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Even if you haven’t carved into your turkey just yet, chances are you’ve scrolled endlessly on your phone searching for the best winter sun destinations.
In all likelihood, many of those options are south of the border along some of North America’s most prized coastlines.
While that’s all fine and dandy, the truth is some of Mexico’s most stunning destinations lie inland, such as San Miguel, Mexico City, and Guadalajara.
Size doesn’t matter in Mexico all that much — small towns can be equally captivating as mega metropolises, yet on the flip side of the same coin, some metropolises are still under-hyped.
One of those is Monterrey, a huge city that’s one of the closest worthwhile destinations to the US.
To some, it’s a pass-through city on budget airline Viva Aerobus. To others, it’s a cultural road trip from Texas.
No matter how you get here, the US Embassy wants you to know there are reasons to heed caution when visiting, as their latest security alert revealed hair-raising incidents tourists need to keep an eye out for.
One Of Mexico’s Cheapest Cities To Fly Into
Say what you want about the status of our economy, but there’s nothing more appealing for booking a vacation than dirt-cheap prices.
Monterrey is the base for one of Mexico’s cheapest airlines, Viva Aerobus. But don’t worry, that’s not the reason for the Embassy’s new alert.
The truth is Viva has grown exponentially across the US — so much so, the US government banned select routes in what some would consider a game of political ping-pong.
Regardless, Monterrey is one of the cheapest cities to fly into from the US, and that’s what lured me in.
To my surprise, it was an awesome city — and that’s not something I say lightly, having visited almost 20 destinations across Mexico.
Easy access around town made exploring this lesser-known city a lot of fun to pack into a weekend. What locals consider gridlock is a breeze compared to Mexico City.
But what was most surprising was the ample rooftops to take in sweeping mountain views while chowing down on sensational cuisine and vibrant neighborhoods, such as Barrio Antiguo, that feel like a well-kempt “mini Havana” with rows of colorful facades and storied character.
Don’t sleep on the vibrant Santa Lucia riverwalk either, giving San Antonio a run for its money. Ironically, those are the very tourists impacted the most by Monterrey’s new alert…
US Embassy Warns American Tourists About Monterrey’s Roadways
The strange thing about Monterrey is that it’s a common road trip destination. Why is that strange?
Because many of Mexico’s border towns are notorious no-go zones, so it’s not exactly the most inviting country to explore behind the steering wheel.
Cue Carrie Underwood…
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But given how close Monterrey is to Texas, many locals have family across the border in the bustling city of Monterrey, home to well over 1 million residents.
The bad news is that Monterrey is becoming as bad as the aforementioned border towns, at least according to US Embassy data.
Here is what’s really going on:
I never felt unsafe or out of place when I visited Monterrey, but it seems the vibe has shifted…
The Embassy reports several incidents of recent robberies on Highway 85D within Nuevo Leon (the sprawling state where Monterrey sits as the capital).
We reported on similar issues last summer and it seems not much has changed since.
Now, organized criminals are acting as officials, “pulling over” what they deem to be easy targets by mostly honing in on American-based license plates.
These bad apples are using flashing lights to come across as an ordinary traffic stop, only to forcibly rob numerous victims on the side of the road by armed groups.
While the Embassy can’t tell you what to do, they have enabled new polices only allowing government to travel during daylight hours outside the city.
Tips To Remain Safe On Your Trip To Monterrey
Other than gripping the headrest in front of you and praying to all the gods on your Viva Aerobus flight land safely, if you’re traveling by car, these are some insightful tips the Embassy is urging Americans to follow on their next Monterrey getaway:
- Do not make unnecessary stops
- Plan travel around daylight hours, and remain vigilant at all times
- Limit unnecessary travel along Highway 85D, and avoid traveling with large amounts of valuables
- Stay informed with local media
- Provide detailed plans to your loved ones
- Obtain a phone plan that allows phone calls in Mexico, and keep it charged
- Use toll (“cuota”) roads whenever possible.
- Comply with instructions when encountering police or security checkpoints (fleeing can make matters worse)
- Dial 911 for emergency assistance
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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