Iglesia de Corazon Sagrado

Montemorelos is a small city in the Northern Mexico state of Nuevo León, lying on the banks of the Rio Pilón. The city is best known for its citrus orchards producing several types of oranges as well as grapefruits and tangerines. Visitors appreciate the town's slow pace, traditional feel, and its local cuisine. The town is one of Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos and is a popular weekend destination and highway pitstop along busy federal highway MEX-85 between the U.S. border and Mexico City.

Understand

The first Spanish settlers to the Rio Pilon valley arrived in the early 17th century, but it wasn't until 1685 that a church (dedicated to St. Matthew) would be built to serve as the focal point for a town to grow up around it. In 1825, the governor of Nuevo Leon decreed that it was now a city and that it should be named Montemorelos in honor of Jose Maria Morelos, hero of the Mexican War of Independence.

Various types of fruit grow in the orchards around Montemorelos, but oranges are the city's most recognized product. Three types of oranges are grown, each with different harvest times, providing steady, year-round work for fruit growers and pickers. Oranges you might find in Montemorelos are:

• Valencia - from May to July
• Albérciga - from July to August
• Temprana - from October to November

Get in

By bus

• 1 Central de Montemorelos (Bus station), Zaragoza s/n. Clean, modern bus station with a comfortable waiting room and generally good service. Buses from Del Norte, Noreste, Grupo Senada, and Transpais. 

See

Monument to Morelos

• 1 Iglesia Sagrado Corazon de Jesus (Parroquia San Mateo), Zaragoza 700. Historic 17th century church has been extensively restored and beautifully maintained. It has relatively sparse decoration and adornment but is a large church with a long name and prominent dome. Next to the town square and city hall. 

• 2 Monument to Morelos, Valeriano García Galván. Large statue of Jose Maria Morelos, hero of the Mexican War of Independence, standing with his fist raised in angry protest as if to say, "No me chingues güey!" 

• 3 Museo Historico Valle del Pilon, Prolongación Frontera s/n, Barrio Parar. Tu-Su 10:00 - 18:00, closed M. Regional history museum with antiques, documents, maps, and historical exhibits on one level and a series of art exhibitions on the other level. Attractive, well presented museum that gives a good perspective on the stories and culture of the local region. 

• 4 Museo de Cristo Gigante, La Fuente 102, Zambrano, ☏ +52 826 103 6055. Local sculptor Humberto Santiesteban established this small private museum to showcase his religious wood sculptures. Yes, kids, he does indeed have a gigantic Christ figure, along with a wide range of other figures of more normal proportions. An unusual slice of local culture. M$50. 

Do

• Bioparque Estrella - about 20 km west of town, off highway MEX-85, is a family safari adventure park. The highlight is the Safari Serengeti in which visitors get in a large transport truck and drive through the safari area to see various African animals up close and as personal as you'd probably want to be.
• Pueblo Salvaje, Camino a la Morita, Congrecion Calles - about 10 km northwest of town north of Congrecion Calles is another animal park that's a low-key, family-friendly attraction. They have a kids petting zoo area with ducks, goats, llamas and more, as well as a drive-through safari area you can drive through in your own car, or rent a truck from them for M$300 (more if you want them to provide a driver). No food or drink is sold, but there is a picnic area where you can bring your own food and grills are provided. Admission is M$100 per person.

Festivals

• Feria de la Naranja - the town's celebration of its favorite fruit takes place during July each year (to coincide with the largest of three harvest periods). Visitors can enjoy midway games, rides, cultural events, and the regional cuisine of Montemorelos and nearby cities.

Eat

• 1 Bandeyras, Calle Doblado 210, Matamoros, ☏ +52 826 106 6264. Su-Th 12:00 - 22:00; Sa 06:30 - 22:30; closed F. Light food (quesadillas etc.). Emphasis is on the smoothies, frappes, and coffee drinks. Gets crowded on Saturday. M$150. 

• 2 La Fuente, Calle Juárez 218, Centro (between Escobedo and Zaragoza), ☏ +52 826 263 6281. W-Tu open 24 hours, closed M. Regional Mexican cuisine that's a long-time favorite in Montemorelos. You can get breakfast at any time of the day or night. Locals recommend the guisado de res. Casual atmosphere with occasional live music. Offers delivery as well. Service in the dining room can be slow. M$200. 

• 3 Viterbo's Pizza, Simon Bolívar 310, Del Maestro, ☏ +52 826 263 4747. W-M 11:00 - 23:00; closed Tu. Traditional pizzeria with normal (for the U.S.) flavors like pepperoni or Hawaiian with ham and pineapple. Boneless wings and other snacks available. M$200. 

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Aljofar, Calle Ignacio Zaragoza 907, Centro, ☏ +52 826 688 2488. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Clean, comfortable rooms that are rather basic and a bit on the small side. Free WiFi and free parking. M$1000. 

• 2 Hotel Malvira, C. Zacatecas 516-Sur, Zaragoza, ☏ +52 826 263 4282. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Basic hotel that cries out for renovation. 

• 3 Monte Salerno, Paras 209, Centro, ☏ +52 826 263 7935. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Nice hotel with spacious, clean, comfortable rooms, free parking, accepts pets. Small bar that serves any kind of beer you like (as long as you like Carta Blanca or Indio). M$1250. 

Connect

Cell reception is good in Montemorelos, but it will be mostly 4G in town and along area highways. 5G becomes predominant as you approach the city of Monterrey. Most hotels and restaurants have good internet connections with free WiFi.

Go next

• Linares
• Santiago
• Cumbres de Monterrey National Park
• Monterrey