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City in Tamaulipas, Mexico
Photo: Pure360x, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Tampico is a city of 315,000 people (2015) in Tamaulipas. The city is famous for its architecture as well as for its food.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Plaza de la Constitución
One of the two colonial squares downtown, with nearby market, beautiful old cathedral, and very good shopping.
The other colonial square, surrounded by beautiful buildings adorned with wrought-iron balconies.
Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción
Tampico's main cathedral, built in the late 19th century in the neoclassical style.
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.
Museo de la Cultura Huasteca
Includes over 1800 archaeological and ethnographic pieces. Guided tours available.
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.
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.
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.
La Casa De La Naturaleza
An impressive Art Deco building that hosts nature-themed photography exhibitions.
Museo del Automovil y Transporte de Tampico
Contains more than 100 classic and vintage cars.
Barco Museo del Niño
Once a state prison, now a children's educational and cultural center.
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.
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.
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.
Several times a year the local cattle ranchers host a matador show, which usually lasts 3-4 days.
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.
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.
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.
Boats and kayaks can be rented at Fray Andrés de Olmos Park. Guided tours are also available.
Established in 1928 and famous for its torta de la barda.
Tons of cheap dining options inside the market. Take your pick.
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).
A locally-famous chain. Order the breakfast tacos.
A very local restaurant, located in the north of the city. Try the papa asada, a delicious stuffed baked potato.
A great spot for breakfast. Good enchiladas as well.
Another solid breakfast spot. Makes a decent burger later in the day.
A food cart whose speciality is a cup of corn, cheese, mayonnaise and a lot of butter. Yes, it is as rich as it sounds.
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).
Another excellent seafood restaurant. Very busy on weekends.
Los Curricanes has fantastic... you guessed it! Seafood. The service is fantastic as well.
Enjoy a cocktail while gazing out over the Carpintero Lagoon.
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.
A seafood restaurant sitting atop a dock that extends out over the Pueblo Viejo lagoon.
A bar and restaurant serving local specialties such as jaibas de rellenas.
An elegant Argentinian restaurant on the pricier side. Excellent seafood and empanadas.
A life-saver. Decent beer, good pool tables and an affable barkeep/owner.
Food, drinks and live music with a view out over the beach.
The most popular nightclub in the city. Liquor only.
Classic luxury hotel, located next to the Plaza de Armas.
Also located next to the Plaza de Armas.
Near the airport. Has a pool.
A beachfront resort hotel in Playa Miramar.
Large corporate style hotel. Swimming pool in a central courtyard. On-site restaurant and bar. Off-street parking.
Modern hotel with adequately sized well-furnished rooms. Safe neighborhood. Pets allowed. Swimming pool available. Hard-to-use automated checkin is a poor substitute for good service.
Modern hotel with good facilities but a poor service ethic with lackadaisical housekeeping. Swimming pool and on-site restaurant. Short walk to beach.
The city's newest and most upscale shopping mall.
The city seafood market. Fresh, high-quality fish and shellfish at low prices.
By car
Alternately, Tampico is a six-hour drive away from Mexico City. Travelling from the United States, the closest border crossings are either McAllen or Brownsville, Texas.
By bus
Buses connect from Mexico City and most cities to the north (including Texas) to Tampico Central Bus Station. The primary intercity bus companies are ADO , Omnibus de Mexico and Futura.
Driving is the easiest way to travel around Tampico. Speed limits and red lights are enforced – other laws tend to be rather lax.
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Ciudad Madero · Regional · TAM
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