I would be hesitant to do this if I were you.. so much unrest in that area with Mexico... Recently they kidnapped a bunch of foreigners at a Holiday Inn my husband and I stayed at.. scary.. but if you must, good luck to you! But that's just me!

I wouldn't even consider it. There is way too much violence. Take a look: http://projects.latimes.com/mexico-drug-war/#/its-a-war

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

No border town has "charm" just the chance to put yourself in harms way - they don't ask to see your passport first to know you are UK nor USA citizens.

Seriously, don't do this.

I would have to agree that if you are looking for some charming colonial-type Mexican town, you aren't likely to find it in a border town. I could be mistaken and hopefully someone will correct me if I am but you would have to go deeper into Mexico to find what you are looking for.

FYI

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_4755.html

I never understood the allure of border towns when I lived 60 miles from Mexico. The border was about the least charming section of Mexico. But, back then, at least it was safe, if a waste of time and money.

But now, with all the drug violence, it isn't even safe. There are lots of nice places to visit on the US side of the border. Enjoy those places, but please don't risk your safety by entering a border town.

P.S. If you like the outdoors/hiking, I recommend visiting the Chiricahuas in southeastern Arizona.

The list of Mexican states listed by the UK government as having an increase in violent crimes includes all 5 states that border the US and Mexican states adjacent to those 5.

We have been to tourist areas of Mexico frequently in the last two years. However, it would be a serious mistake I believe to head into Northern Mexico at this point.


Here's the UK government travel warnings:

"Serious Violence

Drug-related violence in Mexico is on the increase and is a particular problem in the states of Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Sonora, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Durango, Baja California (Norte), Michoacán, Morelos and Guerrero. There has been a recent increase in the number of crimes, murders, firefights and roadblocks linked to drug turf wars, including in areas away from the US border. The security situation is fluid and armed clashes between security forces and drug groups are commonplace in certain areas, and can occur at any time without warning. Travellers could get caught up in incidents."


http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/north-central-america/mexico1

It is unanimous -- not a good idea. In fact, a really REALLY REALLY bad idea . . . .

Another vote, greybread, that it is a really really bad idea. And may I say I have a very close friend from Mexico City whom I talk to every couple of weeks. Our last conversation included her wondering why anyone would cross the boarder from the US into a Mexican boarder town. Please enjoy the US and eliminate the idea of crossing the boarder from any of our states. Wishing you a lovely and safe trip!

Listen to Love and all the other great posters and don't do it!
If you are adamant about going, I would suggest Tecate, MX which is near San Diego..quaint border town with the Tecate brewery, lovely restaurants, bakeries and a town square.
They have one of the best spas in the world..Rancho la Puerto and you might be able to have lunch there.

Border towns, by definition the world over, are NOT charming.

As usual this forum is the place to go for quick accurate info! Thank you guys, I had no idea that the situation had got so bad. Looks like we will be taking a raincheck on that one.

Greybeard

I'll swim against the tide here and recommend Puerto Penasco (aka 'Rocky Point') in Sonora, reached by crossing at Lukeville, Arizona (south of Gila Bend, locate 'Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument' to find it) and driving about 100 km south to the Sea of Cortez.

While it's not exactly a 'border town' like Nogales it's not San Miguel de Allende either. It's a popular beach spot for (mostly) Arizona tourists (especially college kids on spring break), and doesn't suffer from the abject poverty or mindless violence that hounds the towns right on the border or the ones with heavy drug trafficking.

We will be travelling on UK passports

No problem entering Mexico but I'd check carefully into the regulations about re-entering the USA. Seem to recall some multiple-entry issues ...

Google 'Puerto Penasco' for more info.

Puerto Penasco is a safe area, one of the few.

I'm glad to hear that Puerto Penasco is still safe. But greybeard is traveling in spring and, depending on when in spring, it might be 100 degrees with no shade. Of course, it might be 100 degrees in parts of the US, depending on when he's traveling.

And as much as I used to enjoy visiting there, I wouldn't describe it as being charming - more of a beach getaway for Arizonans.

"But greybeard is traveling in spring and, depending on when in spring, it might be 100 degrees with no shade"

In the spring it's more likely to be in the 70's than in the 100's ... the forecast for the next few days is 69F - 89 F, for example. The sea of Cortez keeps temps milder than in the deserts.

And every restaurant I've eaten at down there had plenty of shade

I travel those areas a lot and would not suggest it. BUT i would highly reccomend Puerto Penaco. You enter in Lukevill, Arizona. and you get there from Gila Bend, Arizona. As for more information as to things to do, see and stay etc. drop me a note.
Bill
bigfootbill@att.net

You enter in Lukevill, Arizona. and you get there from Gila Bend, Arizona.
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greybeard-just so you know, there is a huge controversy within the states over Arizona passing an anti-illegal immigration bill due to the border violence. I personally would not go to Mexico and I would definitely not do it from Arizona. It is not worth the risk at this time.

69F-89F in June? In Puerto Penasco? That's amazing. It was always hotter than hell when I'd go there during the summer.

