Despite the division, there's still a fair bit of cultural overlap between southern Texas and northeast Mexico. Today, this region is not so much a tourist attraction as a chance to see the interplay of the two cultures in daily life. Nuevo Laredo is a border crossing for many tourists as they head south to Monterrey, although many restaurants and souvenir stands there do not accept U.S. currency. Highways up and down the Pacific Coast make for easy driving in this region, and several highways connect the coast to the mountainous interior of the country. Air travel to this part of Mexico is abundant as well, due to the high numbers of tourists that come to the area.
Camping is a popular way to enjoy the beaches.
Both the historic and the new sections of town are worth a tour, too. Puerto Vallarta is a world-famous resort city where English is spoken almost as commonly as Spanish, and the coastline is dominated by luxury resorts. Yet despite its growth as a tourist destination, the city's cobblestone streets and adobe architecture make Puerto Vallarta one of the most picturesque coastal cities. This area is off the beaten path for tourists, but boasts the vibrant cities of Guadalajara, Morelia, and the breathtaking El Rosario monarch butterfly sanctuary. It is Guadalajara that brought the world Mariachi music, tequilla, the Mexican Hat Dance, and the sombrero hat.