The twin cities of '''Laredo''' [http://www.ci.laredo.tx.us/], Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, which celebrated their 250th anniversary in 2005, are situated on the banks of the Rio Grande. Laredo, which has a population of 207,787, has been governed under seven national flags. Nuevo Laredo has a burgeoning population of 355,827. The twin cities are collectively referred to as Los Dos Laredos. The weather is moderate in winter months 68__F (20__C) but sizzling in mid-summer 100__F (39__C).
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 in
By car
Laredo is accessible by car via Interstate 35, and US Highways 59 and 83. I-35 is the U.S. portion of the Pan American Highway that stretches from Central America to Canada.
By air
''' Laredo International Airport''' ({{IATA|LRD}}) ({{ICAO|KLRD}}), [http://www.laredointernationalairport.com/] has scheduled direct flights to Dallas/Fort Worth (80 minutes), Houston (80 minutes), and Las Vegas (165 minutes) via American Eagle, Continental Express, and Allegiant Air.
Get around
'''El Metro''', [http://www.ci.laredo.tx.us/Metro/elmetroinfo.html/] 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.
See
Historic attractions in old Laredo include Plaza San Augustin (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.
Do
Wildlife game abound in south Texas, so Laredo is a popular destination for hunters and fishermen. Birders can spot the Great Kiskadee, White-tipped Dove, Green Jay, Scrub Jay, Red-billed Pigeon, Audubon's Oriole and possibly the White-Collared Seedeater in the region.
Lake Casa Blanca International Park. 102 Bob Bullock Loop. ttp://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lake_casa_blanca/. am-10pm. 4. Activities include picnic areas, fishing, and camping (nightly site fees $15+).
Buy
Mexican souvenirs and crafts are plentiful in local marts, especially the myriad importers along San Bernardo. For example, visit '''Marti's''' [http://www.martis.com/] for antiques, furnishings, folk art, jewelry, ceramics and local art
'''Thomas Grocery''', 206 Juarez Ave, +1 956-729-7379.
Eat
Southwestern and Mexican cuisine restaurants abound in Laredo. Here are two examples:
'''El Tesoro Club''', 1000 Zaragoza, ''in La Posada Hotel'',[http://www.laposadahotel.com/], Tel: (956) 722-1701. 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.
Drink
The drinking age in Texas, as in all of the U.S., is 21, the drinking age in the state of Tamaulipas, as in all of Mexico, is 18. Many Texan high school seniors and college students from San Antonio and Austin make their way to Nuevo Laredo to drink.
Sleep
Courtyard Laredo. 410 Santa Ursula Avenue. 1 956 725-5555. 1 956 724-8848. ttp://marriott.com/property/propertypage/LRDCY.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Laredo. 00 W. Hillside Road. 1 956 722-4533. 1 866 722-4501. 1 956 722-5133. ttp://marriott.com/property/propertypage/LRDFI.
Holiday Inn. 00 Garden St.. 1 956 727-5800. ttp://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/lrdcc.
Motel 6 Laredo North. 920 San Bernardo Avenue. 1 956 722-8133. 1 956 725-8212. ttp://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=1107.
Motel 6 Laredo South. 310 San Bernardo Avenue. 1 956 725-8187. 1 956 725-0424. ttp://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=0142.
Residence Inn Laredo Del Mar. 10 Lost Oaks Blvd. 1 956 753-9700. 1 956 753-9702. ttp://marriott.com/property/propertypage/LRDRI.
SpringHill Suites Laredo. 940 San Bernardo Ave.. 1 956 717-0800. 1 956 717-0822. ttp://marriott.com/property/propertypage/LRDSH.
La Posada Hotel. 000 Zaragoza St.. t International Bridge #1. 956) 722-1701. ttp://www.laposadahotel.com/. pm. oon. Historic hotel built in 1916. Spanish colonial style.
Stay safe
As in all the border towns, always be aware of your surroundings.
NON-US NATIONALS:
Non-US nationals are recommended to carry their immigration documents with them even if they don't plan on crossing the border into Neuvo Laredo, Mexico. There are check points on your way back from Laredo where you might be asked to show your immigration documents. If a non-US citizen having a valid US visa decides to cross the border and enter Mexico, he/she should be prepared for a long wait time at the CBP detention center/check post to get back into US. The wait time will most likely be long even if you have all the necessary documentation. The long wait experience might not be a pleasant one, but can be minimized by crossing at off hours or using alternative crossings, such as the Colombia bridge.
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 Kingsville (less than two hours to the east) a ranching heritage town, and home of the [http://www.king-ranch/ 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.