Important: Wikitravel is exploring a license upgrade to CC by-sa 3.0, please give your consent or refusal here.

From Wikitravel

Nogales (also Heroica Nogales) is a city of 185,000 people in Sonora on the United States-Mexico border.

[edit] Understand

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

The Nogales International Airport

[edit] By train

There is not passenger train service provided in Nogales Mexico. Only commercial freight carrier cars travel the rails here. Most of the train passenger routes are located near and around the capital at Mexico City.

[edit] By car

• U.S. I-19 South

• Mexican Federal Highway 15D (Carretera Federal 15D) North

• Be aware that you must have auto insurance that is valid in Mexico.

• Generally speaking, U.S. / Canadian auto insurance will not cover you while driving inside of Mexico. If you are simply making a day trip along the border at Nogales, it might be much more of a hassle to bring your car across the border. Insurance issues, and very long waits to cross the border back to the US side (wait times are sometimes in excess of two hours) are usually pretty good deterrents to just park your car at a more secure location on the US side of the border (such as Ed's parking - which used to cost about $6 (US Dollars) during the daytime).

• Americans may travel up to 12 miles (20 kilometers) inside Mexico without a tourist permit / vehicle permit. Beyond that distance, or if you intend to stay more than 72 hours in Mexico a permit is required. Vehicle permits are available at the 21 kilometer mark in the immigration and customs office. Passport, drivers license, and proof of Mexican insurance are required for processing an application for a permit. Permits costs $170 (Pesos) and must be paid to one of the banks listed on the application form.

• Rental cars from the US must have documentation granting authorization to the driver on the rental agreement to bring them across the border into Mexico; otherwise, you may be suspected of stealing the car.

• Driving around the city is a real hassle. Expect bumper-to-bumper traffic inside the city, and moderately congested traffic along Highway 15 south. Watch out for jaywalkers at all times when you're driving along the border.

[edit] By bus

• Shuttle buses run from both sides of the border daily. Be aware that US customs will stop and search these shuttle buses for drugs and people attempting to cross the border without paperwork, so expect delays - and questioning by US police if drugs are found in an unclaimed suitcase found aboard.

• Buses are pretty much the main mode of public transportation within Mexico. There's several busing companies throughout Mexico. Two of the main carriers are Tufesa Auto[1] and Estella Blanca [2].

[edit] By foot

• Most people simply park their cars in Nogales AZ, and walk across the border into Mexico. Typically, you won't even notice any border police on the Mexican side of the border so entrance into the city is fairly easy. Keep in mind things may change with recent headlines of gun battles at the border, so be vigilant and aware of your surroundings, but don't be paranoid about visiting the city.

• If you are walking across the border from the United States into Mexico, do not forget your passport, US Passport Card, and/or your alien registration card (commonly called the "green card"). You will be required to have such documentation effective June 1, 2009 to cross into the US side of the border. A drivers license will not be acceptable documentation for US Border police. Lack of such items will prolong your ability to cross the border, as you'll be subjected to questioning demanding proof of US citizenship or legal residence status.

[edit] Get around

• Those walking across the border into Nogales with either infants in a stroller, or those who utilize a wheelchair for transportation will find out quickly that the walkways in Nogales are not very accommodating. To enter into Nogales from the US border crossing (if you are using a baby stroller / wheelchair), you'll have to walk against the traffic of people entering from Mexico (don't worry, the US border police do this all of the time, and you won't have any problems at all entering Mexico this way - there's a entrance into Mexico for such visitors). If you don't you have to pass through a turn-style walkway which will be impossible to pass through with a stroller or a wheelchair.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] Do

• Most people visit Nogales to buy some inexpensive trinkets, duty-free liquor and tobacco, and take a few photos as proof they walked across the border into Mexico.

• Along the US / Mexico fence, there's some interesting murals (on the Mexican side of the fence) painted that might be worth a photograph.

[edit] Learn

• Although many people (usually police and merchants) do speak some English, you'd be wise to learn some basic Spanish phrases before visiting into Nogales. You'll definitely garner more respect, and you'll be rewarded with better prices when shopping - than the stereotypical Gringo.

• Keep in mind that for those who've never been to Mexico and are looking at prices, keep in mind that all prices are listed in Pesos which has the same monetary symbol as the US Dollar "$". You'll definitely get some laughs at your expense if you make the mistake.

[edit] Work

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Pure vanilla extract. Seriously, Mexican vanilla extract is very good.

• Dental work and medical treatment is considerably much less than it is in the US side of the border (about 60% less)[3].

• Be very cautious when buying "real" Indian jewelry and rugs at the Curios stores. Fakes are plentiful. Buy only if you think you've negotiated a very cheap price, and don't mind taking a risk that it's most likely a fake.

• Walk to Obregon Street (three blocks from Campillo Street) to do your shopping for Mexican items.

• Mexican Coca-Cola is a nice treat to pick up to bring back to the USA, as its made with sugar cane rather than corn syrup than typical US Coca-Cola.

