Winter Texans Stay in South Texas, Play in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico
There’s a great little town just across the border from Fun and Sun RV Park in San Benito, that has everyone spreading the news.
Nuevo Progreso, Mexico is a town located just over the US-Mexican border that offers up spectacular shopping and fun things to do. They call themselves the friendliest folks on the border, and if you ask any Winter Texan, they’ll probably agree.
“The people in Nuevo Progreso really look after the visitors,” said long time Fun and Sun resident, Canadian, Gary Scott. “We get a lot of people from Ontario, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan and BC come down to Fun and Sun. They are great people, and we all head over to Nuevo Progreso.”
WALK ACROSS THE BORDER
Gary is a true-blue Winter Texan. He loves the town, the people and all there is to do there.
“It’s right across the border from Progreso, Texas, and it’s so easy to get to,” he said. “My wife and I usually just walk right across the border. There’s a bridge across the Rio Grande River from the US to Mexico. The river isn’t very wide at that point so most people park their cars in the States and walk over.”
Gary and his wife love the fact that it’s only a half hour drive from Fun and Sun in San Benito, and that they feel safe and very welcome in Nuevo Progreso.
SAFETY FIRST
When asked if Nuevo Progreso was really as safe as they think, Gary had this to say: “We’ve been going there for 12 years now. When we first went over there it was just great because there was so much stuff going on. Now we just go over for the day, have lunch and stuff. There aren’t any problems really. Every now and then you’ll see a couple Federales around, but it’s completely safe.” Even the website for Progreso Nuevo states there has been no US citizen involved in any drug-related violence in town.
DENTISTS AND SHOPPING
Many Winter Texans, snowbirds and Americans head over to Nuevo Progreso for dental services. Some of the country’s highest rated dental experts practice here, with over 40 offices in all. “A lot of people go over there to get the medication and to go to the dentists,” explained Gary. “It’s cheaper than in the USA. You can go across and get your teeth cleaned for $20! A lot of Canadians and Americans that don’t have dental plans just cross the border and get their work done.”
“We like to go over there for a fun day. We do some shopping and have something to eat,” he said. “We might go over a few times a week. It’s one of the safer places in Mexico and it is typically a town that caters to tourists.”
“The department stores here are great,” said
Gary. “They have one called the El Disco Super Center. It’s the largest department store in town and has everything from rustic furniture to music, piñatas and cowboy hats. At El Disco, they even have a bar – it’s called Panchos. It’s quite the place for Winter Texans. We come here to eat, drink and dance. The bartenders are friendly and they all know your name after a while.”
They have other stores in town as well that carry everything a Winter Texan would need for the season, even hair salons and barbers. “I can get my haircut for $4 here!” he said with a smile.
FESTIVALS, FOOD AND FUN
Twice a year they hold festivals that celebrate the tourists who help keep the town’s economy alive. “They have one in January called Welcome Back Winter Texan Day. All the vendors have all their goods out on the street,” said Gary. “There’s free tequila and free beer too! It’s a really good hoot. Then in March, they have Winter Texan appreciation day. There are mariachi bands playing and they give away little goodies. There are thousands of people that go over there for that.”
Nuevo Progreso is also known for its food. Try some authentic Mexican food prepared by the people who know it best. There’s also seafood restaurants, Italian and great steaks. Most restaurants are family-friendly, and have live music. For more music, just step outside and listen to the street entertainers. Gary and his wife will be back next year so they can enjoy the diversity, safety and rich culture of Nuevo Progreso.