Reynosa

History

Reynosa has a long history of being unnoticed. It was just a part of land that many people in the past had fought for. Reynosa was first noticed on 6 July 1686, a long exploring expedition was held by Mr. Agustin Echeverz and Zuvízar, Governor of Nuevo Reino de León and is commanded by Captain Alonso, and they camped on the hills where Reynosa is located today. In December 1748, an expedition led by Colonel Jose de Escandon wanted to establish a new province plan to create 14 villages, including that of Reynosa. The convoy consisted of 1500 settlers and 755 soldiers. In September 1800, a flood occurred that literally swept people off the land; people were saved in canoes and rafts, taking refuge in the hills of El Morrillo. Then, later in 1802, the people in Reynosa relocated. By November 24, 1926, Reynosa is finally elevated back to the way the city was and prospering since.

Location

Reynosa is located 38 meters above sea level. It is within the northern part of Tamaulipa, Mexico.

Population

In 1990, Reynosa had a population of 282,667 inhabitants. Since then, the population has practically doubled to 607,532 inhabitants in 2010.

You can get to Reynosa by plane, car, or bus.

By plane

• General Lucio Blanco International AirportReynosa's small regional airport. The airport handles domestic flights only and is served by three carriers: Alma, Volaris, and Click Mexicana. Flights from Cancún, Guadalajara, Mexico City and Veracruz.

• U.S. passengers can fly into neighboring McAllen (MFE), which is served by Allegiant, Continental and American, and then take a taxi or city bus to the Hidalgo border crossing.

By car

From points in south Texas, take U.S. 83 to McAllen and then exit at 23rd Street (route 115) and head south about 10 km (6 miles) to the international bridge checkpoint at Hidalgo.
From points in Mexico:

• Mexico Highway 2 runs parallel to the border and can be used to reach Reynosa from other border cities. Traveler warning: this highway is not patrolled by the Federal government and is extremely dangerous during the day, and impassable after dark due to Mexican drug cartel "ownership" of the route. It is in the interest of your best safety to entirely avoid this area and the very small, mostly deserted towns and crossings along it. The crossings are not always open. For example, the crossing at Falcon Lake (which should be avoided at all costs, anyway) closes at 9PM or earlier.
• Mexico Highway 40 (toll road) can be used to reach Reynosa via Monterrey. The toll is 270 pesos.

The Aduana office to get car import permits is on Alvaro Obregon, just a few blocks to the left as you cross into Reynosa (go left on Miguel Aleman it turns into Obregon -- the office is on your left just after you round the bend).

By bus

It takes about 2 hours to get from McAllen, Texas, to Reynosa, Tamoulipas, including the wait for the bus.

There are many things to do around Reynosa, including going to church, swimming in the public pool, going out to eat the best fresh tamales... but in order to get to all these fun places you could either: walk,(many people don't have a car)drive, take the bus, or bike. It is said to be that in some parts of Mexico like Reynosa, they don't respect bicyclers or walkers that are on the street. That is why the choices for most people really narrow down to: drive, or take the bus. Of course many people risk their lives and still walk or bike in the streets,but majority does not. Despite all of the danger, Reynosa is a beautiful city to visit and Latinos enjoy it as is.

There are not that many historical things in Reynosa to see. However, there are a few historical monuments like A Juárez, Hidalgo and Morelos. Also, there is an Architectural monument, Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which was built in 1810; it has a neoclassical style.
Another thing that tourists could look forward to are the popular festivities: Harvest Fair each year in August. The feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe starts on March 5th. During that time tourists can see several groups of dancers perform their dances as they wear very colorful outfits.

• Boy's Town- a region in Reynosa where men tend to go to enjoy prostitutes, bars, and the nightlife. This region has been virtually shut down, and what is left of it is controlled by cartels and is extremely dangerous for tourists.
• Streets/Shops- most tourists roam around in Reynosa to enjoy the small shops to buy things and practice their negotiating skills with prices.
• Border Crossing- people cross the U.S./Mexican Border to enjoy vice versa. Due to the fact that Reynosa is practically on the border, Texas is well visited as well, keeping in mind about abiding with the state laws of course.

There are so many incidences of cartel violence in this town that the wise traveller would do best to study and evaluate the concern for personal safety versus the inclination to explore the region.

