Monclova

Monclova is a city in Coahuila. It is a working class city known for its massive industry, including a steel works and an enormous power generating station.

For other places with the same name, see Monclova (disambiguation).

Understand

Monclova was founded in 1577, the first community in the state. It is a small city, with a population of about 238,000 people (2020).

Climate

The climate of Monclova is somewhat extreme, of the semi-arid dry type in winter it can reach temperatures below -10 °C, with few but strong frosts and infrequent snowfalls. In summer it easily exceeds 40 °C and can present intense storms especially electrical. The months with cool weather are October-November and March-April where the city can have an average temperature of the order of 9-15 °C minimum and 22-27 °C maximum temperature. The characteristics of a dry climate and a low level of rainfall mean that hot-cold variations can occur in the course of a few hours.

Get in

Monclova is best reached by car or bus.

By plane
  • 🌍 Venustiano Carranza Monclova International Airport (LOV  IATA) (located about 6.5 km (4.0 mi) from the city center on the road towards Cuatro Cienegas). No major Mexican airline flies to Monclova. 

The usual way to get to Monclova is taking a plane to Monterrey, and then either a car or bus to Monclova. Buses are cheap (about US$10) and may take 3 to 4 hours to get to Monclova. It is also possible to hire a car and driver to pick you up. This is the most time efficient way to get to Monclova (about 2 hours and no waiting on a bus schedule), and the fare is usually about US$150. Contact Brenda's Car Rental in Monclova for more information.

By car

Monclova is about 3 hours south of the border crossing at Eagle Pass, Texas/Piedras Negras (Mexico).

By bus
  • 🌍 Central de Autobuses, Cuahtemoc 100 (downtown). Small, dated bus station with limited facilities. Served by Coahuilenses (part of Grupo Senda) and other bus lines. Hourly departures to Piedras Negras (M$192 as of April 2008). Frequent departures to Monterrey, Cuatrocienegas and other destinations in northern Mexico. (updated Nov 2022)

See

Monclova is not a touristic city, but you may want to see:

  • 🌍 Parroquia de Santiago Apostol, Hidalgo Nte.. Located on the city's central plaza is a colonial style church dating from the 17th century, built by José Miguel Sánchez Navarro. The sculpted greyish pink cantera facade and ornate iron gates are quite pretty. 
  • 🌍 Coahuila and Texas Museum (Museo Coahuila y Texas), ☏ +52 866 632 0513. Somewhat small historical museum chronicling the period of history when Texas and Coahuila were a single, gigantic northern Mexican state. Much of the museum is an historical library and the exhibit space is of peripheral focus. 
  • 🌍 Pape Library Museum (Museo Pape), Blvd. Harold Pape 505 Sur, Col. Guadalupe, ☏ +52 866 6310404, . 10:00 - 17:00. Interesting art gallery and an important bibliographic collection. The Pape is a modern building that houses a combination museum-library with two permanent exhibition rooms that presens a collection of archaeological pieces and a variety of coins and medals. It also has another temporary exhibition space, where cultural events are held. 
  • Hermitage of Zapopan. Work of the 18th century, replica of the existing church in Zapopan, Jalisco. 
  • Teatro de la Ciudad. It is the most modern theater in the northeast of the country. With a capacity of more than 1000 spectators. (updated Jun 2021)
  • Monclova Astronomical Observatory. The largest in Coahuila. 
  • Monclova Ecological and Wildlife Park. Formerly the Monclova Zoo, this reserve is unique in the state of Coahuila. 

Do
  • 🌍 Los Acereros de Monclova, Estadio de Béisbol Monclova, Av. Cuauhtémoc 299. The local Mexican League baseball team. (updated Jun 2021)
  • 🌍 Xochipilli Park, Avenida Adolfo Lopez Mateos 50, ☏ +52 866 633 1566. Tuesday to Sunday during the winter season from 06:30 to 18:30, and Tuesday to Sunday during the summer from 06:00 to 20:00.. Large park near the city center. You can perform various sports, recreational and cultural activities. It also has a children's area, a scenic train called Harold-ito, sports facilities, green areas and rest areas, an open-air theater, a Zipline, and an archaeological route. (updated Jun 2021)

Eat

Budget
  • 🌍 Tacos de los Bomberos (Tacos Charly), Veracruz, Guadalupe, ☏ +52 866-635-1133. Very popular place for classic street tacos. 


Mid-range
  • Cactus, ☏ +52 866-635-1133. Blvd. Pape y Oaxaca. Traditional Mexican cuisine. 
  • Las Fajitas, ☏ +52 866-646-00-79. Washington 415 y Frontera. Casual Mexican grill. 
  • 🌍 Los Corrales, Blvd. Harold Pape 600, ☏ +52 866-636-00-36. 07:30 to 23:00. Casual Mexican eatery specializing in carne asada and similar northern Mexican favorites, the chilaquiles for breakfast are a standout, affordable meals and a kid-friendly family atmosphere. 
  • Los Cuatro Vientos, ☏ +52 866-633-24-24. Blvd. Harold Pape 708. Casual seafood restaurant. 
  • La Gringa

Drink

Chamochelas

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range

Connect

As of Dec 2021, Monclova has 4G from AT&T / Unefon and Telcel but no signal from the other Mexican carriers. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

Visit the pozas of Cuatro Cienegas --- a unique desert wetland that is a protected biosphere recognized by UNESCO. (About 40 miles from Monclova).

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