Each border town features international crossings between both countries.

Tijuana, Mexico – San Diego, USA

Crossing: San Ysidro Port of Entry, Otay Mesa Port of Entry.

Tijuana is a bustling city located on the Mexico-USA border, just south of San Diego, California. Known for its vibrant culture, Tijuana offers a mix of traditional Mexican charm and modern development.

Visitors can explore Avenida Revolución, a famous street filled with shops, restaurants, and nightlife. The city also has beautiful beaches like Playas de Tijuana and a lively arts scene.

Mexicali, Mexico – Calexico, USA

Crossing: Calexico West Port of Entry, Calexico East Port of Entry.

Mexicali, the capital of Baja California, is a city with a rich agricultural and industrial history. It’s known for its scorching summers and delicious cuisine, including the world-famous Baja California-style fish tacos.

Visitors can explore museums, and parks, and enjoy the local music scene.

Nogales, Mexico – Nogales, USA

Crossing: DeConcini Port of Entry, Mariposa Port of Entry.

Nogales is a unique border town that straddles both Mexico and the USA.

It’s divided by a border fence, but its people share strong cultural ties. The town is famous for its shopping opportunities in Nogales, Sonora, offering everything from traditional Mexican crafts to modern goods.

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico – El Paso, USA

Crossing: Paso del Norte Bridge, Bridge of the Americas, Stanton Street Bridge.

Ciudad Juarez is a city with a vibrant history.

It has seen significant industrial growth over the years and is known for its thriving maquiladora industry. Visitors can explore historical sites like the Benito Juarez Monument and enjoy delicious street tacos.

Ciudad Acuña, Mexico – Del Rio, USA

Crossing: Del Rio-Ciudad Acuña International Bridge.

Located across the border from Del Rio, Texas, Ciudad Acuña is a tranquil town known for its friendly atmosphere. Acuña is an excellent place to enjoy traditional Mexican cuisine and a relaxed atmosphere.

Piedras Negras, Mexico – Eagle Pass, USA

Crossing: Eagle Pass International Bridge 1 and 2.

Piedras Negras is famous for being the birthplace of the delicious dish, “carne asada.” It’s a city with a rich culinary heritage and offers a blend of Mexican and Texan flavors. You can find excellent food and hospitality here.

Nuevo Laredo, Mexico – Laredo, USA

Crossing: Gateway to the Americas Bridge, Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge, World Trade International Bridge.

Nuevo Laredo is a busy border city adjacent to Laredo, Texas. It’s a crucial trade hub and is known for its international trade and logistics activities. The city is a gateway for goods traveling between Mexico and the USA.

Reynosa, Mexico – McAllen, USA

Crossing: McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge, Anzalduas International Bridge.

Reynosa is another bustling border city, neighboring McAllen, Texas. Reynosa is a significant industrial and commercial center. The city’s culture is a unique fusion of Mexican and Texan influences.

Matamoros, Mexico – Brownsville, USA

Crossing: Gateway International Bridge, Brownsville & Matamoros International Bridge, Veterans International Bridge.

Matamoros is a city on the southern border of Texas, across from Brownsville. It boasts a beautiful waterfront and offers a glimpse of Mexico’s Gulf Coast culture. It’s known for its lively music scene, especially the “conjunto” music.

These border towns are fascinating places to visit and explore.

Towns along the Mexico-USA border can be a great travel experience. Many of these areas are thriving hubs of cultural exchange. But they may also face challenges related to immigration, security, and drug trafficking.

Check the specific situation in the city you plan to visit.

Stay informed about travel advisories

Check for travel advisories and updates from reliable sources or local authorities. These resources provide valuable information about safety conditions, potential risks, and any precautions you should take during your visit.

Choose well-traveled areas

Opt for well-populated and tourist-friendly areas when exploring border towns.

Popular spots often have increased security measures and a higher police presence, contributing to a safer environment for visitors. Avoiding isolated or less-frequented areas can reduce the likelihood of encountering safety issues.

Respect local laws and customs

Respecting local laws and customs is essential for a safe and respectful visit. Be aware of and adhere to any regulations, especially those related to border crossings, immigration procedures, and personal safety.

Familiarize yourself with the local culture to ensure you interact respectfully with the community.

Use common-sense safety measures

Apply common-sense safety measures during your visit.

Keep your belongings secure, be cautious in unfamiliar surroundings, and stay vigilant in crowded areas. Traveling with a group or guided tour can enhance your safety by providing local insights and support.

