 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 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. |
|
