A series of 20Ni-Mg-Al hydrotalcite-like (HT) precursors were prepared to study the influence of lanthanum (La) on the catalytic activity of the catalysts in the dry reforming of methane (DRM). The catalysts were characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). All catalysts presented ordered mesoporous structures with a large specific surface area. XRD confirmed the presence of HT structure for all of the precursors while the La promotion resulted in an additional phase of Lanthanum carbonate hydroxide. TPR study showed larger reduction degree for the catalysts but also reduction peaks that are shifted to higher temperatures. DRM reactions at 600 and 750°C revealed that the DRM activity was increased by the addition of La, while the stability of the catalysts was reduced at 600°C.