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Description

Tampico
Info
Tampico
Info
Tampico
Info

A region full of charm and history everywhere, Tampico is known for being one of the most important ports of the entire Mexican Republic. Its founding dates back to 1532 when Brother Andrés de Olmos established the Mission San Luis de Tampico in this southern corner of the country. Also known as the place of the Perros e Agua by its Nahuatl name, Tampico offers visitors beautiful lakes such as Carpintero or the Chairel where there are lots of sport activities or simply enjoy a leisurely dip away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Tampico, TAMPS

State: Tamaulipas

Coordinates:
22°15'19"N 97°52'07"W

Altitude: 30 meters above sea level

Area:
92 km²

Time Zone: Central Standard Time UTC-6

Population: 305,284 inhabitants (INEGI, 2010)

Area Code: 833

The key to the economic development of this region is determined by their oil fields, whose wealth ranks the city as a prosperous place where the black gold industry provides a livelihood to its inhabitants. Tampico has an outlet to the sea through the Panuco River, a fact that also allows this strategic location to be an international port.

The splendor of its pre-Columbian past is part of the history of indigenous Tampico. In 1560 a small Huastecos town, which was located on the south bank of the Panuco River near where today Ciudad Cuauhtémoc is located, was consolidated as Villa by the Viceroy Don Luis de Velasco.

In November 1824 Tampico was listed as a seaport and since then its growth has not stopped. This city has an elegant Art Nouveau aesthetic with elegant 19th century buildings that combine modern with the past at the same time. Tampico has witnessed important events that drove the economy of our country.

It was here that Mexicana de Aviación, the first commercial airline in Mexico, which began its operations in 1921, had its first flight to Mexico City.

In 1926 the first Coca-Cola bottling plant was built in this city.

Getting There

Tampico is located on the Gulf Coast of Mexico, in the southeastern part of the state of Tamaulipas, sharing a border with the state of Veracruz across the Panuco River.

Tampico is made up of the neighboring municipalities of Altamira and Madero as well as neighboring cities of Valles, Ebony, and Tamuín in the state of San Luis Potosi; Huejutla in the state of Hidalgo: Tantoyuca Tempoal, Panuco, Tuxpan, Cerro Azul, Naranjos and Pueblo Viejo in the states of Veracruz and Mante.

By Air: there are airports in Tampico, Reynosa, Ciudad Victoria, Matamoros, and Nuevo Laredo. By sea: through the port located south of the Panuco River.

By Highway: With some of the bus lines that circulate throughout the country or take the care on highway Carretera Federal No. 180.

Distances from Tampico to other destinations in Mexico

  • Monterrey, Nuevo Leon: 521 km.
  • Reynosa, Tamaulipas: 504 km.
  • Veracruz, Veracruz: 476 km.
  • Torreón, Coahuila: 850 km.
  • San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi: 429 km.
  • Mexico City, D.F.: 520 km.
  • Puebla, Puebla: 544 km.
  • Morelia, Michoacán: 674 km.
  • Querétaro, Querétaro: 486 km.
  • Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche: 1,117 km.

Climate

The climate in Tampico is tropical sub-humid, warm, and extreme with average annual temperatures of 24°C, the highest reaching an average of 36.8°C. and minimum averaged 9.7°C.

Prevailing winds in autumn and winter are called North, while in the other seasons they vary from south to north.

What to pack?

The options that you cannot do without in your suitcase if you visit this beautiful port are sandals, light clothing such as shorts, tank tops, flip flops, and open toe shoes.

If you want to go to dinner or a reception in the evening, the guayabera linen pants for men and women with colorful billowing fabrics can be an excellent choice for your wardrobe.

Activities and Attractions in and around Tampico

Tour the Plaza de la Libertad, a pride of the people of Tampico, where there are a number of monuments and majestic buildings such as the Casa de Castilla, the Edificio de la Luz, the Botica Nueva, and El Salón Palacio.

Visit the Plaza de Armas, where elegant buildings are surrounded by gardens and palm trees such as City Hall and the Casino Tampiqueño.

Kiosk El Pulpo, located behind City Hall of los Jaibos is a neo-Baroque work built in 1945, which according to the locals, is a replica of another existing kiosk in New Orleans.

Visit the Cathedral of the Inmaculada Concepción. Located on the north side of the Plaza de la Armas, it is the oldest church in the city built in 1841. It is a combination of neoclassical and other styles including Byzantine mosaics.

Archaeological site of Las Flores, located in the heart of the city, is a sample of the Huasteco past, with a building dating between 600 and 1200 AD.

Carpintero Lake is a beautiful nature reserve with 77 hectares; its waters are an ideal place for fishing. It also has the Mirador de Lagartos, a place that offers a beautiful view of the lake and is favorite area for crocodiles to sunbath.

Visit the majestic Espacio Cultural Metropolitano Metro without a doubt is one of the most important venues of the city and recognized internationally. The structure spans more than 27,000 square meters, being the site of important cultural centers such as the Metropolitan Theater, the Experimental Theater, Temporary Exhibition Gallery and the Museum of the Huasteca Culture.

You cannot miss a visit to the Maritime Customs Building that was built in the 19th century following the British aesthetic standards. Its legacy is a fundamental part of the prosperity that built the city.

Holidays and Festivals in Tampico

On February 2 Candlemas Day, Tampico holds the first of two annual celebrations of the Virgin of San Juan de los Lagos.

Between April 12 and 27, this port celebrates the anniversary of its repopulation with a parade of carts coming from the city of Altamira.

In May there is the Historic Center Festival held which has been held since 1998 in order to strengthen the commercial life of the town.

In September the Lyrics Festival takes place in the Gulf, a cultural event of international significance where writers from different countries attend.

During September, do not miss the celebrities who celebrate our independence on the 15th and 16th of the month.

The highlight in November is the Cecilia Sanz de Ridaura Festival with performances of music, theater, literature, dance and other varieties.

Also, do not forget the Day of the Dead celebration on the 1st and 2nd. In December, as is tradition throughout Mexico, the celebrations of the Virgin of Guadalupe are held.