A Gulf Coast oil town midway between Brownsville, Texas, and Veracruz, Tampico, Mexico, was a great fishing port until water pollution destroyed the sportfishing industry in the 1970s. Today, even though the water is clean again, the town's main attraction is its atmosphere: Tampico abounds in interesting characters and buildings of decaying grandeur.
Linger if you have time, but otherwise just plan on stopping for a meal (or the night) on the way to Veracruz, which lies 300 mi/480 km to the south. There are a few luxury hotels and an all-inclusive beachside resort, but most accommodations are midpriced properties.
Two hours west of Tampico is Xilitla, a tiny village that boasts one of the strangest attractions in the country. Las Pozas is a bizarre collection of multicolored sculptures, buildings, stairways that go nowhere and fountains set along a twisting jungle path. Resembling something out of a Dr. Seuss book, Las Pozas was created by the eccentric British artist Edward James in the 1960s and '70s.
To request access to the full version of this destination guide, please provide your email address below. Your email address will only be used for verification purposes and will not be used for marketing purposes.