Piedras Negras

Piedras Negras is a city of 165,000 people (2015) in northern Coahuila opposite the city of Eagle Pass, Texas, on the banks of the Rio Grande. It has various places for recreation, such as the Plaza de las Culturas, the Paseo del Río and the Gran Plaza.

Understand

In Spanish, Piedras Negras translates to 'black stones' – a reference to coal deposits in the area. Across the river, coal was mined on the U.S. side at Dolchburg, near Eagle Pass. This mine closed around 1905, after a fire. Mexico operates two large coal-fired power station named "José López Portillo" and "Carbón 2" 48 km south of Piedras Negras.

Climate

The high temperatures recorded in Piedras Negras have earned it recognition as one of the hottest cities in the country.

The climate of the region is semi-arid and hot. During summer the temperatures often surpass 45 °C (113 °F). The hottest months are May through September with a daily average (mean) temperature between 26 °C (79 °F) and 31 °C (88 °F).

Highest precipitation months are May, June and September with an average monthly downfall in excess of 80 mm (3.1 in) but that is highly sporadic lending to frequent drought conditions. The period of lowest precipitation is between December through March, with a monthly average of 30 mm (1.2 in).

Get in

La Gran Plaza

Piedras Negras is best reached by car or bus. Day visitors from Eagle Pass Texas can simply walk across the international bridge.

By car

• Mexico Highway 57 connects to Monclova in the south.
• Mexico Highway 2 connect to Ciudad Acuña to the west, or Nuevo Laredo to the east.

By bus

Piedras Negras is served by trans-border buses from Texas, by first class buses to Monclova and other major cities in Mexico, and by Coahuilenses buses operated by Grupo Senda to towns throughout the Coahuila region. The main bus station is downtown at Allende 100. Coahuilenses buses also pick up passengers at the Soriana on the outskirts of Piedras Negras. Coahuilenses schedules and fares are available online.

By plane

• 1 Piedras Negras International Airport (PDS  ^IATA). The city is served by an airport located on the Piedras Negras- Nuevo Laredo highway, kilometer 2.5, which offers daily flights to and from Monterrey, operated by Viva Aerobus.  

See

• De la Ventana Caverns
• 1 Gran Plaza (next to the International Bridge I). It is a place for walking and recreation for families. This is where you will find the Museo de la Frontera Norte, and Museo del Niño. 

Macroplaza I

• 2 Macroplaza I (on Avenida 16 de Septiembre, just in front of the municipal presidency). 
• 3 Macroplaza II (on Avenida 16 de Septiembre). Ig has sports areas, children's play area, gym, green areas, cycle track. 
• 4 Plaza de las Culturas (on the south bypass 1 km from the International Bridge II). The plaza features smaller-scale replicas of archaeological areas related to the Mayan, Olmec and Aztec cultures. It also has a play area for children, sculptures, murals, a musical fountain and several buildings. 
• 5 Paseo del río (river walk). Ecological-tourist corridor in the center of the city. It is more than a kilometer long between the two international bridges and is integrated into La Gran Plaza through stairways and other accesses. Highlights views of the Rio Grande, green areas, basketball courts 
• Ruins of Mission San Bernardo (Ruinas de la Misión de San Bernardo). The ruins are in the municipality of Guerrero about 40 kilometers from Piedras Negras. It can be reached by taking Federal Highway 2 in the direction of Nuevo Laredo. The journey takes between 20 and 40 minutes. 

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe

• 6 Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe) (between Juárez and Zaragoza streets, in front of the Gran Plaza). Built in 1859 of cement and wood, this sanctuary survived the Cristeros movements in 1927 and an explosion in 1934, it was remodeled in 1935. The construction of its towers began in 1950. (updated Jun 2021)

Do

• Soriana. At the end of avenida Lazaro Cardenas is Soriana, a large market and every weekend everyone gathers, shops, and eats. 
• Nacho Festival or Nacho Fest that takes place in October. Piedras Negras is the birthplace of nachos, where Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya invented them in 1940.

Buy

Mercado Zaragoza is close to the international bridge in downtown Piedras Negras.

• 1 Zaragoza Market (Mercado Zaragosa), Zaragoza 105, Centro (about two blocks from the Gran Plaza, close to the international bridge). Handicrafts from different regions of Mexico, artisan ceramics, traditional handmade dresses, leather straps for boots and hats. It is set in a tranquil plaza with lots of shade and benches. Ideal for day-trippers from Texas. The selection is excellent and the small town bargaining-friendly. 

Eat

Piedras Negras is the birthplace of nachos.

• La Casasita - charming small restaurant, casual and affordable. Outstanding empanadas.

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Autel Rio, Padre de Las Casas 121, ☏ +52 878 782 7064. (updated Feb 2016)
• 2 Holiday Inn Express Piedras Negras, Av. Lazaro Cardenas #2500, ☏ +52 878 783 6040. (updated Feb 2016)
• 3 'La Quinta Hotel, Av. Emilio Carranza 1205. (updated Feb 2016)

Cope

Consulates

• United States, Abasolo #211, Local #3, Centro, ☏ +52 878 782-5586, fax: +52 878 782-8707, NuevoLaredo-ACS@state.gov. 

Connect

As of Dec 2021, Piedras Negras has 4G from AT&T / Unefon, Movistar and Telcel. You might also get a signal from the US carriers. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

• Eagle Pass, Texas - casino
• Monclova