Matamoros, Mexico?

Question

This weekend I will be in South Padre Island. I am wondering how safe is it to go over to Matamoros Mexico for the day? What kind of shops are there in Mexico? What is good over there to see?

Answer 1

Contrary to what the media tells you Mexico is very safe. My friend just got back from there and had a blast. Just be sure you dont put yourself in situations where something bad can happen. i.e. dont be out at night in places where no one is around you know common sense stuff. Bad things can happen anywhere and safety measure should always be taken wether its in Mexico, US, Europe etc... Anyways check out some of the restaurants and dont eat from street stands those can be iffy sometimes. Other than that just explore in the main areas. IM sure you will find that there are many of the same stores as here.

Answer 2

Yes it is safe. Shopping, junk shops, touristy stuff. Mostly Mexicans go to Brownsville from Matamoros to shop because they believe there is a greater variety of merchandise to be had and the prices are lower.

The best thing I can say about Matamoros is that the Mexicans in Matamoros speak better English than the Mexican-Americans in Brownsville.

Go to Matamoros, have a good time. Just be careful because teenagers and 20 somethings from south Texas go there on weekends to get away with what they can't get away with in the US.

Answer 3

As you drive through Brownsville, look for 12th street. Turn right onto 12th street.  Then it will turn into Sam Perl Ave. Sam Perl will T into Mexico Ave.  Look for a motel close to this intersection and park your car in their parking lot.  This way you don't have to worry about your car getting anything removed from it in Matamoros, and you don't have to worry about Mexican auto insurance.  Then it's about one to two tenths of a mile walk to the bridge on Mexico Ave.

If you cross the border at the main bridge (that route 77 / 83 dumps you into) then then you've got a 2 to 3 mile walk (or collective ride) to get the same spot.

The nicer shops and cantinas are in this area.  If your 18 then you can sample all the wonderful beers the Mexico makes.  For dinner find a restaurant that serves cabrito (baby goat)--it's very good.

It you find something you'd like to buy, but it's too big (like a table), you can get the store owner to hold it for an hour while you go back get you car.  You then  zip over and zip back and pray you don't have a fender bender--a very small chance for a short time, but a big headache if it happens.  Mexico is based on the Napoleonic Code in which you're GUILTY until proven innocent.  So a lot of accidents happen there where the drivers just keep driving and say I didn't notice anything.

Answer 4

A lot of people who live on the US side in the Rio Grande Valley prefer to go to Progresso, Mexico instead of Matamoros or Reynosa.  It is not too far from Brownsville and is a little more touristy.  Also, if you plan to drive across to Mexico, the wait to return to the US is much shorter in Progress than the wait at Brownsville or Hidalgo.

You can find furniture stores, souvenir shops, etc.  You will not find any high class stores in Matamoros or Progresso.  On the weekend the Valley is inundated with Mexicans who cross the border to shop on the US side.

There is an Outlet Mall in Mercedes, TX, on the US 83 Expressway that has excellent shopping.

Enjoy.