City Guide
Mexico
Traveling into Mexico
The regulations set by the Department of Homeland Security are enforced by the U.S. Border Patrol and are subject to change without notice. BRING YOUR PASSPORT if you plan to cross the border. The information below is deemed accurate as of 10/1/2008, but is not guaranteed. Please consult the Department of Homeland Security for updated information.
Walking Across the Border
If you plan to cross the border it is .7 mile from the Americana Hotel - Nogales. On the U.S. side there is ample parking available in a number of secured lots. You will cross the border through a turnstile directly into the “tourist area” of Nogales, Sonora.
Driving Across the Border
There are important regulations that must be followed for those wanting to drive across the border. Mexican law requires liability insurance for foreign-registered vehicles driven anywhere in the country. Mexican insurance is charged by the day and is relatively inexpensive. Insurance agents also recommend comprehensive and collision insurance, which usually adds little to the total cost. You can be jailed if you get into an accident without insurance.
Insurers:
Don Smith475 W. Mariposa Rd. |
Frisby Insurance1860 N. State Dr. Nogales, AZ 85621 |
Sanborns850 W. Shell Rd. |
The Border Zone
The Border Zone (Frontera) extends 21 kilometers (about 13 miles) into Mexico. Americans can travel in this area without obtaining a tourist permit or a vehicle permit. Practically speaking, this zone includes the territory up to the customs/immigration checkpoint south of the border cities. The Frontera includes Agua Prieta, Naco, Cananea, Nogales, Sasabe, Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) and San Luis Rio Colorado.
Tourist Permits
All foreign tourists must obtain a tourist permit before traveling beyond the border zone. For those traveling into Mexico at the Nogales port of entry, permits are available at the customs and immigration checkpoint at kilometer 21.
Auto Permits
Auto permits are required if you are going deeper into Mexico. If you will be traveling beyond Empalme (about 10 miles south of Guaymas or approximately 200 miles south of the border) you will need to get an auto permit as well. These may be purchased at another office, at km 21.
Nogales, Arizona, to Nogales, Sonora,
Americana Hotel is located less than one mile from the Mexican border. As you drive south along Interstate 19 and cross the border you’ll be leaving Nogales, Arizona, and entering Nogales, Sonora, one of the most important ports of entry for American tourism.
Once in Mexico you’ll be greeted by friendly vendors and crowded little shops that line the broken sidewalks in a brilliant and bustling array of culture. The downtown area is filled with bars, hotels, restaurants and a wide variety of curios stores. Curios stores sell a large amount of artesanias (handicrafts, leather art, hand-made flowers and clothes) brought from the deeper central and southern states of Mexico, which are very popular among tourists; in general, you can bring back up to $400 worth of goods without being taxed.
Local dishes commonly available in restaurants include all kinds of antojitos (Mexican food) such as enchiladas, tacos, burritos with carne seca (dried beef) or machaca (marinated beef), menudo and tamales.
Outside of the tourist area Nogales, Sonora, is a bustling metropolis of over 300,000 people and is roughly ten times the size of Nogales, Arizona.
Maquiladoras
Maquiladoras (Spanish for twin plants) are U.S. based companies with plants in Mexico. Nogales, Sonora, houses many maquiladoras including ACCO, Otis Elevator, Weiserlock, Samsonite and many others.
Our 24-hour multilingual front desk staff is available to assist you with any other questions or concerns you may have regarding travel into Mexico.