The twin cities of Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, which celebrate their 250th anniversary in 2005, are situated on the banks of the Rio Grande. Laredo, which has a population of 190,000, has been governed under seven national flags. Nuevo Laredo has a burgeoning population that exceeds 300,000. The twin cities are collectively referred to as Dos Laredos. The weather is moderate in winter months (average temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit, 20 degrees Celsius) but sizzling in mid-summer (100F/39C). 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 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.

Attractions

Historic attractions in old Laredo include Plaza San Augustine (where various dance, music and crafts festivals take place throughout the year), the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum, and El Mercado, the old city hall.

Dining

Southwestern and Mexican cuisine restaurants abound in Laredo. Here are two examples:

 • La Barranca, 107 Calle del Norte at Fountain Center, Tel. 956-718-9955, closed Sundays
 • El Tesoro Club, 1000 Zaragoza, in La Posada Hotel, Tel. 956-722-1701, is famous for its Sunday brunch.
 • El Pescador, 207 Shiloh Drive, Tel. 956-725-8207, and 3919 San Dario, Tel. 956-724-8958 specializes in Mexican seafood

Lodging

Numerous national hotel chains have Laredo properties, including Courtyard by Marriott, Days Inn, Embassy Suites, Fairfield Inns, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, LaQuinta, Motel Six and Red Roof.

Get out

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 Kingville TX (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.

Links

Official City Link