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Old 02-03-2018, 11:53 AM   #1
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Mexican border towns

Headed on a border tour of US, north and south, want to skip over to a couple Mexican towns, any insight would be appreciated
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Old 02-03-2018, 12:29 PM   #2
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If you're looking to learn about Mexican culture, you're not likely to find it in a border town. Most are set up to sell you things no real Mexican citizen would own. There might be an occasional authentic art dealer, but many are set up to attract tourists. Sort of like visiting an Indian reservation, the 'trading post' isn't frequented by real Indians, just tourists.
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Old 02-03-2018, 09:26 PM   #3
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Do NOT drive into Mexico
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Old 02-03-2018, 09:46 PM   #4
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Do NOT drive into Mexico
Why not? As long as you have Mx. insurance, there is no problem!
I rented a house in Los Algodones for 4 years, and drove in and out all the time! I also traveled around while there, and never had a problem! Down to "Rocky Point" many times. I also drove down to TJ, and on south along the coast, to Rosarito for the seafood and lobsters! Never once had a problem?
I got my insurance from Baja Bound Insurance, online, very easy!
My current policy from Progressive for my MH has Mx. coverage on it, included!
Pick your places to go, and do some research online, and you will be fine!
There are many places in the U.S. that I would not drive to, South side of Chicago, Downtown and north Detroit, East St. Louis, Il., ETC. Everywhere has spots that are not good, just use some common sense, and do your research first! Rail!
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Old 02-03-2018, 09:55 PM   #5
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Why not? As long as you have Mx. insurance, there is no problem!
I rented a house in Los Algodones for 4 years, and drove in and out all the time! I also traveled around while there, and never had a problem! Down to "Rocky Point" many times. I also drove down to TJ, and on south along the coast, to Rosarito for the seafood and lobsters! Never once had a problem?
I got my insurance from Baja Bound Insurance, online, very easy!
My current policy from Progressive for my MH has Mx. coverage on it, included!
Pick your places to go, and do some research online, and you will be fine!
There are many places in the U.S. that I would not drive to, South side of Chicago, Downtown and north Detroit, East St. Louis, Il., ETC. Everywhere has spots that are not good, just use some common sense, and do your research first! Rail!
I'm glad you had no issues traveling south of the border. I notice all your experiences are in the past tense. Today it's not as safe for U.S. citizens to travel there.

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...-advisory.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...es/Mexico.html
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Old 02-03-2018, 10:23 PM   #6
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I'm glad you had no issues traveling south of the border. I notice all your experiences are in the past tense. Today it's not as safe for U.S. citizens to travel there.

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...-advisory.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...es/Mexico.html
I understand your concern, but the areas that are on those advisories, are not where I was traveling, hence the comment about going to certain places in the U.S.! I will advise staying in the tourist areas, and the ones I visited were just that! How many times have you been?
And yes, my experiences were from the past! But I do read about the current conditions, still get the travel blogs, from people that are living and traveling down there right now, and in the areas that I talked about, it is the same as when I was traveling there!
I have always been a adventurer of sorts, and not scared (very cautious) to go to the dangerous places in the U.S. that I mentioned, in my trucking deliveries, and some were very scary, like driving into a war zone!
I now live in Thailand, and travel around the world, and love doing it!
I am not saying that certain parts of MX. are not bad! But it is that way, every where you go, around this world, and now days you have to be very cautious!
But the blanket statement that the U.S. put out, is just that, like saying that since the south side of Chicago is bad, do not travel in the whole state of Illinois?
Traveling to MX. is not for everyone! But do the research, talk to people that are doing it and living down there! All I am saying? Rail!
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Old 02-03-2018, 10:59 PM   #7
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Give us a better idea of where you want to go.

Mx roads are not as good as USA roads, go slow
Don't drive at night is a universal caution in Mexico (cows, dogs, sleeping drunks, unlit vehicles in road, no lights at all at night, etc.
All speed limits are in KMs NOT MPH so watch ALL speed limits even if the locals do not.
Vados, speed bumps are every where near and in towns. They will bend stuff if not crossed slowly May be marked with a sign and may not be.
Thousands of Canadians go to Mx for the winter.
DO NOT EVEN THINK OF CROSSING INTO MEXICO WITH ANY KIND OF FIREARM-YOU WILL GO TO JAIL Worse than Canada by a factor of 100.
Most all food stuff and anything you need will be found in stores in Mexico. You don't have to load up too much.
There will be military road blocks checking vehicles- not a big deal
Don't try to speak Spanish to military of police unless you are fluent.
Make sure you have insurance by a Mexican underwriter even if your Travelers policy covers you there. In any accident you are at fault unless your policy will post bond in cash on demand- you go to jail. Nepolian Law in Mexico.
I get my insurance from Baja Bound Google it.
Thought its Baja centric look ay Bajanomads website.
Study up on crossing requirements and ICE documents needed (passports)
Vehicle entry and import permits for mainland Mexico required. Certain vehicles are not allowed to be imported into Mexico. Just study up on the regs for no surprises,
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Old 02-04-2018, 06:24 AM   #8
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Thanks all, I’m from NYC originally, so the radar is usually up n running, I have checked the web, and I’ve looked at the recent info that is being put out, ie travel n news sites, we will b tracing the us border from San Pedro island,tx to San Diego and I figured there’s gotta be a couple spots along that route that we’d b able to duck into Mexico for tacos n margaritas, I’ve driven out of la to ensinada in a pickup truck, forgot that I got insurance @ border, but from what I’ve read, that some spots we can walk over or take a short bus ride, I really don’t want to bring rig in. We have still a couple months to plan n b aware. Thanks for your insights
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Old 02-13-2018, 12:23 PM   #9
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Mexico

