When I dream of Mexico, I think of a beautiful turquoise ocean and palm trees swaying in the warm, tropical breeze. I can feel the hot sun on my shoulders and the soft sand between my toes. We have been to Mexico more times than I can count and have always had an extremely enjoyable vacation. But, there is more to Mexico than the incredibly beautiful coastal regions.
We purchased a home in Yuma, Arizona last year and have experienced a completely different Mexico. Los Algodones, Baja California, is a small Mexican town located on the extreme northeastern tip of the municipality of Mexicali, approximately 16 km (9.9 mi) west of Yuma, Arizona. Its official name is Vicente Guerrero, although most people use Algodones when referring to it. It’s reported the population is around 12,000 as of the last Mexican census. Los Algodones is the northernmost town in Mexico, and at its northeastern tip is the northernmost point in Mexico, and in Latin America. Another interesting geographical distinction is that if someone were to travel in any of the four cardinal directions from anywhere in Algodones (due north, south, east or west) they would cross a U.S. Border.
A picture of our favourite friends at “The La Parrilla” restaurant.
Situated near the borders of both southeastern California and southwestern Arizona, Los Algodones has become a popular tourist attraction in recent years due in part to inexpensive shopping and restaurants, as well as inexpensive medical care and prescription medicines. The warm, dry climate of the area attracts a number of older tourists from across the Canada and United States who settle during the winter in the nearby towns of Yuma and Winterhaven, California. Organized day trips from the Coachella Valley are popular among seniors as well.
Krystal and Hector Sandoval have also become special friends to us over the last couple of years, they run a great business in Los Algodones.
There's more to Mexico than just Algodones.
From a base in Yuma, visitors easily can head south to the bustling city of San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, or seaside resorts on the Gulf of California like El Golfo, Puerto Penasco and Rocky Point. Just an hour or so to the southwest, Mexicali, the capital of Baja, California and a cosmopolitan city that offers world-class shopping, great cuisine and one of the largest bullfighting rings in northern Mexico.
I hate to admit it, but we will be looking at retirement in just a few years to come and I can hardly wait to spend the winters away! Don’t get me wrong; I love Christmas, but I will not miss the icy roads, blizzards and bone chilling 40 below weather!!
If you’re looking to get away this winter I would highly recommend Yuma and spending a little time in Los Algodones, sipping a margarita!
Author: Kathryn Hartwell
