Los Algodones, Mexico

People in this area visit the town of Los Algodones in Mexico for several reasons.

1. For dental work. Cleanings are $45, implants are $700, a porcelain crown is $300, and a zirconium crown is $400. We have talked to many people who have been very pleased with the dental care in Los Algodones. In fact, Los Algodones is Spanish for "dentist."

I totally just made that up. The translation, I mean.

2. For eye care and glasses. One of the guys in this park told me that he just got new trifocals with Progressive lenses for $129, and his second pair was half price. A great deal!

3. For drugs and medication. While you will need a prescription for antibiotics and controlled drugs, many others are freely available.

4. For good Mexican food.

It took about 20 minutes to drive from Yuma to the parking lot next to the border crossing. It costs $6 to park, then you walk through a turnstile and you are in Mexico.

Walking to the border crossing

At that point your senses are assaulted by purple buildings and people trying to entice you to visit their dentist, optician, or pharmacy.

And the stuff! If you are in the market for lawn art, clothing, hats, purses, jewelry, or pottery, this is the place for you.

One thing I was watching for was a sombrero for grandson, Rob. Robby has asked me several times for one and I had not seen one in all of our travels. And in Los Algodones I found one. The bartering went like this.
Woman: Nice hat! It look good on you! You buy cheap! $25!
Me: No, I don't think so.
Woman: How much you spend? $20?
Me: $5
Woman: Is very fine hat! You buy for $15, si?
Me: No, $5.
Woman: OK, $12. Very good price.
Me: (starting to walk away)
Woman: $10!
Woman, with less enthusiasm: $9.
Me: OK, $9.

So Rob will get his sombrero.

We walked up a hill and chatted with a man who was trying to draw people into a restaurant called La Parilla. Someone else mentioned La Parilla as a good place to eat, so we decided to give it a try.

We had a really good meal, complete with entertainment and drinks. I may have had two Margueritas.

Our waiter. 

The singer was quite good, belting out Mexican songs. When he switched to English and sang "New York, New York" we had to stifle giggles. It was odd to be sitting in Mexico and hearing that song for some reason.

It did occur to us that we should plan to return for teeth cleaning before we leave Yuma next week, as we no longer have dental insurance. So I think we will ask around for recommendations and return to Los Algodones next week.

We went back through the turnstiles, showed our passports to the agents there, and zipped right through without difficulties. There were lots of people with walkers and huge bags of prescription drugs returning from their shopping trip. A bit surreal.