The Old Maritime Customs House is Tampico's clearest port landmark, a red-brick building from the Porfirian era near the Panuco River waterfront. Its British industrial look is part of the story: Tampico was plugged into international trade and oil money, not just regional commerce.
The area around it is most rewarding as part of a centre walk from Plaza de la Libertad. It gives the city a hard commercial edge that balances the plazas and cathedral.