Nogales, MX safe to visit

If you do go and you are a senior: when returning you can go into the handicapped, senior line. Usually no line at all; you walk right into the US. Didn't know this until one day we were standing in the long line and a friendly person stopped as he walked up to the other "non" line and told us we didn't need to stay in the regular line.

Live just north of Nogales. No problems. Park in a lot near the border crossing and walk across. Most people never leave walking distance from the crossing. BUT, you can take a taxi down near the Mexico Walmart to some Excellent restaurants that are much better than La Roca. Cheaper, better food and where the locals eat! Be prepared to wait when crossing back into USA.

rocmoc n AZ

People go to Nogales daily from Arizona. Many, many have dental work done there. If you stay just across the border you'll be perfectly safe and that's where the shops and restaurants are. There's no need to wander farther in - that's the residential area. That's the same as any border town. You can easily park on the Arizona side and walk across the border. You'll be walking with other American tourists. Talk to them as you walk to get hints on where to eat, etc. Chances are they've been there often.

The above-mentioned 'war zone' is not happening at the border. Why would the druggies, etc. be right there? They don't like to mingle with the Border Patrol! :)

Earl E is right. La Roca is a fun restaurant, great food. Even the restrooms are amazing. You will enjoy your visit.
A little tricky to find, if you don't know where you are going. Just ask one of the locals, if you have trouble.

Really glad to read that people who have visited recently find Nogales safe. My early trips and memories are of a lovely friendly tourist town. My recent visit a few years ago seemed more like entering an occupied war zone. I have read how the Federal Government is trying to clean up the border and fight the cartels. I do hope Nogales can return to being the tourist Meca is once represented.

X2 in the town of patigiona about twenty miles away theres a state park very nice .and a very small town dinner that has great food.

I live just south of Tucson and have heard of NO incidents in Nogales, MX. In fact our local paper did extensive interviews of people who went to Nogales over a period of time and found 0 incidents. Like any big city you do want to stay in the tourist areas. We park in Nogales, AZ, walk across the border and either walk around or take a taxi. Easy. There isn't much their, just a lot of tourist shops and dentists. I think La Roca is by far the best restaurant. El Marcos is also very good.

I would ask some of the people in the park where you will be parked about the conditions in Nogales. We were there years ago and were not impressed

Also, the border crossing towards Puerto Penasco is Lukeville, not Luceville

NO. We visit Mexico regularly, and we just returned from a trip to Rocky Point aka Puerto Penasco. A wonderful place to visit, about 2 hours from Tucson. Cross into Mexico in the small town of Lucesville, near Why. We went in a motorhome and stayed at The Reef, although the other frequented park, Playa Bonita is also great. If you just want to do a weekend trip for tourist shopping there are plenty of condo's available and a few nice hotels. Playa Bonita Hotel is small and well located. Highly recommend this vacation tourist spot in Mexico.
Now, back to the border and Nogales: Lived in Tucson for 4 years while attending UofA back in the late 60's. Nogales was the place to play. Students and tourists were totally safe, as the city thrived on the tourist trade. Today, Nogales is a war zone. Shops are gated or boarded, it is a hot spot for drug trafficking and people trafficking. I'm not picking on Nogales by any means, I feel the same way about downtown Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. There are places in these cities you do not want to be in during the daytime, and must be avoided at night. Nogales, being a small urban area does not have the ability to maintain safe zones, it is all just scary.
Again, I love Mexico. I just would not go near the major border crossing town. JMHO