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Voykit pocket guide · Mexico
Linares
Spend half a day in Linares to see the historic centre and museum; add a night if you want a relaxed stay in a modest hotel.
Linares is a small Pueblos Mágicos town in Nuevo León, about 130 km (1½ h drive) southeast of Monterrey. Its main attractions – Plaza Principal, Basilica San Felipe and the Museo de Linares – sit within walking distance, so a half‑day visit covers the sights; a night lets you enjoy the July‑August Feria de Villaseca and local cuisine.
- Country
- Mexico
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (dry, mild)
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (heat, Feria crowds) – check local event schedule
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- MXN
- Money
- Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $). Cards work in hotels, chains and many restaurants; markets, street food, small shops and colectivos are cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget $300–$500 MXN excl. bed · Mid $500–$800 MXN excl. bed · High $800+ MXN excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Telcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities. SIMs sell at OXXO shops and phone stores; registration with an ID may be requested — check.
- Emergency
- Police 911 · Tourist assistance 078
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 127 V · 60 Hz · US plugs fit; many older sockets have no earth pin.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.; Bars: MXN 10–20 per drink or 10%.; Petrol station attendants: MXN 10–20; more for windscreen and tyres.; Guides and drivers: 10% or MXN 200–400 a day.; Supermarket baggers (often older volunteers): MXN 5–10.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.
- Toilets
- Put paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | M$30–50 |
| Taco plate | M$40–80 |
| Beer (bottle) | M$30–45 |
| Museum entry (Museo de Linares) | M$20 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | M$120–150 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MTY · General Mariano Escobedo International Airport
- —
Typical fares
- Monterrey → Linares bus
- about M$300, 1½ h (check)
- Taxi within Linares (5 km)
- about M$120 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Taxis and Uber are plentiful; the historic centre is walkable. For trips from Monterrey use the MEX‑85 highway (1½ h by car) or a bus (≈M$200–400).
See and do
Known for
- Plaza Principal
- Basilica San Felipe Apostol
- Museo de Linares
- Feria de Villaseca
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monterrey | Car on MEX‑85, 1½ h; or bus from Central Camionera, 2 h | ≈2 h |
| Santiago (Nuevo León) | Car north on MEX‑85, 30 min | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- Hacienda Real de Linares
- Moderate hotel, English‑speaking staff, central location
- Hotel El Angel
- Budget option, basic rooms, central
- Raffaello Suites
- Mid‑range, clean rooms, parking nearby
- Garcia Suites
- Mid‑range, air‑conditioned, on‑site parking
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis‑KUL‑pe |
| Thank you | GraciasGRA‑see‑as |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAN‑to KWEHS‑ta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?DON‑de es‑TA el BAH‑nyo |
| Can I pay by card? | ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?PWE‑do pa‑GAR con tar‑HE‑ta |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; a kiss on the right cheek among friends; avoid: Skipping 'buenos días' when entering a shop
- Punctuality: Be on time for tours and buses; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
- Talking: Warm small talk, family, food, football; avoid: Jokes about cartels, the wall or migration
- Churches: Covered shoulders, quiet; avoid: Photos during mass
- Dining: Say 'provecho' to other diners when leaving; avoid: Rushing the waiter
Scams and watch-outs
- Bus tickets vary M$200–400; confirm price at the Monterrey central bus station
- Feria de Villaseca crowds can block streets in July‑August – plan routes accordingly
- Check museum opening hours; closed on Mondays
Linares is generally safe; stay aware of bus station crowds and keep valuables secure in busy market areas.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Linares yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Plaza Principal
- Basilica San Felipe Apostol
- Museo de Linares
- Feria de Villaseca
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Linares, revision 5076418 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5076418
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/linares). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.