There are a wide range of shops in Reynosa, varying from supermarkets, to crafts markets selling little nik-naks for tourists. Reynosa is near the pedestrian-only Hidalgo shopping street connecting Plaza Principal to Zaragoza Market. This bazaar is filled with Mexican handcrafts, from colorful woven blankets and baskets to kitschy sombreros and miniature guitars. Many tourists are attracted to shops such as this because tourists wherever they go, they want to purchase something to remember the place by, or as gifts for friends and family.

Reynosa is a city that is not distant from the U.S. border; so although, there are many Mexican authentic restaurants and chain fast foods found in the U.S. as well. For example, Burger King, Chili's, Subway

• Bigos

  phone: +52 899 930-0361
  address: Tiburcio Garza Zamora Street # 325 Col. Rodriguez Reynosa, Tamaulipas

• Buffet China

  phone: +52 899 924-2968
  address: Blvd. Hidalgo 1090 Col. Del Valle

• Cabritos Nuevo León

  phone: +52 899 925-5722
  address: Blvd. Hidalgo 450 Col. Bella Vista
  A fusion between Spanish and Aztec cuisine to give rise to Mexican cuisine.

• Las Chalupas

  phone: +52 899 922-8595
  address: Paris esq. con Havre no.520 Col. Beaty

• El Pastorcito

  phone: +52 899 922-9245
  address: Paris esq. con Havre no.520 Col. Beaty

• Café París

  phone: +52 899 922-1068
  address: Hidalgo 960 Zona Centro

• Café Rey

  phone: +52 899 924-3166
  address: Blvd. Morelos 710 Esq. con Nuevo León Col. Rodríguez

• El Buen Gusto

  phone: +52 899 923-9097
  address: Calle 3a. No. 505 Col. Las Lomas

• El Estudiante Burritos y Hamburgesas

  phone: +52 899 929-1782
  address: Jazmín 334 Col. Jarachina Nte.
  Other branches (address and phone number): San Jose 317 Col. Jarachina Sur , Margarita Maza de Juarez s.n. Col.Juárez , Calle Ocho 342 Col. Longoria , Rio San Juan 922 L-4Col. Fuentes Secc. Lomas

• El Gaucho'n

  phone: +52 899 922-2724
  address: Oaxaca y Sinaloa Col. Rodriguez

• El Huachinango

  phone: +52 899 923-7157
  address: Rio Mante Col. Logoria

• El Mezquite Parrillada

  phone: +52 899 925-4320, +52 899 925-4310
  address: Rosalinda Guerrero 220-B Col. Prol. Longoria

• El Pollo Felíz

  phone: +52 899 180-0455
  address: Blvd. Morelos No. 100 Esq. Con H. Deandar Amador Col. Doctores

• El Patio

  phone: +52 899 924-2000
  address: Blvd. Hidalgo y Rio Mante Col. Longoria

• El Fogoncito

  phone: +52 899 922-1727
  address: Blvd. Hidalgo km.104 Col. Fuentes del Valle

• Go-Go Shushi

  phone: +52 899 923-1696
  address: Rio Purificacion Esq. Con Calle 9 Col. Prol. Longoria

• Gorditas Doña Tota

  phone: +52 899 923-5797
  address: Soriana Hidalgo Col. Hidalgo
  Other Branches (Addresses and Phone Numbers): Soriana Morelos (926-0624), Soriana Ribereña (925-5168), Soriana Juarez Col. Juárez (955-0842), H.E.B. Morelos (924-7121), Calle 20 Col. Aztlán (924-6026), Calle San Roberto Y Tecnologico Av. Tecnologico Col. Jarachina Sur (929-4006), Col. Petrolera (930-9460)

• La Fogata de Reynosa

  phone: +52 899 922-8216, +52 899 922-4772
  address: Matamoros 750 Esq. J.B. Chapa Zona Centro

• La Quinta

  phone: +52 899 924-8065, +52 899 924-8066
  address: Blvd. Morelos 1850 Col. Ampliacion Rodriguez

• Las Ensaladas

  phone: +52 899 922-5254
  address: Ejercito Nacional Esq. Con Brasil Local 1 Col. Anzalduas
  Other Branches (Addresses and Phone Numbers): Blvd. Las Fuentes y Calle 9a Col. Fuentes (925-2562), Ave. Las Lomas 701 Col. Jarachina Sur (995-1233)

