Puerta de ingreso a Sonora
What was once a small settlement of houses and tents at a railway junction, has since become an elegant city. The town of Nogales has undergone many changes since its humble beginnings as a railway border crossing in 1882. These changes have extended beyond the state borders of Sonora to affect the entire country. Nogales is considered the most important gateway into Sonora. It is the epitome of a city which has changed over time in order to continue to fulfill the responsibilities of a place with such a pivotal location.
Because it shares a border with Arizona (one of the states of the USA with the healthiest amount of economic development), Nogales undertook a visionary and ambitious program to recreate itself as a large investment and business center for the state. Nogales is where the most important goods and service vehicles register, and it also attracts a large amount of foreign tourism. This town has become the prototype of economic progress for the state because of its high level of commercial activity and its commitment to investment. Along the same lines, there are numerous industrial parks where important manufacturing companies are headquartered or have branch offices.
When visiting Nogales, whether it is for business or pleasure, don’t forget to walk through the downtown streets. They are alive with activity, color and charm and are sure to bring you pleasant surprises.
Hidalgo Plaza
This is one of the most beloved and traditional plazas in Nogales, and it also happens to be where the majority
of the city’s inhabitants congregate. It includes a theatrical stage where various performances can be enjoyed (theater productions, musicals, etc.). At the back of the plaza stands an outstanding mural dedicated
to don Miguel Hidalgo. Álvaro Obregón Ave. and Torres Street, across from Banamex Bank.
Monuments
The city proudly displays three breathtaking works of sculpture. One, the Monument of Dignity and Ignorance, is the figure of a man destroying a mythical
bird, which represents all of the evil that afflicts society. The others are the don Benito Juarez Monument
and the monument dedicated to well-known athlete Ana Gabriela Guevara who was born in this municipality. The first two monuments are located on Álvaro Obregón Ave. and Ana Gabriela Guevara Ave. and the third is found at Álvaro Obregón Ave. and Tecnológico Ave.
Temples
The religious devotion of the Nogales people is reflected
in such places as the Purísima Concepción Church (Ochoa Street and López Mateos Ave.), dating from 1886 and constructed out of cantera stone, and the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Sanctuary, whose construction began in 1950 (San Martín and Lázaro Cárdenas).
Historic Customs House
This building is a replica of the historic structure that was located on Elías Street and which was the site for the heroic gesture that occurred on August 27, 1918. On this day, a number of Nogales citizens gave their lives defending Mexican territory. Today, the site of the original building, located at Internacional Street and Elías Street, is home to Border Crossing No. 2 and is memorialized by a symbolic pillar. Because of its brave citizens, the city of Nogales was declared a Heroic City in 1961. (Ruiz Cortines Ave., 100 meters (328 feet) from the border).
Culinary Mosaic
The variety and quality of Nogales’ cuisine attracts travelers from the four corners of the Earth, all with different cultures and discerning tastes. Everything from international cuisine to traditional Mexican cooking can be found here in Nogales’ famous restaurants.
In the commercial plazas there are many small restaurants offering fast food. Don’t forget the specialty seafood restaurants, steakhouses and delicious
taco stands.
Arts and Crafts
The whole center of the city is replete with artistic creativity. Here visitors can find everything from the simplest articles to the finest masterpieces. Notable locations include the Morelos Passage, the Artisan Market and the specialty stores, which carry pieces worthy of the best galleries.
Guaranteed Fun
As the afternoon winds down, and dusk settles on the city, the warm atmosphere of the local bars welcomes visitors, tired from their shopping adventures. Evening arrives and the downtown lampposts begin to glow, illuminating the night and guiding the way to evening performances, nightclubs and bars with live music.
All Services
The level of demand and business competition that is indicative of a dynamic city such as this one leads to the establishment of services with the highest standards of quality. Nogales has many attractive characteristics in this regard. Its hotels have a traditional corporate image and are equipped for all types of events and conferences, and visitors can also enjoy excellent customs and banking services. Additionally,
Nogales has educational institutions and a full range of public and private health services. As if that weren’t enough, the road infrastructure of Nogales is among the best in Mexico. The traditional Obregón Ave. is the main border entryway into the heart of Nogales. Here visitors can find every kind of commercial and financial service.
