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When talking about traveling to Mexico, our minds automatically go to Cancun, Tulum, Mexico City… but let me tell you: Monterrey, the country’s third largest city, is Mexico’s best-kept secret. It’s so worth a trip!
Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit Monterrey for work. To be completely honest, I didn’t even do a lot of research on it, since it was somewhat of a last-minute trip. When I got there, I was positively surprised!
Monterrey at night
When to go:
Monterrey is the kind of city you can visit year round. For those who enjoy warmer temperatures, it’s worth visiting between May and September, when the temperature varies between 70 and 96 degrees. I was there in late August and thought it was wonderful—almost all restaurants and stores have air conditioning, so even in the hottest parts of the day I was never uncomfortable.
If you prefer slightly cooler temperatures, it’s best to visit between November and February, when the temperature goes down to 50 to 76 degrees.
Getting there and back:
Despite the city not being as big a hub as Mexico City, it’s still fairly easy to get to it. There are several direct flights from major airports in the US, such as Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, or New York. At most, you’ll make one domestic connection if you’re not located in a major metropolitan area.
Where to stay:
Monterrey reminded me a lot of my hometown of São Paulo, since it’s a city in which the economic divide is strikingly clear. The city itself is much older than the newer municipalities around it, such as San Pedro Garza Garcia, the most affluent city in Latin America. It’s there that you’ll find the best hotels, malls, and the most buzzy bars and restaurants. I chose to stay in San Pedro, in the Habita Monterrey, which is part of Design Hotels and also part of the SPG program. Its location is excellent, close to everything, and the hotel itself is wonderful for those who enjoy very minimalist, contemporary design. I’ll post a full review of the hotel soon, but for now I’ll highlight that beyond the location, the breakfast, pool, and views are incredible!
View from Chipinque Park
Where to go & what to do:
First of all, the city is surrounded by beautiful mountains. The view is breathtaking! No matter where you go, you can see at least one of the most famous mountains—Cerro de la Silla (which earned its name by looking like a horse saddle), Cerro de las Mitras, Cerro de Chipinque, or the Sierra Madre Oriental. If you enjoy trails and hiking, it’s definitely worth visiting the Chipinque Park. It’s full of trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels, and the view of the city from above is nothing short of stunning. Although it’s very safe, I recommend visiting with a reputable guide or a friend, since it’s fairly easy to get lost up there.
Monterrey is also gaining a reputation for its gastronomy and urbanism. The Arboleda neighborhood is a perfect representation of new urbanism in Latin America—a phenomenal mix of residential, recreational, and commercial areas. When I was there, I stopped by Garden Avenue for a meeting, and was so delighted by the gorgeous decor and clean menu.
One item still on my bucket list for next time is the Paseo de Santa Lucia, which was recommended to me by a lot of locals. It’s a boat ride along the Santa Lucia River until Fundidora park, passing by several historic parts of the city. I was able to see it briefly on a drive elsewhere, and it was so beautiful!
If you have time, it’s worth leaving Monterrey and visiting Villa de Santiago. Even though it’s just 40 minutes outside of the city, you feel like you’re in a completely different world! Santiago is a small town also known as “Pueblo Mágico,” or “magical town” and looks like the set of a old movie. The architecture is quintessentially Mexican, and the central plaza is beautiful. While I was there, on a Saturday night, there were fireworks and a newlywed couple being followed out of the main church by a mariachi band—can you get any more Mexican than that?!
What to eat:
Mariachi shopping in Santiago
If you enjoy traditional Mexican food, you’ll love Monterrey. Take some time to enjoy the regional dishes native to this area, though. The cabrito is one of the most traditional dishes in the city, which is a baby goat who has only been fed its mother’s milk (no grass) roasted over the fire. It’s ridiculously delicious! Monterrey also has very famous beef jerky, although I didn’t get to try it.
And for those of us who have a giant sweet tooth, like myself, make sure to try the glorias. They’re a traditional dulce de leche sweet made with goat milk and honey. I stuffed myself with these while I was there, and then brought a big bag home! Unfortunately, my stock is almost depleted already—I have to find a way to go back to Monterrey to bring way more back!
I hope these tips are useful! Monterrey is a spectacular city, and one I loved to explore. What other uncommon destinations would you recommend?