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Location

Just north of Monterrey in Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

Directions

There are two bridges going into Mexico which you will want to consider.  These include Colombia Bridge and Laredo International Bridge.  Laredo Bridge is more direct and likely faster if you are crossing at non-peak hours (peak hours can be awful).  Colombia bridge has the perk of allowing you to not go through Laredo and is easier to figure out.  Colombia bridge is a better option if you consider yourself more vulnerable (i.e. female crossing border alone).  Laredo allows crossing 24/7.  Colombia has restricted hours (opens at 8am on weekdays).  You must cancel your permit at the same permit station where you received it.

All people entering Mexico are required to have either a passport or a birth certificate.  You also need your registration of the car and the title.  The car must be in your name.  If you have not completed the payments on your car you must receive a note from your bank stating that you have permission to cross the border with the car and have adequate insurance.

Do not bring any guns, or ammo or even old shells across the borders.  Any of those are jail time.

Take 35 toward Laredo, Texas. 

Colombia Bridge Option

-Your last gas station will be the 'loves' found at exit 39.  'Loves' also has a subway for your last minute snack.  Gas is very expensive in Mexico.

-Continue down 35 and exit at the Colombia toll road (exit 24). 

-Take a right onto the Colombia toll road heading west.

-Continue going straight for 17 miles at which point you will come to a toll for $2 USD.

-Go straight through the intersection with 1472 (continue on 255).

-255 will continue directly into the permit station.

-Park your car on the US side (parking lot found on right) and walk into the permit station.

-When you walk into the permit station you first need to obtain a personal visa which can be found on your right. 

-In the middle of the room you will see a photocopy both.  Tell the employee that you need photocopies for an automobile permit.  They will photocopy your title, driver's license and personal visa.  This will cost you a small fee.  US dollars are accepted.

-Finally go to the far left of the room and get in line for a automobile permit.  There will be a fee of approximately $34 dollars.  Pay this fee with a credit card.  If you attempt to pay with cash you will be asked to make a multiple hundred of dollars deposit (to guarantee you will return the car).  The official will give you a sticker which should be placed to the right of your rear view mirror.

-Get back into your car and go through the inspection area.  Continue until you run into a T-junction with the road '2'.  There will be a large sign with a map on it at this intersection.

-Take a left on '2' heading east.  Follow '2' until you reach '85' toward Monterrey.  Follow the instructions titled 'General directions' below.

Laredo International Bridge Option

-Follow 35 all the way into Laredo.  Around mile marker '5' you will find the last gas station.  35 will run right into the bridge. 

-Cross bridge number 2. 

-This is a little confusing.  While crossing the bridge you will see a large building on your right which is the permit station.  Sadly only buses are allowed to simply take a right into this station.  Continue straight.  Directly after the bridge you will see a small blue sign for the permit station pointing left down a small Mexican road.  Take this left.  Your instinct will tell you that this can't be the right road but it is correct (no worries).  Just follow the blue signs (they will say straight ahead) until you run into a major road (a couple minutes).  Do not presume that anyone will follow the traffic signs (i.e. stop signs).  After you get onto the major road quickly get into the left lane.  At the light you need to make a U-turn into the far left lane (there are three lanes).  There will be a blue sign instructing you to do this.  Follow this road for a minute and the inspection station will be on your left.

-Go into the inspection station (bring a pen) and go to 'section 1' (large signs are posted).  Ask for a personal visa.  They will give you a form.  Go to one of the tables and fill this form out (if you don't know all the information i.e. your passport number if you don't have one just leave it blank).  Get back in line and give them the form and your passport / birth certificate.  They will ask you how many days you plan to be in Mexico.  They will write this number at the bottom of the form, stamp it and give it to you.

-Go to 'section 2'.  This is the photocopy station.  Tell the employee that you need photocopies for an automobile permit.  They will photocopy your title, driver's license and personal visa.  This will cost you a small fee.  US dollars are accepted.

-Go to 'section 4' (skip three).  You will receive the automobile permit here.  There will be a fee of approximately $34 dollars.  Pay this fee with a credit card.  If you attempt to pay with cash you will be asked to make a multiple hundred of dollars deposit (to guarantee you will return the car).  The official will give you a sticker which should be placed to the right of your rear view mirror.

-Return to your car and take a right towards Monterrey on the road in front of the station (returning to where you came from).  When you reach the light you will want to continue straight but must swerve into the far right section. 

-6 miles over the border take a left onto 85.

-16 miles over the border you will see signs telling cars to go right and trucks to go left.  Go right.  You are at an inspection station.  When you reach the light they will either flash red or green at you.  If you receive red pull into the inspection station where they will ask you a few questions including do you have guns.  If you receive green just go straight.

-Continue with General Instructions.

General Instruction (Distances based on Laredo Bridge)

-Approx. 42 miles over the border you will see a sign for 'Auto Pista Custa' on the left and 'Libre' on the right.  Auto Pista Custa is the pay road and though expensive is excellent quality and safe.  Therefore take the left.

-Approx. 76 miles over the border there is a toll for a little less then $20 USD.  They accept US dollars (as well as all of Mexico).

-Approx. 126 miles over the border you will see signs toward Saltilo (freeway #40).  Take this exit and head toward Saltilo.

-Take the first exist towards Monclova #53 (the numbers are really hard to read).

-Take the immediate right after exiting.

-Follow this road for 12.5 miles.  At this point you will see an arch with Hidalgo written on it on your left.  Get in the left lane and go straight through the gates.

-You will come to a round about with a green sign pointing left labeled 'Parque Recreativo Potrero Chico' (see the town map).  Go left over the train tracks and yield right at the 'y' junction.  From here on you will see similar green signs telling you how to get to the park. Follow these through the town.  Directly before you get to the park you will see Posadas on your left which is a wonderful place to camp.  Just after that is Tami's café which is a great place to get a guide book, a drink, and information about climbing from an English speaker.  Enjoy!

Town Map

There are green el potero chico signs telling you exactly how to get there but a town map is below so you could find the restaurants and grocery store.

Click here to view town map 

Pictures: Right = The Spires