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.

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 beautiful Victorian style house known as La Casa Cross is the most unique in northern Mexico and was constructed in 1885 by Meliton Cross. The story of the house goes back to John Cross, a rich landowner from South Carolina. Cross had a son named John, Jr. who became seriously ill and was attended by an African American slave. Cross disowned his son when he discovered he had fallen in love with the nurse maid and had decided to marry her. John, Jr. and his new bride moved to the Matamoros/ Brownsville area and he became a very successful businessman. John, Jr. and his wife had six children, one of which was Meliton Cross. La Casa Cross was purchased in 1991 and has been restored to its original beautiful style.

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.

Alvaro Obregon Avenue opened in 1928 to connect the Matamoros downtown area to the International Bridge. During the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s, the Alvaro Obregon was one of the most important residential zones in Matamoros. In the 70’s the change began toward a more commercial zone. Today, it is the perfect walking route for visitors. During your walk you will find gift shops, jewelry stores specializing in silver, liquor stores, pharmacies, dentists, and banks just to name a few. Along the avenue you will also find wonderful restaurants and nightclubs.

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.

Bagdad Beach “Playa del Bagdad” is approximately 20 miles from the bridge. Bagdad Beach is the center stage for “El Festival del Mar”(Festival of the Sea) and is also a natural treasure visited by thousands of people each year. It is an ideal place for fun in the sun and one of the best places in the area to find the every elusive sandollar.

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 Pemex Company began drilling for gas shortly after construction of the first bridge in 1952. Camp Trevino was built south of the city to house employees of the drilling camp and businesses started springing up to supply the necessary amenities needed by the employees.

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 Transpor-tation 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 on each side and four lanes of traffic that speed the flow of cars going either way. The soon to be opened truck bridge, located to the east side will remove the heavy truck traffic and will make the crossing even more pleasurable.

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. Due to the overwhelming number of passport requests received, accommodations were made and deadlines for compliance were extended. At the time of this writing, additional changes were still possible. Please refer to http:travel.state.gov/travel for current requirements. 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, visit Know Before You Go - Regulations for U.S. Residents. Download a 56 page booklet that provides excellent information on the do’s and don’ts of traveling across borders.