To put it bluntly, this little city, just over the border, has more liquor stores, pharmacies, optometrists, dentists, and hair care facilities concentrated in one four-block location than you can imagine. Throw in a ton of polite sidewalk vendors selling just about everything, and you have town quite unlike anywhere else...and it is clean. The town caters to Americans, mostly senior citizens who flock over the border in droves to take advantage of the inexpensive drug prices, dentistry, and eye care that is available there. To get there, you drive a few miles west of Yuma on Interstate 8, back into California, then south a couple of miles to the border...it is well marked. At this point you are on Quechan tribal land (they are building a brand new large casino and hotel right where you get off the freeway). The Quechan's also have a large parking lot right on the border where you can park for $5.00. One can also park for free right along the road...which is what I prefer as I get some exercise walking into town.
To cross the border, you just walk across. No one will stop you or check anything, unless you drive your car across. If you are just going for drugs or eyes, or teeth, there is no reason to take your car. Once there, you will be confronted with all that I have described above. If your looking for your medicines, most stores will post their prices outside on little cards so you can go around town comparing prices. If you pay attention, you will notice that some pharmacies have several locations spread throughout the town. For instance, the Purple Store, where I usually shop, has four locations just on the first block of town. I usually get good prices there (and they advertise on the Yuma cable company...its hilarious).
As for the prices, they are very good...even better than the $4 generic prices at Wal-Mart. For instance, one of my pills is under $4 for 100 pills. I usually stock up for several months supply. You should check the bottles for expiration dates, but I have never had an issue with that. The staff at most stores are very friendly, speak impeccable English and are surprisingly knowledgeable about the medicines they carry. American dollars, checks and credit cards are readily accepted and there are no hidden costs. I usually pay in cash. For 95% of the medicines you want, no prescription is required.
Yesterday, I decided to visit an optometrist to see if they could replace my bifocal lenses in my glasses which are old and a bit scratched. He quoted me $20 and it would take two hours. I will do it on my next visit.
Now I am not much of a booze buyer, but those who are tell me their prices are very good...and they certainly have a huge selection from all over the world. As for their dentists, frequent visitors tell me they are as good as any in the US, as they were all trained north of their border. Same for optometrists...they are all very busy so logic tells me they are probably ok.
There are some nice restaurants in town and the food and water are very safe (the water is provided by the city of Yuma). When you are in Algodones, there is no doubt that you are in another country. But, it has always been a pleasant experience there.
Now, getting back into America is another story. If you go in the afternoon in the winter snowbird season, you may have to wait in some very long lines. On my first visit, I waited 45 minutes to get through customs. Yesterday, I went early in the morning and there were only 4 people ahead of me and I breezed right through. Be sure you have a passport or you could be in some difficulty.
Interestingly, the one time I stood in a long ling, I took a very long look at all the people around me as well as those in front and behind. I came to the realization that I was the youngest guy in line...and at that time, in case you don't know, I was 62. Maybe I will go down there sometime and try to pick up senior chicks.
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