Effective December 31, 2006 the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (click here to see official posting) will require everyone traveling to Mexico (and also Canada, Central & South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda) to hold a valid passport if they are traveling by sea or air.  This will extend to all border crossings, even by land, effective December 31, 2007. So in other words, starting December 31, 2007 you'd better have a passport with you to walk over the border from Algodones.   Up until those previously mentioned dates, you should be able to cross the border using your  USA identification (A drivers license will do.  You don't need  your passport unless you are a non-US citizen.  You'll need your identification to walk back across the border from Mexico).

Wear comfortable walking shoes.  Flat rubber-soled shoes are recommended.

If you are planning on purchasing any medications in quantity (more than a month's supply) please stop by the US Customs office before going in to Mexico.  Speak to a supervisor and find out exactly how much of your medications you will be allowed to carry back.  Also, if you are buying for anyone else other than for yourself, watch out!  Technically, you are not allowed to buy medications even for your spouse.  (I found this out the hard way.   I bought a family member a year's supply of ashma medicine then ended up being sent into the interrogation room.  It was not fun). You can find the U.S. Customs Service fine print at: www.customs.gov

In buying medicine at the pharmacies, check the pricing at several different stores.  The prices do vary.

Be cautious about buying famous brands like "Rolex" watches.  Because they are likely counterfeit to begin with, you technically shouldn't bring them back in to the USA.  However before I knew this I purchased several pairs of  "Oakley" sunglasses for about $8 each and carried them over with out any problem.  Usually, the customs people just wave you through.   (By the way, the sunglasses ended up being junk and were a waste of money).

Never pay full price for the stuff the vendors want to sell you.  Offering them low prices for their stuff is part of the fun of being in Mexico. 

Should you eat in the Mexican restaurants?  I've eaten in a couple different Algodones restaurants when I was younger but now I'm more cautious.  I eat before I go to Mexico.  Have no fear though of drinking bottled beverages:  beer, soda.  Just don't pour it over ice.  And don't drink the water. 

Restrooms are hard to find.

If you're looking for a Dentist ask your friends who they recommend.  We have many customers who have have told us that they saved thousands of dollars by having their dental work done in Mexico while they stay at Yuma Cabana.  Many of the dentists have state-of-the-art equipment, training and charge only a fraction of what similar work would cost in the USA.  One  dentist who has an impressive color ad in the Yuma yellow pages states that he teaches "Esthetic Dentistry Methods & Techniques throughout Mexico" and is a "Baylor College of Dentistry Post-Graduate".  

If you're looking for eyeglasses you can get a computerized eye exam for $10 or you can pay $39 for a pair of prescription glasses with the eye examination & glaucoma test included at no extra charge.  Shop around for the best deal.  If you can't wait for 2 hours for your glasses to be ready, they can mail them to you in the USA.