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crcr's avatar
crcr
Explorer
Jul 19, 2014

Questions about Algodones, Mexico

We have gone to Algodones a number of times over the years (park on US side and walk across), but haven't been there in 5 years. I have a few questions maybe some here can help me with:

When we used to go, in the wintertime, if you didn't get back across to the US side early, there was a very long wait to get through US Customs. We are going next week. Does anyone have any recent experience and information as to whether there are lines to get through US Customs during the summer months? If so, any details would be greatly helpful.

Does anyone know what time the pharmacies in Algodones open? In particular the Purple Pharmacy, just inside the border.

If one has ones prescription, can one get prescription eyeglass lenses made within a few hours? Or does that take days?

Thank you!
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  • More_To_See's avatar
    More_To_See
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2014
    For one baseline cost reference here in the States, I recently got a pair of regular progressives plus a pair of progressive sunglasses at Costco for $395 which includes a near 10 percent sales tax. But that's a California price. I think elsewhere in the States you could do better.

    I've seen some pretty good prices online for glasses too but have never checked into it.
  • crcr's avatar
    crcr
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2014
    Those of you who have bought eyeglasses in Algodones -- have any of you gotten glass instead of plastic lenses?

    Personally, I only buy glass lenses, and in the US, not all optical stores have glass lenses available. But I don't know if that is the case in Mexico.
  • amandasgramma's avatar
    amandasgramma
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2014
    My husband bought a pair for $239. He got a second pair for free, included titanium frame on first pair, and are progressives. Comparable in the US over $500 for one pair. He went to Los Algodonas Optical..... he reminded me that we'd gone to another place (smaller) and paid $100. for his glasses, but they never were right (even took them back and they weren't able to make the correction right).
  • Padlin's avatar
    Padlin
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2014
    Can I ask what kind of savings one gets on eyeglasses?
  • crcr's avatar
    crcr
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2014
    Great! Thank you for all your replies! Very helpful!
  • stripit's avatar
    stripit
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2014
    Was there last week twice for the dentist. At 8 am the pharmacy was open and I inquired about glasses also and exam and glasses made in about 3 hours. We left town about 2 pm one day and 11 am the next and walked right through customs, no wait.
  • Supercharged's avatar
    Supercharged
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2014
    Was there last Wed. I didn't have to wait a min. to cross back. The line was just me and the wife. I guess when it is 110 degrees the line is shorter.
  • aslakson's avatar
    aslakson
    Explorer
    Jul 19, 2014
    With or without a prescription, most eyeglasses take a couple of hours. They do an eye exam on site, but you may feel better with your own prescription.

    Only advice we had on border timing was to try to get back into the US before the liquor stores open. :) Even in winter, going in early will minimize your border wait times coming back out.

    Border Patrol has a border wait times website we've used when driving across at other crossings. Don't know how much help it would be for walk-throughs.

    al
  • amandasgramma's avatar
    amandasgramma
    Explorer
    Jul 19, 2014
    1) Was there last winter before the big "Snowbird rush" in January. No problems going back and forth most any time of the day.


    2) We were there early one day -- 9:00AM and they were open

    3) We had eye exams and glasses back in one day........

    Now --- for me sharing this info, have a shrimp taco for me. :) :) :)

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