These are some of the questions we hear more often:
General Travel Question:
Where do I park?
It boils down to three options. Most people park in the Quechan parking lot just North of the border. The fee as of December 2013 is $6. Some people park alongside the road leading up to the border. If you do, stay north of the No Parking signs, about 3/4 of a mile from the border. Yet a third option is driving across. If you do, please make sure your insurance policy will cover you. Some US policies will cover your vehicle, but no standard US company covers your liability while driving in Mexico. Make sure you have adequate coverage before you drive across.
It boils down to three options. Most people park in the Quechan parking lot just North of the border. The fee as of December 2013 is $6. Some people park alongside the road leading up to the border. If you do, stay north of the No Parking signs, about 3/4 of a mile from the border. Yet a third option is driving across. If you do, please make sure your insurance policy will cover you. Some US policies will cover your vehicle, but no standard US company covers your liability while driving in Mexico. Make sure you have adequate coverage before you drive across.
Is it safe to travel to Mexico?
While it is true that some other areas of Mexico are of concern, we are fortunate to not have had any issues in Los Algodones.
While it is true that some other areas of Mexico are of concern, we are fortunate to not have had any issues in Los Algodones.
Why so much police presence?
Los Algodones has a police station which is a sub-station from Mexicali. During high tourism months, Mexical sends extra officers to patrol the area to discourage any issues, and to ensure the safety of tourists, as much as the locals.
Los Algodones has a police station which is a sub-station from Mexicali. During high tourism months, Mexical sends extra officers to patrol the area to discourage any issues, and to ensure the safety of tourists, as much as the locals.
Why do you have soldiers on the streets?
For some of us born and raised elsewhere, having soldiers patrolling the streets or holding a checkpoint is a foreign concept, to say the least. But Mexico does not have any military enemies, so soldiers are often used in a law enforcement capacity.
For some of us born and raised elsewhere, having soldiers patrolling the streets or holding a checkpoint is a foreign concept, to say the least. But Mexico does not have any military enemies, so soldiers are often used in a law enforcement capacity.
Can I bring a firearm?
Firearms and ammo are illegal in Mexico. It is punishable by law and the penalty includes fines and jail time. Further, It's illegal to possess a firearm on the US Customs facilities as well. Please leave them at home.
Firearms and ammo are illegal in Mexico. It is punishable by law and the penalty includes fines and jail time. Further, It's illegal to possess a firearm on the US Customs facilities as well. Please leave them at home.
What time does the border open and close
While it's always subject to change, it typically open from 6am to 10pm Pacific time.
While it's always subject to change, it typically open from 6am to 10pm Pacific time.
Do I need a passport?
Yes. You need a passport to re-enter into the US.
Yes. You need a passport to re-enter into the US.
Where can I stay if I have to spend the night?
I recommend staying in Yuma. You can check expedia.com or similar travel sites for options.
I recommend staying in Yuma. You can check expedia.com or similar travel sites for options.
Where is it safe to eat in Los Algodones?
This is typically a loaded question. Rather then picking a handful of places to endorse, I rather stick to common sense. Don't eat anywhere without running water to wash your hands. Stick to busy and more crowded places where food is rotated more often. And if food is not kept lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or warmer than 140 degrees Fahrenheit, don't eat it.
This is typically a loaded question. Rather then picking a handful of places to endorse, I rather stick to common sense. Don't eat anywhere without running water to wash your hands. Stick to busy and more crowded places where food is rotated more often. And if food is not kept lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or warmer than 140 degrees Fahrenheit, don't eat it.
Specific Practice Questions:
Do you sterilize your equipment?
Absolutely. We use a combination of cold sterilization and heat sterilization. We also use a combination of chemical and physical barriers to make sure every precaution is taken to to avoid cross contamination and to keep a clean facility. Patients are always welcome to tour our facility and we will gladly show you our sterilization area.
Absolutely. We use a combination of cold sterilization and heat sterilization. We also use a combination of chemical and physical barriers to make sure every precaution is taken to to avoid cross contamination and to keep a clean facility. Patients are always welcome to tour our facility and we will gladly show you our sterilization area.
Are your assistants professionally trained?
Our dental assistants are trained on the job. However, assistant do not work directly on patients. Their duty is truly to assist the licensed doctors. Every treatment is done by a licensed dentist.
Our dental assistants are trained on the job. However, assistant do not work directly on patients. Their duty is truly to assist the licensed doctors. Every treatment is done by a licensed dentist.
Can I bring my pet?
The health department does not allow us to have pets in our facilities, with the exception of a true service animal.
The health department does not allow us to have pets in our facilities, with the exception of a true service animal.
What forms of payment do you take?
We will gladly accept cashier's checks, travelers' checks, and cash. We can accept a personal check to begin your dental treatment, but require cash on subsequent appointments. A US ATM is available at the Quechan parking lot on the California side of the border before you enter Mexico. Local ATM are very limited in Los Algodones and may incour in International fees. We are in the process of being able to accept credit cards. When we do, there will be a 5% surcharge for paying with a credit card.
We will gladly accept cashier's checks, travelers' checks, and cash. We can accept a personal check to begin your dental treatment, but require cash on subsequent appointments. A US ATM is available at the Quechan parking lot on the California side of the border before you enter Mexico. Local ATM are very limited in Los Algodones and may incour in International fees. We are in the process of being able to accept credit cards. When we do, there will be a 5% surcharge for paying with a credit card.
Why are rates so much lower than in the US or elsewhere? Is your work the same quality as in the US or elsewhere?
We enjoy the benefit of lower overhead costs. We also have mostly self-insured individuals, which keeps our procedure rates' competitive.
We enjoy the benefit of lower overhead costs. We also have mostly self-insured individuals, which keeps our procedure rates' competitive.