Day Tripping South of the Border

Some of the more interesting pinatas displayed outside a Mexican merchant

   The last time we crossed the border into Mexico was the winter of 2008 while visiting the Rio Grande Valley.  At the recommendation of Valerie's sister we visited a dental clinic and had our teeth cleaned and some dental work done at a fraction of the cost of dental care in the States.

Driving West from Yuma on I-8 en route to Los Algodones, Mexico

   Many of our friends in the Phoenix area and other full time RVers have given us the names of dentists from whom they have received good care in the small town of Los Algodones, Mexico, just south and west of Yuma.  And Valerie was eager to get an appointment due a recently broken crown.  

Dr. Eva Urena's office at 4th Street and B Avenue in Los Algodones, Mexico

   The frustration became selecting one of numerous dentists to which we had been referred.   Valerie spent time doing extensive research on the internet and decided upon Dr. Eva Urena based upon another full time RVer's research and personal experience and then wavered back to a friend's recommendation.  

One of several colorful courtyards in Los Algodones

   As fate would have it the phone number for the friend's recommendation was not working (actually it was later learned to be the incorrect number) and she had difficulty finding his listing among the hundreds of practicing dentists from which to choose.  Dr. Urena had a website and her qualifications were readily available with internet searches, so we made an appointment for Friday morning.

A good place to warm up inside Paraiso Restaurant 

   The next issue of confusion was the time zone.  We had 9 a.m. appointments, but was that Yuma's Mountain Time or Pacific Time, which we would enter as we crossed the border into California before dropping south to cross the border?  Dr. Urena's office had emailed us excellent directions in preparation for our visit, along with payment options and was quick to respond to our question that all appointments are based upon 'Arizona' time although they are physically located in Pacific.

Not sure why there was money attached to the ceiling

   It's approximately a 30 minute drive from where we are staying at The Palms in Yuma to the International Border Crossing at Andrade, California.  From Interstate 8 we dropped south at exit #166 on State Route 186 approximately 2 miles and parked the car in the Quechan Indian Tribe's large parking lot for $6 for the day.  We walked across the border into Los Algodones and four blocks to the dentist's offices, bombarded by requests to see different dental or optical clinics and to purchase merchandise from sidewalk vendors.

Valerie's scrambled eggs served with bacon, refried beans, salad and tortillas

   We arrived early, filled out brief paperwork, and were put right at ease.  Another couple in the waiting area had also read favorable reviews and driven over 140 miles from the California side.  We paid $35 each for cleanings, and Valerie made a return appointment for two crowns that need replacing.  We found the office clean, the staff professional, cordial and fluent in English, and we did not feel pressured into procedures or added expenses we did not need.  

The Purple Pharmacy operates on both sides of this intersection

   Our next stop was at the Purple Pharmacy and Liquor Store to check prices for medications, and George was looking for a good deal on Kahlua and vodka.  We were advised that regulations had recently changed and that we could not buy alcohol before 11 a.m.  It was a crisp, cold morning and although we had not intended to eat there, we asked for a restaurant recommendation to get in out of the cold until we could purchase all that we wanted.

Can't beat these prices!

   Valerie ordered breakfast and George ordered lunch at Paraiso.  The bill came to $13 which we paid and returned to the pharmacy.  We bought one of Valerie's prescriptions, for which she has been paying $275 for 60, which was $6 for 100.  George's Kahlua was $8.99 for the 980 ml bottle.  

   The line for customs to return to the US was not long, thankfully, as the wind was still quite chilly despite the abundant sunshine.  We split up the alcohol so that we each had under one liter exempt from taxes and had our passports in hand.  There were strict rules, i.e. no photography, no entering the building until told, and George was told to keep moving rather than wait for Valerie.

Los Algodones, Mexico - Home to over 350 practicing dentists

   Overall it was a good experience.  There were a couple of armed guards not real apparent on the Mexican side.  We will return next week to have Valerie's dental work completed with another visit to the pharmacy and liquor store.  Hopefully, the day will be a little warmer.