Monterrey, Mexico | Things to Do

We decided to jump down to Monterrey, Mexico for a long weekend to celebrate the New Year. We didn’t have a ton of time down there, just a long weekend, but we did want to share a few activities in the area that we did enjoy. Also, we drove and crossed the border for the first time, which turns out is kind of complicated. If you’re curious or interested in more information about crossing the border in a vehicle with foreign (non Mexican) plates check out our Quick Guide video here:
• How to Cross the Borde...
Monterrey Things to Do:
Santa Lucia Riverwalk
The Santa Lucia Riverwalk is an artificial river in Monterrey that spans 1.5 miles long, connecting the Macroplaza to Parque Fundidora. Construction broke ground in 1996 but was halted due to economic reasons for 9 whole years before it started again in 2005 and was finally completed in 2007. Today it is one of the cities biggest attractions. There are several restaurants, museums and fountains along the walkway and you can even take a riverboat tour to Fundidora and back.
Paseo Santa Lucia
The riverwalk boat tour is open daily from 10a-930p. A roundtrip usually takes about 45 minutes to complete and you may exit at the turnaround in Parque Fundidora.
Tickets are 100 pesos for Adults and 50 pesos for children
Cola de Caballo
Cola de Caballo, Spanish for horse tail, is a beautiful waterfall located about 30 minutes outside of Monterrey in the town of Villa de Santiago in Nuevo León and is approximately 25 meters or 82 feet tall. After a short 10 minute walk from the entrance you will arrive at the waterfall where you can take pictures and enjoy the area. There is no swimming allowed. You can also opt to skip the walk and hire a local to transport you to the waterfall with their horse buggies for a small negotiable fee.
There is a small market outside the park with many interesting items for sale and to eat. Additionally, the town Parque Ecoturistico is located in is known for its woodworking skills and you can find many shops roadside on the way to the park selling all kinds of handmade wooden products, from mugs and cutting boards to table tops and rocking chairs.
Open daily from 9a-6p.
Admission is 100 pesos
El Rey Del Cabrito
El Rey del Cabrito is a Monterrey culinary staple. Cabrito is Spanish for baby goat. Known for its expertise at being the very best in spit fire roasting their goats, El Rey del Cabrito truly is a unique and delicious spectacle you absolutely cannot miss. We started with the frijoles con veneno and tried Cabrito Pecho y Pierna at the recommendation of our server. It was extremely tender and savory. Don't skip it.
Open daily from 1130a-11p.
El Cielo Hike
The El Cielo waterfall hike is located inside the Parque Estanzuela. It is a moderate 4 mile hike roundtrip. Access to the waterfall closes at 1p everyday to ensure everyone returns in time before closing. There are several very steep inclines on this hike. Some of which are on a paved area which can be slippery due to the extreme incline. Steep enough for me to wish we would’ve had our walking sticks with us. The waterfall is definitely worth the hike. The road to the park entrance is about 10 minutes long on rough cobblestones, but any normal vehicle can do it under normal weather circumstances. Just take it slow.
Open daily from 7a-4p.
Access to the waterfall closes at 1p.
The ticket booth closes at 3p.
Admission is 40 pesos
Presa la Boca
Presa la Boca is a huge lake surrounded by the mountains about 20 minutes south of Monterrey. You can take a boat rental tour around the lake, but there really isn’t too much else to do there. They have horse rides for hire and corn machines to feed the ducks but that’s about it. It’s nice to look at and there are pretty good restaurants there. It’s worth stopping by if it’s on your way somewhere but I wouldn’t plan on making a whole day out of it.
The restaurant we ate at was called Restaurant de Mariscos Puerto Rico and is open daily from 8a-9p.
Luztopia
Luztopia is a huge light spectacle that takes place in Parque Fundidora and along the Santa Lucia Riverwalk. It goes from November 23 to January 8th and is open daily from 5p-11p.
Admission ranges from 105 to 260 pesos per person depending on the day you go and the package you choose.
For more Active Vacations videos, check out our channel CastAway Escapes here:
www.youtube.com/ @CastAwayEscapes
For more videos in Mexico:
• Oaxaca, Mexico for Dia...
This video was filmed December 30, 2022 - January 2, 2023.

[@81reflex]

Excelente edición, muy dinámico sin perder ningún detalle, estoy seguro que pronto tendrán mas suscriptores de México, saludos desde Monterrey

[@Castaways_Travel]

🙏🏽 Gracias por ver

[@Julietothemoon]

Awesome video!! Very festive!! Looks like fun!! My grandma could never do a hike like that😅

[@Castaways_Travel]

😂 neither could mine.

[@zunphil]

So you crossed over at the Laredo border then?.....

[@Castaways_Travel]

We crossed over at the Colombia bridge about 30 minutes away from the Laredo crossing station. You can check out our video on crossing here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoa9Z2l_ipKVrZY Thanks for watching!

[@TheJvera13]

What area did u guys stay in?

[@Castaways_Travel]

We stayed at an airbnb in Barrio Antigua. It was walking distance from the Macroplaza, Santa Lucia Riverwalk, and Parque Fundidora. There was also a grocery store, atm, and coffee shops nearby. We would definitely stay there again.

[@Rev.DavidJTowns]

Is it safe to take an expensive camera or will that be an issue?

[@Castaways_Travel]

That’s going to be one of those questions that’s just super dependent on what you do, when and where, how vigilant you are etc. People ask us all the time if an area is safe and sometimes the answer is yes, but we’re also not walking down dark alleys after a night at the bar. We never felt unsafe in any of the places in our video, but I do make an effort to conceal my camera as much as I can in between shots. You should be fine. Just be vigilant. Most thefts are crimes of opportunity so if you look like you’re prepared sometimes that’s enough of a deterrent. Don’t walk around with your head in your phone etc. Hope that’s helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@Rev.DavidJTowns]

@@Castaways_Travel very much and thank you for the reply!!! Great videos!

[@normapiergentili7779]

Bonito vídeo… pero tienen que hablar en español…. su idioma….

[@Castaways_Travel]

Gracias por ver. La mayoría de nuestros suscriptores viven en los Estados Unidos. Nosotros también.

[@nataliabecerrar1769]

Presa la Boca is not a lake, it is a dam.

[@Castaways_Travel]

It’s an artificial lake created by the dam.