Coahuila
Discover Coahuila
Coahuila is a state in Northern Mexico. Coahuila is not a very touristy state when compared to other parts of the country, but it has several attractions, especially related to outdoor activities in the semi-desert climate. The Sierra Madre Oriental runs northwest to southeast through the State, and the higher elevations are home to the Sierra Madre Oriental pine-oak forests. The northernmost fingers of the Sierra Madre Oriental, the Sierra del Burro and the Sierra del Carmen, reach to the border with the United States at the Rio Grande.
What to Experience in Coahuila
Taste of Coahuila...
Ice cold beer is the most popular drink everywhere in Northern Mexico, and Coahuila is no exception. In Coahuila, Modelo operates a large brewery in Piedras Negras, near the Texas border. The brewery exports most of its production to the United States. Mezcal is fast becoming as well-known as tequila among the world's cocktail cognoscenit, and for good reason. Mezcal is made from a wider range of agave species than is tequila and is produced using different methods that create a rich palette of flavors that often display enormous depth and complexity from the variable roasting and preparation stages. In Northern Mexico, a sub-style of mezcal called sotol is produced in the arid mountains. In Coahuila, the Fabriquero Coahuila produces a young silver sotol. It is produced by roasting the pinas underground for 4 days before hand crushing them. Fermentation is done in concrete tanks and then distilled in copper alembic stills. Coahuila may seem an unlikely climate to find a successful winery, yet the state is home to Casa Madero, which is the oldest winery in the Americas (established in 1597). Their historic vineyard welcomes visitors for tours and tastings. The vineyard is located in Parras de la Fuente. Coahuila is one of the safer Northern Mexico states. Although it shares a long border with Texas, the high-profile violence of drug cartels is rare.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Coahuila into what it is today.
The name Coahuila is derived from native terms for the region, and has been known by variations such as Cuagüila and Cuauila. Some historians believe that this means “flying serpent”, “place of many trees”, or “place where serpents creep”. The official name of the state is Coahuila de Zaragoza, in honor of General Ignacio Zaragoza. The Spanish explored the north of Mexico some decades after their victory in Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztecs. The first Spanish settlement in the region now called Coahuila was at Minas de la Trinidad in 1577. Saltillo was settled by the Spaniards in 1586, to form part of the province of Nueva Vizcaya of the Vice-royalty of New Spain. Later it became one of the first provinces of Nueva Extremadura to be explored by Europeans. As in the rest of the states of Mexico,the official language is Spanish. In Coahuila, some people speak Kikapú and other indigenous languages. The climate is generally dry and semi-warm to extremely hot in much of the state of Coahuila, with some variations throughout the regions of the state. In the southeast, the climate is hot, in spring and summer generally in Saltillo, Arteaga and more, the rainy season is in July and August, in winter the weather is cold and foggy. In the Lagunera Region the weather is hot in spring and summer, hot and dry in the fall and with relatively mild winters, eventually cold. In the central region, the weather is hot in spring and the temperature in summer is very high....
Climate
The climate is generally dry and semi-warm to extremely hot in much of the state of Coahuila, with some variations throughout the regions of the state. In the southeast, the climate is hot, in spring and summer generally in Saltillo, Arteaga and more, the rainy season is in July and August, in winter the weather is cold and foggy. In the Lagunera Region the weather is hot in spring and summer, hot and dry in the fall and with relatively mild winters, eventually cold. In the central region, the weather is hot in spring and the temperature in summer is very high. In summer there are rains that can be intense. Winters are cold. In the north, the climate is hot in spring and summer and cold in winter, with rains in the region in July and August. Snowfalls are frequent in the northern part of the state, in the Múzquiz mountain ranges, and in the Arteaga mountain range in the southeast of the state during the winter season.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsSenda Coahuilenses Group provides coach services through the state. Many of the trans-border international buses pass through Coahuila and may be useful for both traveling to or from the United States or traveling to or from destinations deep within Mexico. See Bus travel in Mexico for further information. Transportes del Nazas is a bus line in the Torreón Metropolitan Area, better known as los Rojas. Their routes go to the surrounding area of the Lagunera Region. Transportes Moctezuma de La Laguna is a bus line of the Lagunera Region. They are known as los verdes. Saltillo International Airport (SLW) is the main airport in the state. Mariano Escobedo de Monterrey Airport (MTY), which is 50 minutes from Saltillo, has flights from a wider variety of cities and has regional flights to some Coahuila destinations. Francisco Sarabia International Airport (Torreon) (TRC) and Piedras Negras International Airport (PDS ) have limited flights....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
In Cuatro Cienegas, the Cuatro Cienegas Biosphere Reserve displays 150 different endemic plants and animal species. The capital, Saltillo, has various historical sites and buildings such as the Plaza de Armas, the Government Palace and the Cathedral of Santiago. The Museum of the Desert also stands out. The city of Torreón has as main attractions the Cristo de las Noas, which can be reached using the first cable car in the state; and the Corona Stadium, home of the Santos Laguna soccer team. Parras de la Fuente stands out mainly for its walnut trees, its old architecture and its vineyards. Catch a baseball game! Coahuila has 3 professional baseball teams playing in the Liga Mexicana (summer league). You can catch a game in: Ice cold beer is the most popular drink everywhere in Northern Mexico, and Coahuila is no exception. In Coahuila, Modelo operates a large brewery in Piedras Negras, near the Texas border. The brewery exports most of its production to the United States.
Language & Talk
As in the rest of the states of Mexico,the official language is Spanish. In Coahuila, some people speak Kikapú and other indigenous languages. The climate is generally dry and semi-warm to extremely hot in much of the state of Coahuila, with some variations throughout the regions of the state. In the southeast, the climate is hot, in spring and summer generally in Saltillo, Arteaga and more, the rainy season is in July and August, in winter the weather is cold and foggy. In the Lagunera Region the weather is hot in spring and summer, hot and dry in the fall and with relatively mild winters, eventually cold. In the central region, the weather is hot in spring and the temperature in summer is very high. In summer there are rains that can be intense. Winters are cold.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Coahuila is one of the safer Northern Mexico states. Although it shares a long border with Texas, the high-profile violence of drug cartels is rare. The border crossings at Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras and Del Rio/Ciudad Acuna are generally safe, although common sense dictates crossing during daylight hours and getting as far south as quickly as possible. Tourist friendly cities in the southern part of the state, such as Saltillo and Torreon are generally safe for travelers, though roaming outside the cities at night is ill-advised. For most travelers, staying cool and well hydrated is the more significant safety issue since much of the state is a desert.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Coahuila
a landscape with hills and a blue sky
35mm, Portra 400 - Minolta Qtsi Maxxum
gray mountain and grass
A group of horses standing in a corral
Silueta al atardecer
Fotografía tomada en Saltillo Coahuila, México
a landscape with hills and a blue sky
35mm, Portra 400 - Minolta Qtsi Maxxum
gray mountain and grass
A group of horses standing in a corral
Silueta al atardecer
Fotografía tomada en Saltillo Coahuila, México
a landscape with hills and a blue sky