Nuevo Laredo is a city of about , people in Tamaulipas , Mexico , across the border from the smaller Laredo , Texas. The twin cities are collectively referred to as "Los Dos Laredos". As the busiest land port in North America, many pass through it. It is the point where the PanAmerican Highway crosses into the United States via Mexico and, as such, you might find yourself in Nuevo Laredo merely passing through en route to points further north or south. There are three bridges that connect Nuevo Laredo to Laredo , Texas for private vehicles: If you are driving, you will have the option of crossing Bridges 1, 2, or 4.
If you are on foot, you will have to use Bridge 1. Getting into Mexico is generally pretty quick regardless of the bridge you use. You will notice a different road surface when you pass the border plaque on the bridge. There are plazas and monuments can be found throughout the city. Most visitors focus on shopping and strolling the streets of Vicente Guerrero and Ignacio Zaragoza.
You may also see a play or a Broadway-style show in the Centro Cultural. It is filled with bars, clubs and restaurants. Like many other Mexican border cities, Nuevo Laredo has a high crime rate. Most crime in Nuevo Laredo is related to the drug trade across the American-Mexican border. It might be prudent to bring a friend with you. Getting back to the United States is generally a pain. If you are crossing on foot, once again you only have the option of Bridge 1. If you went with your car, take the time to check the bridge cams in order to pick the best option before you set out.
Remember when you look at the cameras, that Bridge 3 is not for private vehicles. If you are comfortable driving a little bit further away from the border for a bit, sometimes it is worth it to drive to Colombia to cross there. The easiest way to get there is to head south towards Monterrey and then take a right on Blvd Aeropuerto and then continue on towards Mexico 2 towards Colombia.
On Bridges 1 and 2, you will know which side of the border you are on based on the presence of street vendors capitalizing on the queue. Before you cross the magic line, you will have no shortage of people selling food, water, candy, trinkets, music, and offering to wash your windshield for a few pesos.
