Nuevo Progreso
Nuevo Progreso is a town of around 10,000 people (2010) in Tamaulipas in Mexico. It is a popular destination for North American senior citizens who come for cheap prescriptions and dental work. Nuevo Progresso is considered to be one of the safest border towns in Tamaulipas.
Understand
editNuevo Progreso faces the United States-Mexico border across the Rio Grande River about midway between McAllen and Harlingen in South Texas.
Nuevo Progreso is a popular destination for medical tourism, due to the presence of hundreds of pharmacies and dentists. Many "snowbirds" (retired Canadians and Americans from the northern states who spend winters in South Texas) cross the border at Nuevo Progreso for inexpensive prescription drugs and dental procedures. The border crossing is significantly less busy than other South Texas border crossings.
Climate
editThe weather is usually hot and dry. Summers are very hot with daily highs over 100 degrees F. Winters are somewhat cooler, but anything cooler than 80 degrees F is a rare gift. Thunderstorms are possible during summer and fall.
Get in
editBy car
editFrom Reynosa, drive east on federal highway 2D (this is a toll road about 10 miles to Nuevo Progreso. From Matamoros, drive west on federal highway 2 about 10 miles to Nuevo Progreso.
From McAllen Texas, drive east on US 281 to the Nuevo Progreso border crossing. From Harlingen, Brownsville, or South Padre Island, drive west on US 281 to the Nuevo Progreso border crossing.
There are parking lots near the U.S. border crossing checkpoint. You can park, then walk across the bridge and you're in the middle of town.
By bus
editBuses between Reynosa and Matamoros stop in Nuevo Progreso unless they are first-class or ejeecutivo class buses that specify "Directo". Most buses in the region will end at Reynosa, where you can either connect to a bus going toward Matamoros or take a taxi (about 10 miles). Noreste has several daily buses between Reynosa and Matamoros.
By foot
editWhile it is possible to enter by car, it tends to be very slow. Most tourists from the United States cross by foot and park their cars on the other side of the border. There is a parking lot just on the other side of the border which costs $2 per car. As of November 2021, the toll is $1 into Mexico, and 30 cents into the United States.
Get around
editA large number of dentists and pharmacies are located within a few blocks of the border crossing. There are also restaurants and small shops in this area so most visitors can easily get where they want by walking. Taxis are available and there are usually several waiting near the international bridge, within 100 meters of the Aduana (customs house).
See
editNot a lot of tourist sites. Most visitors come to buy souvenirs, prescription drugs, or medical services. Many of the souvenir shops near the bridge also sell tequila, Kahlua, and mezcal at prices that are probably a bit higher than you'd pay at stores in the interior of Mexico....it's a matter of location though...
Do
editAs mentioned earlier, Nuevo Progreso is a very popular medical tourist destination. The town is not known for its active lifestyle.
Medical tourism
edit
Medical tourism accounts for the lion's share of local revenue. Most clients are retirees from Canada and the northern United States who spend their winters in RVs or vacation homes in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. Mexico has many clinics and doctors who cater to medical tourists but none are as focused on one sector of the market as are the dentists of Nuevo Progreso. By some estimates, as much as 20% of the local population are employed in dental clinics and supporting businesses. The town also has general practitioners, family clinics, cosmetic surgery centers and opticians, but they are far outnumbered by dentists. Need some dentures? Wisdom teeth extracted? Or maybe even a quick cleaning and examination? You can get it in Nuevo Progreso for a fraction of the cost you'd pay from a U.S. dentist.
Specialists
edit- 1 Accualaser Plastic Surgery Associates, B and P Bridge Colonia, ☏ +1 956 225-3164 (U.S.). M-F 09:00 - 17:00, closed Sa-Su. Cosmetic surgery clinic.
