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Voykit pocket guide · Mexico
Reynosa
Spend a half‑day in Reynosa for border‑shopping or a quick meal; stay only if you need a night near the bridge.
Reynosa sits on the US‑Mexico border opposite McAllen, Texas. It offers a few historic monuments, a bustling market and nightlife, but limited attractions beyond a day of shopping or a border‑crossing visit. Most travellers use it as a stopover or for a brief market trip, staying one night at most.
- Country
- Mexico
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry, milder heat)
- Avoid
- Jun–Oct (rain, extreme heat, higher crime risk)
- Stay
- 1 night
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 $500–800 MXN excl. bed · Mid $800–1,200 MXN excl. bed · High $1,200+ 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 | $30–50 MXN |
| Taco (street) | $15–30 MXN |
| Beer (bottle) | $40–70 MXN |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | $120–180 MXN |
| Bus fare (city) | $12 MXN |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- REX · General Lucio Blanco International Airport
- 8 km (5 mi) SE of downtown; limited domestic flights5 mi (8 km) SE of downtown; limited domestic flights
Typical fares
- Rex airport → city centre (taxi)
- about $150 MXN, 15 min (check)
- City bus (single ride)
- $12 MXN
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
Driving or regional bus is most reliable; city buses connect downtown to the border bridge. Walking is possible in the centre but sidewalks are uneven and cyclists are often ignored.
See and do
Known for
- border‑shopping on Hidalgo street
- Harvest Fair in August
- Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nuevo Progreso (border town) | Cross the Hidalgo bridge on foot (5 min) or take a local bus | 15 min total |
| Matamoros | Bus along Highway 2, about 2 h | 2 h 30 min |
Sleep
- City Express
- Budget hotel near downtown, free breakfast, wheelchair accessible
- Holiday Inn Reynosa
- Mid‑range, US$56‑93/night, near international bridge
- Hampton Inn by Hilton Reynosa/Zona Industrial
- US$75‑92/night, includes breakfast and airport shuttle
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis‑kul‑pe |
| Thank you | Graciasgra‑see‑as |
| How much is this? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwan‑to kwes‑ta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?don‑de es‑ta el ba‑nyo |
| Can I pay with card? | ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?pwe‑do pa‑gar kon 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
- Highway 2 runs parallel to the border and is unsafe during daylight; avoid it.
- Nighttime crime can rise near the bridge; keep valuables hidden.
- Public transport may not run after midnight; arrange a taxi or rideshare.
Reynosa has higher crime rates than most Mexican cities; stay in well‑lit areas, avoid night travel on Highway 2, and keep valuables concealed.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Reynosa yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- border‑shopping on Hidalgo street
- Harvest Fair in August
- Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Reynosa official website: www.reynosa.gob.mx/
- Wikidata – Reynosa: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: Reynosa, revision 5198673 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5198673
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/reynosa). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.