Tampico

AZOTEA 42

Enjoy a cocktail while gazing out over the Carpintero Lagoon.

Daily 14:00-23:00

Barco Children's Museum

Barco Museo del Niño

Once a state prison, now a children's educational and cultural center.

Thu-Sun 10:00-18:00

Boat tour of the Canal de la Cortadura

Take a 40-minute boat tour amongst the crocodiles and wildlife of the Canal de la Cortadura and the Laguna del Carpintero. The boat launches from the north side of the canal, at the end of 2 de Enero street.

Wed-Sun·Adults M$50, children M$25

Cathedral of Tampico

Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción

Tampico's main cathedral, built in the late 19th century in the neoclassical style.

House of Nature

La Casa De La Naturaleza

An impressive Art Deco building that hosts nature-themed photography exhibitions.

Huasteca Culture Museum

Museo de la Cultura Huasteca

Includes over 1800 archaeological and ethnographic pieces. Guided tours available.

Daily 10:00-18:00·M$65

Jardín Corona

An elegant Argentinian restaurant on the pricier side. Excellent seafood and empanadas.

Daily 13:00-23:00

Kayak the Chairel Lagoon

Boats and kayaks can be rented at Fray Andrés de Olmos Park. Guided tours are also available.

La Caverna

A life-saver. Decent beer, good pool tables and an affable barkeep/owner.

La Sevillana

A bar and restaurant serving local specialties such as jaibas de rellenas.

Daily 10:30-17:30·M$120-$200 mains

Laguna del Carpintero

Tampico's Central Park. Don't bother bringing your bathing suit... the lagoon is full of crocodiles! They're easy to spot from the shore; you won't be disappointed.

Las Escolleras

Malecón

A long pier protruding into the Gulf of Mexico, at the beginning of which is a memorial to the crews of Mexican merchant ships sunk by submarines during World War II.

Los Curricanes

Los Curricanes has fantastic... you guessed it! Seafood. The service is fantastic as well.

Daily 12:00-18:45

Mercado Municipal de Tampico

Tons of cheap dining options inside the market. Take your pick.

Mercado de Mariscos La Puntilla

The city seafood market. Fresh, high-quality fish and shellfish at low prices.

Metropolitan Cultural Center

Espacio Cultural Metropolitano

Opened in 2004, the center features a museum, a library, as well as theaters for opera, ballet and more avant-garde productions.

Miramar Beach Lighthouse

Faro de Playa Miramar Madero

A small lighthouse along with a great view of Playa Miramar as well as the ships and shrimp boats coming and going from the river mouth. Also, lots of raccoons waiting to be fed.

Old Maritime Customs House

Ex Aduana Maritima/Antigua Aduana Maritima

A museum showcasing the history of Tampico. Guided tours are free, although tips are appreciated. Tours are available in English, but you'll need to check on the times.

Wed-Sun 10:00-16:00·M$15

Piramide de Las Flores

Las Flores Pyramid

Small and often overlooked temple built by the Huastec culture around 1200 BC. The site is administered by INAH but there is no site museum, nothing to see other than the ancient pyramid, and minimal interpretive signage.

Tue-Sun 08:00 - 17:00 (closed Mon)·Free admission

Playa Miramar

A popular beach destination for residents of Monterrey. The beach is safe and relatively clean, though some work needs to be done by the local residents and authorities on this count, especially during the high season. There are also, oddly enough, raccoons, which you can feed with chips bought from local vendors.

Plaza de Armas

Plaza de la Constitución

One of the two colonial squares downtown, with nearby market, beautiful old cathedral, and very good shopping.

Plaza de la Libertad

The other colonial square, surrounded by beautiful buildings adorned with wrought-iron balconies.

Restaurante Don Churrasco

A buffet restaurant where you can drink a beer with a great view of the Plaza de la Libertad. However, service can be slow and the food... questionable.

Tue-Sun 08:30-19:30

Restaurante El Porvenir

Some of the best seafood in the city. A sign on the building declares "better in here than in front" (the city cemetery across the street).

Mon-Sat 12:00-22:00, Sun 12:00-20:00

Restaurante Puesta Del Sol

A seafood restaurant sitting atop a dock that extends out over the Pueblo Viejo lagoon.

M$130-$170 mains

Super Cream

Another solid breakfast spot. Makes a decent burger later in the day.

Daily 08:00-21:00

Tacos & Tortas "El Güero"

This is a food cart but they also have an indoor seating area and a bathroom. Get the tacos (or torta) de cecina (cured beef).

Daily 16:00–04:00

Tacos Mazatlán

A very local restaurant, located in the north of the city. Try the papa asada, a delicious stuffed baked potato.

Tue-Sun 07:00-23:30·M$30-$100

Tampico Bridge

Puente Tampico

An impressive cable-stayed bridge that spans the Pánuco River. While you can't access the bridge on foot, it can be seen from many places in the city, including the Laguna del Carpintero.

The Abandoned Hospital

Antiguo Hospital Civil De Tampico

A majestic hospital that was abandoned in the 1980s and now is eerily overgrown with trees and weeds. Although not strictly legal, you can explore it, and in fact you may be invited to do so by the on-site restoration workers. There are great views of the city at the top, but be careful! This is an abandoned building with potentially fatal falls. You are at your own risk.