Flanked by mountains to the east, Saltillo is famous for its production of Saltillo tiles and colorful serapes (a traditional poncho-style garment). The state capital of Coahuila, Saltillo is the oldest Colonial settlement in northern Mexico, founded in 1577.The city presents an eclectic architectural melange, bringing together Baroque and Neoclassical styles dating from the Colonial period. Meeting venues in Saltillo reflect this eclectic blend of cultures.
Since Saltillo is located 55 miles southwest of Monterrey (a major Mexican destination with numerous direct international flights), it is accessible both by land and air. Saltillo's own Plan de Guadalupe International Airport (SLW) has flights to and from Houston, as well as Mexico City and Piedras Negras. Omnibus de Mexico, Autobuses Coahuilenses and Transportes del Norte are a few of the companies that serve Saltillo's three bus terminals. What's more, the city is located just 190 miles from the Texas border, and buses leaving from Saltillo connect to several major U.S. cities.
Venues in Saltillo account for 237,000 square feet of events space, which is spread over 23 hotels with 2,436 rooms, and two convention centers. The city's largest events venue, the Villa Ferre convention center, has over 54,000 square feet of events space in three halls, which can be divided into 9 individual spaces. The venue's largest space, the Gran Salon Villa Ferre, and can host cocktails for up to 3,000 people and conferences of up to 2,050.
The Quinta Real Saltillo is a 5 Star hotel that offers 104 suites and 18,903 square feet of event space. The hotel has three event halls divisible into 4 spaces, the largest of which can host up to 800 people auditorium-style. The hotel also has a restaurant, a bar, a business center, a pool, a gym and parking for up to 90 vehicles.
Unique venues in Saltillo include several interesting places, both inside the city and out. The city's unique architecture is epitomized in structures such as the Santiango Cathedral and the Anteneo Fuente, on Coahuila's Autonomous University campus, which holds the natural history museum, and several art exhibitions. Other notable museums include the Bird Museum, the Desert Museum, the Vito Alessio Robles cultural center and the Coahuilan Culture Institute. On the city's outskirts, visitors will find mountains and national parks where dinosaur fossils were discovered, and where camping, hiking, star-gazing and skiing can be practiced.