Consult local authorities

Don’t hesitate to consult local authorities or tourism offices. They can provide guidance on current conditions, areas to avoid, and any specific precautions you should take based on the latest information and situation.

Connect with fellow travelers

Talk with other travelers or join group activities to enhance safety. Traveling with others provides mutual support, and sharing experiences with fellow tourists can offer valuable insights into navigating the local environment.

While border towns present unique challenges, they also offer incredible cultural experiences and friendly communities. Take all the necessary precautions, you can enjoy your visit to these crossroads of two nations.

If you plan to explore the US part of these border towns, whether it’s for a brief and casual visit or a more extended stay, it’s important to be aware that you may be required to obtain a US B1/B2 visa.

However, there are exceptions.

If you are a citizen of a country that is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you can travel to the US for up to 90 days with just an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) instead of a B1/B2 visa.

It’s important to check your specific situation and eligibility for the VWP or other visa exemptions.

Additionally, border regulations can change, so it’s a good idea to consult the official website of the US Department of State or U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the most up-to-date information before your trip.

Heroic cities in Veracruz state:

• Alvarado
• Córdoba
• Cosamalopapan
• Coscomatepec
• Cosoleacaque
• Temapache
• Tlapacoyan
• Veracruz

Heroic cities in Sonora state:

• Caborca
• Cananea
• Guaymas
• Nogales
• Ures

Heroic cities in Oaxaca state:

• Taniche (?)
  
• Ejutla de Crespo
• Huajapan de León
• Juchitán
• Tlaxiaco

Heroic cities in Coahuila state:

• Candela
• Paredón
• Torreón

Heroic cities in Zacatecas state:

• Puente de Calderón (?)
  
• Jalpa (?)
• Nochistan
• Juchipila
• Zacatecas

Heroic cities in Tamaulipas state:

• Matamoros
• Tampico
• Camargo (?)
  

Heroic cities in Mexico state:

• Jocotitlán
• Tenango del Valle

Heroic cities in Michoacan state:

• Tacámbaro
• Zitácuaro

Heroic cities in Puebla state:

• Atlixco
• Puebla
• Tetela de Ocampo (?)

Heroic cities in Tabasco state:

• Cárdenas
• Teapa

Heroic cities in Sinaloa state:

• Concordia
• Culiacan (?)

Heroic cities in Tlaxcala state:

• Huamantla
• Calpulalpan (?)

Heroic cities in Chihuahua state:

• Ciudad Juárez

Heroic cities in Baja California state:

• Tijuana

Heroic cities in Baja California Sur state:

• Mulegé

Heroic cities in Campeche state:

• Campeche
• Champotón (?)
  

Heroic cities in Chiapas state:

• Chiapa de Corzo

Heroic cities in Hidalgo state:

• Huichapan

Heroic cities in Morelos state:

• Cuautla

Heroic cities in Yucatan state:

• Valladolid

The independent Nogales Municipality, which included the town of Nogales, was established on July 11, 1884. The Nogales Municipality covers an area of 1,675 km². Nogales was declared a city within the Municipality on January 1, 1920.

Batalla del 27 de agosto de 1918 ~ Battle of Ambos Nogales

The international trade that existed between the two cities greatly propelled the economic development of Nogales, Sonora, and the greater Northern Sonora region, but that did not prevent significant problems from forming in the area after the outbreak of the 1910 Mexican Revolution.

On August 27, 1918, at about 4:10 pm, a gun battle erupted unintentionally when a Mexican civilian attempted to pass through the border, back to Mexico, without being interrogated at the U.S. Customs house. After the initial shooting, reinforcements from both sides rushed to the border. On the Mexican side, the majority of the belligerents were angry civilians upset with the killings of Mexican border crossers by the U.S. Army along the vaguely defined border between the two cities during the previous year (the U.S. Border Patrol did not exist until 1924). For the Americans, the reinforcements were the 10th Cavalry, off-duty 35th Regimental soldiers and milita. Hostilities quickly escalated and several soldiers were killed and others wounded on both sides. The mayor of Nogales, Sonora, Felix B. Peñaloza was killed when waving a white truce flag/handkerchief with his cane.

