Americans what was your first impression of Mexico after crossing the border?

Question

and the second

Answer 1

Depends upon what border crossing you are talking about?

Via, Land, Air, or Sea?

Via land when crossing from San Diego into Tijuana it can be depressing and it can smell bad to my senses.

However I keep going back there because it is Tijuana.

Now when I cross the border from El Paso into Cd. Juarez I think to myself. Everything here on both sides of the border is ugly. It is not the people but the location. Like being on Mars or someplace out of this world.

When flying in, it is nice. Mexico City Airport is now very modern and welcoming. Except for the long walk from the gates to the Customs. Oh yeah, the bathroom stalls are made for people of 28 inch waist or smaller. Well seems like to me and my fat behind.

No as to entering by Sea. I have never done that.

If I did not like Mexico I would not continue to go there.

Answer 2

I came across the border into Mexico in my car after driving from South Carolina in December of last year (2006). Point of crossing was Nuevo Laredo (from Laredo, Texas). Speaking no Spanish, I was basically lost when I tried to find the office to get my tourist visa and the permit for my car (the office is under the bridge there). Four stations inside the building, one for the tourist visa (#1) where two young men helped me fill out the paperwork, although I was issued no "tourist card" or copy of the form, then I was directed to station #4 where I got the sticker for my car, both good for six months.

Then the big deal deal was the drive from Nuevo Loredo to Lo de Marcos, a sea side town about 30 miles north of Puerto Vallarta.

Impression? Mountains on your left and desert on your right but you'd go 200 miles and wonder where the gas station was!?

I'd go about 500 miles and stop overnight, hit the bigger cities where the traffic was unbelievable (there are questionable rules if any about driving here) went through mountans, rain and trucks, especially in the mountains where it's two lane, double yellow lines, although no one really pays attention to them or the speed limit, even though the mounntain roads are so curvey you can't get around the trucks and your top speed is about 15 mph.

And my favorite - SPEED BUMPS! Not marked, and if you don't see them, you can go airborn! (I did more than once).

It took me about 5 days to make the trek and I did...safely...

The country was and is absolutely beautiful on my drive. Not what I expected.

So, if you've got the money and don't need a car - FLY!

Answer 3

hello everybody ..
well afer reading your impressions of my country ..i guess that you are right in some points , i mean ok , the border cities are like that , because , all the drug traffic and all that is getting worst every singles day ,and now that they want to make a wall ,to divide mexico and usa , i mean we're not terrorist and we never huirt anybody ,its just that some mexicans , want a better life ,improve their lifestyle ,how they cant build a big , wall in the middle of the ocean ,to stop cubans ???? they make the same thing , and even worst cause the sail into the ocean and they arrive to miami beach , and they're captured most of the times , but , this is not a complian , i mean you can give your opinion about my country but , if we're are soooo terrible , why , all the americans , and all nationalities , come here and get drunk and like stupid people??? , if we're soo so ,.. i live in monterrey mexico , the most advanced city in mexico , we're very close to texas and , if we were not here .. texas would be nothing ! , because they eat due us , we buy there , buy clothes , items , cars , everything , but anyways .. visit mexico ! ..
we have everything and nice people ! and luxurious hotels ! and resorts "


nos vemos amigos europeos !!..
gracias por venir a conocer mexico !

greetings from here !

Answer 4

The first time I crossed, I went to Tijuana in about 1975. At that time, it was more interesting than terrible. On later trips, it seemed to go downhill considerably. However, even in Tijuana there are some lovely areas and beautiful homes. Once you leave the border area and enter Mexico's interior, you'll find a fascinating, beautiful, varied country and some of the most gracious people in the world.

Answer 5

Don't judge Mexico by the border towns, down south is a whole different country.

Answer 6

Kinda dangerous in most areas. The kind of place where you feel like a cop could detain you and rob very easily. The tourist areas are much nicer though. I felt quite safe as long as I stayed within the resort.

Answer 7

It went something like 'Ariba Ariba, diis iis Mehico'

So do you like my Mexican impression

Answer 8

it depends on where you go...when I went to nogalos over the AZ boarder it was very poor and sad......when i went to cancun completely different