Pedestrian crossings into Mexico between Yuma and El Paso

http://www.insightcrime.org/news-briefs/mexicos-kidnapping-cases-rise-2012-ngo
Here is the link to 72 kidnappings a day.

Algodones is a fun town for a day. But if you have a week consider jumping on a plane and flying to Guadalajara or even Mexico City. Guadalajara is an amazing city and an example of one of the many perfectly preserved 17 th century Spanish city's of Mexico. Lots to do and see and an experience you will never forget. Mexico City is another choice of course. And of course it has considerably less crime and violence than its US counterpart Washington. Mexican cities also tend to be amazingly clean. Even if you can just squeeze in a long weekend it would be worth it. Just stop by a travel agent and check it out. Don't bother with a beach city. Head for a colonial city.

Enjoy your trip.

daveB110 wrote:
You can have a fun time in Los Algodones, Baja California. You do not have to buy anything if you don't want to. Walk around, check the mind bogling array of items made in their country, have a Mexican style breakfast or lunch. In the winter months there is usually music and dancing, to live music. If you go in a group especially, you can have a barrel of fun, the Mexican beer is very good. This day trip is on our agenda every winter, plan on staying a bit later than others and the line won't be so long to re-enter USA (likely not a problem in summertime). I have never had a concern about personal safety while there. Never.

Times Two!

You can have a fun time in Los Algodones, Baja California. You do not have to buy anything if you don't want to. Walk around, check the mind bogling array of items made in their country, have a Mexican style breakfast or lunch. In the winter months there is usually music and dancing, to live music. If you go in a group especially, you can have a barrel of fun, the Mexican beer is very good. This day trip is on our agenda every winter, plan on staying a bit later than others and the line won't be so long to re-enter USA (likely not a problem in summertime). I have never had a concern about personal safety while there. Never.

Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
We used to go to Mexico but not anymore. Do not feel safe there with 72 kidnappings a day.

I hate to ask where you pulled that number from :)

Go have some fun. Eat tacos, down a few cold ones and buy some souvenirs. Enjoy the day.

We go to Nogales every winter ..... but we don't stay out in the bars and clubs all night. Never had a problem.

Algodones is there to separate gringos from their dollars. Nogales and Mexicali are actual Mexican cities. Walk in a few blocks from the border to get away from the hawkers.

If your concerned about safety just remember. Chicago area hospitals treated over 4000 yes four thousand gun shot wounds last year.

We go to Nogales every winter ..... but we don't stay out in the bars and clubs all night. Never had a problem.

Algodones is there to separate gringos from their dollars. Nogales and Mexicali are actual Mexican cities. Walk in a few blocks from the border to get away from the hawkers.

If your concerned about safety just remember. Chicago area hospitals treated over 4000 yes four thousand gun shot wounds last year.

I have no idea what the first couple of posters are talking about - and they probably don't either. Yes, there are killings in Mexico and Juarez is one of the bad ones. But spill over to south Texas? El Paso directly across from Juarez has one of the lowest crime rates for a major city in the whole US. And 72 kidnappings a day? Where do these facts come from? Where can they be found? Never heard such nonsense. Where do these posters come from with their distorted misinformation? If claims such as these are made they should be supported by links to websites where facts can be found. I often post websites for the US FBI and US Dept. of Justice where all US crime stats can be found. After years on the is forum I no longer believe those who make these ridiculous statements have ever actually been to Mexico nor do they actually know the first thing about Mexico. They read too many trash newspapers and watch too much trash TV.

But to answer the question. We often cross south of Deming, NM about 100 miles west of El Paso - Columbus, NM on the US side and Palomas on the Mexico side. Walk across from convenient parking lot but be sure to have passports and if not a US citizen you might check in with the US border people before crossing. I do not know if there is any border town that will show you anything like the "real" Mexico because I have not seen the Mexico we love anywhere along the border. We go to Palomas to a dentist there and also get eyeglasses. You can find Americanized Mexican food and junk tourist trinkets. The town is poor and dusty but there may be some idea of what a border town is like. There are many small border towns you can visit that keep you away from the cities where trouble can be found. But then it is possible to find trouble no matter where you go.

Too bad the first response was from a doom and gloomer who hasn't been in Mexico in 6 years. I wonder why people who dislike Mexico haunt this forum?

Yes, border towns (on both sides of the border) are not as safe as further down, some are worse than others. I don't think that you will find the "real Mexico" in a border town, but you will certainly get some of the flavour.

We have not seen much of the border towns as we usually drive right through. What we saw of Agua Prieta a few years ago seemed reasonable, as does Sonoyta, south of Lukeville although the town itself would be a pretty good walk from the crossing and there is literally nothing in Lukeville except the crossing. The nearest town on the US side is Ajo.

I know friends that visit San Luis from Yuma but I have never been there.

I'm sure you will get more responses from those that have recently crossed.

Ha! Two response while I was typing!
Love your bus! Great Job..