Western suburbs of Monterrey
The Western suburbs of Monterrey consist of two municipalities - San Pedro Garza Garcia and Santa Catarina.
San Pedro Garza Garcia (often referred to locally as simply "San Pedro") is the wealthiest part of Monterrey, consisting of elegant neighborhoods, glitzy upscale shopping centers, towering high rise buildings and myriad restaurants and international hotels. This is a very modern area with most development occurring since 1997. Development continues to occur as new commercial centers and mixed use centers are in the western part of San Pedro (Valle Poniente).
Santa Catarina is a low-key, sprawling, working-class neighborhood that is a gateway to La Huasteca and the Cumbres National Park --- magnets for outdoor enthusiasts. Santa Catarina is home to many foreign-owned maquilladoras and industrial plants. Shopping centers and businesses line the main roadways, such as the Carreterra Monterrey-Saltillo. New mixed use development is happening in the eastern part of Santa Catarina, near the boundary with San Pedro.
Get in
See the main article for a more detailed discussion of urban transportation in the Monterrey area.
By plane
Monterrey International Airport (MTY IATA) is a 40- to 50-minute taxi ride in the northern municipality of Apodaca.
By bus
Monterrey's Central Bus Station (Central de Autobuses) is about a 30-minute ride, in downtown Monterrey.
Long distance buses to Saltillo and San Luis Potosi usually travel through Santa Catarina on MEX 40 (Carretera Monterrey-Saltillo). Several of the long-distance bus lines operate small stations along this highway where buses stop to pick up and drop off passengers. If you plan to stay in Santa Catarina or San Pedro, you can use these stations to avoid having to go all the way into el Centro to the main bus station.
- 1 Omnibus de Mexico Terminal Santa Catarina, Carr. Monterrey-Saltillo, Km 336, ☏ +52 81 8336 9393. Small but clean waiting room and ticket sales for Omnibus de Mexico. Also serves Noreste.
- 2 Futura Terminal Santa Catarina, Carr. Monterrey-Saltillo (MEX 40), s/n (around km 335), ☏ +52 8183360153. Futura and Frontera buses stop here.
Get around
There is no metro in this area, but plenty of taxis and buses. Ride-hailing apps like Uber work well here. See the main article for details.
See
There are no tourist sites in San Pedro or Santa Catarina. Most tourist sites are in Centro.
Do
Monterrey is surrounded by mountains of the Sierra Madre Oriental range. A huge swath of mountainous terrain constitutes the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park, which extends many miles south. In the Western suburbs, the most popular areas of the park are Chipinque (accessed via San Pedro) and La Huasteca (accessed via Santa Catarina). This is rugged backcountry, rich in opportunies for rock climbing, canyoneering, backpacking, caving, mountain biking, and hiking. Exploring the parks can be an absolute adrenaline rush, but be careful because much of this terrain is not suitable for newbies. Best to go with an experienced guide who will provide suitable equipment and instruction. Gaia Extreme is an established company with an excellent local reputation: they can provide guides and equipment for most of the local area.
- 1 Cumbres of Monterrey National Park. Parque Nacional Cumbres de Monterrey is the northernmost of Mexico national parks and one of the largest, with more than 1,770 hectares (680 square miles) of rugged mountain terrain. It has become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The park includes several of Monterrey's landmark mountains, along with sheer cliffs, rushing rivers, hidden caves, and even some lions, tigers, and bears. Okay, maybe not tigers, but they definitely have mountain lions and bears, and they do have coyotes, bobcats, and jaguars, along with snakes, birds, and lots of other things. The park can be accessed from various points in Monterrey, Santa Catarina, Guadalupe, and San Pedro Garza Garcia. free.
- 2 Chipinque Ecological Park. Chipinque is one of the white-faced mountains towering over Monterrey, this one over the suburban municipalities of San Pedro and Garza Garcia. Drive up to the mesa where you can picnic while your kids enjoy the playground. Go hiking or mountain biking on the rugged trails that go up through the mountains to a fire-spotting station, or onwards toward the reservoir near the outlying town of Santiago. There is a rustic mountain lodge offering affordable family lodging and a restaurant serving traditional Mexican cuisine in a setting with unparalleled views of the city below.
- 3 La Huasteca climbing area (20 minutes from the city center). Parque La Huasteca is the first established climbing area in the city and is one of the most popular attractions in the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park. With nearly 300 bolted routes with grades from 5.4 to 5.14, it is the favorite place for weekend climbers. There are no entrance fees for most of the climbing areas. There is a Via Ferrata route that has led to deaths of inexperienced climbers.
