Monterrey/Eastern suburbs
The Eastern suburbs of Monterrey include a number of municipalities, the largest of which are Guadalupe and San Nicolas de los Garza. Monterrey's international airport (MTY) is in the eastern suburb of Apodaca, which has seen tremendous development in the early 21st century, making it one of the fastest growing parts of Monterrey. Escobedo is another large municipality, at least in area, though not in population.
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Understand
Monterrey is known as the industrial engine of Mexico, and many of the factories, warehouses, foreign maquiladoras, and other industrial facilities are in the eastern suburbs. Residential areas are interspersed with industrial zones. Most residential areas serve poorer, working class laborers and these are generally not areas that are friendly to tourists.
Get in
See the main article for a more detailed discussion of urban transportation in the Monterrey area.
By air
See the main article for details about the Monterrey airport.
By metro
Metrorrey Line 3 opened in 2021 with service to Guadalupe and San Nicolas. Three stations serve Guadalupe: Eloy Cavazos, Lerdo de Tejada, and Exposicion. Several stations serve San Nicolas along Avenida Adolfo Lopez Mateos: Col. Moderna, Ruiz Cortinas, Los Angeles, and Hospital Metropolitano (terminus of Line 3).
Metrorrey Line 2 has several stops in San Nicolas including: Universidad, Anahuac, and Sendero. The Sendero station is a connecting point for 3 Metrobus routes to nearby neighborhoods. One of these routes serves parts of Apodaca. The San Nicolas station also connects to a Metrobus route.
Get around
Buses, taxis and ride sharing are the best ways to get around in Guadalupe and San Nicolas. Many neighborhoods in this area are poor choices for exploring as a lone pedestrian. There's metrobus service throughout Guadalupe and San Nicolas.
See
- 1 Guadalupe City Museum. Dedicated to the origins of the municipality through its history, geographical features, and original settlers.
- 2 Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Guanajuato 715. Large, modern church dedicated to Mexico's patron saint. Visit in early December to see ceremonial processions with matachines (native dancers) to honor the Lady of Guadalupe.
Do
- 1 La Pastora Park and Zoo. Inside the park, there is a zoo that houses different species of animals, in addition to an aviary and a herbarium.
- 2 Bosque Magico amusement park. A few meters from La Pastora Park. It has a zombie ride, mice against police, the king loop fighter, ski flyer, etc.
- 3 Cerro de la Silla. The icon of the city of Monterrey is in the municipality of Guadalupe. It is used by athletes for climbing and it is also a family walk.
- 4 Pipo Park. Park dedicated to "Pipo", the local clown. It has walks along the river and various green areas.
- 5 Parque España, Av. Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto, Guadalupe. Similar to a YMCA, this is a park focused on fitness and family development. They have a gym, workout facilities, a large pool, an after-school program and classes for aerobics, kickboxing, karate, and more. A pedestrian and bicycle bridge crosses the Rio Santa Catarina, connecting the park to Parque Fundidora. Day passes cost M$200, or monthly plans are available.
- 6 Estadio BBVA, Av. Pablo Livas 2011, Col. La Pastora. Home of the Rayados, one of Monterrey's two top-tier professional soccer teams playing in the Liga MX. State-of-the-art stadium with seating for 51,000 fanatics. This is one of the stadiums selected to host games for the 2026 World Cup.
- 7 Domo Care, Av. Benito Juarez 940, Guerra, contacto@domocare.mx. Round arena that serves as a concert venue for popular music acts, once mostly norteno and tejano, today reggaeton and rap shows are likely. Recent performances have included Bad Bunny, Gloria Trevi, and Intocable.
- 8 Cerro del Topo Chico. Topo Chico is a small, low mountain in the center of Monterrey, partly within the city boundaries of Monterrey and partly within the municipalities of Escobedo and San Nicolas de los Garza. It is a protected reserve managed by the State of Nuevo Leon and offers some good hiking trails with vistas of the entire city from the peak vantage point. Up and down hikes will generally take 5-6 hours, though you may want longer if you stop to explore some of the caves or need frequent rest breaks. Wear tough shoes and bring water. There are no facilities for visitors.
- 9 Autodromo Monterrey, Carr. México-Laredo Km 1008, Apodaca, ☏ +52 81 83450845. Monterrey's home of NASCAR racing (and various Formula x events).
- 10 Expo Feria, Av. Benito Juarez, Guadalupe (Take metro to Exposicion). If you're a fan of county or state fairs, you'll enjoy Expo Feria, the largest fair in Nuevo Leon. Livestock shows as well as a midway with games, rides, a beer garden, and lots of stands with sugary, fatty foods your waistline doesn't need. The fair starts in late April and typically runs throughout May.
- Abasolo and El Carmen (From Escobedo, drive northwest (toward Mina) on federal highway MEX-53 for about 10-15 km.). Two adjacent small towns that might be interesting for people who have already seen "everything" in Monterrey. Abasolo is a typical dusty Nuevo Leon town with a pleasant zocalo bordered by an historic church, Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, which has an oil painting of the Virgin that was painted in 1760. El Carmen might be just a tad larger than Abasolo and is the site of an abandoned mine referred to as "Minas Viejas". It's not a touristic destination though Monterrey adventurers like to go there with a flashlight and helmet (there are no lights and no tour guides to lead you). A vigorous hike takes you to the mine.
Buy
Small, local businesses dominate the commercial spaces of this part of town and there are few places to attract visitors who want to shop. There is typical name-brand shopping in La Fe, but no unique shops in this part of the city. The best part of Monterrey for name-brand shopping is San Pedro Garza Garcia, with its plethora of glitzy, modern malls and shopping centers.
