Nuevo León

Visiting a new place is always a great experience, but sometimes it can be overwhelming or complicated—especially in Nuevo León, where its greatest treasures are hidden away and would be very difficult to see in just a weekend. That’s why we’ve put together some recommendations to help make the most of your first trip to Nuevo León.

How many days should I stay in N.L.?

Ideally, you should plan for a visit of at least four days. Try to avoid scheduling your visit for a Monday, since that’s when many places in the city are closed (especially when it comes to nightlife). Arriving on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning is ideal; this will give you the chance to explore the area around your hotel on the first day and find nearby places like restaurants to eat. Or, of course, you can check out the food section in the “What to Do” section of this site to save time.

Which area is the best place to stay?

Since this is your first visit to Nuevo León, the obvious first recommendation would be to look for accommodations in downtown Monterrey, but you can also find well-located accommodations in the municipalities of San Nicolás de los Garza, Guadalupe, or San Pedro Garza García. These municipalities are part of the metropolitan area, border the state capital, and offer quick access to anywhere in the city.

I'm here... now what?

We’re not trying to give you the perfect itinerary, because there isn’t one—it all depends on what kind of experiences you’re looking for. A good place to start would be downtown: exploring Macroplaza, the Marco Museum, the cafes and restaurants in Barrio Antiguo, and strolling along Paseo Santa Lucía until you reach Fundidora Park are great ways to begin getting to know the city. You can do this with one of our tour operators, and you have the option of exploring on foot or by electric scooter, accompanied by a guide who will explain everything you need to know.

What else is there to see?

First and foremost, we recommend that you take a day to enjoy traditional dishes like cabrito, asado, or cortadillo at any of our iconic restaurants and visit one of the state’s most iconic venues for the ultimate norteño experience: the Pilos Bar, known as “the cathedral of norteño music.”

Once you’ve explored the city, the best part begins: getting out of it! So the best option is a tour of the citrus-growing region with our tour operators, so you can learn more about the state, what we produce, and our cuisine, complete with all the flavors of the ranch. This tour will take you through three municipalities: Montemorelos, Hualahuises, and the Magical Town of Linares.

Another tour you won't want to miss is to the Magical Town of Bustamante, where you can explore the majestic caves, the stunning natural spring, enjoy delicious local cuisine, and sample the best stone-oven bread in the entire state. And of course, you'll also visit its museums to learn more about the town and its Tlaxcaltecan heritage.

There’s one Magical Town left to visit: Santiago. You can choose to explore the town, go on an adventure in the mountains, float down the Presa de la Boca on a handmade log raft, take a dip in the Matacanes waterfalls, or visit the Cola de Caballo waterfall (and while you’re there, try bungee jumping or the rollerzip). Pick the tour that appeals to you most and discover the true magic of Nuevo León.

Here's what you can do on a four-day tour of Nuevo León, but there's actually so much more to discover. Check out all the tours and pick the ones you like best to create your own customized trip.