Nogales (Arizona)

The origin of the name Nogales is Spanish and derives from the word walnut, since walnut trees used to grow here. International Street, which separates Arizona and México, was once a wide main street much like any other. This changed on August 27, 1918 when American authorities opened fire on a Mexican civilian attempting to return to Sonora, igniting an international gun battle (the Battle of Ambos Nogales) which raged for days and ended with the construction of the first permanent border fence right down the centre of the village. The honorific "Heroica Nogales" was conferred on the Mexican portion of the community in recognition of this history.
The city is now one of the most important border crossings between Mexico and the USA by all measures.

• Nogales-SCC Chamber of Commerce Visitor & Tourism Center

  phone: +1 520-287-3685
  address: 123 W Kino Park

Take Interstate 19 (I-19) south until the valley becomes narrow. Here you will find the narrowest point, where Nogales is located.

• Nogales International AirportGeneral aviation only. Not to be confused with the Mexican Nogales International Airport ().

The historic core of downtown Nogales is most easily seen on foot, particularly if you want to cross the border. To go further afield, you'll need a car.

By rental car

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car

  phone: +1 520-281-0425
  address: 871 W Mariposa Rd Unit C

• Hertz Car Rental

  phone: +1 520-287-2012
  address: 1012 N Grand Ave

• Pimeria Alta Historical Society and Museum

  phone: +1 520-287-4621
  address: 136 N Grand Ave
  This museum is housed in the former City Hall, built in 1914 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Rotating displays focus on the history of the region, and include artifacts as well as documents and photographs.

• Santa Cruz County Courthouse

  address: 21 E Court St
  On the National Register of Historic Places, the courthouse was built in 1904 from stone quarried in Nogales itself. The building now houses the Nogales branch of Cochise College as well as the Arizona Ranger Museum, which displays artifacts from the Territorial Arizona Rangers and the modern Arizona Rangers.

• Morley AvenueA historic row of shops in buildings dating from the early 1900s. Many stores, including Kory's Company, Cinderella, and Bracker's Department Store are still run by the descendents of the original merchants.

• Charles Mingus Jazz Festival

  phone: +1 520-287-3685
  Held annually in April in commemoration of Nogales-born Charles Mingus, the two-day festival features regional jazz, food, and entertainment.

• Fiestas de MayoThis annual celebration includes live music, art, entertainment, and Mexican food.

• Day of the Dead TourIn observance of the Mexican holiday Día de Muertos, the Pimeria Alta Historical Society conducts tours of the historic Nogales Cemetery. Tickets are available in October at the Pimeria Alta Museum (see listing above), as well as at the start of the tour.

• Festival Fiestas Patrias

  phone: +1 520-287-2521
  address: 1905 N Apache Blvd
  An annual event celebrating Mexican Independence Day, with an evening of traditional mariachi music and folklorico dancers.

For souvenirs most visitors like to walk across the border and explore Nogales, Sonora.

• Paul Bond Boots

  phone: +1 520-281-0512, +1 520-281-1077
  address: 915 W Paul Bond Dr
  A nationally-known shop which crafts fine hand-made custom cowboy boots to order.

• El Zarape

  phone: +1 520-287-3920
  address: 964 N Grand Ave
  Homemade Mexican food. On Wednesdays they have a chicken mole special.

• Cocina La Ley

  phone: +1 520-287-4555
  address: 226 W 3rd St
  Very popular with locals for Mexican seafood. Especially good are their shrimp tacos and seafood soup.

• Las Vigas Steak Ranch

  phone: +1 520-287-6641
  address: 180 W Loma St
  Authentic Mexican food, with great machacas and carnitas.

• Nickel's Diner

  phone: +1 520-281-1040
  address: 1060 Yavapai Dr #1, Rio Rico
  Very popular, with free wi-fi too.

• Nonna Vivi Pizzeria

  phone: +1 520-761-2825
  address: 1060 Yavapai Dr #5, Rio Rico
  Traditional wood-fired grilled pizza.

Grocery stores

• Food City

  phone: +1 520-287-4675
  address: 450 North Grand Court Plaza

• Safeway

  phone: +1 520-281-4929
  address: 465 W Mariposa Rd
  Has a pharmacy and Starbucks onsite.

Finitos is a very famous local drink of the shaved ice type. It is not the same shaved ice that one typically finds at a ballgame; this one is extremely unique. It is definitely a city favorite and known by all who live in and around Nogales for its high quality. In addition, it comes in a large range of flavors to meet any personal preference. Don't hesitate to try this local treat.

• Candlewood Suites Nogales

  phone: +1 520-281-1111
  address: 875 N Frank Reed Rd
  Designed primarily for business travelers. Free breakfast and wi-fi, gym and laundry facilities.

• Esplendor Resort at Rio Rico

  phone: +1 520-281-1901
  address: 1069 Camino Caralampi, Rio Rico
  Pets accepted.

• Frida's Inn

  phone: +1 520-470-9708
  address: 570 N Morley Ave
  Operated in a historic home, with wi-fi, laundry facilities, and multilingual staff. Bookings can be made online via expedia.com or venere.com.

• Hacienda Corona de Guevavi

  phone: +1 520-287-6503
  address: 348 N River Rd, HC2 Box 96
  A historic bed and breakfast which once hosted John Wayne, with murals by Mexican bullfighter-turned-painter Salvador Corona.

• Holiday Inn Express Nogales

  phone: +1 520-281-0123
  address: 850 W Shell Rd
  Free breakfast and wi-fi, no smoking.

• Nogales/Santa Cruz County Public Library

  phone: +1 520-287-3343
  address: 518 N Grand Ave
  Computers available, free wi-fi access during opening hours.

Consulates

• Consulate-General of El Salvador

  phone: +1 520-287-9405
  address: 840 North Grand Ave

• Consulate-General of Mexico

  phone: +1 520-287-2521-3381-3386
  address: 135 W Cardwell St

News

• Nogales InternationalAlso available in print.

Hospital

• Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital

  phone: +1 520-285-3000
  address: 1171 W Target Range Rd

America's appetite for various contraband street drugs has ensured a steady stream of US dollars and US weapons southward to dangerous organised gangs on the Mexican side at all major crossings, in return for drugs which transit Mexico on their way north.
This has created dangers for travellers continuing westward into Mexico from the Nogales area; see the current travel warning issued by the US State Department. If you intend to cross at Nogales, it may be best to stay on the main toll road (México 15), travel by day and avoid display of jewels or valuables in order to keep a low profile.

• Tumacácori National Historical Park is located 15 minutes north of Nogales.