- 1 Paseo La Fe, Miguel Aleman 200, San Nicolas. 09ː00 - 21ː00. Large, modern mall. Liverpool is main anchor store. Bowling alley, cinema, more.
- 2 Plaza Citadel, Av. Romulo Garza 410 (on Miguel Aleman). Daily 09:00 - 21:00. Modern shopping mall anchored by a Sears department store and a Cinepolis movie theatre complex.
Eat
Small neighborhood cafes and street food are the most common options in this part of the city. A cluster of new restaurants is available in Apodaca near the airport.
Guadalupe
- 1 Pecos Bill, Av. Miguel Alemán 202, Libertad, Guadalupe, ☏ +52 8181346061. 07:00-12:00. Known for their breakfast buffets, this popular place has been a fixture in Guadalupe for over 60 years. Wild west atmosphere. Cash only---no credit cards accepted.
- 2 Lucky Luciano, Av. Pablo Livas 2802, Col. Bosques del Contry, Guadalupe, ☏ +52 8135781263. 14:00 - 01:00 (closed Sunday).
- 3 La Arrachera, Av. Constituyentes de Nuevo León 111, Guadalupe, ☏ +52 8183795350. 12:00 - 23:00. Tender grilled meats served with homemade tortillas. Long established business, popular in Guadalupe.
- 4 Taqueria las Delicias, Av. Benito Juárez 1612, Exposición, Guadalupe, ☏ +52 81 83379291. 24 hours. You never know when a taco emergency will hit, so this place serves up cheap tacos all day, every day.
San Nicolas
- 5 Restaurante Regio, Av. Universidad 801, Roble Norte, San Nicolas, ☏ +52 81 8376 3538. 08:00-18:00. Look no further if you're looking for that caldo de res or platillo to dive into. (There are other locations around town).
Apodaca
- 6 Il Castello di Frabo, Boulevard Interamericano 100, Apodaca. Modern, full-service restaurant serving Italian food in the MTY airport hotel zone.
- 7 Los Fresnos, Rogelio González # 100, Interior 12-13 Parque Industrial Stiva, Aeropuerto, Apodaca, ☏ +52 81 81450087. 08ː00 - 00ː00. Traditional Mexican cuisine close to airport. Several other locations around Monterrey.
- 8 Santa Fe, Av. Miguel Alemán Km 18.5, Apodaca, ☏ +52 811 707 4866. Tu-Sa 07:00 - 23:00, Su 09:00-20:00. Northern Mexican regional cuisine with plenty of steaks and other meats (including cabrito). The tablita is recommended for hearty appetites. M$500.
Drink
- 1 El Corral Western Club, Avenida Ruíz Cortines 701, ☏ +52 8327 5557. Western and norteño dance club.
Sleep
The eastern suburbs are not traditionally magnets for visitors and few hotels are in this part of the city. However, the Centro and Fundidora areas are nearby and offer plentiful options. The eastern suburbs include Apodaca with Monterrey's large international airport and there are a large and growing number of hotels serving the MTY airport area. In San Nicolas, a number of cheaper hotels (of often dubious repute) are also scattered along Av. Miguel Aleman along the route to the airport and in San Nicolas and Escobedo along MEX 85 (Carretera Nacional) heading north toward Laredo.
Near Guadalupe
- 1 Four Points Sheraton Monterrey Linda Vista, Av Miguel Aleman 6064, ☏ +52 844 631 0595.
In San Nicolas
- 2 Wyndham Garden Monterrey Norte, Av. Universidad 501, Colonia Roble, San Nicolas de los Garza, NL, 66450, ☏ +52 844 631 0595. Moderate chain hotel close to a Soriana Hiper and a Sams Club.
- 3 Fiesta Inn La Fe, Miguel Aleman 105, San Nicolas, ☏ +52 81 8319 7500. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Large corporate style hotel. On a busy highway next door to a shopping mall. Rooms spacious but could use an update. M$1400.
- 4 Hotel NH Monterrey La Fe, Av. Miguel Aleman 200 (at Paseo La Fe), ☏ +52 81 8131 0060. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Modern, family friendly hotel. M$1300.
In Apodaca near MTY Airport
- 5 City Express MTY Airport, Boulevard Aeropuerto, 400, Esquina Kappa, Apodaca, NL, 66600 (2 mi (3.2 km) from the airport terminal).
- 6 Crowne Plaza Monterrey Aeropuerto, Boulevard Aeropuerto, 171, Colonia Parque Industrial Nexxus, Apodaca, NL, 66600.
- 7 One Monterrey Aeropuerto, Boulevard Aeropuerto 12, Apodaca, NL, 66600.
- 8 Hilton Garden Inn Monterrey Aeropuerto, Miguel Aleman KM24 (on the airport grounds, next to Terminal B), ☏ +52 81 11560041. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. New corporate style hotel adjacent to main terminal building.
Connect
Cell service is excellent with 5G coverage in the entire area. Most hotels and restaurants offer free WiFi connections. See also main article for Monterrey.
Stay safe
Due to the high incidence of femicide violence in the municipality of Guadalupe, the Gender Violence Alert Against Women was declared on November 18, 2016.
Guadalupe, Escobedo, Apodaca, and San Nicolas are mostly working class neighborhoods where tourists are obvious outsiders who wandered off the beaten path. Be vigilant about your surroundings and use common sense about getting in and around the area.