Monterrey, Mexico

Lighthouse of Commerce in Monterrey, Mexico

Anyone doing business in Mexico would likely find themselves at one point or another in the Mexican city of Monterrey. The capital city of the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey is Mexico’s third largest metropolitan area and is considered a modern industrial and business powerhouse. The city is surrounded by the Sierra Madre mountain range and was named after the Countess of Monterrei (a city in Galicia, Spain).

Aside from being a financial and manufacturing center, Monterrey also offers its visitors a cornucopia of different sights to see and activities to do. Famous landmarks that are worth visiting are the Cerro de la Silla or "Saddle Mountain," he most recognized symbol of the city; La Macroplaza, one of the world’s largest plazas; the Palacio de Gobierno, which houses the office of the Governor; and the Faro de Comercio or "Lighthouse of Commerce," which beams a green laser around the city at night.

Other attractions include the Grutas de Garcia, an extensive cave that can be traversed by a vehicle similar to a train; the Cola de Caballo waterfall; the Museum of Contemporary Art, which features  modern Mexican architecture; the Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma, where the national Baseball Hall of Fame is located; and the Basilica del Roble , built in honor of the Virgin del Roble, the patron of the city.

Because of its unique location, rock-climbing and hiking are popular activities done in Monterrey. The better-known trails are the Parque Ecologico Chipinque, which offers a spectacular view of mountains and forests; La Estanzuela, a state park with a small river and a forested area; and La Huasteca, which has vertical cliffs and canyons in a desert setting.

Monterrey is also considered to be principal center of education in Mexico. It is home to a number of prestigious universities such as the Univesidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon), the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (Monterrey Institue of Technology and Higher Studies), University of Monterrey, Universidad del Norte and the Universidad Regiomontana.

Traveling to Monterrey is quite easy because it has two international airports. Other means to get there would be by bus, by train or by private transportation.