10 Best Mexican Border Towns

Diving into the cultures, cuisines, and histories of Mexican border towns reveals just how diverse these cities can be. Cheap street tacos and 2-dollar beers mean that in most places over the border, your money lasts longer. But if you’ve got money to spend, consider Tecate, a veritable desert oasis of spa resorts and dramatic mountainous landscapes.

In Mexico, great food is to be expected. The Sonoran towns have the best enchiladas, while the coast lays claim to the freshest fish. All the colors of Mexican handicrafts and traditional culture are on display in the mercados. Grab your passport and hit the road with our list of the top towns over the border.

1. Tijuana

Getting your buzz across the border

适合： 餐饮, 夜生活, 经济

Just a 30-minute drive from San Diego, Tijuana is one of the most-crossed borders in the world and Mexico’s second-largest city. It became a popular entertainment destination during the American Prohibition era and retains its reputation for after-dark entertainment.

But the city has more to offer than just raucous nightlife. There is a developing craft beer scene, and street-side stands make authentic tacos. The exceptional Tijuana Cultural Center houses the Museo de las Californias, a botanical garden, an IMAX dome, and the El Cubo arts exhibition space. We recommend staying in Zona Centro or Zona Río to be close to the action.

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2. Mexicali

Festivals and fusion foods

适合： 餐饮, 经济

Mexicali is home to the largest Chinese community in the country after Mexico City. This cultural mix is particularly evident in the local food, with more than 200 Chinese restaurants in the city that use Mexican flavors to create surprising fusion cuisine. Think Cantonese beef in black bean sauce and fried yellow chiles asados. Museo Wok in La Chinesca, as the city’s Chinatown is called, gives insight into the history of this unique community.

Each year in early autumn, Mexicali hosts the region’s largest annual fair, the Fiestas del Sol. The 2-week celebration highlights regional cuisine and hosts musical performances. For an unusual sporting opportunity, head 40 minutes north of the city to try sandboarding on the Algodones Dunes.

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3. Tecate

A sanctuary in a mountain valley

适合： 冒险, 豪华

Tecate is an unexpected oasis in northwestern Mexico, just an hour inland from both San Diego and Tijuana. This serene town rests in a valley surrounded by mountains and desert. It’s perhaps best known for its namesake brewery, which offers tours and tastings to visitors. The Museo Comunitario, a small museum dedicated to the customs and culture of the Indigenous Kumiai community, is well worth an hour of your time.

Stunning scenery and fresh spring waters have made the area a regional retreat, with visitors flocking to some 50 ranches around the town. The most well-known of these is Rancho La Puerto, a spacious property with a robust fitness program that includes morning mountain hikes.

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4. Acuna

A laid-back spot to cast your line

适合： 冒险, 照片

Acuña offers a quiet escape relative to the hustle and bustle of larger border cities. Located along the Rio Grande across from Del Rio, Texas, this young city has a booming industrial economy and a strong sense of community. Don’t be surprised if walking around the town gives you a little déjà vu: Robert Rodriguez’s El Mariachi was filmed on these streets.

A short drive from Acuña is the broad Amistad Reservoir, a popular spot for boating and fishing. Spend your day on the water and make it back before dark to catch the sunset over the city from the Antiguo Cuartel Militar, an old military barracks on a hilltop.

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5. Piedras Negras

Family fun at the home of the nacho

适合： 家庭, 购物者

With its many plazas, festivals and the Mercado Zaragoza, there are plenty of activities for the family in Piedras Negras. The city is a little more than 2 hours from San Antonio on the banks of the Rio Grande. Plaza de las Culturas, one of its main attractions, features small-scale replicas of important Aztec and Mayan cultural sites and has a playground for children.

Browse the wide selection of wares at El Mercado, from sombreros and ceramics to traditional Mexican candies. Finally, plan your visit in October and catch the annual Nacho Fest: 3 days of festivities celebrating the birth of the ever-popular snack.

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6. Ciudad Juarez

A cultural journey from folk dance to revolution

适合： 历史, 餐饮

Ciudad Juárez is a cultural hub in the Chihuahuan desert. Just across the border from El Paso, it’s one of Mexico’s biggest cities and is home to an array of museums and cultural centers. City life revolves around a central square, the Plaza de Armas. Each Sunday, locals congregate at the cathedral and vendors fill the square selling street food.

Also on Sundays, the Centro Municipal de las Artes hosts musical performances and costumed folk dances. The Museum of the Revolution takes visitors on a journey through the Mexican Revolution, one of the most extensively photo-documented revolutions in history. Before you leave, check out the modest Adobe House, which served as the revolution headquarters.

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7. Nogales

Two sides of the same city

适合： 餐饮, 购物者, 与众不同

Nogales is really one city split into 2: Half in Mexico and half in Arizona, this border-straddling town is a blend of both cultures. Each side has a by-donation museum worth your while. In Mexico, the Museo de Artes de Nogales is a small gallery displaying the works of avant-garde local artists. The Arizona side offers the Pimeria Alta Historical Society, a museum of the history of the borderlands that displays antique artefacts and old photographs.

You won’t eat a bad meal here, with Sonoran favorites like green chili enchiladas served at unbeatable prices. Head to Pasaje Morelos for a little shopping, where street vendors occupy 2 blocks of the street to sell colorful clothes and curios.

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8. San Luis Rio Colorado

Thermal baths and desert vistas

适合： 情侣/夫妇, 餐饮, 冒险

The medical tourism industry is thriving in San Luis Rio Colorado, with thousands of visitors crossing the border each year for affordable medical and dental services. This, coupled with the region’s geothermal activity, has turned it into a spa town. There are a dozen or so spa resorts to choose from, many offering thermal baths and mineral-rich mud baths.

Located north of the Sea of Cortez, fresh fish and carne asada are at the top of this region’s menu. The surrounding Sonoran Desert offers a unique landscape to explore, with the volcanic craters of the Pinacate Reserve being a point of special interest.

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9. Reynosa

From marketplaces to green spaces

适合： 购物者, 夜生活

Reynosa is located far in the northeast of the country, a little over an hour from the Gulf of Mexico. A highlight of the city is the Zaragoza Market. Some 70 vendors sell a huge variety of produce and other foodstuffs, with fresh fish and cheeses being especially good here. A few stalls also sell woven blankets, handicrafts and kitschy trinkets.

Opposite the town’s main square is the city’s cathedral, a unique neoclassical structure that serves as a symbol of the city. For arts and cultural activities, visit the Parque Cultural that is surrounded by a sprawling green space.

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10. Nuevo Laredo

Entertainment abounds in this busy border town

适合： 餐饮, 夜生活

The busiest land port in North America, Nuevo Laredo is always buzzing with activity. The central districts of La Fe and El Carrizo have a high concentration of restaurants, and menus are a blend of traditional Mexican dishes and Tex-Mex influences. Local specialties include cabrito (roasted goat), carne asada and street foods like tacos and tamales.

The city boasts plenty of entertainment, from Mexican Professional Baseball to bullfights at the Plaza de Toros. The Centro Cultural hosts plays and concerts from local and international performing artists. For a break from the hustle and bustle, take a walk in Parque Viveros, the city’s charming riverside park.

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