Matamoros
Spice up your trip to South Padre Island with a zesty shake of
Mexican flavoring. 25 short miles by land, Matamoros is a
strategic point on the Mexican-American border and receives
thousands of visitors each year. Matamoros possesses several
unique tourist attractions, all full of history and beauty.
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The Casamata Museum is the last remaining fort in northern
Mexico and is traditionally associated with the intrigue and
struggle of Mexico in the mid 1800’s. Construction for the
fortress began in 1845, in preparation of the expected invasion
of Mexico by General Zachary Taylor in 1846. The fort was
restored as a historical museum and its collection includes
sables, bullets, cannons, uniforms, pictures of historical
events, a newspaper archive and other memorabilia of the era
from 1810 through 1920. Admission to the museum is free.
The Reforma Theater, also known as “The Athens of Tamaulipas”,
was originally constructed in 1861. In 1956 the theater was
demolished and replaced with a modern structure that was leased
by a private company and operated as a movie theater for the
next 30 plus years. In the early 1990’s, the building was
remodeled to its original architectural design. For many years
after it was remodeled, the theater provided the area with
excellent performances such as opera, symphony orchestra
presentations, classical music, drama plays, and hosted numerous
cultural events in the city. In more recent years, the theater
has become home to the International Autumn Festival. Reforma
Theater is located at the corner of Matamoros and 6th Streets.
The Main Plaza and City Hall were first built in 1800 and have
been reconstructed numerous times over the years due to the
large number of hurricanes that hit the area. The first “Kiosko”
was built in the center of the plaza in 1889. Most of the wood
used is of Morocco style, making this one of the architectural
treasures of the city. On Saturday and Sunday, the people of
Matamoros, and tourists, enjoy one the most popular traditions
of the city, which is to relax at the Plaza and enjoy the many
wonders of the area. Take time for a shoeshine, admire the
balloons and homemade candy available from street vendors, and
the many cultural events that take place over each weekend. The
main City Hall building was recently rebuilt to match the
architectural design of the 1800’s and is open to the public for
tours. The Main Plaza and City Hall are located at 6th Street
between Gonzalez and Abasolo streets.
Another “not to miss” shopping experience is the Juarez Market.
Located on 9th street between Abasolo and Matamoros streets. The
original market (El Parian) was four blocks from the present day
location and started by a small congregation of merchants. In
1873, the market was renamed Juarez Market in memory of
President Benito Juarez who died in 1872. In 1933 the market was
demolished and rebuilt in its current location. On Christmas Eve
1968, the market burned to the ground. In 1970 it was
reconstructed and is now a major tourist attraction with more
than 100 shops, making it the largest shopping center in the
city. The Market is located on 9th street between Abasolo and
Matamoros streets.
Matamoros offers visitors modern services, first-class hotels,
unique restaurants with delicious northern Mexican cuisine, and
many cultural and business centers. All of this combined makes
Matamoros a dynamic and modern city that embraces its culture
and history.
Nuevo Progreso
Originally called Las Flores, which was the name of the local
ranch, this wonderful little town has seen many changes over the
years. The river you cross today as you go across the bridge has
moved around a bit over the years. The river used to pass to the
South of the town’s current location and the area where the town
sits today was previously on the United States side. Following a
major flood, the river changed course. Approximately 500 acres
of land was transferred back to Mexico and the entire town is
now built on land the river took back. In 1933, the name of the
city was changed to La Villa Nuevo Progreso, or Progreso as
everyone calls it today.
The first restaurant to open in Neuvo Progreso was Arturo’s
Restaurant in 1953 and the first grocery store was Abarrotera
Pulido in 1959. Starting in the mid-1950’s, amazing growth was
seen in the business community. There were two meat markets, a
fish market, and several tortilla factories. Pavi Indian Market,
the first curios shop was opened by Pablo Bautista in the
mid-1960’s. During this time, numerous shops, beauty parlors and
barber shops also opened.
Although Neuvo Progreso became home to two physicians during the
early 1950’s and the first dentist in the mid-1960’s, pharmacies
did not appear until the late 1970’s. Today both physicians and
dentist number in the hundreds and over sixty pharmacies or
stories with pharmacy departments are available for your
convenience.
