Overview
Laredo is a city with 262,000 (2019) inhabitants on the South Texas Plains. Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, is just across the Rio Grande.
6 sights · 2 things to do · 2 places to eat · 9 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Laredo
Republic of the Rio Grande Museum
The Republic of the Rio Grande Museum is dedicated to the year 1840, when Laredo was the capital city of the short-lived Republic of the Rio Grande. An unrecognized state that declared independence from Mexico in January…
Cathedral of San Agustin
Built in 1872 in Gothic Revival style, with a clock tower.
Lake Casa Blanca International State Park
Activities include picnic areas, fishing, and camping (nightly site fees $15+). Also popular for its swim area, playground, and sports fields.
Plaza San Augustin
Where various dance, music and crafts festivals take place throughout the year.
Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum
El Mercado
The old city hall.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Nov–Apr. Summer highs reach about 100°F; winter lows dip to about 53°F. Very hot (May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Sep and Jun. (climate data from nearby McAllen)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LRD Laredo International Airport, Laredo — 4 mi away. Directions
- MFE McAllen Miller International Airport, McAllen — 121 mi away. Directions
- SAT San Antonio International Airport, San Antonio — 154 mi away (major hub). Directions
Non-U.S. citizens are recommended to carry their immigration documents with them even if they do not plan on crossing the border into Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. There are check points on your way back from Laredo where you might be asked to show your immigration documents.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Plaza San Augustin, Republic of the Rio Grande Museum, Cathedral of San Agustin
- Lunch Zaragoza Grill
- Afternoon Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum, El Mercado
- Dinner Mariscos El Pescador
Day 2
- Morning Lake Casa Blanca International State Park, Uni-Trade Stadium
- Afternoon Laredo Water Museum
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Southwestern and Mexican cuisine restaurants abound in Laredo. Also, beef is a popular item on any menu in this area.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The twin cities of Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, founded in 1775, are situated on the banks of the Rio Grande. Laredo has been governed under seven national flags. Nuevo Laredo has a burgeoning population of 374,000 (2010). The twin cities are collectively referred to as Los Dos Laredos. The weather is moderate in winter months around 68°F (20°C) but sizzling in mid-summer around 100°F (39°C).
This city is the commercial hub of the South Texas Plains, which is primarily an agricultural region. It offers entertainment, education, and cultural resources that fit well with its Hispanic heritage. Laredo is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.
Get in
Non-U.S. citizens are recommended to carry their immigration documents with them even if they do not plan on crossing the border into Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. There are check points on your way back from Laredo where you might be asked to show your immigration documents.
Non-U.S. citizens having a valid U.S. visa who decide to cross the border and enter Mexico should be prepared for a long wait at the CBP detention center/check post to get back into U.S., even with all the necessary documentation. It might not be a pleasant one, but can be minimized by crossing at off hours or by using alternative crossings, such as the Colombia bridge.
By car
Laredo is accessible by car via Interstate 35, and US Highways 59 and 83. I-35 is the U.S. portion of the Pan American Highway that stretches from Central America to Canada.
By plane
By bus
Bus travel to Laredo is convenient, as it's a major stop on several routes between the US and Mexico. Greyhound has daily services from Houston, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Brownsville and more, direct services are also available from Monterrey. More options for bus travel from Mexican cities can be found by crossing the border into Nuevo Laredo.
Get around
El Metro is the city's municipal bus service, offering scheduled routes as well as paratransit services. Laredo is quite spread out, so car rental is an attractive local transportation alternative.
See
See Plaza San Augustin
Where various dance, music and crafts festivals take place throughout the year.
See Republic of the Rio Grande Museum
The Republic of the Rio Grande Museum is dedicated to the year 1840, when Laredo was the capital city of the short-lived Republic of the Rio Grande. An unrecognized state that declared independence from Mexico in January of that year, the republic was quickly reintegrated into Mexico. The museum is the nation's former capital building and features preserved rooms and historic displays, plus a small gift shop.
Do
Wildlife game abound in south Texas, so Laredo is a popular destination for hunters and fishermen. Birders can spot the Great Kiskadee, White-tipped Dove, Green Jay, Scrub Jay, Red-billed Pigeon, Audubon's Oriole and possibly the White-Collared Seedeater in the region.
Do Uni-Trade Stadium
Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos (affectionately known as Tecos) bring AAA-level Mexican League Baseball to Nuevo Laredo Tamaulipas and neighboring Laredo, Texas from March through the end of August. The schedule is online as are ticket sales ("Boletos"). Most games are played in Parque la Junta, a beautiful modern minor league park in the center of Nuevo Laredo, with some (mostly later season) games played in Laredo, Texas at Uni-Trade Stadium. It's a chance for Texans to experience Mexican League Baseball without having to endure customs and immigration lines.
Buy
Mexican souvenirs and crafts are plentiful in local marts, especially the myriad importers along San Bernardo.
Shop Basket & Pottery Alley (Mexico Mercadito)
A wonderful Mexican mercadito where you can find all types of Mexican goods from souvenirs, clothing, candy, pottery, and all types of unique knick knacks.
Eat
Southwestern and Mexican cuisine restaurants abound in Laredo. Also, beef is a popular item on any menu in this area.
Eat Zaragoza Grill
Famous for its Sunday brunch.
Eat Mariscos El Pescador
Specializes in Mexican seafood. Second location at 3919 San Dario, Tel: +1 956-724-8958.
Drink
The drinking age in Texas, as in the rest of the US, is 21, but the drinking age in the state of Tamaulipas, as in the rest of Mexico, is 18. Many Texan high school seniors and college students from San Antonio and Austin make their way to Nuevo Laredo to drink.
Sleep
Stay safe
As in all other border towns, always be aware of your surroundings.
Go next
Day trips by car can take you to Zapata TX (less than 1 hour to the south) for hunting, fishing and nature observation/birding; and to Kingsville (less than two hours to the east) a ranching heritage town, and home of the King Ranch Museum . Cross over the bridge to Nuevo Laredo and visit nearby San Ygnacio, Camargo City, Ciudad Mier, Ciudad Miguel Aleman and Ciudad Diaz Ordaz for a taste of Mexican history, environment and lifestyles.
Nearby
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