Monterrey, Mexico: travel guide
A modern industrial powerhouse in northern Mexico surrounded by dramatic Sierra Madre mountains, with excellent cuisine and growing tourism.
- Country
- Mexico
- Currency
- MXN
- Time zone
- America/Monterrey
- Nearest airport
- MTY
Top places to visit in Monterrey
Parque Fundidora
Nature · about 2.5 h
Vast urban park in a former steelworks with lakes, museums and the Paseo Santa Lucía.
Paseo Santa Lucía
Activity · about 1.5 h
2.5 km artificial riverwalk linking the Macroplaza to Parque Fundidora, with boat rides.
Macroplaza & Faro del Comercio
Heritage · about 0.8 h
One of the world's largest plazas, anchored by Barragán's bright-red laser beacon.
Museo del Acero Horno³
Museum · about 2 h · entry MXN 180
Interactive steel-and-science museum inside a preserved blast furnace at Fundidora.
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (MARCO)
Museum · about 1.3 h · entry MXN 110
Ricardo Legorreta-designed contemporary art museum on the Macroplaza.
Barrio Antiguo
Nightlife · about 1 h
Cobblestone historic quarter that is the city's nightlife and cultural heart.
Parque Ecológico Chipinque
Nature · about 3 h · entry MXN 90
Mountain nature park in the Sierra Madre with hiking trails and city panoramas.
Grutas de García
Nature · about 3 h · entry MXN 120
Vast cavern system reached by cable car, 40 km northwest of the city.
Cerro de la Silla (viewpoint)
Viewpoint · about 3 h
The saddle-shaped mountain that is Monterrey's emblem; trailheads for hikers.
Things to do
- Grutas de García & Cola de Caballo Day Trip Day Trip · 8 h · from MXN 950 per person
- Santa Lucía Riverwalk Boat Ride Activity · 0.8 h · from MXN 120 per person
- Chipinque Hiking Half-Day Day Trip · 5 h · from MXN 650 per person
- Cabrito & Norteño Food Tour Food Tour · 3 h · from MXN 650 per person
Where to stay in Monterrey
- San Pedro Garza García about MXN 3,000 per night
Safest, most upscale area with malls, dining and easy access to the sierra.
Hotels
- Habita Monterrey 5-star · MXN 3,200 to MXN 6,000 per night
- Gran Hotel Ancira 4-star · MXN 1,900 to MXN 3,400 per night
- Holiday Inn Express Monterrey Centro 3-star · MXN 1,300 to MXN 2,100 per night
- Hostal Barrio Antiguo 2-star · MXN 320 to MXN 900 per night
Where to eat
- Pangea Contemporary, International · about MXN 1,600 per person
- El Rey del Cabrito Norteño, Mexican · about MXN 550 per person
- La Nacional Mexican, Norteño · about MXN 480 per person
- Koli Cocina Contemporary, Mexican · about MXN 1,800 per person
- Las Monjitas Mexican, Norteño · about MXN 220 per person
- Tacos El Charrúa Tacos, Street Food · about MXN 150 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Metro main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.