Border Region

Agua Prieta

Nogales

San Luis RC

Sonoyta

Coastal Sonora

Northern Sonora

Central Sonora

Southern Sonora

Autos wait to cross into the U.S. at the DeConcini port of entry in Nogales

Nogales Sonora

Nogales is the major border entry to Sonora from Arizona.  It has approximately 175,000 residents, many of whom came from other parts of Mexico to work in one of the many cross-border manufacturing operations known as maquiladoras.  

The main tourist attractions for tourists are the shops and street vendors in the neighborhood near the border crossing. Nogales is known for its difficult traffic conditions, so visitors would be well advised to park in one of the many parking lots near the border.  The parking lots typically charge $4.00 for short-term parking (no longer than a day), and you may want to give a dollar to the lot attendant for “insurance.”  Longer-term parking is also available, in a lot just north of the nearby McDonald’s parking lot.

You won’t need any special documentation to cross the border, although you will need to present a birth certificate or passport to U.S. Customs Officials when returning to the United States. After walking through the metal turnstiles to enter Mexico, if carrying a bag or packages you will need to stop in the Mexican Customs area and push the button (that looks like a crosswalk button) next to what looks like two stoplights.  If the green light “Pase” is displayed, you can continue walking.  If the red “Revision” light is displayed, the Mexican Customs agent will inspect the contents of your bags.

After passing through Customs, you will encounter a swarm of taxi drivers.  If you just want to do tourist shopping you can politely tell them “no, gracias!”  If you need a taxi ride, make sure you arrange a price with the driver before getting in the taxi. 

The Nogales tourist shopping district can be found by following the crowd of border crossers.  Basically, take a left turn at the first opportunity, walk a block or so (this is where many of the border pharmacies are located - click here for more information), and you’ll begin to see the stores and street vendors.  

You’ll soon find yourself being invited (usually quite exuberantly) by salespeople standing in the doorway of stores.

Pharmacies in Nogales Sonora

Dentists in Nogales Sonora

Lodging

Lodging in Nogales Sonora

Lodging in Nogales Arizona

Related Links

Planet Nogales - because Nogales is like a whole other world

Virtual Nogales - shop the border online

Shot glasses and other products

If you're in the market for a cow skull, Nogales Sonora has a fine selectiom of them

There's lots of eager, friendly salespeople in Nogales, Sonora, ready to make a deal

Art figures for the Day of the Dead

Colorful painted metal curios