Anyone with recent travel experience to Monterrey, Mexico?

[Bitter Clinger]

Several years ago I was asked to provide engineering consultation to a Fortune 50 US company at their plant in Juarez. At the time, Juarez was already considered the most dangerous city to visit, if not in the entire world, at least in N. America. I took another colleague (so as not to travel alone) and the US company arranged for secure transportation into Mexico each morning via a van that sported Mexican plates. We spent the entire day, each day, in the plant and did not leave the plant for any reason and returned back over the border into El Paso every night. I found the Mexican engineers to be extremely bright, multi-lingual, eager to learn, friendly and professional. The hourly labor force was diligent and the plant was a testament to modern design and construction comparable to the best in class anywhere I have worked.

I have now received an inquiry from another company in Mexico, this one in Monterrey, however the US Division is apparently not involved. I do not speak Spanish and have not been able to find a colleague willing to accompany me. I am wondering if anyone here on the forum has been to Monterrey recently and might be qualified to comment. I have friends and neighbors that own property in Mexico and travel there several times a year, and apparently have very little concern over the current state of affairs. To read the travel warnings on the US State Dept website, one would definitely not consider going there.

Any guidance / relevant experience anyone can offer would be most appreciated!

[Abraham]

Recent...no.

I've spent time there and is one of the few interior Mexican cities I really like.

However, I'd look into whether the cartels are warring there like so many cities in Mexico.

When I was a kid living in South Texas many folks would drive Monterrey and enjoy the place as it's not terribly far to get to once you're in Mexico. I think maybe...150 or so miles once over the border. From Laredo that is...of course that's when Mexico was only somewhat dangerous, now...

[ScottDLS]

I was in Mexico City and Toluca last year on business and it was much improved from the last times I went on business (1998, 2003). I have a colleague who is a US citizen, but his family is from Monterrey (dad was in Medical School in Texas when he was born, lucky him). He said Monterrey was very dangerous, but this was at least 7 years ago. Hopefully someone with more recent experience in Monterrey specifically can chime in.

[Ameer]

A coworker has family in Monterrey and visits once or twice a year. He's not concerned about safety there but Spanish is his first language and he carries Mexican ID, so it may be different for a "rich" American who may fetch a good ransom.

[JustSomeOldGuy]

If you fly in, you bypass the periodic chaos in the mexican bordertowns.

[John Galt]

If you fly in, you bypass the periodic chaos in the mexican bordertowns.

I definitely agree with this statement. Years ago we took 20 hot air balloons to Monterrey to fly for a festival, and even back then it was chaos getting through (even when they knew we were coming).

[Liberty]

It's been a while. Maybe 5 Years. I stayed at a Holiday Inn at the Avenue de Universidad <sp> and doing some work with Pemex pipeline. I had an English speaking driver assigned to me, Although I did rent a car for a weekend. I was staying next door to a Sam's Club and there was a military armored vehicle parked there. I don't know if it was for show or for real. My driver was very useful in dealing with Federale roadblocks, and negotiating bribes and my way around. If you can get someone to help you get around it will be a big help. You might get some hassle with any non Mexican supplies or parts.

I spent some of my time following a pipeline through ranches and mountains. The Federales set up a lot of roadblocks and inspections on the main roads. Looking for gangs and bribes. Nothing scary was happening near Monterey though.

Because I was working in a Pemex gas facility I was required to wear fire retardant Clothing. However, my NoMex coveralls weren't deemed good enough instead I had to wear Cotton Jeans and a long sleeved shirt.

All in all my Monterey experiance was a good one. The hotel was excellent, the food was great and the trip was successful. Nothing gets done in a hurry while in Mexico. If there is anyplace I wish I could carry a gun it would be while in Mexico.

[WildBill]

I have a friend whose father lived in Monterrey Mexico until he passed away last year.
She would visit him several times every year. Her father was getting up in years so he didn't
venture out too much. Her father had a car, but was afraid leave it outside or drive it around.
It remained locked in the garage most of the time.

About twenty years ago I visited Monterrey several times, for business and pleasure. At that time
I lived in Edinburg TX and worked in Reynosa, Tamps and it wasn't too bad then. I was still very careful
about where I went and what I did. Usually I would have some locals go with me if I was going to a place
that I was not familiar with. I still have friends living down there andt has gotten much much worse.
Very sad.

[RSX11]

About 10 years back I traveled to Monterrey several times, to the Pemex refinery. Ran into a few snags there - the rental car company was supposed to provide a car with a "Matachispas" installed ("death to sparks", a spark arrestor), but never did, so each time we'd pull up at the plant entrance, we had to make one using a pocket knife on a beer can. Usually these would fall off right after we got past the gate, but after the 4th trip or so we got really good at making them. They also threw a fit that I was wearing a gimme hat from "Yaesu" (a radio company) - wouldn't let me in until I took it off. As far as the city in general, it seemed slightly less menacing than Mexico City (I know, not a high bar to beat). I didn't wander around at night. I did find that most all the Taxi drivers didn't speak English, so your high school Spanish may get a workout. Second trip was especially tough, since we were staying at a hotel that had an "old" and a "new" location - many lengthy debates occurred with the drivers over which way to g, all in Broken Spanish. I'm retired now, and am glad that I'll never have to visit Mexico ever again...