SPRING BREAK SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Welcome to the Rio Grande Valley! Each year thousands of Spring Breakers include a day-trip to Mexico in their vacation plans. If you do so too, the U.S. Department of State asks you to keep a few things in mind in order to party smart:
Good ideas in the Mexican border area include: keeping to well-traveled tourist areas; visiting only during daylight and early-evening hours; traveling in groups; driving defensively; not wearing flashy jewelry or expensive watches; not carrying expensive cameras; and avoiding using ATM machines.
Bad ideas are doing things that you would not do back home, like public intoxication; drinking on the streets; doing drugs; driving under the influence; disturbing the peace; showing disrespect to anyone; heeding the call of nature in public; trashing anything; or not recognizing that “no” means “NO!” Mexico is a sovereign nation whose laws apply to all visitors. For example, Mexico has harsh penalties for bringing so much as one bullet across its borders and also forbids the possession of most pocketknives.
Security awareness is important due to increased violence over the last year between rival drug trafficking gangs in Mexico. While it is unlikely that American visitors would get caught up in this violence, travelers should exercise common-sense precautions such as are listed above.
If you experience trouble while visiting Matamoros, Nuevo Progresso or Reynosa, the U.S. Consulate in Matamoros offers 24-hour emergency assistance to American Citizens. During office hours call 868-812-4402, extension 275 or 280 (add the prefix 011-52 if calling from the U.S.). After hours, call 044-868-818-1507 (from Mexico). Enjoy your Spring Break!
Published by the U.S. Consulate Matamoros, Mexico.
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