Buy
If you like conspicuous consumption, then you'll find more than your fill of name-brand shopping opportunities in San Pedro Garza Garcia. Myriad glitzy shops and large, modern department stores fill the malls. Designer brands can be found everywhere. What's lacking are any shops of genuine local color. Most of what you find are the same kind of "upscale" shopping that you'd find in any major city in the world: same stores, same brands. Louis Vuitton, Ermenegildo Zegna, Palacio de Hierro, Versace, Fendi... yawn!
Every few weeks a new mall seems to pop up in San Pedro. Here are a few to start getting your credit cards overdrawn...
- 1 Calzada 401 (Plaza 401, Centro Comercial 401), Av. Calzada 401, Del Valle, ☏ +52 81 1366 5704. 08:00 - 23:00.
- 2 Paseo San Pedro Centro Comercial, Esquina Jose Vasconcelos y Gomez Morin, Del Valle, ☏ +52 81 2168 8800. 11:00 - 23:00. Big shopping center anchored by Palacio de Hierro, Cinemex, Hotel NH.
- 3 Metropolitan Center, Av. Lazaro Cardenas 2400, Valle Oriente, ☏ +52 81 8363 9000. 11:00 - 21:00. Several nice restaurants, Epic Cinemas, virtual reality sports (baseball, golf), adjacent to Safi Metropolitan hotel.
- 4 Fashion Drive, Av. Diego Rivera 1000, San Agustin. 10:00 - 21:00. Connects to Plaza Fiesta San Agustin. Adjacent to Camino Real hotel.
- 5 Plaza Fiesta San Agustin, Av. Real San Agustin 222, San Agustin. 9:00 - 17:00. Multi-level mall, food court with some cheap fast-food, Soriana. Across the street from Quinta Real hotel.
- 6 Avanta Gardens, Av. Jose Vasconcelos 755, Del Valle, ☏ +52 81 1297 5132. 08:00 - 22:00. Cineplex, spas, gym, restaurants.
- 7 Punto Valle, Rio Missouri 555, Del Valle, ☏ +52 81 2090 0000. 11:00 - 21:00. Cinepolis, upscale restaurants, an Apple store.
- 8 Parque Arboleda, Av. del Roble 660, Valle del Campestre. 07:00 - 00:00. Mixed use center built around a central park area with playgrounds and walking paths. Shops are in two buildings (Oriente and Poniente) and include an Apple Mac store, jewelry stores, furniture stores and many restaurants. The JW Marriott hotel is here.
Eat
- 1 Bistro Bardot, Calzada del Valle 401 Third Floor, Col. Del Valle, ☏ +52 (81)1366-5919. Offers a delightful collage of seafood and red meat, heavily influenced by French cuisine, it stays in touch with Mexico through their slight spices. Escape the noisy city and enjoy some fine wine.
- 2 Mar del Zur, Av. Jose Vasconcelos 150, ☏ +52 81 2318 0980. M-Sa 13:00-01:00, Su 13:00-18:00. Delicious fusion of Mexican and Thai cuisines served in an elegant space with top-flight service. One of Monterrey's top restaurants, so reservations are well advised.
- 3 Mon Paris, Avenida Gomez Morin 911, Colonia Del Valle (Plaza Las Palmas), ☏ +52 81 20 91 50 30. 08:30-23:00. Local chain of French coffee shops, another location is near Fashion Drive in Metropolitan Center. Pleasant outdoor dining area, casual atmosphere and a more affordable option compared to the myriad nearby restaurants that cater to the expense account crowd. Crepes for breakfast (or anytime), panini sandwiches at lunch.
- 4 Taquitos Mode, Rio Mississippi 107, Col. Del Valle (in el Centrito), ☏ +52 81 8335 3338. 07:00-15:00. Cheap eats, specializing in breakfast tacos.
- 5 Señor Bigotes, C. Libertad 200, Casco Urbano, ☏ +52 81 2317 5015. 13:00-23:00. In the mood for pizza? Señor Bigotes serves rustic style pizzas from an Italian wood fired oven. Pastas, salads, paninis also available. Delivery available. pastas from M$165, medium pizzas from M$185 (Nov. 2022).
- 6 Pangea, Av. de Roble 660, Valle de Campestre (in Parque Arboleda), ☏ +52 81 8114 6603. 13:00 - 00:00. Upscale dining, contemporary decor, modern Mexican cuisine meets steakhouse. Reservations recommended. Expensive: M$500 for fish of the day, M$1700 for the Wagyu New York strip.
