEVO LAREDO PROFILE

Important industrial and business city

Famous commercial border city

A driving economic force in Mexico

Modern infrastructure

Ideal crossing point for people looking to shop in the US

2 NUEVO LAREDO ATTRACTIONS

Nuevo Laredo amazes visitors with its vibrant colors and unbridled joy. As with all Mexican cities, it boasts a cheerful blend of traditions, folkloric cultural elements, and fascinating historic places.

THE OLD TRAIN STATION

Built in the early 20th century and classified as a Historic Monument by the government, this site is federal property and of great importance to the city of Nuevo Laredo. This significance is due to the boom that rail travel saw from 1891, bringing with it a new era of growth for the city.

FOUNDERS’ MONUMENT

This is considered to be the most representative monument of Nuevo Laredo. It was built in 1958 by the Federal Board of Material Improvements in honor of the 118 families that founded the town of Nuevo Laredo on June 15, 1848. The statue represents a family that, on raising the national flag, decides to take their belongings and to cross the Rio Bravo River, which is represented by the water and shells at its edges.

PLAZA HIDALGO

This historic area of Nuevo Laredo pays homage to Miguel Hidalgo, considered to be the Father of Mexican Independence, and the man responsible for the revolt that would end with the political separation of Mexico from the Spanish crown. In the plaza there is a clock built in 1926, which still has its original mechanism and functions perfectly. It is a meeting point for local people, and it’s often used as a stage by theater groups, street vendors, and local singers.

3 NUEVO LAREDO CULTURAL CENTER

This center features an excellent library and a bookstore, as well as spaces for up to 1,200 people used for theater shows, concerts, and dance recitals. This is also where you’ll find the Uman Archeological Park, which has 40 replica artifacts from the Aztec, Huastec and Toltec cultures.

The Nuevo Laredo Cultural Center is one of the hosts of the Tamaulipas International Festival, which brings together artists from different parts of the world in the main cities of the state. You’ll be able to see ballet, opera, and theater shows, along with world-class concerts and painting and sculpture exhibitions during the Tamaulipas International Festival in Nuevo Laredo.

HISTORIC ARCHIVES

You’ll find everything you want to know about Nuevo Laredo’s history at the Historic Archives. Currently it houses the manuscript of the city’s first written history, known as “Resena Historica Compendiada de Nuevo Laredo” (A Historic Summary of Nuevo Laredo), by Juan E. Richer, which dates back to the end of the 19th century. This is also where you’ll find the Museo de Sitio del Ferrocarril (The Railway Museum).

4 FEDERAL PALACE

Built between the years of 1938 and 1940, this palace has a Spanish-Venetian style structure with interior and exterior “portales” (covered walkways with arches). It features two levels, a courtyard, arches with white stone pillars, and balconies. SANTO NINO TEMPLE

This beautiful religious building was built between 1879 and 1888, and designed by the Italian architect Mateo Mattei. Located in the historic downtown district of Nuevo Laredo, it was declared a National Historic Monument in 1983.

FORMER LONGORIA BANK

This neo-Classical style building was decorated with limestone between 1929 and 1932 by Octavio Longoria, a historic citizen of Nuevo Laredo. Nowadays it is used to host artistic and cultural displays, as well as photography and plastic art exhibitions.

5 VIVEROS ECO-PARK

In the ‘30s, work started on a garden center to provide the city with decorative plants and trees. This 120-acre green space became a point of reference among the locals, and was fitted with playgrounds for children and areas for families to hang out. REGIONAL ZOO

This 5-acre zoo is home to a large number of animals indigenous to the region. It is located next to the Viveros Eco-Park and offers expert guides with excellent knowledge about the different species.

MUSEO HISTORIA NATURAL DE NUEVO LAREDO

This place is organized into four themed rooms, where you can see a chronological display of the history of the region, its geography, and its plant and wildlife. The exhibition covers the period from the first human incursions in the area up to the arrival of the Spanish.

6 NUEVO LAREDO DINING

The cuisine in Nuevo Laredo is highly influenced by that of the neighboring state of Nuevo Leon. It mainly consists of tacos filled with meat grilled over a wood fire, exquisite cabrito al pastor (“pastor style” goat kid,), flour tortillas, and “machacado” (shredded dried meat with egg).

Pork stews are also typical of the city. Not as common, but equally delicious dishes, are dishes made with fish and seafood brought from the waters of the Gulf of Mexico that borders the state of Tamaulipas.

PASEO COLÓN

Come and enjoy delicious international cuisine in a casual atmosphere. The restaurant “Paseo Colon” offers a breakfast buffet and an a la carte menu for lunch. Discover why Paseo Colon is one of the favorite restaurants among the locals in Nuevo Laredo!

RANCHO SU MAJESTAD EL TACO

Open for more than 30 years, this traditional restaurant serves the best Mexican cuisine. The house specialty is the world-famous taco, which can be filled with beef, chicken fajitas, or pork. The restaurant also offers different traditional Mexican soups, such as Pozole, bone marrow soup, Aztec Soup, and Caldo Tlalpeno. It’s well worth mentioning that this restaurant has its own high-quality aged tequila known as “El Rancho”, which is distilled in Jalisco and served exclusively in this cozy restaurant.

7 NUEVO LAREDO SHOPPING

There are lots of places in downtown Nuevo Laredo that offer tourists the chance to take home a little piece of Mexico, which could be a nice jewelry item, a colorful artisanal rug or blanket, a comfortable hammock, or even pinatas. Other items that you’ll definitely see in the city are bottles of tequila and mezcal, along with ceramic products. MACLOVIO HERRERA MARKET

In 1985 this market was rebuilt and named Reforma Market, but the local people were so used to the previous name that they continue to call it “Maclovio Herrera”. It is a popular place to buy handicrafts, typical dress, traditional candies, pinatas, jewelry, and a variety of typical Mexican products.

8 MARTI’S

This place is located in downtown Nuevo Laredo, just steps from the border crossing. It is known locally as the “Artisan Temple” and it’s perfect for people looking to go shopping in Nuevo Laredo. Among the bits and pieces you can purchase at Marti’s you’ll find colorful wool textiles from Oaxaca, as well as fine gold and silver jewelry from the state of Guerrero, blouses and shirts made by the Huichol tribe, and even hand-carved rustic wood furnishings. LAREDO, TEXAS

The big plazas, shopping malls and stalls on the American side of the border attract tourists for their offers and discounts, in addition to the variety of brands available. One of the largest commercial malls in Laredo, Texas, is the North Mall, where there are more than 150 stores and 7 department stores selling all kinds of goods.

North Mall is not the only place in Laredo where you can buy products at affordable prices; there are also dozens of stores spread out along Avenida San Bernardo and in downtown. Just remember that you will need a passport and possibly a visa to cross the border.

9 THINGS TO DO IN NUEVO LAREDO

Visit the historic downtown area and admire the main plazas and tourist attractions, such as Plaza Hidalgo

Take a shopping tour to Laredo, Texas

Purchase handicrafts in the historic downtown area and the stores in the city, such as Marti’s and the Maclovio Herrera Market

Discover the history of the city captured in the Founders’ Monument

Cross the border bridge that connects the city to the US

Have fun with your family at the Nuevo Laredo Cultural Center

Visit the Old Railway Station and the Historic Archive to discover the first written summary of the city.

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