Does anyone know a safe place to spend the night in a Texas border town?

Question

I lived in Guadalajara in 1995 and traveled to Piedras Negras in 2001. I found out that border towns are very different from the interior of Mexico. However, I still think you get some of the charm of Mex being in a border town. I am going to be in San Antonio and would like to take a drive to Reynosa, Ciudad Acuna, Del Rio, or Nuevo Laredo, as I have heard these are good places to visit. We are also thinking about spending the night, but my friend is worried about the security of his vehicle. I know the law in Mex is totally different than in the U.S. Any suggestions? I do speak and read Spanish (used to teach it many moons ago). I am particularly interested in Mariachi music, Artesanias, and inigenous culture. I don't think indigenous culture is that prevalent close to the border, but I do think I can catch some good artesanias and music. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

I suggest you to visit Nuevo Progreso! is an small town, you could just cross the border and walk in the main street it is a Mercado and Restaurant Area with mexican food and mexican music. Nuevo Progreso is between Pharr and Harlingen.

Answer 2

I would advise against Nuevo Laredo because of all the violence that has been going on there. I personally like Piedras Negras as it is a good size town with a slower pace to it and I stay on the Mexican side there. Reynosa is alright and Mcallen is nearby and quite a safe little town too. Never been to Cuidad Acuna but I hear it is a lot like Piedras Negras so you should enjoy a nice laidback time there.

Answer 3

I would suggest Brownsville--I used to do this.  Drive into Brownville look for 14th street--turn right.  That street turns into Sam Perl Blvd. There's a hotel on Sam Perl (I forget the name).  Stay there.  Then you can walk to the end of Sam Perl where it connects the Mexico Blvd.  You can cross the bridge there, and you're in a nice area of restaurants, shops and the mercado.  If you want to go any further than walking distance, you can flag a taxi.

If you buy something large, you can walk back to the hotel, get the car--zip over, get the stuff and zip back.

Answer 4

Reynosa and T.J. are where the cartels are at war Reynosa is not safe.  T.J had 2,500 murders and most of them were Cartel related.

Del Rio Hotel is a great hotel in Laredo Texas and sits on the bank of the Rio Grande