Don't get me wrong. I've really enjoyed staying in Puerto Penasco. And, yep, the restaurants have plenty of shade. But I was thinking about the beach. And while there are ramadas, everywhere else on the beach and in the water it's going to be very, very sunny. A lot warmer and sunnier than anywhere in the UK.

Now if greybeard is traveling in April, then both the water and air temperature should be lovely.

Puerto Penasco is a hole. A hot, dry, hole with cheap condos for cheap alcoholic Americans.

My recommendation is Algodones, Mexico for a little shopping and eating in Mexico. It's very close to I-8 and there is a place to park on the U.S. side of the border, which I recommend, so you can just walk across the border and back. It's about 2.5 to 3 hour drive East of San Diego just before you get to the Arizona border. I've been there several times during the past year for dental work. So far, it is one of the safer border towns. You can spend the night in Yuma, AZ since it is so close (about 1/2 hour drive).

'Puerto Penasco is a hole. A hot, dry, hole with cheap condos for cheap alcoholic Americans.'

The folks suggesting going one place or another because it is "less bad" -- that is a bit of a stretch. Less bad or "OK" is still not good.

Traveling many places in Mexico -- but especially anywhere along or near the border is not a very good idea and shouldn't be done on a whim

I'm glad the OP has decided not to go. I live about 200 miles north of the border and I always enjoyed a day of bargain hunting and practicing my Spanish on the Mexican side. Sadly that has ended for me and everyone else I know. We don't dare cross anymore.

My sister and her family - her family is hispanic she is not -live in CA and have always gone to TJ shopping. They will no longer go and they are familiar with the area. It is too dangerous.

My husband and I live 40 miles from the US-Mexico border and would cross over into Mexico via Douglas, AZ into Agua Prieta. When we applied for our passport cards (three weeks ago) we specifically asked the agent where a safe crossing might be, and he said Agua Prieta is still one of the safest places to cross - as safe as any border crossing into any foreign country would be. He specifically recommended not crossing over at Nogales or anywhere west of I-8, but said the relationship between Douglas and Agua Prieta remains a healthy and safe one. So if you want to cross over, I don't think a customs official would steer us wrong.

What an odd first post, Misty.

Hi greybeard

My husband and I crossed the boarder into Tecate (about an hours drive from San Diego). It is a charming and lovely town. Very family oriented with a central park smack in the middle of town which comes alive on the weekend with music, families, and little vendors. It's also home to the Tecate Beer Brewing factory.

I can recommend the best book about this charming little place:

http://www.liquors-store.com/tequila-lemon-salt-baja-stories-lovefaith-magic

DebitNM-You're right. Very strange for a first post.

nanabee-I've never been to Tecate but it's not that far from me. I used to go to Rosarito all the time but obviously don't do that anymore.

For the OP, it seems there are a few places that are safe but I'm still not sure I'd take the chance.

For those who are highly recommending Puerto Penasco:

Puerto Peñasco police chief attacked

"The chief of police of Puerto Peñasco, Erick Landagaray Macías, was shot up with an AK-47 Sunday night. He took 6 bullets and his body guard took 7. They are both in grave condition."

http://www.elimparcial.com/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/Noticias/20062010/453854.aspx

"He specifically recommended not crossing over at Nogales or anywhere west of I-8"

I'm not sure how you do that as I-8 runs East-West.

why is it an odd first post?

First and only post, on a thread that had sunk pretty far down the list and look at the 2 comments above yours, tom

I assume Bill H and bigfoot Bill are the same Bill pushing a business they own. Misty Marie is probably a close friend.

Bill H is a regular and longtime, helpful poster here. He is not bigfoot Bill.

I assume Bill H and bigfoot Bill are the same Bill pushing a business they own.

nanabee, I assume you are an idiot. I'm not bigfootbill (why would I use 'bill' in a 2nd ID if I'm trying to create a hand puppet? How dumb are you?) and I don't own any business to push, especially not in Mexico. In fact I didn't see anyone pushing ANY business on this thread.

The original poster seemed only to want a peek inside Mexico and the advice I gave about Rocky Point was meant in good faith.

Placename posted
"For those who are highly recommending Puerto Penasco:

Puerto Peñasco police chief attacked"

OK, I can see how this makes it less attractive for many This happened two days after my first post, so great timing, wot? A place that used to be safe now seems to be caught up in the violence too.

Here's the Phoenix paper write-up of this shooting:

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/06/21/20100621rocky-point-police-chief-ambushed21-ON.html

And here's a follow-up where they asked Arizonans if they would still go to Rocky Point, ie, if they felt safe there after the shootings. The answers range from "wouldn't go under any circumstance - it's too dangerous" (like many on this thread) to people who "don't feel any less safe than they do here in the Valley" to people who feel the recent shooting "caused them to reconsider whether they would feel comfortable visiting", a not un-wise conclusion.

http://www.azcentral.com/travel/articles/2010/06/25/20100625rocky-point-would-you-visit.html

Another thing to be considered is if your visa to the US allows for multiple entries. Leaving to Mexico and returning might require different paperwork than a straightfroward one stop tourist visa.

21 people killed in a gun battle between rival gangs within 12 miles of the Arizona border.

I reiterate it is a serious mistake for anyone to cross the border into Mexico at this time.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/lt_drug_war_mexico