- 7 Cenacolo, Av. Batallon de San Patricio 109 (at the roundabout, next to Metropolitan Center, across the street from Plaza Fiesta San Agustin), ☏ +52 81 8363 5151. 13:00 - 23:00. Elegant dining room with rustic Mediterranean feel. Italian food with homemade pastas, pizzas, and a full bar with creative house cocktails.
- 8 Gallo71, Jose Vanconcelos 71, San Pedro (Look for the bright pink walls (there's not much of a sign, use GPS to get there)), ☏ +52 81 8335 6200. 12:30 - 00:30. Traditional northern Mexico cuisine, specializing in grilled meats. The ribeye is a whopping 500g (about 18 ounces). The tostadas are grilled the way abuela used to make them. Good selection of artesanal tequilas and local craft beers.
- 9 La Torrada, Av Lázaro Cárdenas 2500, Valle Oriente, San Pedro (Metropolitan Center), ☏ +52 81 82627151. 13:00 - 22:00 (open til 02:00 Friday-Saturday). Upscale steakhouse that cooks over a wood fire. Expensive.
- 10 Los Curricanes, Avenida Roble #660 Poniente Nivel 3 (in Parque Arboleda), ☏ +52 8123163048. 13:00 - 23:00. Casual seafood restaurant with full bar, outside terrace dining.
- 11 Koli, Río Amazonas 225, Col. del Valle, ☏ +52 81 9688 7333, contacto@koli.mx. Tu-Sa 13:00-16:00 19:00 - 00:00, closed Su M. Regional cuisine of northeast Mexico, modernized and taken up to the level of fine dining.
Drink
The Centrito area is centered around the intersection of Av. Rio Mississippi and Av. Rio Orinoco, it is a popular and safe option for partying and clubbing. A trendy hot spot for the younger crowd.
Centrito
- 1 Sr. Mostacho, Río Orinoco 171, Col. del Valle, ☏ +52 81 837 84925. 13:00-01:00 (02:00 Friday and Saturday). Lively bar with a young crowd.
- 2 Maverick, Rio Mississippi 103. 18:00 - 01:00. Cocktails and different music styles each night are the success formula here: jazz (Wednesday), blues, DJs playing 80s hits, and if that's not enough, there's Happy hour 7-9pm each day.
- 3 Mapache, Rio Mississippi 120, ☏ +52 81 25588858. 17:00 - 01:00 (til 02:00 Friday and Saturday). Comfortable, low-key bar with good selection of beers and mezcals. Roof top terrace.
- 4 Major Tom, Río Orinoco 175, Del Valle, ☏ +52 81 2557 5576. 08:00 - 01:00. Popular bar with cheap drink prices, featuring live rock bands.
- 5 Rio Mississippi 105-B, Rio Mississippi 105-B, Del Valle, ☏ +52 81 816 14262. Th-Su 19:00 - 02:00, closed M-W. Enjoyable atmosphere with a specialization in mezcal cocktails. Smoky atmosphere is a turn-off.
Other parts of San Pedro
- 6 Havana, Calzada San Pedro 107. Th-Sa 21:00 - 02:00. High-end club.
- 7 Pepper, Av. Manuel Gómez Morín 911, Del Valle, San Pedro Garza García (Plaza las Palmas, Comercial Gomez Morin). M-Sa 18:00 - 01:00.
- 8 Nirvana Rock Joint, Av. Batallon de San Patricio 1000 (outside Plaza Fiesta San Agustin), ☏ +52 81 8368 4630. Features 1980s, 90s and some recent music. Good selection of beer, liquor, and appetizers. Free breathalyzer test -- ask the bouncer for a safe taxi if you can't drive. Odd location for a club, in the Plaza Fiesta San Agustin mall, next to Sears.
Sleep
San Pedro Garza Garcia
Most hotels in San Pedro are new and upscale. Decent cheap lodging is rare and is better found in el Centro (with hostels in Barrio Antiguo). The Ibis is the most reliably inexpensive option in San Pedro.
- 1 Antaris Valle (Antarisuites), Rio Danubio 400 Ote, ☏ +52 81 8174-0000. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. Modest hotel with flashy 1990s contemporary decor. Spacious, clean rooms, well equipped. Quiet side street location. 10-15 minutes to downtown.
- 2 Ibis Monterrey Valle, Av. Lazaro Cardenas 3000, ☏ +52 81 8133-5050. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. Modern economical hotel, clean rooms at rates of about M$1100 (Nov 2022). An excellent choice for the budget traveler.
