Major city · Mexico
Piedras Negras
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Piedras Negras; arrive by car or bus from nearby Mexican cities or walk across the bridge from Eagle Pass.
Piedras Negras is a border city of about 165 000 people with a few plazas, a market and the birthplace of nachos. Its attractions are clustered near the river and the international bridge, so a single day is enough for the main sights and a quick meal.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Nov–Mar (cooler, low rain)
- avoid May–Sep (very hot, >45 °C (113 °F))avoid May–Sep (very hot, >113 °F (45 °C))
- Airport
- PDS
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Piedras Negras911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Piedras Negras, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyBorder city is generally safe during daylight; stay alert at the bridge and avoid isolated night walks.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10 (≈ under US$1).Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire & ambulance · +52 878 782‑5586 U.S. Consular Agency
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPDS Piedras Negras International Airport (Daily Viva Aerobus flights to Monterrey).
- Getting aroundWalk between plazas; taxis or local buses for trips beyond the city centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$30–$50 MXN (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))$150–$200 MXN (≈ US$9–11)
- Metro or bus rideBus ticket (city‑center)check$30–$50 MXN (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomMX$350 (≈ US$19)
- Mid-range bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomMX$500 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomMX$800 (≈ US$45)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$300 (≈ US$17) · Mid MX$600 (≈ US$35) · High MX$900 (≈ US$50)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PDS Piedras Negras International Airport (Daily Viva Aerobus flights to Monterrey)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
May
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Jun
Avoid
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
Jul
Avoid
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
Aug
Avoid
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
Sep
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Oct
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Piedras Negras: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Apr
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
May
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Jun
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9 rd
Jul
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
8 rd
Aug
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
8 rd
Sep
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Oct
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk between plazas; taxis or local buses for trips beyond the city centre. Car is useful for nearby highways.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mission San Bernardo ruins
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Drive east on Highway 2, 40 km (25 mi)Drive east on Highway 2, 25 mi (40 km)
Check road condition in summer heat.
Monclova
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h
Bus or car via Highway 57, 150 km (93 mi)Bus or car via Highway 57, 93 mi (150 km)
Limited bus frequency; plan ahead.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Autel Rio
Near Gran Plaza, basic rooms
Holiday Inn Express Piedras Negras
Business‑grade, central location
La Quinta Hotel
Affordable, close to Avenida Lazaro Cardenas
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $300–$500 MXN (≈ US$17–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- $500–$800 MXN (≈ US$30–45) excl. bed
- High
- $800 (≈ US$45)+ MXN excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel1 × 1 night × MX$900 | MX$900 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MX$600 | MX$1,200 |
| Viva Aerobus round‑trip PDS‑Monterrey2 × MX$1,200 · check schedule | MX$2,400 |
| Bus from Piedras Negras to Monclova2 × MX$600 · check fare | MX$1,200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$570 |
| Trip total≈ MX$3,135 per person per day, bed included | MX$6,270≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in MXN; flights and cross‑border fees excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $30–$50 MXN (≈ US$2–3) |
| Nachos plate | $80–$120 MXN (≈ US$5–7) |
| Taxi (5 km) | $150–$200 MXN (≈ US$9–11) |
| Bus ticket (city‑center)check | $30–$50 MXN (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat can exceed 45 °C (113 °F); carry water and avoid midday walks.Summer heat can exceed 113 °F (45 °C); carry water and avoid midday walks.
- Cross‑border bridge can be busy; allow extra time for customs.
- Check bus schedules (Grupo Senda) as online link dead as of 2026.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire & ambulance
- 911
- U.S. Consular Agency
- +52 878 782‑5586
Pocket card
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Piedras NegrasPiedras Negras
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- U.S. Consular Agency+52 878 782‑5586
Embassy
U.S. Consular Agency in Piedras Negras (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- PDS → Monterrey (Viva Aerobus): ≈$800 MXN, 1 h 15 min (check)
- Bus Piedras Negras → Monclova: ≈$400 MXN, 2 h (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (ˈɡɾasjas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (ˈkwanto ˈkwesta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (ˈdonde esˈta el ˈbaɲo)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay with card? (ˈpweðo paˈɣaɾ kon taˈɾxeta)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Piedras Negras. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Mar (cooler, low rain) · avoid May–Sep (very hot, >45 °C) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add airport‑to‑hotel transport for PDS arrivals.
- Create walking clusters: Plaza de las Culturas, Gran Plaza, Paseo del Río.
Sources
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