- 2 Integra Medical Center, Benito Juarez 239, ☏ +1 956 475-4368 (U.S.). M-Sa 08:00 - 17:00, closed Su. Dr. Omar Gonzalez specializes in regenerative medicine. He performs stem cell treatments and treats a variety of aging-related conditions including Parkinson's disease.
- 3 Jamie Castelltort (Orthopedic surgeon), Reynosa 210, ☏ +52 899 212 1506. M-F 08:00 - 18:00, Sa 09:00 - 16:00, closed Su. Specializing in orthopedics and bone disorders. X-ray facilities on-site.
Laboratories
edit- 1 Laboratorio Alfa-Delta, Reynosa 209, ☏ +52 899 937 0237. M-Sa 08:00 - 17:00, Su 08:00 - 13:00. Medical lab tests by appointment or walk-in.
Dentists
edit- 1 Ramos Dental Care, Coahuila 12, Centro, ☏ +1 956 267-2308 (U.S.). M-Sa 08:00 - 18:00, Su 08:00 - 12:00.
- 2 Dra. Jezael Lopez, Sonora 101, ☏ +52 899 345 2628. Specializing in orthodontia.
- 3 Trejo Dental Clinic (Doctor Tito), Reynosa 13B, ☏ +1 956 261-0037 (U.S.). Daily 08:00 - 18:00. Complete range of dental services including orthodontia.
- 4 Mustre Dental Clinic, Benito Juarez 225, ☏ +1 956 393-7951 (U.S.). M-Sa 08:00 - 18:00, closed Su.
- 5 Benitez Dental Clinic, Av. Benito Juarez 229, Centro, ☏ +52 899 937 0188. M-Sa 09:00 - 18:00, Su 09:00 - 14:00. Full-service dental clinic 1 block from the International Bridge.
- 6 Pro Dental Clinic, Benito Juarez, ☏ +1 956 532-1845 (U.S.). Daily 08:00 - 19:00. Clean, modern facility with friendly professional staff. Services available include extractions, deep cleaning, and teeth whitening.
- 7 Aury Dental Clinic, Calle Coahuila #223 (next to border crossing/international bridge), ☏ +1 956 363-8152 (U.S.). Daily 08:00 - 17:00. Woman-owned dental clinic with state-of-the-art equipment in a spotlessly hygienic and comfortable facility. Full range of dental services available.
- 8 Pena-Reyna Dental Care (corner of Benito Juarez and Coahuila, 1 block from international bridge), ☏ +1 956 877-9058 (U.S.). M-F 08:00 - 17:00, Sa 08:00 - 16:00, Su 10:00 - 15:00. Full service dental care including crowns, root canals, extractions, etc.
- 9 Dr. Ulises Estrada, Benito Juarez 240, ☏ +52 899 450 9333. Daily 08:00 - 18:00. Specializes in cosmetic dentistry. If you're looking for a brilliantly dazzling smile with perfectly even teeth, then Dr. Estrada is your guy!
Pharmacies
editThousands of U.S. citizens have their prescriptions filled in Nuevo Progreso where prescription drug prices are often lower than the co-pays charged to well-insured Americans. Savings of more than 90% are not uncommon. Mexico also has more generic drugs available than in the United States and some expensive name-brand "patent medications" have generic equivalents available from Mexican pharmacies at significant savings. Pharmacies in Nuevo Progreso include:
- 1 , Esq. Coahuila y Reynosa, ☏ +52 81 8126 0000. Daily 07:00 - 23:00. About 1-block walk to the international bridge. Benavides is the largest and oldest pharmacy chain in Mexico with locations in most major cities. Sells both name-brand medicines and their own line of Benavides-branded generics. r
- 2 San Francisco Pharmacy, Av. Benito Juárez 182, B and P Bridge Colonia, ☏ +52 189 937 0691. Daily 08:00 - 20:00. Well-regarded pharmacy known for personal service. Generic medicines are available as well as genuine name-brand products.
