We will be in Tucson, and would have time to make a quick trip to Nogales. However, we have now heard that it is not really safe to enter down at Nogales,(exact words were, "Please stay away from there, we would fear for your safety"). They say we should drive over to the Yuma area if we want to go to Mexico. Has anyone been to Nogales lately and what did you think? I tried to search here on Fodor's but came up mostly with older posts.

Maybe you could clarify exactly who told you that?

I think Nogales is safer than many border cities. I usually go down there at least once a year and feel perfectly safe. Just remember to keep to the main streets / shopping areas because, just like any city, there are areas that are less safe. Also, since you are not familiar with the city, you should limit your visit to daylight hours.

There is a big parking lot just as you get into Nogales, Arizona, off the freeway. Park there and walk across, less than 1/4 mile from the lot to the crossing.

I wouldn't drive all the way to Yuma (4 hours from Tucson) to visit a small border town. Go to Nogales and have fun shopping.
http://www.mikepintucson.blogspot.com/

I agree with Mike. There really isn't much in Nogales but if you just want to see it there's no problem if you stay in the main shopping area. We go once in awhile but it is mainly Pharmacy after pharmacy. In the old days we used to go to Tijuana for cheap booze (really old days) but now if you want inexpensive liquor you buy it in Arizona duty free at the border because there is more money in prescription drugs than liquor. We had trouble finding a store to buy some Tequila. When we did - it was cheaper in Arizona.

The border town by Yuma is not the one due south of Yuma. You cross into California and there is a sign there. That town is quite civilized but a very long drive from Tucson (3/12 - 4 hours)

Thanks MikePinTucson and Traveller69 for your help.

As far as who gave us that information, it was someone locally that knew people in AZ. No one on Fodor's or any other travel forum.

Not sure if we will take the time this fall to go down if it is mostly pharmacies. Was hoping for some "fun shopping." We also heard that you are not allowed to bring back prescription drugs into the US, that you are checked at the border and must show all things purchased. Is that correct?

Never done the Duty-Free thing. Do you purchase the liquor when you get back into AZ at the duty free shop, or before you enter Mexico? Is there really much savings by shopping in the duty-free stores?

Appreciate your help. Love your blog spot MikePinTucson.

It really isn't mostly pharmacies at all. Sure, there are a lot of them right as you cross the border. But after you get a bit further (across, past those pharmacies, then to the right), first you come to a wide alley (it will be on your left)lined with shops and people with blankets spread out with things on them to sell. You could spend quite a while looking through that place. Then, just past that alley, you come to the main shopping area, Calle Obregon. that is also lined with shops on both sides.

There is plenty of shopping to keep you looking around for several hours.

Thanks Mike, You are so helpful! Really appreciate it!!

Nothing recent, but about 8 years ago, on a trip with my mother (who grew up in Tucson) and my daughter, my mother's friend who still lived in Tucson suggested that we give Nogales a miss and go to Tubac instead - it's about half the distance from Tucson, quite small, but very nice little shops, friendly people, and very comfortable for an elderly woman, a middle-ager, and a teen girl. The signposts in Arizona are somewhat confounding, but get a good map and you'll be all right (Tubac is on E-19). Have fun!

Appreciate all the information. We will definitely do Tubac when we are back in Tucson, early next year Likewords. Thanks for the info.

Had a couple of other questions that popped up. I believe we need our passports, correct? What about money, do they accept US dollars, credit cards, or should we exchange some money before entering Mexico?

A quick note about Tubac: many of the items in the shops which may look Mexican are imported from Central and South America. All are labeled accordingly--no one is trying to pull a fast one. I happened to know some people who were very disappointed to discover that a vase they had bought there was from Peru and not Mexico. Who cares? For some reason, they did.

I always liked Tubac for a half-day--pretty, and fun shopping.

If you are US citizens, you won't need a passport to walk or drive across the border -- at least not until next January. But you may need some form of proof of citizenship.

Just take US dollars. In the border towns, everything is mostly priced in dollars, not pesos. If you use a credit card, when you sign the slip, if there is a carbon paper in between, pull it out and tear it up. It will have the credit card imprint and your signature imprint. We usually just take cash.

I have been to Nogales, Mexico the last three winters with AZ winter guests with no safety issues other than the usual caution for tourists. Three years ago the local TV and radio news were discouraging U of A students from visiting Mexico on spring break out of safety concerns, but that has not been the case the last two years. I have never been asked about purchases of prescription drugs (or anything else for that matter) when returning to US through Nogales. Duty free liquor has been checked. Nogales near the border is mostly geared for tourists. The merchndise is not the highest quality and often imported as stated before. Do negoiate the prices since the final price is often 1/4 to 1/2 the original verbable price given. Be prepared for persistent clerks trying to get you into their stores. US dollars are accepted at the border stores and are much safer than giving credit card informaiton. For US citizens, a passport is not required as mentioned above but it does speed processing if you use it. A driver's license can also be used until Jan. of 2008. Seeing Nogales is an interesting experience IMO---some people like it and others can't wait to get back to US. The duty free liquor purchasing is easily done on the US side,the stores where you purchase the liquor are yards from the border, a person from the store walks with you and your purchases across the border and then walks back into the US. It is very common and simple to do but remember the limits for liquor import plus the restriction of only every 30 days. Don't know how readily that 30 day purchase time is enforced since stories vary. As for Tubac, it is an interesting art community that has been benefiting from a lot of marketing. There are some very high quality art stores there, a unique metal animal sculpture garden outside one art studio, pottery places, many jewelry stores, and a few restaurants. It is also very touristy but on a much higher scale than Nogales. They have a nice craft fair in mid February which draws many, many people. Tubac is usually good for half a day of browsing and lunch for winter guests. The golf course there is also highly rated. The signage for highway 19 out of Tucson is very good with Tubac as well as Nogales both clearly marked. Both locations are interesting IMO. If you are 2 young single females I would suggest Nogales only during the day and without bar stops for your own safety.

