The resort we are staying in is about a half hour drive to Nuevo Progresso, Mexico. We made a few trips there, mostly for curiosity. The first time we just went over and walked around to see what it was like.

We had been told that it is better to walk across the border than drive and after our first trip we definitely agree! We didn’t try it, but it sure looked ‘painful’ to get in, and especially out, by car.

• 

• 

There is a parking lot on the US side of the border that costs $2. From there you walk to the bridge that crosses over the Rio Grande River into Mexico. As you approach there is a turnstile that takes 4 quarters to get through. Walking across the bridge you can look out over the Rio Grande and see some parts of the border wall. Once you are on the Mexico side of the river there are a lot of beggars under the bridge asking for handouts. You can’t see them, but you can hear them and some of them stick their hats through the bridge to get your attention.

(click on an image for gallery view)

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Once you are on the Mexican side, there is something that looks like customs, but there was no one there, so we just walked through and we were in Mexico! The main street is Av Benito Juarez and it is lined with stores, dentists, pharmacies, eye doctors, and vendors selling jewelry, clothes, and bags. Every block or so there is an open bar or a food stand. The sidewalks are under cover for the most part and you feel like you are walking thru a tunnel at times.

The whole experience is congestion everywhere, vendors and hawkers on the sidewalk trying to get you to buy their trinkets or to come into their store or doctor office, sell you a piece of gum or a bag of aloe, or roasted crickets. It was thrilling! We walked down a few blocks and wandered in a couple of stores, then got lunch at an outdoor food stand that had excellent lonches.

(click on an image for gallery view)

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The turnstiles to leave Mexico cost 30 cents each and then we walked back over the Rio Grande to the US. On the US side of the river you have to stand in line and wait for customs. We probably waited 15-20 minutes each time. The agents looked at our passports and asked us if we were bringing anything back and we were free to go.

The second time we went into Mexico to see a dentist and eye doctor. The dentist’s office was clean and the employees spoke good English. We paid $40 each to have our teeth cleaned and checked. We felt they did a good job and were happy with our nice, clean teeth.

Then we walked down a few blocks to get an eye exam and order new glasses. Again, the facility was clean and the doctor was nice and spoke good English. Our glasses were a little on the expensive side for Mexico, we paid $190 each. Mike’s were more expensive since he uses progressives, and Candi ordered sunglasses with an amber tint which had to be sent out. We still wound up paying less than we usually paid in the US with insurance. We ordered the glasses and were told that Mike’s would be done in about 2 days, and Candi’s would take about 2 weeks.

Then, it was on to a pharmacy a friend had recommended to pick up some muscle relaxants and antibiotics to have on hand if we need them later. We paid about $40 for several rounds of antibiotics and a couple of packs of muscle relaxants. Again probably paying about what our copay would have been in the US with insurance, once we hit our deductible. The pharmacy was clean and the pharmacist was knowledgeable and helpful.

Once we were done taking care of business, we decided we were ready for a drink. And, of course, since were in Mexico it had to be a margarita, right? We went to Pancho’s bar and had lunch, which was okay, and margaritas, which were great!

(click on an image for gallery view)

• 

• 

We did find a small little reminder of home, celery salt from of all places … McCormick … which is headquartered in Baltimore!

Bringing the medicines across the border was no problem. We just told the customs agents what we had and they waved us through.

By the time we went back to pick up the glasses, we felt like old pros at crossing the border! Here’s our “old pro tip” for future first timers: Go the the bathroom on the American side!!!

We would definitely feel comfortable going in to the border towns in Mexico that cater to Americans and are glad to know we can get less expensive dental care, glasses, and medications.