Tamaulipas
Discover Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas, officially known as the Free and Sovereign State of Tamaulipas (Spanish: Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas), is a state in Northern Mexico. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and beautiful natural landscapes, including tropical rainforests, beaches, and lagoons. The state is also home to a number of important historical sites, such as Ciudad Victoria, the first capital of Mexico, and the port town of Tampico, which was once a significant trading centre. Tamaulipas is also renowned for its vibrant music and cuisine, which has influences from the United States. Tamaulipas lies between Nuevo León and the Gulf of Mexico in the north of the country. It shares a border with the US state of Texas in the north and the states of San Luis Potosí and Veracruz to the south.
What to Experience in Tamaulipas
Taste of Tamaulipas...
In most of Tamaulipas the food is much like the rest of Northern Mexico with an emphasis on grilled meats like arrachera. The state's most famous dish is carne a la tampiqueña which is a long, thin strip steak with poblano chiles, grilled queso fresco, and served with beans flavored with epazote. A signature dessert in the state is mango con canela, in which mangoes are stewed with sugar and whole cinnamon. Given the state's long coast line on the Gulf of Mexico, it's no surprise that seafood features prominently in local diets. The port city of Tampico stands out for its variety of fresh seafood dishes and its selection of excellent restaurants. The city is known for its huge, overstuffed sandwiches called torta de la barda. The sandwich is stuffed with shredded barbecue pork, ham, chorizon, cheese, avocados and more. Several restaurants in Tampico serve great tortas de la barda, including Los 3 Luceros and Tortas de la Barde "Rene". Tamaulipas is not known for any tradition of producing distinctive local beverages. Beer is the most popular beverage and Carta Blanca is the most popular brand in the region. Tamaulipas has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous states in all of Mexico. Tamaulipas has long been associated with drug-related violence and crime, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border. In the 21st century, the violence has escalated as drug cartels have become more powerful and criminal organisations have become more sophisticated.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsMost travelers enter Tamaulipas through one of the land border crossings along the Mexico-US border. Major border crossings are Brownsville-Matamoros, McAllen-Reynosa, and Laredo-Nuevo Laredo. All of the border towns have bus terminals where long-distance buses to and from cities in the interior of Mexico depart frequently. Trans-border buses can be used from cities throughout the southern United States to reach Mexico. The vast majority of these buses pass through border towns in Tamaulipas and will drop you off around the border (though prudent travelers will typically stay on the bus and get off in a safer city further into Mexico). See Bus travel in Mexico for further information. Five commercial airports are in Tamaulipas (Tampico is the largest, with service to Houston, Mexico City, Monterrey and other Mexican destinations. The others are significantly smaller, but have airports at their Texan twin cities across the Rio Grande....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Given the state's long border with the U.S. and the long distances between major cities, it may be tempting to simply drive across the border and get around by car. Unfortunately, this can be dangerous due to the presence of drug cartels and opportunistic criminals taking advantage of the chaotic uncertainty. Most travelers are safer avoiding most of the state or using commercial transportation. Buses are the most trusted form of transportation in the region. All of the border cities have bus terminals where you can take a bus into the interior of Mexico, including Ciudad Victoria and Tampico. Several Mexican bus lines cross the border into the United States and U.S. bus company Greyhound crosses into Northern Mexico and offers connections to Mexican bus lines to travel further into Mexico. Grupo Senda serves the most destinations in Tamaulipas. Transportes Frontera and Futura also serve a number of routes in the state including service to Tampico and most border cities.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Tamaulipas has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous states in all of Mexico. Tamaulipas has long been associated with drug-related violence and crime, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border. In the 21st century, the violence has escalated as drug cartels have become more powerful and criminal organisations have become more sophisticated. Those who do travel to Tamaulipas should take extra precautions and be aware of their surroundings at all times. As tempting as it may be, do not drive across the US border. Much of the crime in the state occurs in areas near the US border, and passing vehicles are routinely targeted by criminal gangs who often take people hostage, rob people at gunpoint, and demand ransom payments. You will immediately stick out like a sore thumb if you're driving a vehicle registered in a foreign country or a different Mexican state.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Tamaulipas
Obregonia denegrii
Tampico City
Minimalistic plants
Obregonia denegrii
Tampico City
Minimalistic plants
Obregonia denegrii
Tampico City
Minimalistic plants
Obregonia denegrii
Tampico City
Minimalistic plants
Obregonia denegrii