Mexico via Columbus, NM

I notice you're from Washington so depending where you're coming from there are much better places than Palomas. Palomas is very tiny. Popular ones with RVers are Progresso in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and Algondonas at Yuma, Arizona.

Palomas has very few security or violence issues. I don't stay after dark, but I don't go out after dark in the US either. Palomas is much smaller than some of the other more common border towns. You'll find a couple optometrists, a couple dentists and a couple pharmacies, but not dozens. There is a large parking lot just before the official border crossing, an easy walk across for those without any physical/medical restrictions. Don't miss the Pink Store, either for lunch, or a margarita or just browsing through this unique store.

There are a couple areas for parking. Parking is on the right side maybe 100 yards before going into Mexico. Small gate, not lots of congestion, and impossible to miss. We were there a month ago and nearly the only Americans around. We went to the Pancho Villa State park visitors center which is very nice. Someone there gave us a discount coupon for lunch at the pink house restaurant which was also very good. Paloma is small and quiet. Pink house got a good crowd for lunch, but other than that we walked across and back pretty much by ourselves. We were there during the week and it is a very short walk over and back.