A day in Nogales, Sonora!
You must see Nogales, Mexico on your trip through beautiful and exciting Santa Cruz County. As you enter the main gate in downtown Nogales, Arizona, you are walking in the footsteps of man's history in North America. Origins of the highway through Nogales are traced directly to an ancient foot trail that ran to the ocean near Guaymas-San Carlos at the Gulf of California.
Just across the border from Nogales, Arizona, the two cities share the same name but the cultures have evolved separately. Fill your trip to Mexico with its traditions, wonderful shopping and great food. Take the time to enjoy the restaurants-La Roca and El Greco are a couple of local haunts but there are many terrific restaurants to choose from.
Walking is a popular way to cross the border and Nogales, AZ has many guarded parking lots close to the port-of-entry. Just follow Interstate 19 to the end in Nogales and the lot attendants will help you park. The cost to park your vehicle all day is very reasonable, generally under $5.00, and most of the shopping and eating attractions are close to the border and within easy walking distance.
As you enter Mexico, you will see the Flag Island of the Americas, which has banners for all of the Mexican states-Nogales is in the state of Sonora. Turn right at Campillo Street and walk down three blocks to Obregon Street-now you can shop, browse, explore and enjoy the people, places, sights, and sounds of Mexico.
If your love is pottery, glassware, furniture, baskets, rugs, leather, or jewelry you will, if you look, find unique and beautiful pieces at reasonable cost. Prices at the shops are not fixed so prepare to enjoy bargaining-negotiate a price. Business is done in English and American currency is preferred. Caveat emptor, let the buyer beware: check the quality of the product, before you begin bargaining.
Before crossing the border give the U.S. Customs office a call to check for current regulations. The Mexican and U.S. Customs offices are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions (520) 287-1410. You may also call (520) 885-0694 for more information.
For general information on traveling in Mexico, visit our Visiting Mexico page.
For more information on visiting Nogales, Sonora:
Sonoran Emergency (like 911): 066
Operator: 091
Bilingual Operator: 070
US Consulate (Nogales): 631-313-4820
US Customs: 520-287-1410
Border Patrol: 520-761-2400
CANACO (Chamber of Commerce Nogales, Sonora)
011-52-631-31-2-02-03
011-52-631-31-2-48-55
Office of Tourism (Nogales, Sonora)
011-52-631-31-2-06-66
http://www.canaconogales.com.mx/
http://www.gotosonora.com/
DRIVING FROM TUCSON
If you are coming down from Tucson, AZ, take I-19 south, it will end in Downtown Nogales, AZ. As you approach the end of I-19, you will see a Burger King on the left side of the road as you are going around the curve. Just as you go around the curve, on your right side, there will be a sign for Ed's Parking Lot, along with a man waving you in. The entrance to the parking lot is just before the crosswalk. Parking fee’s for all parking lots are $4
DRIVING FROM The Nogales Chamber of Commerce
From the Chamber of Commerce (which is at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Highway 82), drive south approximately 1.5 miles. At Crawford Street, turn right. There is a Wells Fargo Bank on the right and the old City Hall on your left. Once on Crawford St. turn left on Sonoita Ave. Once on Sonoita Ave. you will see Ed's Parking Lot. Parking fee’s for all parking lots are $4 (All-day secured parking)
DRIVING ACROSS THE BORDER
Should you decide to drive across the border and remain within the Border Zone (usually up to 20 kilometers south of the U.S.-Mexico Border) or Free Trade Zone (including the Baja California Peninsula and the Sonora Free Trade Zone) there are no procedures to comply with. However, if you wish to pass these zones, you must secure a permit.
ENTERING MEXICO
-Once you park, walk south through the parking lot until you reach Terrace Ave. You will walk across the street, and follow the pathway to the Port of Entry.
-Business is conducted in English. American currency is preferred. Bartering is expected except in restaurants.
-Don't take firearms or ammunition into Mexico unless you have a pre-arranged hunting trip and have the necessary permits.
-Business is conducted in English. American currency is preferred. Bartering is expected except in restaurants.
IMPORTANT CHANGE IN INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Beginning on January 23, 2007, all persons - including U.S. citizens - traveling by air from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to have a passport (unless traveling with a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, asylee or refugee document, Merchant Mariner's Document or NEXUS Air card) to enter the United States.
The change will be implemented in two phases. The timeline is as follows:
As early as January 1, 2008: All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or other documents for land/sea entries.
For more information, please visit http://www.travel.state.gov/ or http://www.dhs.gov/.
For more information about applying for a passport, U.S. citizens may visit http://www.travel.state.gov/ or call the National Passport Information Center toll free at 1-877-4USA-PPT or TDD/TYY: 1-888-874-7793. Foreign nationals should contact their respective governments to obtain passports.