An Afternoon… in Los Algodones, Mexico

Los Algodones, Mexico… Situated on the Mexican.. Californian, and Arizonian (Yuma) borders… Legendary among Snowbirds for its high quality, low cost dental services and Pharmaceuticals… And consequently, a Winter destination for tens of thousands of Canadian & American retirees.  This Travel Post comes from a recent day trip that Alice and I took to Los Algodones, along with our good friends from Michigan, Bruce & Sue Burt.

In many ways Los Algodones looks to be just another crowded, dusty little Mexican border town tucked into the NE corner of Baja California… But after walking a few blocks across the border, one can not help but notice the difference – dozens of Dental Offices… Drug Stores… Opticians… Chiropractors… Massage Therapists… mixed in amidst the colorful myriad of Courtyard, sidewalk, and street vendors.   English & Spanish are both spoken here.

Map of Los Algodones Border Region 

 

Getting to Los Algodones is simple:   Off Interstate-8 (Winterhaven, CA), take California exit 166 South (Los Algodones Road, CA 186).   Note the Quechan Casino Resort on the immediate right (West) side of the road.   The border is about 2 miles further on CA 186. 

Once arrived, parking for folks crossing the border is provided by the Fort Yuma-Quechan Tribe Reservation.   In the picture below, that parking can be seen behind the chain-link fence on the right.   It is a large lot, capable of handling several hundreds of vehicles.      

Sue & Alice approaching the border crossing into Los Algodones.

Sue & Alice leaving the Fort Yuma-Quechan Indian Reservation parking lot (right), and approaching the border crossing into Los Algodones.

The actual process of crossing into Mexico is simple… Remember – NO guns, or ammunition, is allowed – Period.   Other than that, just walk thru… like the picture below shows.   Coming back into the United States, tho… will be an entirely different matter.

Entering Mexico... Alice, Sue & Bruce Burt.

Crossing the Mexican Border… Alice, Sue & Bruce Burt.

Once having passed through the border gate, the very first thing encountered is the locally famous, ‘Purple Pharmacy“.   This is perhaps the best known Los Algodones pharmacy, albeit, not the one Alice and I prefer (‘Phoenix Pharmacy’, located on Avenida B).   Inside these stores are neat, clean, displays of Pharmaceuticals.   English is spoken well, and American Currency is welcomed.   I purchased a year’s supply of generic Prilosec for about $12… saving over $130 compared to Walmart Generic prices.   We should note, up to a 90-day supply of prescription medication purchased in Mexico is allowed duty-free into the U.S.   However, any prescription filled for controlled substances requires a U.S. doctor’s prescription to re-enter the USA.       

Upon entering Mexico, the first thing on sees... is the famous "Purple Pharmacy".

Upon entering Mexico, the first thing one sees… is the famous Purple Pharmacy. Great prices on standard Drug Store and Pharmaceutical items.

Walking further down the main street entrance (Calle Miguel Hidalgo), we came upon the ‘Plaza Pueblo’ at the intersection of ‘Avenida A’.   Inside are many courtyard & sidewalk vendor spaces, including a nice enclosed outdoor Restaurant. 

At the first intersection after entering Los Algodones.

Plaza Pueblo… At the first intersection, ‘Avenida A’, after entering Los Algodones.

Across the street from the ‘Plaza Pueblo’ is this street corner with many jewelry vendors, Painted art works, $5.00 Chair Massages, and fresh vegetable vendors… 

The other side of the intersection.

The other side of the intersection across from Plaza Pueblo.   Note the street vendors on the corner.

On this trip, Alice and I were looking for a wooden sign to place in front of our Motorhome that identifies us as ‘Michiganders’.   A very popular and reputable Mexican small partnership… Algodones Spray Paint Art… has been located on this corner for at least the last couple of years.   Click on their link to see some of their work.   Well done!

Alice, discussing with Ruben a new Motorhome sign for us.

Alice, discussing with Ruben of Algodones Spray Paint Art a new Motorhome sign for us.   Ruben and Marlon, owners and artists, have earned a considerable following.

More shopping… an enclosed sidewalk display of various vendor wares.

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Alice, Sue, and Bruce taking a good look at some Blankets.

We saw several displays of (what appeared to be) handmade little girls dresses… If ya have a granddaughter, next to impossible not to buy one. 

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These beautiful little dresses… just right for a granddaughter… Alice bought one for ours of course.

We found this unique store for stained glass art work… items for sale, or orders taken for customized creations. 

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Stained Glass objects… for sale, or can be custom ordered.

One of our most favorite places is ‘Plaza Guadalajara’… the enclosed outdoor restaurant is beautiful.   Dental offices are located in this courtyard, pharmacies, and even a Barber shop with $3.00 haircuts. 

Los Algodones

Plaza Guadalajara… Three dollar haircuts at a barber shop in this courtyard just to the right.

