Playa Lauro Villar

Playa Lauro Villar, commonly known as Playa Bagdad, is a public beach situated in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The beach is located near the Gulf of Mexico and is a popular spot for both locals and tourists. It is particularly popular among local families, who often visit on weekends to engage in activities such as barbecuing, swimming, and listening to music. Despite having a lack of tourism infrastructure, the beach has seen a rise in the number of visitors, especially from nearby cities in the United States such as Laredo and Brownsville.

The beach has calm waves and a gentle slope, making it suitable for swimming. It is also a popular spot for sports enthusiasts, with activities such as fishing, angling, and netting being popular among visitors. The location of the beach, near the mouth of the Rio Grande meeting the Gulf of Mexico, makes it an ideal spot for fishing. Fresh seafood, including shrimp, is readily available in the area.

Playa Lauro Villar has been equipped with several amenities to ensure the comfort of its visitors. These include umbrellas or roofs, bathrooms, changing rooms, and other facilities. The beach is also accessible to wheelchair users. Despite the availability of these amenities, some visitors have raised concerns about the cleanliness of the beach.

To reach Playa Lauro Villar, visitors can take Highway 180 from the state capital or Highway 40 from the city of Reynosa towards Matamoros. From Matamoros, the beach is accessible via Highway 2, which is approximately 38 km away. Despite some concerns about cleanliness and a lack of tourism infrastructure, Playa Lauro Villar remains a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike.