Nuevo Laredo

[Bbond]

I realize NL is not the same as in the days of yore, what is the current status of the sporting scene in Centro?.

Not much going on, weekend it picks up a little, but nothing compared to what it once was. Quantity and quality both are poor. Some girls work the street, they are scarce on most nights. Actually pretty sad but you can always find something. Nothing comes close to what the old Montera was.

[Motcar]

Mr Bbond,

I realize NL is not the same as in the days of yore, but I trust you as a straight shooter. What is the current status of the sporting scene in Centro? God knows how much I miss the days of the downstairs Bar Montera. Thanks for any updates.

[Bbond]

This weekend, the 18th & 19th of February, dry law is in effect. So bars will be closed, streets practically deserted. Not a good weekend to visit.

I remain confounded by the fear a lot of people have of visiting here. It is not nearly as bad as some report. It's actually lot safer now than it has been in the past.

Bbond, Nuevo Laredo resident for 14+ years now.

[Xfactors]

Not all border towns are Juarez. They're more like Juarez Lite.

I'm now too afraid to go to Juarez. I posted this in Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa forum because I'm concerned about those areas also, and wanted to give a heads up for those areas. I'm a tall, skinny, white gringo, and am afraid I will be viewed like a big juicy catfish to the corrupt cops and cartels in border towns and Juarez.

[CenTexCrash]

I'm not sure it's safe to go to border towns in Mexico. Lots of kidnappings along the border towns in Mexico. The corrupt police are working with the gangs in these kidnappings. Check out this video. Go to 29.00 in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPXdhghxe9s.

I was situated in Nuevo Laredo last week from Monday night to Saturday morning. As long as you stay in the areas around Guerrero Ave and Reforma Ave you're fine. Don't drive nice cars / trucks, no flashy jewelry, don't wander into poorly lit neighborhoods and your survival chances increase 20 fold.

Did a few times in my confinement contemplated hitting up Emilianos or Boystown, but I backed off.

I was there today again I was fine, they want me back March 1, think I'll do that then a mad dash for MTY afterward.

Not all border towns are Juarez. They're more like Juarez Lite.

[DramaFree11]

I'm not sure it's safe to go to border towns in Mexico. Lots of kidnappings along the border towns in Mexico. The corrupt police are working with the gangs in these kidnappings. Check out this video. Go to 29.00 in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPXdhghxe9s.

Laredo should be avoided especially late at night. I hate driving through Laredo on my way to MTY.

[Xfactors]

I'm not sure it's safe to go to border towns in Mexico. Lots of kidnappings along the border towns in Mexico. The corrupt police are working with the gangs in these kidnappings. Check out this video. Go to 29.00 in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPXdhghxe9s.

[Bbond]

I am moving back to Texas next week. Haven't been to Nuevo Laredo in a long time. Is Emiianos open? How about any of the other bars downtown like Jorochos? Any recommendations on where to hang out and maybe find a chica or two. Thanks.

Emilianos is open, as well as Malinche, Banderas, and Jarochos.

[RikyMichaels7]

Hi Bbond,

I am moving back to Texas next week. Haven't been to Nuevo Laredo in a long time. Is Emiianos open? How about any of the other bars downtown like Jorochos? Any recommendations on where to hang out and maybe find a chica or two. Thanks.

[Burma Jones]

Question: can the details of the free permit get looked at, will airport authorities at either NLD or CDMX give me a hard time? Or was border office staff just blowing smoke I can disregard?

Bonus: Was I better off just be straight and say "I'm entering Nuevo on Tuesday and flying out of CDMX on Thursday. It is less than 7 days. "?

Sorry I'm late to the discussion but may be able to offer a little insight. I flew out of MTY on Vivaaerbus 3 weeks ago on the early Sunday morning flight (6:10 am) and got to Terminal see at 5 am half asleep. The "helper" looked through my passport for the entry stamp I received 4 days earlier and since he couldn't locate, he sent me to the migracion booth. The official also couldn't locate which of the faded stamps were the most recent. He finally chose one and wrote the entry date in pen and initialed. I then went to the check in counter where the clerk proceeded to search for the stamp again. She took my passport back to the same migracion officer to make sure I was all legal. By then, I was irritated and tired so she returned my impatience by asking for my global entry card for the expiration date (which I've never had to provide and don't know the date) for any flight. I finally was allowed to proceed but never had that amount of scrutiny ay either an airport or land crossing.

[CenTexCrash]

How is the drive from inside MEX border to Reynosa airport? I looked at on Google maps and quite a distance and mostly passing by spread out factories, opportunities for cartel interception?

It is a looooooooooong trip from border to Reynosa REX airport. You can walk from the bridge to the Reynosa Autobus Centrale and there's an airport shuttle for around 100 p (about $5) that will get you from Zona Centro to airport.

Of course the cab drivers won't tell you that.

[Elvis 2008]

How is the drive from inside MEX border to Reynosa airport? I looked at on Google maps and quite a distance and mostly passing by spread out factories, opportunities for cartel interception?

I felt safe. It is a 30 or 40 minute ride depending on traffic, and I paid a cab 20 bucks at the border to take me to the airport.

[Cocr Brotheler]

CTC, I flew to Mcallen, caught Uber to Hidalgo, walked the bridge to Reynosa, took care of my business there. I went to the airport and flew to Mexico City. Three days later, I flew back to USA. No issues, no problems. I never filled out 7 day pass.

There used to be a paper pass you would get when flying into Mexico and you had to present it before you left the country. Mexico has done away with that.

For what it is worth, there was my third flight from Reynosa without an issue. One time I flew from Laredo and the people hassled the crap out of me there. It was annoying. Nor sure why Laredo is such a pain and Reyonsa is so smooth.

How is the drive from inside MEX border to Reynosa airport? I looked at on Google maps and quite a distance and mostly passing by spread out factories, opportunities for cartel interception?

[Elvis 2008]

In progress: Walked into Nuevo Laredo, flying CDMX then flying CDMX to South America.

This worked in October 2020.

Flash forward 1 hour ago: are they cracking down on 7 day free permit?

First stop in Nuevo the Citev Migracion Officina to get a 7 day permit. Intent fly Nuevo to CDMX, kill a day Wednesday in CDMX, then Thursday hand over permit as I board flight to Latin America.

Problem: The permit staff did give me the free permit BUT they gave me a real hard pressing, demanded this free permit is to be returned to Nuevo Laredo ONLY and no other departing points. I said 5 days in Monterrey, they said be back in Nuevo Laredo in 5 or 6 days to return this permit.

They actually stamped "Tamaulipas" in my passport book (The border staff has never done that before).

CTC, I flew to Mcallen, caught Uber to Hidalgo, walked the bridge to Reynosa, took care of my business there. I went to the airport and flew to Mexico City. Three days later, I flew back to USA. No issues, no problems. I never filled out 7 day pass.

There used to be a paper pass you would get when flying into Mexico and you had to present it before you left the country. Mexico has done away with that.

For what it is worth, there was my third flight from Reynosa without an issue. One time I flew from Laredo and the people hassled the crap out of me there. It was annoying. Nor sure why Laredo is such a pain and Reyonsa is so smooth.

[CenTexCrash]

In progress: Walked into Nuevo Laredo, flying CDMX then flying CDMX to South America.

This worked in October 2020.

Flash forward 1 hour ago: are they cracking down on 7 day free permit?

Update:

Next day, arrived at NLD Nuevo airport. Made the mistake of checking in at desk (despite carry on only) and Viva staff referred me to the on-site Migracion office to confirm the validity of my permit.

The officers told me gave me a lot of shit about flying into the interior with a 7 day permit.

Eventually I confessed I was using Mexico as a launch pad into South America. They shrugged their shoulders, decided since my travel was only 2 days, I wasn't a risk so let me onwards. But asked me to pay Permit Fee at Mexico City airport before I leave Mexico. I said "I'll look into it".

Next Day: Appeared at COPA departure gate, staff accepted my 7 day permit and was allowed to board my flight. So this whole thing can be chalked up as a nothing burger.

Even then, I think I'll stick with Monterrey, too much questioning at Nuevo.