Piedras Negras (Mexico)

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
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.

See

 * De la Ventana Caverns

Do

 * 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.
 * 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.

Eat
Piedras Negras is the birthplace of nachos.


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

Consulates

 * 🇺🇸 United States

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