Rancho Cerro Gordo - Arriving by Air

Getting to Potrero Chico by air is both straightforward and relatively cheap due to its proximity to Monterrey, the 3rd largest city in Mexico. Direct flights to Mariano Escobedo International Airport in Monterrey leave from numerous cities in the southeast and south-central United States, and convenient connections are available through these cities from the rest of the US, Canada, and much of the rest of the world. The paperwork and outlay of cash necessary to enter the country is normally fairly minimal (a passport and approx. $30 for a tourist visa for Americans and Canadians); inform yourself about the current regulations before you go. A randomly generated red or green light will determine whether you will be subjected to further scrutiny before being set free on Mexican soil.

The airport grounds are fairly small and easy to navigate. You may want to get some cash from the bank machines although your US dollars will work just fine; most informal exchanges happen at the convenient rate of 10 pesos to 1 USD, and the official rate is usually between 10 and 11 pesos per USD. Try not to get confused by the fact that the Mexicans use the symbol $ for the peso. At the airport gates you will be met by a slew of eager taxi drivers, and here comes the crux of your journey. You'll want to make clear you're going to HIDALGO, NUEVO LEON, not Sabinas Hidalgo, which is an altogether different town about 100km in the wrong direction. There are countless towns (and even a state) in Mexico named Hidalgo! (The correct Hidalgo is about 45km to the NW of Monterrey, the taxi ride should take about an hour, and cost you something like $35 US.) If you feel overwhelmed by all this, consider reserving a pick-up from us. It is slightly more expensive but we guarantee we will take you to the right place! (see Camping->Reservations.)

If you want to save money and have a bit of an adventure to boot, you can also take a bus from the airport to the central bus station (on Avenida Colon just north of downtown Monterrey). From here you can catch a bus to Hidalgo, and a local cab will take you the last 4km to the Rancho. See Directions->Bus for details. Total damages will be under $15 per person, but of course it will take longer. Most folks don't think taking the bus is worth the hassle, but a hardy few do persevere, even to the point of walking the last stretch to forego the $8 taxi ride!


			Arriving by Air

	Getting to Potrero Chico by air is both straightforward and relatively cheap due to its proximity to Monterrey, the 3rd largest city in Mexico. Direct flights to Mariano Escobedo International Airport in Monterrey leave from numerous cities in the southeast and south-central United States, and convenient connections are available through these cities from the rest of the US, Canada, and much of the rest of the world. The paperwork and outlay of cash necessary to enter the country is normally fairly minimal (a passport and approx. $30 for a tourist visa for Americans and Canadians); inform yourself about the current regulations before you go. A randomly generated red or green light will determine whether you will be subjected to further scrutiny before being set free on Mexican soil. The airport grounds are fairly small and easy to navigate. You may want to get some cash from the bank machines although your US dollars will work just fine; most informal exchanges happen at the convenient rate of 10 pesos to 1 USD, and the official rate is usually between 10 and 11 pesos per USD. Try not to get confused by the fact that the Mexicans use the symbol $ for the peso. At the airport gates you will be met by a slew of eager taxi drivers, and here comes the crux of your journey. You'll want to make clear you're going to HIDALGO, NUEVO LEON, not Sabinas Hidalgo, which is an altogether different town about 100km in the wrong direction. There are countless towns (and even a state) in Mexico named Hidalgo! (The correct Hidalgo is about 45km to the NW of Monterrey, the taxi ride should take about an hour, and cost you something like $35 US.) If you feel overwhelmed by all this, consider reserving a pick-up from us. It is slightly more expensive but we guarantee we will take you to the right place! (see Camping->Reservations.) If you want to save money and have a bit of an adventure to boot, you can also take a bus from the airport to the central bus station (on Avenida Colon just north of downtown Monterrey). From here you can catch a bus to Hidalgo, and a local cab will take you the last 4km to the Rancho. See Directions->Bus for details. Total damages will be under $15 per person, but of course it will take longer. Most folks don't think taking the bus is worth the hassle, but a hardy few do persevere, even to the point of walking the last stretch to forego the $8 taxi ride!