• Mansion del Prado

  phone: +52 899 922-1025, +52 899 922-9914
  address: Emilio Portes Gil y PJ Mendez Col. Del Prado

• Merequetengue

  phone: +52 899 922-4926
  address: Calle Oaxaca Col. Rodriguez

• Mi Viejo Pueblito

  phone: +52 899 922-3991
  address: Oaxaca 219 Ote. Col. Rodriguez

• Pingüino Restaurant

  phone: +52 899 922-7827
  address: Juarez 890 Nte. Zona Centro

• Siempre Natural

  phone: +52 899 922-6830
  address: Puente Internacional Col. Medardo González

Reynosa is known to be "Boys' Town", an area where prostitution is legal and where they can go to bars and nightclubs.

• La Concha

  phone: +52 899 922-3360
  address: Echeverria Con Privada Poniente Internacional Reynosa

• Agave Blu

  phone: +52 899 930-0307

• La Cucaracha

  phone: +52 899 922 0174
  address: Calle Aldama 1000

Budget

• City Express

  phone: +52 899 921 2400
  address: Blvd. Hidalgo 480
  Amenities: Bar/lounge, business center, fitness center, free breakfast, free high-speed Internet, wheelchair accessible

Mid-range

• Holiday Inn Reynosa Zona Dorada

  phone: +52 899-921-6500
  address: Emilio Portes Gil Prado Sur
  Very new, modern hotel in the heart of Reynosa, near restaurants, clubs, etc. About 1 mile from the international bridge.

• Holiday Inn Reynosa

  phone: +52 877 859-5095
  address: Emilio Portes Gil Prado Sur

• Hampton Inn by Hilton Reynosa/Zona Industrial

  phone: +52 899 970-0100
  address: Carr Reynosa-Monterrey 1000 Plaza Periferico
  Each room comes with a king or queen-size bed(s), 32-inch LCD TV sets, and individual air-conditioning and heating unit. Services: Buffet breakfast included, toll-free 800 and local calls, broadband Internet access, and free transportation within 10 km (about 6 miles). Airport shuttle. A fitness center, free parking, and a swimming pool are also available.

• Fiesta Inn Reynosa

  phone: +52 866 538-0187
  address: Carr. Monterrey-Reynosa, km 212 Frente Col. Valle Alto, Reynosa 88746, Mexico
  Property Amenities: fitness center, business center, bar/lounge, restaurant, shuttle bus service, swimming pool, wheel chair accessible

• Howard Johnson Royal Garden Reynosa

  phone: +52 899 923-6100
  address: Boulevard Hidalgo 1165
  Property Amenities: business center, fitness center, restaurants, shuttle bus service, swimming pool. wheel chair accessible

• Best Western El Camino and Suites

  phone: +52 899 923-0791
  address: Blvd Hidalgo 1480 Col Del Vall
  Services & Amenities: Complimentary continental breakfast, restaurant on-site, OUTDOOR pool, hot tub, 24-hour front desk, multilingual staff, wedding services, doctor on-call, 24- hour security, exercise facility, free parking, airport courtesy shuttle available, meeting/business facilities, computer available, high-speed Internet access

• One Reynosa Valle Alto

  address: Av de los Encinos 1000
  Services & Amenities: free breakfast, on-site restaurants, wheel chair accessible, meeting/business rooms, wireless Internet, money exchange, nonsmoking rooms

• Hacienda

  phone: +52 899 924-6010
  address: Blvd. Hidalgo No. 2013 Col. Hidalgo CP

• Posada San Antonio

  phone: +52 899 930-1848
  address: Zaragoza No. 660 Zona Centro CP 88500

• Astromundo

  phone: +52 899 922-5625
  address: Juarez No. 675 Zona Centro CP 88500

Splurge

Reynosa has recently experienced turmoil as federal police continue their crackdown on the Gulf Cartel drug traffickers. It is not advisable to be out on the streets or cross through the city after dark, and most businesses now close by 10PM with frequent military stops and searches occurring after that time. Reynosa's police chief was arrested by federal police in March 2008 on suspicion of corruption. Approach Reynosa with caution at this time.

• For a better understanding of regional violence:

  Border violence news

• Monterrey