- 3 Novotel Monterrey Valle, Av. Lazaro Cardenas 3000, ☏ +52 81 8133-8133. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. Contemporary hotel on busy thoroughfare. Nice swimming pool, large lobby bar restaurant, loud decor, platform beds, free valet parking.
- 4 MS Milenium Monterrey, Curio Collection by Hilton, Jose Vasconcelos 300 Ote, ☏ +52 81 8368-6000. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. First-class hotel in busy Garza-Garcia area. Nice swimming pool. Sunday brunch.
- 5 NH Hotel Monterrey San Pedro, Av. José Vasconcelos 402, ☏ +52 81 8173 1800. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Decent hotel adjacent to Palacio de Hierro. Somewhat dated as newer, more luxurious hotels are now available, but affordable rates make this an attractive option for many travelers.
- 6 Safi Metropolitan, Av. Lazaro Cardenas 2400, Valle Oriente, ☏ +52 81 2519 0000. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Glitzy upscale high-rise hotel connected to the Metropolitan Mall in the heart of San Pedro's shopping district. Easy walk to stores and restaurants.
- 7 Habita, Av. Vasconcelos 150 Ote (at O2 Plaza), ☏ +52 81 83355900. Contemporary comfort in a mid-size boutique hotel. Excellent restaurants in the adjacent O2 Plaza. Expensive.
- 8 Camino Real Monterrey, Av. Diego Rivera 2492, Col. Valle Oriente (Fashion Drive), ☏ +52 8181335400. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. One of 2 Camino Real hotels in almost exactly the same location. Confusing? You betcha! Adjacent to Fashion Drive shopping area.
- 9 Quinta Real Monterrey, Diego Rivera 500, ☏ +52 81 8368-1000. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. For years, the most luxurious hotel in Monterrey, but now one of many first-class hotels in the San Pedro area. Gourmet dining rooms, classic architecture, concierge, valet parking, courtyard swimming pool. Location next to Plaza Fiesta San Agustin shopping mall. 5-10 minutes to downtown.
- 10 Autentico Monterrey, Av. Manuel Gómez Morín 285, Col Valle del Campestre (across street from Palacio del Hierro), ☏ +52 8125253930. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Luxury boutique hotel near shopping.
- 11 JW Marriott Hotel, Av. del Roble 670, Valle del Campestre (in Parque Arboleda), ☏ +52 81 8850 6700. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. New hotel with first class service, large comfortable rooms.
Santa Catarina
- 12 City Express Monterrey Santa Catarina, Carr. Monterrey-Saltillo 1135, ☏ +52 5552498080. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. Modest chain hotel with inexpensive rates. M$1100.
- 13 Hotel Hiǃ, Blvd Gustavo Díaz Ordaz 338, Protexa Industrial, ☏ +52 81 85262020. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. The rooms are small, but so are the prices. Clean, modern place right on Carr. Monterrey-Saltillo. M$800.
Connect
The area is very well connected with broadband internet in all major hotels and restaurant (though some will charge for WiFi). Cell service is excellent with 5G service everywhere in this part of town. See the main article for Monterrey.
Go next
A few miles northwest of Santa Catarina, on Nuevo Leon highway 65, is the municipality of Garcia. There are several attractions in Garcia that make it a popular day trip or weekend destination, particularly for families.
- 1 Grutas de García. Near the municipality of Garcia is a large show cave in the Sierra del Fraile, operated by the state of Nuevo Leon. The cave entrance is reached by a cable car (teleferico) or by steep 2-km trail. Myriad formations in which stagmites and stalactites form oddly recognizable shapes, such as the head of a burro, a hand with an outstreched finger, and more.
- 2 Parque Ecologico Xenpal, near the Garcia caves in the municipality of Garcia is a drive-through safari wildlife park. You can ride through in your own car, or a truck-like tram will take you through. Camel rides, zip lines, galapagos turtles, monkeys, giraffes, an aviary and lots more. Prices start at M$110 for a kids admission to M$180 for adults, plus safari rides.
- 3 Los Faisanes, ☏ +52 8182831771, on the road to Garcia caves is this popular family recreation area. Quiet and peaceful. Cabins are available for overnight stays. Swimming pools with water slides, an ecological zoo with lions, tigers, monkeys, zebras, and even some lemurs (who like to move it, move it). Picnic areas with grills. Severe water shortages in Nuevo Leon during 2022 forced the pools to shut down. They will likely re-open when the water situation improves.