Nogales is safe enough, but here, every foreigner is closely watched, as if under a magnifying glass. . The country may be the top destination for U.S. travelers, but violent crime is soaring, leaving travelers questioning whether Mexico is safe to visit. We both agreed to never cross the border on a weekend. Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Nogales, AZ. So far, the turf battles have not spilled over into residential areas in Santa Cruz County . The total time from queuing up to setting foot on American soil: 32 minutes. (LogOut/ The tourists crossing into Nogales are going to visit the dentist or pharmacy, and thats it. Americans with plans to go to 11 other Mexican states should reconsider, the agency says. Despite the reputation for drug violence and underground tunnels, we decided to see what the town is really like. We werent asked for a passport, or to declare anything. Does it still exist, and how does one find it? A few blocks away, on Pirgos Street, the kidnappers told the victims to get out of the vehicle. After ten minutes or so of the line-shoving, our conversation partner asked what was going on. Nogales is the epicenter, accounting for 60 percent of all drugs that come into Arizona, he says. Its also not a stretch to say that Nogales is the worst smelling place Ive ever visited. So far, the turf battles have not spilled over into residential areas in Santa Cruz County, Estrada says. San Carlos is a small little community that lines the Ocean . Nogales: downtown, yep Explore proven sources on this subject prior to your visit to the city. It shares a 230-mile border with Texas, and murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, extortion and sexual assault commonly occur, the State Department says. Plus, on the chance you get stopped in Mexico, you could find it difficult to leave. And passing through Nogales so I wanted some heads up. Violence in the small border town escalated in January and resulted in the departure of a large number of families from a community where residents live in constant fear, hardly ever leaving their . People were friendly, helpful. I ended up moving here in August of 2018. We paid our $5.00, and left the green ticket in the car window. I will never go back. Don't worry; compared to Arizona's property crime rate, Nogales still has a lower average of 16.32%. We chose a small apartment when we moved to Arizona so we could still enjoy the privilege of travel when we want. "Working at the ports of entry securing our . Better than the U.S. in our opinion. The downtown area consists of bars, pharmacies, hotels, restaurants, and a large number of curio stores, which sell a large variety of artesanias (handicrafts, leather art, handmade . Nogales crime rates are 28% higher than the national average. Nogaless proximity to the U.S. border and the abundance of inexpensive labor make it an efficient location for foreign companies to have manufacturing operations. It depends on what you want. Antonio Martir, who works in a beauty salon in a shopping center where La Soriana supermarket is located, heard gunfire and grenade explosions in the afternoon of Aug. 5 from a chase that went past on the street nearby. It is home my lils and i feel at homr in Mexico, being welcomed there as their own. Mexican nationals asking Americans for money is a way of life, dont take it personal, hold up your hand or a simple no. Additionally, CJNG operators have been arrested at the San Luis Ro Colorado border crossing and killed in the Empalme municipality, both in the southwestern part of the state. I appreciate your comment and like you said WATCH YOUR SURROUNDINGS. Divided by International Avenue, the two communities are together known as Ambos Nogales (Spanish: "Both Nogales"). (LogOut/ Finally, the Jalisco Cartel New Generation (Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacin - CJNG), which maintains a constant war with the Sinaloa Cartel in several regions of the country, has moved in on Sonora, though its role there appears to be limited. San Carlos is still a quaint very inexpensive place to vacation. The goal of the operation is to increase the law-enforcement presence in the city and create deterrence, Ramrez says. With the rate of 138 homicides per 100,000 residents, almost six people are killed every day in Tijuana, according to the Citizens Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice. Advisories released last month by the U.S. State Department tell Americans not to set foot in five Mexican states Sinaloa, Colima, Michoacan, Guerrero and Tamaulipas because of violent crime. Even with a slight decrease this year, Arizona accounts for 43 percent of all seized marijuana along the southwestern U.S. border despite having only 13 percent of the nearly 2,000 miles of the border, Coulson says. Understand []. See the table on nearby places below for nearby cities. Really enjoyed this read. Crossing the border was as simple as could be. In Nogales, Mexico, there was a mountain pass between the cities of Nogales and Mexico City, and there were many Walnut trees in this area. After all, thousands cross every