Stand on the Reynosa side of the international bridge and the Rio Grande is right there below you, with Hidalgo, Texas, on the opposite bank. The city spreads out behind the river as a working border town, and the crossing itself is one of the main reasons people come.
Reynosa suits travellers who are already in the Reynosa–McAllen metro area, who want a straightforward day of monuments, a church, markets and festivities rather than a long list of museums. This guide covers the sights named in the source material, the popular festivities, and how to string them into a single day.
Top things to do in Reynosa
1. Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe
This is the architectural monument in Reynosa, built in 1810 in a neoclassical style. It is the one clearly historical building the sources point to, so it earns the first slot.
Pair it with the historical monuments to A Juárez, Hidalgo and Morelos, which are in the same city and easy to work into the same walk.
2. The historical monuments to A Juárez, Hidalgo and Morelos
Reynosa does not have many historical things to see, but these monuments are among the few that are named. They are the core of a short historical circuit.
Go in the morning while it is cooler, then continue to the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
3. The feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe
The feast starts on March 5th. During that time you can see several groups of dancers perform, wearing very colorful outfits.
Time a trip around early March if you want to see the dancing, and check locally for where the groups perform.
4. Harvest Fair
The Harvest Fair is held each year in August. It is one of the popular festivities the city is known for.
If you are planning a summer visit, note that August is also one of the hotter months, so build the fair around the cooler parts of the day.
5. Border crossing
Reynosa sits practically on the border, so people cross between the U.S. and Mexico in both directions. Texas is well visited from here as well.
Keep in mind that you must abide by the state laws of whichever side you are on.
6. Streets and shops
Most tourists roam around Reynosa to enjoy the small shops and to practise their negotiating skills on prices.
Combine a shopping wander with the monuments and the church rather than treating it as a separate outing.
7. Plaza Sendero
Plaza Sendero is named as a plaza in the city. It is a straightforward stop if you want a break from walking the streets.
Use it as a pause between the historical sights and the shops.
8. General Lucio Blanco International Airport
The city is served by the General Lucio Blanco International Airport, which has flights to multiple important Mexican cities on six airlines.
If you are flying in, this is your arrival point; the McAllen Miller International Airport in McAllen, Texas, is also relatively close.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start with the historical monuments to A Juárez, Hidalgo and Morelos while the day is still cool, then continue to the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the neoclassical church built in 1810.
Afternoon: Roam the streets and shops, browsing the small shops and practising your negotiating skills on prices. If you want a pause, stop at Plaza Sendero.
Evening: Walk to the border crossing and look over the Rio Grande towards Hidalgo, Texas. If your visit falls in early March or August, build the day around the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe or the Harvest Fair instead.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see the dancers in Reynosa?
The feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe starts on March 5th, and during that time you can see several groups of dancers perform in very colorful outfits.
What is there to see if I am not interested in shopping?
The historical monuments to A Juárez, Hidalgo and Morelos and the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe are the main historical sights, and the border crossing itself is a reason many people come.
What happens in Reynosa in August?
The Harvest Fair is held each year in August, one of the city's popular festivities.
Do I need to cross into Texas to make the trip worthwhile?
Not necessarily, but the border crossing is a common part of a visit: people cross in both directions, and Texas is well visited from Reynosa. Remember to abide by the state laws of whichever side you are on.
Decide whether you are coming for the March feast, the August fair or simply a day of monuments, shops and the river crossing, and you can start planning your Reynosa trip now.