Nuevo Progreso has become one of the most popular crossing
points for both tourists and locals. The State of Texas
recognizes the importance of the Progreso Bridge. From 1993
through the end of 1997, the Texas Department of Transportation
invested over $10 million in FM 1015, which connects to US 83
and points north. TxDOT invested over $5 million more in 1998
and in 1999 to provide for five lanes of traffic. The new Neuvo
Progreso Bridge was completed in 2003 with it’s broad covered
walkways and four lanes of traffic that speed the flow of cars
going either way.
Even better, when you cross the bridge you’re right in the heart
of one of the busiest, happiest, and most fun shopping places
anywhere on the border. Everyone from Winter Texans, to college
students on Spring Break, to families during the summer months
enjoy the many shopping opportunities to be found and fabulous
food to be indulged in. Come and let the friendliest people on
the border show you a good time!
U.S. Customs Service: All articles acquired in Mexico must be
declared. Each visitor is allowed an $800 exemption for gifts
and personal articles, including one liter of alcohol per person
over 21 years of age every 30 days. Cuban cigars are prohibited.
Texas residents can bring back into Texas a maximum of 1 quart
of distilled spirits; 3 gallons of wine; and 24 twelve ounce
containers of beer. Non-residents can bring back into Texas a
maximum of 1 gallon of distilled spirits or wine (or any
combination of the two); and 24 twelve ounce containers of beer.
Non-residents must have identification to prove their
out-of-state residency. There can be no substitutions between
the types of beverages. The importation of alcoholic beverages
must be for personal consumption and cannot occur more than once
in a 30-day period. All alcoholic beverages imported into Texas
are subject to a state liquor tax and an administrative fee. You
will be advised at the checkpoint of current rates. Certain
prescriptions may be purchased in Mexico and brought into the
U.S. provided you have a valid U.S. Doctor’s prescription for a
reasonable amount. A reasonable amount generally means a 90 day
supply. U.S. Customs may exercise judgment in allowing the
transport of prescription drugs. Do not bring any type of diet
pills or steroids across the border. Hazardous items, guns,
switchblades and illegal drugs are just a few of the items
strictly prohibited from crossing into the U.S. For up to date
information regarding the importation of items from Mexico into
the United States, please go direct to the U.S. Customs website
at: www.customs.treas.gov and click on “Traveler Information”.
Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission: You must be 21 years old to
possess alcoholic beverages and carry current valid
identification at all times. Minors (persons under 21 years of
age) or intoxicated persons may not bring alcoholic beverages
into Texas. If you show false or altered identification, the
identification will be confiscated and you will be prosecuted.
You must be 18 years of age to purchase cigarettes. One carton
of cigarettes per person may be imported. For up to date
information regarding rules and regulations, please go direct to
the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission’s website at
www.tabc.state.tx.us
U.S. Department of State and Homeland Security: The Western
Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was mandated by Congress in
the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to
strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United
States for citizens and legitimate international visitors. WHTI
requirements for air travel took effect on January 23, 2007.
When crossing by land, U.S. citizens must present either (a) a
passport, passport card or WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a
government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along
with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
Beginning June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the
full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The
proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United
States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport,
passport card, or WHTI-compliant document. For more information
and a list of WHTI-compliant documents go to http://www.travel.state.gov/travel
Since implementation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has and
will continue to exercise its current authorities in unique
circumstances to allow individuals subject to the WHTI
requirements into the United States based on other evidence of
identity and citizenship.
Travel document security remains a top priority for the U.S.
Government. Both the 9/11 Commission and the U.S. Congress urged
strengthening of travel documents to prevent entry of terrorists
across our borders, reduce use of fraudulent documents, and
speed up entry procedures.
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Items strictly prohibited from
crossing into the U.S. are some fruits and vegetables, including
mangos, avocados with seeds (the vendors know this and will
remove them), citrus (except limes) and potatoes; all poultry,
pork, and products made from them; all birds, exotic animals
including sea turtles, stuffed or alive; most exotic animal
products such as skins and most animal hides except cowhides.
Any travelers who fail to declare agricultural items on entry
into the United States can be fined a civil penalty of up to
$1,000 or more on the spot and will have their items
confiscated. For up to date information regarding the
importation of items from Mexico into the United States, please
go directly to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s website at:
www.usda.gov
Traveler Tip: For traveling abroad go to (http://www.cbp.gov/ xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/)
and click on “Know Before You Go - Regulations for U.S.
Residents”. This is a 56 page booklet that provides excellent
information on the do’s and don’ts of traveling across borders.