day to earn a living. And I was quite surprised how quiet my room was being that close. A fun casual time. Many high-quality goods are on display, as well as a variety of hand-made items. Shopping good, pharmacy prices much cheaper than US (and same name brand meds). Most merchants prefer US dollars (paper currency, not coins) over Mexican pesos to settle transactions. Tip: take a small magnet to check if jewelry is real. "It's not directed at Juan who works in the carwash; it's not about them," Ramrez says. Unexpected changes in sidewalk elevation occur without warning. Its also right next door to Regis, a popular local bar, which is great! Sonora wrapped up last year with 1,765 murders and a 20 percent increase in its homicide rate, according to the news outlet El Sol de Hermosillo. Thanks for your comments, glad you found it useful. First of all, the rumors of gun battles in the streets and drug trafficking on every corner are simply not true. As a result, strong community-police partnerships are essential in reducing crime. "This is happening out on the street," Coulson says. The municipality has a hot desert climate (Kppen climate classification BWh), with average temperatures of 27C in the day and 10C at night. The shop owners laugh & tell me how smart I am. Ive also stayed at Hotel San Carlos. It is against the rules to bring any personal items. It was amusing to watch the spectacle from a distance. Thanks for the write-up and your articles! SEE ALSO:How Mexicos Small Armies Came to Commit a Massacre. . Strolling through Tucson and Sedona's perfectly maintained sidewalks can spoil a person. I would visit, as a white female, the city very often from 2013 2018 alone, with no issues. But due to poor border controls and a bad criminal situation in the city, you must always be on the alert. Use only certified taxi services or call it from the app. Uber in Mexico tends to be cheaper than in the U.S. Prices will vary, but plan to pay about $75-100 pesos ($3.50-5USD) for 20 minute rides. It felt weird crossing the border back into the U.S. without anything to declare. The town is no more dangerous than any other city in the U.S. after dark. Nogales is the epicenter, accounting for 60 percent of all drugs that come into Arizona, he says. The veteran drug lord, however, may be little more than a figurehead who gives the cartel clout. Check the Creative Commons website for more details of how to share our work, and please send us an email if you use an article. Although a pair of $15 Aztec-themed onyx bookends caught my eye, I had nowhere to put them and didnt feel like carrying them around. Female travel alone is not recommended in this city. Taxi drivers polite and fast. People stared at us everywhere we went. In Mexico, a similar FDA agency regulates the sale and distribution of prescription and non-prescription drugs. Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2017-2021: 48.7%: Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2017-2021: $139,300: Median selected monthly owner costs -with a mortgage, 2017-2021: $1,083: Median selected monthly owner costs -without a mortgage, 2017-2021: $334: Median gross rent, 2017-2021: $592: Building permits, 2021: X: Families & Living . Traveling to Phoenix to visit a friend. The tourists crossing into Nogales are going to visit the dentist or pharmacy, not for having a travel inspiration. Violence has plagued Mexico's northern state of Sonora. Officials aren't telling Arizonans to stop traveling to Mexico, but they say travelers should be aware of the situation. My dentist expe.rance in Nogales was far better than what I had in the US, and a lot more affordable . The Australian government also expresses concern about the safety of areas frequented by vacationers. Additionally, the Cartel fights and Cartel and they try to avoid getting innocents, especially the tourists, involved. While the factions linked to El Mayo have attempted to keep a relatively low . This includes the subcontracting of local gangs such as the Barredora and the Plaza as the group's armed wings. In fact, McAllen, Texas, is the only border county in the United States with a lower rate of officer fatalities. Nogales is an amazing town to visit. If a pharmacist in Mexico sells controlled medications, he or she may lose his or her license if he or she violates the countrys legal requirements. This municipalitys 2010 population was 264,782 people. 1:31. ", The Australian government says there have been reports of sexual assault, extortion and robbery "being committed by individuals presenting themselves as police officers, sometimes driving automobiles resembling police vehicles. Nogales does not suffer much from terrorism so the risk of it is minimal here. I went to Nogales in 2018 and again last month if that helps. My list so far But there is no restaurant in the hotel, but a cafe attached that I havent tried. Millions of Americans visit the country annually without incident, but, if you heed the most recent government warnings and data, you may want to think twice about heading south of the border. 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