I'm not sure what you expect to get out of a day crossing in Nogales. If you look at recent posts, you'll see that due to an increased amount of violence there, it is not advisable to go. There has been a huge increase in violence from the drug runners and their turf wars in several of the popular border towns. Just today I saw a story of a mass shooting at a restaurant in Juarez. I think they said 8 people were shot and killed.

So far no innocent Americans have been killed in Nogales, but with all of those bullets flying in the air, why go?

MrsRedPony and I still enjoy going to Mexico, but we choose to fly in to destinations much further into the country or take a cruise to port cities. I also have several friends who have second homes there, but they are in Mazatlan or other cities farther south. Day trips to border towns just aren't worth it any more.

There have been many recent posts about the violence in Nogales and other border towns. I would stay in the US, plenty of shopping and dining.

Here's a link to the US State Dept alert …state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html

It might be safe, but it is ill-advised. I have posted several times on this topic. "I remain unanimous" in my advice. There is nothing in Nogales Sonora worth a stray bullet. Mexico does not have control of the situation; the drug cartels do. Until the government can restore control, it is better to stay away. At this time, this advice is for all Mexican border towns by Arizona with the exception of Los Algodones and San Luis Colorado south of Yuma.

Saturday's Arizona Republic cautioned again about going to Nogales -

azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/11/29/20081…

Your rentalinsurance doesnot cover you in Mexico unless you have a special insurance but you'll have to have that insurance for the whole periode of the rental and not only for driving into Mexico. So, even after the warnings of the previous posters, if you still want to go, park the car at the USA side and walk in. Bring your passports.

hmmm....if even Arizonians say, not to consider traveling into Nogales, Mexico, then by all means....do not go.....It very unfortunate for both Nogales' as we went early in 2003 when times were much more friendlier......

TmSwyr, It used to be an annual trip for us too. We enjoyed shopping and bargaining for arts and crafts and acquired lots of things for our home here in Sedona, including full sets of talavera dishware and furniture and accesories. But no more.

Our last shopping adventure in Mexicao was at Tlaquepaque in Guadalajara. That's several hundred miles farther south. No more border visits for us.