From McAllen turn south off of Highway 83 on to 23rd street (also called 115) which will take you to Hidalgo,
TX and cross the border into Reynosa, Mexico.
After crossing the bridge into Mexico you must first get your vehicle and personal
documents. In Reynosa, follow the blue signs carefully to get to the immigration and vehicle permit offices.
This bridge is under renovation so precise instructions are impossible. The permit office is to
the left of the bridge, so a general instruction is turn left after going through the border checkpoint. (The
blue signs could even be missing)
Follow the signs to Monterrey. Getting out of Reynosa
will probably be the most confusing part of this trip. There are several ways to get to Highway 40 and
the road is not marked as 40 in most places. The way I usually travel would be turning right after the
bridge, (for you this would come after getting your papers), and follow the major flow of traffic through city streets and
past a Soriana store for about 5 minutes until you turn right in front of a Gigante grocery store and Burger King.
You would now be on the road to Monterrey.
Highway
40 to Monterrey runs all the way in to Reynosa, but it is not obvious. Right now the only sure thing to do is follow the signs
to Monterrey. After leaving town you will get to the second checkpoint where they will check all of your
documents. Continue on this road until it splits into 40 libre and 40 Cuota.
Cuota means toll road.
Take it. This will be about 200 pesos. The free road and the toll road will merge
again after a large refinery about 30 miles from Monterrey.
Drive a few miles on the combined road and watch your speed.
The limit is very low here and sometimes they stop people. Go through the toll booths (35 pesos)
back on to the toll road.
On this section of road you must decide whether to go around Monterrey or through it.
Through it is cheaper, but you could get lost. I will continue as if you are going around.
The cuota (toll) exit will be to your right after and should be marked as the exit to Saltillo and Laredo.
This will take you North of Monterrey and past wher the highway to Laredo comes into the city.
After about
40 minutes (estimated) this will merge again with highway 40 that takes you to Saltillo.
Follow 40 for 80 km (50
miles) until you reach Saltillo.
In Saltillo, follow all of the signs to Zacatecus until you get close to
the compound.
There are several routes to get to the guesthouse. The easiest
for those who do not know the way is to continue following the signs to Zacatecus until you turn left on Urdiñola.
There is a Burger King and HEB grocery store on this corner.
After taking the left, go to the first light and take another
left.
Follow road about a half mile through the stone arches.
After the arches, go one more block straight on Paseo de los
Mirlos.
Turn left on Paseo de los Zorros #314 - Ring the Bell. If nobody is there, go 1/2 block further
to #716. (carl and Marina's house)
This could take 30 minutes from the time you enter Saltillo until you get to the
house.
If you get lost, call 418-0797
