Trip to Algodones Mexico

A few days ago we went to the Mexican town of Algodones which is just a few miles south of the American Girl Mine area. Here's what driving out of camp looks like.

 

The drive to the border was about ten miles south and east.  We parked in the huge parking lot on the US side.  Parking was $6 for all day.

 

The border crossing into the town is effectively uncontrolled.  It did not require any paperwork or examination of identification by Mexican authorities.

 On the day we visited (and I suspect everyday) the streets were jammed with Americans.  Most of them were either  buying prescription drugs or getting dental work done.  Walking thru the town, it seems like most of the dentists in Mexico must live in Algodones.  The lower cost is significant.  I priced the Lantus insulin that Ina uses.  A pack of five pens was $60.  A non-starter for us since our co-payment from Express scripts is only $20 for twice that quantity. For those without insurance, it would probably be a bargain.

For many retirees the cost of glasses is probably also significantly lower.   Even for those who have US dental insurance, Mexican dental care is probably a bargain especially for expensive procedures such as implants. I did not price eye glasses since I already have several extra pairs.

From the photos you can see that virtually every doorway is the entrance to a dentist office, pharmacy, or optometrist.

Our visit last year to the town of Boquillas in Big Bend last year was totally different.  Boquillas was a quiet uncrowded little village with friendly people and better restaurants.  There I actually had the chance to sit and have a nice conversation with one of the residence.  A walk in Algodones is somewhat like walking thru a whole town full of high-pressure used car salesmen.  You cannot take two steps without being urged to buy something or asked if you need dental care. Annoying!

We did find one enterprising young street performer doing what I assume is native dancing.  He was working hard for tips and posed for a picture with Ina.

We did have some fairly good fish tacos at a restaurant.   The garish ceramics and other tourist goods being sold were not very interesting to us. Although prices were good, most of the stuff is not practical (e.g. too big or too heavy) to transport around the country in the RV.  We only bought a couple of tiny figurines.  A brief show of our passports and a question on what we were bringing back was all that was needed to re-enter the US.

The return to American Girl Mine BLM was uneventful.