• Haggling is nearly expected for all purchases in the market, so don't be afraid to make an offer. Just make sure you've looked around and asked for prices before you blindly make a first bid - folks know when someone's looking to buy something as the word spreads quickly.

• Haggling over prices is quite common for nearly all commerce; however, haggling is never done in a restaurant/bar or a supermarket (where prices are fixed). In doing such will make you look very silly, and you'll be told quickly that the listed prices are not negotiable.

• Nearly most merchants will speak some English (but you'd be smart to learn a little Spanish - so you don't get pegged as a stereotypical Gringo / Gringa), and prefer US Dollars (paper currency - not coins) over Mexican Pesos, so it shouldn't be too hard to engage in commerce if you don't speak much Spanish. Also be smart and carry enough cash for your purchases for the day, as credit cards are not as widely accepted as they are in the US.

• Be aware, that you don't want to give a very large US denomination bill for a fairly cheap item (like a $10 or $20 bill for a $5 item) - as a less scrupulous merchant may attempt to walk away with your money to "get change", and you'll have to chase the person down to get your money back.

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

• La Roca - Can't miss it, as it's right on top of the hill at the borderline (but if the train's blocking the entrance, it's a long walk to get to La Roca). Family owned restaurant featuring Sonoran cuisine. Expect prices to be in the $20 range, but don't try to negotiate with the owner or waiter to get a lower price - haggling typically is conducted nearly everywhere else where commerce is conducted, except in restaurants.

[edit] Splurge

[edit][add listing] Drink

Not more than half a mile from the border you will find one of the best kept secrets in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. El Regis Bar located at the Regis Hotel is an iconic Nogales, Sonora drinking establishment. It is full of history any waiter will gladly explain to you the origins of the actual bar. There is also a VIP room in the back which is reserved exclusively for bullfighters, but any waiter will gladly let you in if you ask nice enough. Be sure to try the Indio beer, which is delicious.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

• Hotel Plaza Nogales - Alvaro Obregon Num 4190 | Carr Internacional Km 6 5, Nogales 84092, Mexico - Looks OK on the outside, but it's been been completely mismanaged, as the quality of the rooms are what you would expect to see in hotel that's in an old part of a city (not awful where you can't stay the night, but such as neglected routine preventative maintenance that's annoying for guests - like a leaky faucet or toilet). The hotel is about eight miles south of the US border near Mexican Federal Highway 15 south. Room rates are about $50 USD for a king bed. There's not an Internet or telephone reservation number (that I was aware of), and usually you won't have a problem just walking up and renting upon visiting. Staff does speak English for those who cannot speak Spanish very well.

[edit] Splurge

[edit] Contact

Country Code +52 Area Code 631

Mexican and U.S. Customs offices 1-520-287-1410 are open 24 hours a day for any questions.

[edit] Stay safe

• The US State Department has issued travel alerts [4]to most of the border cities along the U.S. / Mexican border.

• If you are traveling by car into Mexico, it might be best to avoid driving alone on Mexican Federal Highway 15D (between Nogales and Hermosillo), or at least be extremely vigilant and aware of your surroundings on this route, due to the very violent drug wars between the cartels and the Mexican military.

• The area is prone to flash-flooding during the monsoon season, so keep the weather in mind during your visit.

• Do not advertise wealth, and don't flash cash or credit cards. Remember you are visiting a city that has a significantly high population that is very poor, and you do not want to draw the attention of beggars looking for a handout or thieves looking for an easy mark.

• Never bring firearms or live or spent ammunition across the border into Mexico, doing so will land you into jail very quickly out much sympathy from Mexican authorities.

• Walking around the city of Nogales at night and/or alone is extremely foolish. Use common sense and use the same level of precautions you would normally use in large metropolitan cities to avoid being a victim of crime.

• Be cautious when buying prescription medicine in Mexico, and attempting to import it into the U.S.. Typically you do not need a prescription to purchase medicine in Mexico. Nonetheless, be sure you have a valid doctor's prescription from a U.S. and Mexican doctor, and check ahead with the U.S. Border and Customs if ever in doubt. http://www.cbp.gov Attempting to bring prescription drugs into the U.S. without such documentation may get you arrested by U.S. Border police, or at the very least, have your medicine confiscated.

• Never attempt to purchase narcotics such as Valium, Vicodin, or Morphine from a Mexican physician without a legal U.S. and Mexican prescription, in doing so, you will get (and in some cases the vendor who sold the drugs as well) locked up in a Mexican prison for up to 15 years for possession / sale of a controlled substance. If someone is luring you to make such a purchase, don't do it. Always assume it is a setup either by undercover police, or an unscrupulous pharmacist working with a corrupt police officer to extort money from you.

• Drink only bottled water and avoid ice cubes, or bring your own bottled water from the US side of the border if you're worried about getting "Montezuma's Revenge" (or travelers diarrhea). Take standard precautions to minimize the risk of becoming infected by not consuming food or drink from food stalls on the streets.

[edit] Cope

The following consulates are in Noglaes:

United States Consulate, Calle San José s/n, Fraccionamiento los Alamos, C. P. 84065 Nogales, Sonora., 52 631-311-8159

[edit] Get out