Tampico was founded on April 12, 1823 as Santa Ana de Tampico, a silver mining town. During its peak years, silver from San Luis Potosí left its docks in exchange for imported goods, clothes and the prefabricated wooden houses that decorated the city. Today, Tampico is linked with two other towns to form the metropolitan area: Almira to the north and Ciudad Madero to the south. Located on the Panuco River, Tampico is currently the second most important port in Mexico.

The best way to explore Tampico is by strolling through its historic center and delving into its interesting mixture of styles: Art Nouveau stone contours and wooden houses painted Louisiana-style combine with English-style structures, delicate French ironwork, kiosks, balconies and marquees.

The recently-restored Maritime Customs Hall is a beautiful building that dates back to the late 19th century. Its iron and brick work is a perfect representation of the city’s unique style. The Museum of Huastec Culture is another great place to visit. It showcases several examples of prehispanic civilization from the Huasteca region, which includes part of the neighboring states of San Luis Potosí, Veracruz and Hidalgo.

The beaches in Tampico are also a popular attraction. Miramar Beach is the northernmost beach on the long coast of the Gulf of Mexico, featuring seven miles of fine sand, gentle waves and subtle slopes. The beach is perfect for jet skiing, fishing or just lounging on the sand.

Shopping wise, Tampico offers a variety of boutiques, bazaars, department stores, traditional markets and typical shops throughout the city that carry locally-produced and imported articles as well as regional handicrafts. It is also a place of many culinary delights and unique dishes. Some of the local specialties include crayfish a la Frank with huitlacoche (corn mushroom) and squash flower stuffing, sea bass wrapped in paper with chimichurri sauce, black mole (spicy Mexican sauce) with tamarind and lorencillo sea bass, all worth a try for a taste of local tradition.

The port of Tampico is a city of contrasts and charm, perfect for travelers looking to explore a unique Mexican jewel.