Due in part to the heightened hysteria caused by World War I, allegations surfaced that German agents fomented this violence and died fighting alongside the Mexican troops it was claimed they led into battle. U.S. newspaper reports in Nogales prior to the August 27, 1918 battle documented the departure of the Mexican garrison in Nogales, Sonora, to points south that August in an attempt to quell armed political rebels. Furthermore, an investigation by Army officials from Fort Huachuca, Arizona, could not substantiate accusations of militant German agents in the Mexican border community and instead traced the origins of the violence to the abuse of Mexican border crossers in the year prior to the Battle of Ambos Nogales. The main result of this battle was the building of the first permanent border fence between the two cities of Nogales. Though largely unheard of in the U.S. (and even within most of Mexico), the municipal leaders of Nogales, Sonora, successfully petitioned the Mexican Congress in 1961 to grant the Mexican border city the title of “Heroic City”, leading the community’s official name, Heroica Nogales, a distinction shared with the Sonoran cities of Guaymas, Caborca, and Ures, and a number of other cities in Mexico.

Escobarista Rebellion

Early in March 1929, the Escobarista Rebellion exploded in Nogales, sponsored by Obregonistas, supporters of Mexican president Álvaro Obregón, who had been assassinated on July 17, 1928. General Manuel Aguirre, commanding the rebellious 64th Regiment, took power without firing a shot, causing federales from Naco to send a daily airplane to attack the rebels. It dropped a few bombs over Nogales without doing any damage, while the rebels fought back with machine guns from the roofs without doing any damage to the airplane. There was only one casualty, a woman who was scared by a bomb explosion and had a heart attack. That same month, a hooded man appeared at night driving a tank on Morley Street on the U.S. side, then entered Mexico to help the federales in Naco. It seems that the tank had been bought in 1927 for fighting the Yaquis, but U.S. officials prohibited it from leaving the U.S., and it had been kept in a warehouse in Nogales, Arizona.

Nogales has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csa), with warm summers and cool winters, often presenting freezing temperatures.

As of 2000, the census reported that the City of Nogales had a population of 159,103 people, representing approximately 50% growth from 1990. By the 2005 census the official population of the city was 189,759, and that of Nogales Municipality was 193,517. At the latest census in 2010, the official numbers were 212,533 for the City of Nogales, and 220,292 for the Municipality.

The city and the municipality both rank third in the state in population, after Hermosillo and Ciudad Obregón. The municipality includes many outlying but small rural communities. The only other localities with over 1,000 inhabitants are La Mesa (2,996) 31°09′35″N 110°58′28″W and Centro de Readaptación Social Nuevo (2,203) 31°11′04″N 110°58′04″W. Nogales is served by Nogales International Airport.

The population growth is in part due to the influx of industry that has come since the opening of the maquiladora industry through the National Industrialization Program, decades before the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). During the 90s, this economic context was, in part, held by an important Sonora state social policy by the Secretary of Urban Infrastructure and Ecology, Vernon Perez Rubio, accomplishing the city´s total coverage on drinking water, with a 20-year guaranteed service. Manufacturing now accounts for 55% of the city’s gross domestic product, and services are growing as well, most of this caused by the growing jobs in the city.

Nogales is known for its recent enormous population growth which covers the hills along the central narrow north-south valley. Dispersed among the houses, the visitor will find a mixture of factories, stores, etc. In 2006, the southern half of the city experienced a modern urbanization development including shopping malls, wide avenues, and modern housing conglomerations.

At the center of Nogales, there is the Plaza de Benito Juárez. Here there is a statue with two leading figures designed by Spanish sculptor Alfredo Just. This is a tribute to Mexican President Benito Juárez, and the other is the “Monument to Ignorance”, where a naked man who represents the Mexican people is fighting with a winged creature that represents ignorance.

The primary commercial artery is Mexico Federal Highway 15, which links the state with the U.S. as well as major cities in Mexico.

In aviation, the city is served by the Aeropuerto internacional de Nogales, which, as of 2015 had no commercial airline service.

Due to its location, Nogales is one of the most important ports of entry for U.S. tourists. The downtown area consists of bars, strip clubs, hotels, restaurants, and a large number of curio stores, which sell a large variety of artesanias (handicrafts, leather art, handmade flowers, clothes) brought from the deeper central and southern states of Mexico. Local dishes commonly available in restaurants include many types of antojitos (Mexican food) such as enchiladas, tacos, burritos with carne machaca (dried meat), menudo and tamales.

Since 13 March 2015, its Catedral Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe is also the episcopal cathedral see of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nogales. It is a suffragan of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Hermosillo, from which its diocesan territory was split off.