I'm from Texas and one of the "safe" bordertowns right now is Nuevo Progreso....you can drive or walk over. It is located south of Westlaco, TX...right now all the Snowbirds from Canada, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota are in...so this is busy season for Progreso. If you drive over, park at Arturo's restaurant and eat before you start shopping. You can leave your vehicle for free all day and it is safe with parking attendants. PLEASE TIP THE PARKING ATTENDANTS!! Take your passport....and do not go when it is raining...their sewer system is "none" and the main streets are dirt...take your waders if you venture on a rainy day. You can also park on the USA side for $2 and walk across the bridge....very easy to do also.....but take a 2 wheel shopping cart cause there are many things you might want to purchase. GET THE MEXICAN INSURANCE!!! I go thru Sanborne which they have about 4 offices on the US side, but you can do online. There's alot of stores that play music and have a bar for those margaritas....so if your hubby doesn't like to shop, you can park him at the store bar where he can't get into trouble. DO NOT do side street shopping, eating or drinking....it has been known that "Mickey Finns" do exist. Have fun.
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Old 02-13-2018, 01:01 PM   #10
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Progreso is fine for a day trip. If you get to Big Bend NP you can cross by boat, horse or walk/swim depending on the water. Algodones west of Yuma is fairly safe as is Rocky Point.
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Old 02-13-2018, 01:03 PM   #11
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I'm assuming you have a current passport.

We took a cruise last year and discovered our passports had expired, time flies when you're having fun!
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Old 02-13-2018, 01:39 PM   #12
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You don't need a passport to go to Mexico, but it sure makes it a lot easier to get back.

We use our Enhanced Driver License from WA. for Mexico and Canada crossings.
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Old 02-13-2018, 02:09 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by vnm01wer View Post
Headed on a border tour of US, north and south, want to skip over to a couple Mexican towns, any insight would be appreciated
Pancho Villa State Park, Columbus, New Mexico was a great stay for us. Walk across to Puerto Palomas for lunch at the Pink Store. The museum at the state park is very interesting. Eat at Irma's in Columbus. RV sites at park are nice, used to be Army Base. Lots of history. We also enjoyed Rodeo, NM.

We winter in Yuma & visit Los Algodones every couple of weeks. If you look you can find beautiful art & handcrafts as well as tourist stuff. Our kitchen cabinet doors are there currently being painted by a local artist. We have never felt unsafe even on some of the lesser traveled alleys & streets. Dentists are great.

Heading to Puerto Penasco for a week in 2 weeks. Yes, get Mexican liability insurance. Ours was less than $200.00 for our toad for 1 year. Not taking RV.
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Old 02-13-2018, 03:09 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by bevnicka1 View Post
I'm from Texas and one of the "safe" bordertowns right now is Nuevo Progreso....you can drive or walk over. It is located south of Westlaco, TX...right now all the Snowbirds from Canada, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota are in...so this is busy season for Progreso. If you drive over, park at Arturo's restaurant and eat before you start shopping. You can leave your vehicle for free all day and it is safe with parking attendants. PLEASE TIP THE PARKING ATTENDANTS!! Take your passport....and do not go when it is raining...their sewer system is "none" and the main streets are dirt...take your waders if you venture on a rainy day. You can also park on the USA side for $2 and walk across the bridge....very easy to do also.....but take a 2 wheel shopping cart cause there are many things you might want to purchase. GET THE MEXICAN INSURANCE!!! I go thru Sanborne which they have about 4 offices on the US side, but you can do online. There's alot of stores that play music and have a bar for those margaritas....so if your hubby doesn't like to shop, you can park him at the store bar where he can't get into trouble. DO NOT do side street shopping, eating or drinking....it has been known that "Mickey Finns" do exist. Have fun.
So it's a 'safe' border town, EXCEPT only park in a lot with parking attendants, don't do a side street eating or drinking for fear of being drugged, and the town has no sewer system.

WOW, they'd have to be giving away 60" flat screen TVs or some other unbeatable deal to draw me to that 'safe' town!
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