Matamoros is a city in Tamaulipas in Mexico.

Understand

Matamoros is situated on the United States-Mexico border across the Rio Grande River from the city of Brownsville, near where the Rio Grande empties into the Gulf of Mexico. It is one of several major land crossings between the United States and Mexico.

Get in

By foot

If crossing from the U.S. by foot, all three bridges between Brownsville and Matamoros charge a US$1 toll (and a US$0.25 toll to return). The turnstile is on the right side of the vehicle lanes in either direction.

You must bring a passport if you plan to return to the U.S., though you can enter the border zone of Mexico without it and will almost certainly not be asked to present documents. Mexican customs or the military or both may ask to search your bags, if you are carrying something. Note that in Brownsville U.S. customs officials do sometimes stop pedestrians heading for the bridge crossing and question them.

The wait to enter Mexico is negligible, but if you are planning to walk back across the bridge to the U.S. you might want to time it so that you do not have to stand for 30 minutes in extreme heat and humidity.

The bridge furthest east, the Veterans International Bridge at the end of HWY 77 on the Texas side, is not recommended for pedestrian crossing; it was designed for long-haul trucks and is a much longer bridge (and thus longer walk) than the other two. The bridge at International Blvd. is the shortest walk and more accessible to downtown Matamoros upon crossing.

By car

If you follow International Blvd. south out of Brownsville, you'll cross over a short toll bridge (~US$2) and immediately be on Av. Alvaro Obregón. Border customs and security in the U.S.-to-Mexico direction is light, at worst a cursory glance-over, after which you'll immediately find yourself plunged into the streets and traffic of Matamoros.

If you're only planning to visit the "border zone," an area extending roughly 25 kilometers (15 miles) south from the border, you won't need a vehicle importation permit or a tourist card. If you intend to venture farther into Mexico, however, it's easiest to obtain your vehicle importation permit first thing at the border. Right after crossing the international bridge (literally at the foot of the bridge), you'll see a white building on your right housing all offices you may need to deal with: the Mexican Tourist office, Banjercito branch, and several Mexican automotive insurance (Seguros de Autos) vendors.

See

• 1 Casamata Regional History Museum (Museo de Historia Regional Casamata), Santos Degollado Esq, ☏ +52 868 813 5929. 9AM-4PM. History Museum of Regional Events 

Eat

• 1 Garcia's Restaurant, Alvaro Obregón #82 Col. Jardín (Walk across Gateway Bridge and after checking in with customs continue along the same street about one block), ☏ +52 868 812-3929. Popular restaurant only one block from Gateway Bridge to Brownsville. In addition to the restaurant and bar, attached shops sell curios, crafts and clothing. There is also a liquor store and pharmacy. Along with Garcia's restaurants in Brownsville and Nuevo Progreso, the family's restaurants seeks to preserve and demonstrate Mexican culture and traditions. (updated Jun 2017)

Sleep

Mid-range

• 1 Best Western Hotel Plaza Matamoros, 9th Y Bravo Street 1421, ☏ +52 868 816 1696. A nice, modern hotel. Prices are about US$50-75, which includes parking and breakfast. 

Stay safe

The United States Department of State travel advisory recommends U.S. Citizens defer all non-essential travel to the state of Tamaulipas because of violent crime, including homicide, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, extortion and sexual assault. It further advises criminal activity is more common along the northern border, including Matamoros. Additionally, the advisory notes that the border area has experienced numerous recent gun battles and attacks with explosive devices.

The U.S. Department of State Overseas Security Advisory Council issued a Crime and Safety Report for Matamoros in February 2017 that rated it a "Critical Threat for Crime".

In spite of U.S. State Department warnings, many people walk across Gateway Bridge from Brownsville to Matamoros and walk the short distance to Garcia's Restaurant, bar, and attached shops, liquor store and pharmacy. It is strongly recommended to proceed no further.

Cope

Consulates

• United States, Calle Primera #2002, Col Jardin, ☏ +52 868 812-4402, fax: +52 868 812-2171, MatamorosUSCitizens@state.gov. 

Go next

Routes through Matamoros

Reynosa ← Ciudad Rio Bravo ←	W  E	→ Playa Lauro Villar → END
Brownsville ← becomes ← ←	N  S	→ Jct → Ciudad Victoria