- 3 Angel's Pharmacy, Av. Benito Juárez 301, ☏ +1 956 314 0433 (in US). Daily 09:30 - 18:00. Clean, professionally run pharmacy with a large selection.
- 4 Farmacia Azteca, Av. Benito Juárez 207-B, Centro, ☏ +52 899 937 0987.
- 5 Farmacias Similares, Esq. Benito Juarez y Revolucion, ☏ +52 899 937 1458. Daily 07:30 - 22:00. Large chain pharmacy specializing in generic drugs (similares) at a fraction of the name-brand price.
- 6 Pharmacy Medico, Benito Juarez 231, ☏ +52 899 189 1067. Small pharmacy that serves a primarily local clientele so medicine is often cheaper than the pharmacies closer to the international bridge and the pharmacist is more willing to write prescriptions for foreigners.
Eat
edit- 1 Rene's Restaurant, Av. Benito Juárez 313, ☏ +52 899 937 0152. Daily 08:00 - 17:00. Affordable, casual Mexican diner serving omelettes, pancakes, machado, and other typical fare plus a wide variety of baked goods. Tacos, flautas and basic antojitos at other times of day. Cash only (no credit cards or payment apps). M$150.
- 2 Arturo's, Benito Juarez 209, ☏ +1 956 351-5772 (US). Daily 10:00 - 19:00. Clean, inviting and spacious modern dining room with a menu featuring traditional Mexican food and grilled meats (steak, burgers, etc.) M$200.
- 3 Chuy's Red Snapper, Av. Benito Juárez 211, Centro, ☏ +52 899 937 0497. Daily 10:00 - 20:00. Seafood restaurant with traditional Mexican favorites like coconut shrimp, shrimp cocktails, filete (fish fillets) served in a variety of ways, ceviche and more. Big frozen margaritas. M$250.
- 4 Cucina Della Noni, Av. Benito Juárez 124, Centro, ☏ +52 899 937 1094. Daily 10:00 - 22:00. Cozy Italian restaurant serving pasta, pizza and a small number of traditional Italian entrees as well as a couple items that seemed more Mexican or American (like wings). Good drinks, friendly service. M$250.
Drink
edit- 1 Pancho's, Benito Juarez 200. Daily 08:00 - 19:00. Large bar close to the international bridge. Live music with dancing. Full menu includes fajitas, tacos, and more. Big margaritas and excellent micheladas. M$150.
- 2 Ground Zero Bar, Benito Juarez 183, ☏ +52 899 937 1162. Daily 09:00 - 19:00. Loud, obnoxious bar with live music, a mind-boggling array of bottles, tacky souvenirs, and a sign saying they make 2800 kinds of drinks. Young and stupid Texans coming for the low drinking age will love it! M$150.
- 3 Red Panty Bar, Av. Benito Juárez 130. Tacky, cliche bar on the main street known for a large pair of red panties over the bar. Mostly a place where grandpa will drink too much while grandma is across the street getting her teeth straightened.
- 4 Galleria Bar, Av. Benito Juarez 330 (Galerias shopping center). Large, modern, air conditioned bar serving shooters, margaritas, beer, micheladas and tequila. DJ pumps out the music and there is dancing and karaoke.
- 5 Vampiz, Chihuahua 106. Strip club for guys who are otherwise too ugly to get lucky.
Sleep
edit- 1 Hotel Flores, Benito Juarez 134 (1 block from international bridge), ☏ +52 833 307 8473. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Budget hotel with a lot of rough edges. Has a pool but it's not always working (or cleaned). Rooms are spacious but air conditioning is often broken. Unfortunately, you're not likely to find a better place nearby.
Connect
editStay safe
editDespite the reputation of the rest of the state of Tamaulipas, the streets of Nuevo Progreso are very safe during daylight hours. Under the bridge over the Rio Grande, it is common to see beggars reaching out for money with empty plastic containers on sticks and sometimes hats, though they should not pose any threat of serious harm to you.