People on Los Algodones are extremely friendly.   Most vendors come from around the Northern Baja California region and stay for the ‘season’ – October thru March, when the American & Canadian snowbirds come to Arizona.

A very friendly lady named ‘Filomena’, who spent time showing me around her items on display in Plaza Pueblo.

As I strolled thru Plaza Pueblo, I encountered these two lovely young senorita’s offering to pose for this picture in front of their vendor store front.

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Mary… and Mary… Friendly young women ‘tending store’ in Plaza Pueblo. All the sidewalk, courtyard, and street vendors were extremely friendly & pleasant.

Located in Plaza Pueblo… more courtyard wares, ceramics, and metal art.

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More traditional Mexican products located behind Plaza Pueblo.

More of the courtyard vender wares… leather works of all kind.

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Belt displays are commonly found in all areas of Los Algodones… and very excellent selections of belts at that. I bought one last year, and it is wearing well.

Bruce and Sue at Phoenix Pharmacy.   The counter clerks all seem to speak English well… and are quite helpful with understanding American Border Customs laws for the purchase of pharmaceuticals.

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Phoenix Pharmacy… USA quality pharmaceuticals at greatly lower prices… This is our favorite pharmacy located on Avenida B, just East of Calle Miguel Hidalgo.

Late afternoon and time to head back home…  Shopping is over, and we slowly head back to the border point to cross back into the United States.

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Heading back to the border… A view of Los Algodones from the East side… Note the Water Tower for perspective..

Difficult to see here… but this covered sidewalk is the line to re-enter America.   As we visited on a busy day, it took us 40 minutes to get thru.   No pictures allowed of the US Customs processing center….  Customs officials here are rather the “stern, no-nonsense types”.   Requirements for American Citizens to re-enter the United States are generally either 1.) U.S. Passport… 2.) U.S. Passport Card… or 3.) an Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (Issued by only some states).  

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The line to re-enter the USA can be long, as shown in this picture. It took us 40 minutes to clear Customs.   Customs Officials at this crossing are the stern, no-nonsense types.

To view a full-screen, high-resolution slideshow of An Afternoon… in Los Algodones, Mexico, click the ‘curved arrow‘ just below the picture on the right.   To return to normal display, hit [Esc] key.   Otherwise, place cursor over the picture to display the slideshow control buttons.   Comments are Welcomed!

Thank you for taking time to view our post.   Based on our experiences, we would not hesitate to recommend an afternoon in Los Algodones… if for no other reason than to just visit & look around.   People here are friendly… English is commonly spoken, and the vendor wares and restaurants make the time pleasurable.   And $5.00 massages… and $3.00 haircuts… 😎

Safe Travels!
Jim & Alice LaPeer 

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9 thoughts on “An Afternoon… in Los Algodones, Mexico

  1. Always great to hear from you and about your adventures. You are doing retirement the right way!

    Cheers

    Jim Saalfeld

  2. Glad to see you are enjoying your life on the road. We continue to travel as much as we can. We are in Benson and enjoying the beautiful weather and many friends. Hello to Sue and Bruce. Sandi and Nullet

    • Hi, Sandi & Nullet! Good to hear from you folks! We think of you often, and the advice on driving, and Heart Ranch that you gave us. We see Bruce & Sue often, so we will pass on the “Hello”. If you get towards Yuma, give us a shout – we are just off I-80…
      Jim & Alice.

  3. Hello you two! Good to read of your adventures… we remember meeting Sue & Bruce in Benson… hello to them, also. We have been busy with planning for our new home in Tucson. In fact, closing on it tomorrow… fingers crossed! We are most excited… Tom looks forward to a shop and yard to putter in, and once again spreading out and enjoying his gem & mineral collection. We will again be only part-time RVers enjoying vacations/trips in our motorhome. Hope to see you again one day.
    Be well! Dianne & Tom

  4. Jim, I continue to enjoy your posts! Keep them coming. And let us know when you and Alice decide to do the Blue Ridge Parkway, in our backyard.

    • Hi, Jim – good to hear from you! Yes… if/when Alice and I decide to go East of the Mississippi… we will certainly do the Blue Ridge Parkway and come a visiting you way. Hope all is well for you and family.
      Jim & Alice

  5. Hello Jim and Alice!

    Yesterday I was just telling my neighbor here in our RV park about your trips to Mexico for pharmaceuticals and this morning I see your email! Glad to hear that you are still making your trips down there as our neighbors here can no longer cross in Texas where they used to winter over.

    Los Algodones looks lovely and glad to hear you are both doing well.

    Kim and Jan Rossiter

    • Hello, Kim and Jan. Good to hear from you! I still remember that great hike we took at Sacred Mountain… Things are well for us, and hope the same for you. Lets stay in contact… and if ever close again, get together and catch up.
      Jim & Alice

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