McAllen to Reynosa (Del Rio, Rio Grande City, Roma: car insurance, pharmacy, live in)

[Repubocrat]

I am thinking about visiting McAllen in a couple weeks and crossing into Mexico via Reynosa but I keep hearing conflicting reports. Some people say Reynosa is really dangerous others say that it is not too bad. Has anybody here crossed over lately and what was your experience like in Reynosa.

[Mcallen Kid]

Last month there were 3 shoot outs in Reynosa just blocks from the International bridge. i dont think is safe, but if you go then dont go alone.

[hellpaso]

Don't go. Period.

[love roses]

My husband's job has him going to all those places lately. He's been to Del Rio most recently. He said he didn't feel unsafe but that it's kind of freaky to see soldiers outfitted in black carrying heavy weaponry at the crossings.

[texan55]

sit in your room. afraid.

don't do anything that may be unsafe.

stop driving cars.

don't eat fatty food.

watch tv.

don't move.

don't do anything illegal.

stay in your room.













just go.

[missprincessavd]

I just went today and even though there are always reports of bad things going on, where in the world is there not? I felt very comfortable, but if you go, go with a group, not alone.

[jtur88]

Go up to Roma or Rio Grande City and cross there. Easier in Rio Grande City, because driving through Camargo on the other side is not confusing. From Camargo, a good road link to major highway connections. You will be perfectly safe in Camargo and on the highways leading south from there.

If all you want to do is go over to a Mexican town for a day of atmosphere, cross at Roma into Ciudad Miguel Aleman, which is a decent sized town, but not big enough to have anything going on for you to worry about. I think you can leave your car on the US side and just walk acros the bridge, and be right in downtown Aleman. At Camargo, it would be several miles from the border to the town, so you'd need to drive across.

If you are not going down into Mexico away from the border, there are no entry formalities in Mexico. Just walk or drive in, nobody will pay any attention. Your car insurance will not protect you while your car is in Mexico. You'll have to deal with Patriot Act Nuts when you try to get back, but returning to the US from Mexico nowadays is actually even easier than returning from Canada. Americans returning on foot from Mexico get no hassle at all, even if you're carrying a shopping bag from a pharmacy.

[LiveUrban]

Please don't go

[jtur88]

Please ignore people who say Please Don't Go. Mexico is a nice country, and full of nice people. The border cities are pretty unrepresentative of the country, but at least by going there, you will know something. Ignore the people who know nothing.

In fact, this might be a better time to go. The people who are not drug lords and kidnappers and gun smugglers will be even more anxious to show you the good, friendly, hospitable side of Mexico. Mexicans are proud of their country, and now, more than ever, would love to impress you with how nice it is.

If at any time you feel scared or threatened, walk up to any Mexican (one who is NOT paying any attention to you---beware of people who say "allo-fran") and say "Ayuda me, por favor" (Help me, please). They will drop what they are doing and do what they can to find out what you need and assist you. If you are really in serious trouble, you will become a community project of people who are didicated to your safety, and they will see you through. You're never alone in Mexico.

[Shade Tree Mechanic]

I live in McAllen and find the Progresso area to be the most safe. I try to stay out of the other places because of the problems in those cities. But, Nuevo Progresso, I feel safe because it is a fairly small place.