All the information is great. CollegeMom, maybe that is where the "safety fear" information originated. Is this correct: When we finish shopping in Mexico, we come back into the US, purchase our liquor, then a person walks with us back into Mexico and we have to come back through the check point again? Or do we purchase it before our adverture into Mexico and carry it all day? So for what much seems like "unbelievable" questions!

We do want to go into Mexico, however from information here we may wish to make most of our purchases in Tubac, or Tucson as we prefer items that are mid to high quality. Tubac sounds great.

It is easiest to get your liquor purchases after returning from Mexico. The parking lots are within a block or two so if want you can go to your car to unload your "finds" and then return for the liquor. The duty free shopping is really very easy, and maybe from my earlier post it isn't clear that you also return to US immediately since I said only the clerk returned. No need to carry the liquor (or perfume) in Mexico. If there has been no rain, the streets will be very dusty in Nogales. Tubac has much nicer quality items ranging from mid to very high prices. It is much nicer for browsing since it has the typical American style for shopping. I would recommend walking through the metal sculpture "garden" (no flowers)at one of the upscale art places since it has more than animal sculptures although most people remember it for the life size bronze horses there. Hope you enjoy both cities even though they are very different.

Mikepin help me with this one. There is an area in Tucson (not old town) but an old sort of warehouse district that has wonderful shops with true Mexican items. I have purchased many lovely items there that were well priced and quite unique. I have wanted to go back there (our winter home is in Green Valley) but can't find it as I originally went with someone else who did the driving. If Mike knows where I am talking about and can give directions it is certainly worth visiting. Help Mike!

Are you talking about Old Town Artisans, downtown, near the Tucson Art Museum? If so, just get to downtown and ask anyone.

http://www.oldtownartisans.com/

Or are you thinking of the Lost Barrio?

http://travel.latimes.com/articles/l...stbarrio9apr09

http://www.bohemiatucson.com/index_flash.htm

If so, to get there, just head down Broadway Blvd towards downtown. Before going under the Diamondback bridge, turn left onto Park Avenue. You will be there in a couple of blocks.

Mike - thank you. It is Lost Barrio. I highly recommend this to visitors. It is a great spot to find some wonderful items and such a variety. I found quite a few beautiful and inexpensive pieces there. It is really worth the visit. Just follow Mike's directions. I am going to bookmark the websites because I know I will not remember how to get there. I don't feel so badly now when I see why the call it "Lost" Barrio!

Think I have it now CollegeMom! Sorry about that one sentence. It was suppose to read: So, I appreciate your help for what must seem like "unbelieveable questions". Not to sure what I did!

We will also check out Lost Barrio in Tucson. Sounds interesting. Thanks for mentioning it Traverler69.

Would also recommend Sonoran Desert Museum, in Tucson for a great overview of desert habitat as well as plants. If you are airplane buffs also the Pima Aircraft Museum in Tucson is interesting (but can be very hot since it is outside) and the only remaining Titon Missle site is on the north side of Green Valley and historically interesting and well presented by volunteers. The Lost Barrios are also interesting, and there are often walking tours of the area which give more history of the houses. There is much to do and enjoy in and around Tucson! Enjoy!

Either I or my father travel into Nogales at least once a week. There has never been a problem. Yes, there are quite a few pharmacies but, as Mike pointed out, there are quite a few other places that will invite you in and tempt you with their wares. I have never used a credit card down there. American dollars are always welcome.

As for Tubac, they ar more upscale shopping area. If you have a day to devote to just Tubac, I would recommend lunch at the Tubac Golf Resort and then a walk after in Tubac to explore the shops. The Graham Bell Gallery is a great place, as are the Aldea de Artisticas,the Bighorn Gallery, Damien Coorey, Femine Mystique Gallery and Karin Newby Gallery. The Karin Newby Gallery is, I believe, the metal sculpture garden mentioned in other posts. Here is a link for Tubac, http://www.tubacaz.com/.

THe Lost Barrio and Old Town Artisans are both great places to browse and shop in Tucson. Also, Fourth Avenue and Palomino Plaza are great places to hunt up unique things to take home. You could also visit La Encantada, an upscale shopping plaza in the Catalina Foothills.

Enjoy your visit to Tucson and the surrounding areas!

Adios,

Bit

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