I’ll have to admit I was a bit skeptical with today’s trip. We crossed over the border 10 or 11 years ago from Laredo, TX and I did NOT have a good experience. Back then, the guy in front of me was taken away in handcuffs and the Border Patrol starting asking me lots of questions; which were all about my camera and pictures I’d taken. My camera was the issue then and this time… I kept said camera in my pocket!!!!!!! I can’t emphasize that enough! Border crossings don’t like camera’s. Don’t take photo’s guys!
Did I mention…. border crossings don’t like camera’s??? It’s a real thing guys! Do not try to film going across or coming back into the States, especially. Going across to MX is easier to photograph but coming back into the States… you have to be mindful.
They do give you the heads up to make a U-turn.
So, why are we going to Mexico? First off, we’re only 11 miles from the border…. and we want to go check out some things we’ve seen online and from talking to other RVer’s…
Los Alagodones, MX to be specific; for their optical services, dental, and prescription drugs. We just want to check the scene out. And maybe I’ll find me an authentic street taco.
I will forewarn you… some of you reading this are going to be mortified. Mortified because we’re doing this and considering this, mortified because we’re so close to the border, mortified that we might consider purchases of prescription drugs. But I did my homework as we made two trips into MX during our time in Yuma, AZ.
We parked the Jeep just a few hundred yards from the Mexico border. Paid $6 USD for the day and headed into Mexico on foot. Who did we pay that fee too… The Quechan Tribe. They operate a secure parking lot for visitors to leave their car and continue on their excursion.
We parked the Jeep, grabbed our bags for the day; which had water, passports, dr. license (?) I don’t know why I thought I needed that…. and we had some snacks with us. Our mission was to explore a 2 block area. We weren’t interested in going outside that perimeter.
Los Algodones, MX was a little weird, I’ll admit. Some places were wide-open to the street, while others were blocked by “stuff” hanging all over the walkway. We stayed away from the blocked area. There was just something a bit sketchy that neither of us trusted with the blocked alley ways… such as in front of Phoenix Drug Store. I did want to go in there but I wasn’t going to be blocked in like that. You just have to pay attention. You have to have be self-aware.
Do you see all that stuff hanging all over the street view…. I wasn’t going through that. We stayed on the open side of the street.
Like I said, I was a bit skeptical of the landscape in some parts. Mom/Mom In Law … if you’re reading… we are FINE… we’ve talked to you since both our trips. 🙂
Ok, so one of main purposes was scoping out prescription drugs that cost a fortune in the states, but are manufactured by the same companies and some go to the US and some to other countries…
And the street taco was found and it didn’t give me stomach issues… just sayin’. For all you folks wanting to ask that question… 🙂
I’ve eaten lots of local made foods along our RV Way…. And that taco was the best ever! $2 USD.
Pharmacies and Liquor stores are all in the same. I think this is the most Rum I’ve ever seen displayed.
Now, let’s talk about the prescriptions, eye-care, and dentist procedures.
They only have optometrist here. 2 hour prescription glasses ranging from $60-$120 USD. From what we saw it was a basic eye exam, just like in the states. The difference was the price for glasses.
Women and Men’s hair cuts… Trapper got his done for $5 USD and gave a $2 tip. He looked like he enjoyed it?
And yes… prescriptions…. Well, here’s my story. I pay, in the states, with insurance $225-$350 for 5 of these insulin pens – they are $18/pen in Mexico which is 5/$90. It’s the same stuff as the states.
Allegra, I can buy cheaper in the states…. I did buy a lesser dosage in MX than the USA but a bit higher cost. I paid $5 USD for 10 pills. This is over the counter in both countries and I can buy it cheaper it in the states. As I’ve learned…. you have to look at the active ingredient to sum up what you’re actually buying. Again, I can buy this cheaper in the states.
I stocked up on Amoxicillin… 100 pills for $5 USD.
I was quite selective on our purchases…. I turned many folks down and we actually bought very little.
As far as dental…. well… there are several and we toured one facility. It looked just like the USA and the prices and reviews were good. $1100 for an implant.
Cleaning $25, etc…. $100/per quadrant for deep cleaning… pretty reasonable. And as they will tell you… prices are negotiable.
So, to sum things up with our two trips to Los Algodones… do you’re own research. Be prepared to be hit with lots of beggers on the street. Going in and coming out. Bring cash. Bring your passport.
For us, we are headed back to Quartzsite, AZ.