San Pedro de las Colonias

Francisco Madero was a key figure in the Mexican Revolution and first president after the overthrow of Porfirio Diaz's dictatorship. He is the favorite son of San Pedro.

San Pedro de las Colonias is a small city of about 45,000 residents (2005) in the southwest part of the state of Coahuila in northern Mexico. The town has a long official name, but don't worry if you can't remember it, neither does anyone else: it's always referred to as simply San Pedro. The town calls itself the "cradle of the Mexican Revolution" because it was the home of Francisco Madero, a key instigator of the Revolution and the first president of the post-revolution era.

Get in

The nearest airport with commercial service is Torreon (TRC ^IATA).

By bus

From Torreon, there are direct buses to San Pedro. AutoTransportes Parras-Torreon and Transportes Frontera (part of Grupo Estrella Blanca) both serve the route. The 45-minute trip will cost as little as M$50.

See

Parroquia de San Pedro Apóstol

• 1 Museo Madero, Miguel Hidalgo s/n, Centro, ☏ +52 872 772 8352. daily 10:00 - 18:00. Historical museum housed in one of the city's most iconic and beautiful old buildings, built of pink quarry granite. Lots of exhibits about the Revolution in general (especially old rifles) and Francisco Madero in particular. (updated Sep 2023)

• 2 Plaza de Armas, Av. Independencia 25, Centro. Large central zocalo (town square) with wide walkways, towering palm trees, park benches, and a central kiosk. 

• 3 Parroquia de San Pedro Apóstol (Church of St Peter the Apostle), Gonzalez Ortega 7, Centro. The town's main church, dedicated to its patron saint, is sometimes described as a basilica. It's a large neoclassical church built of grey granite with twin bell towers and three large naves with two side chapels. 

• 4 Reloj Publico, Av. Benito Juarez, Centro. Large clock tower built in 1897, across the street from Plaza de Armas, the town's main zocalo. 

• Casa Quemada, MEX 40 (across the street from Plaza de Armas). Large historic home of one of Pancho Villa's supporters. The house gets its name from an attack by federal troops who stormed the house in 1914, looking for Raúl Gómez Espinoza. They set fire to part of the house. It's a well-known landmark and you can see it from the outside, though it is not open for public tours. 

Buy

• 1 Mercado Benito Juarez, Camino a, Lerdo de Tejada 70. daily 08:00 - 20:00. The town's main marketplace. Fresh fruits and vegetables, butcher shops, household items, and lots of cooks selling prepared stews and other hot foods with some of the most authentic regional cuisine you can buy. 

Eat

This is a town where super casual budget taco stands rule. Everything else is about an hour away in Torreon (moderate, family, gourmet, vegan, ethnic, etc.) Assuming you're okay with tacos, you might try:

• 1 Las Tres H, Miguel Hidalgo 167, ☏ +52 871 183 3439. Basic budget taqueria with gorditas, quesadillas and tacos. Popular spot for good cheap eats. 

• 2 Tacos De Tripitas Don Jimmy, Valparaiso, ☏ +52 872 139 3134. Limited menu so it helps if you like tripe tacos and bring your own drinks. Locals swear these are the best tacos de tripas. 

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Mision, Zaragoza 171, Centro, ☏ +52 872 772 4545. Traditional style hotel with basic amenities and clean rooms. Limited off-street parking. On-site restaurant. M$600. 

• 2 Hotel la Hacienda, Miguel Hidalgo 22, Centro, ☏ +52 872 772 1361. Rustic hotel with small rooms but convenient central location. Service can be hit or miss. 

Connect

4G cell service covers most of San Pedro with areas of 3G coverage. As of 2023, 5G is only in the nearby city of Torreon.

Go next

• Torreon
• Monclova
• Saltillo
• Cuatrocienegas
• Chihuahua