What to Bring on Your Los Algodones Dental Trip

Essential documents

• US passport book or passport card (card is fine at land borders — cheaper and pocket-sized). Canadian passport for Canadian citizens.
• Photocopy of your passport, kept separately from the original (in case of loss).
• SENTRI or Global Entry card if you have one — speeds up the return.
• Dental insurance card — some clinics help file out-of-network claims.
• Driver's license — useful as secondary ID if needed.
• Clinic appointment confirmation — email, WhatsApp screenshot, or business card.

Medical information for your dentist

Don't rely on memory. Bring a written or phone-note list of:

• Current medications — drug name, dosage, frequency.
• Allergies — especially to anesthetics (lidocaine, articaine), antibiotics (penicillin), latex, or any sedative.
• Medical conditions — heart disease, diabetes, recent surgeries, blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto). These affect treatment planning.
• Recent dental X-rays — digital copies on phone are fine, or printed. New X-rays can be taken at the clinic.
• Your US dentist's contact info — in case of a records transfer request.
• History of complications — dry socket, prolonged bleeding, bad reactions to previous dental work.

Prescription medications

• Bring enough of your regular medications for the full trip plus 3–5 buffer days.
• Keep them in original pharmacy containers with labels — this matters coming back across the border.
• Don't mix pills across bottles to save space.
• If you plan to buy additional meds in Los Algodones pharmacies to bring home, check CBP import rules first — generally a 90-day personal supply is fine, but controlled substances have stricter limits.

Money

• $100–$200 USD in small bills ($1, $5, $10, $20) for meals, parking, tips, and small purchases.
• Credit card — widely accepted at clinics, restaurants, pharmacies.
• Backup debit card — in case one fails.
• Expected dental payment, separately. For amounts over $500, credit card or pre-wire is often easier than carrying cash. See our money guide.
• Pesos are NOT required — USD accepted almost everywhere.

For long or multi-day procedures

For implants, All-on-4, full mouth reconstruction, or multi-day treatments, also pack:

• Comfortable loose clothing — elastic waistbands, soft fabrics. You may be sore.
• Closed-toe walking shoes for the border walk.
• Sunglasses — the Mexican sun is intense and eyes can be light-sensitive after sedation.
• Hat or light scarf for sun protection in the return line (no shade).
• Water bottle.
• Soft foods for the ride back — smoothies, yogurt, pudding, applesauce, soft bread.
• Pain reliever — ibuprofen or whatever you take (your clinic will prescribe if needed, but having your own is insurance).
• Lip balm — dry lips are common after long appointments.
• A book, podcast, or downloaded show for the return border line.
• Hotel in Yuma, AZ — or inside Los Algodones — if you need to stay overnight between sessions.
• A trusted driver or companion. Do not drive yourself after any sedation.

Phone and connectivity

• Most US carriers (T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T) include Mexico in their domestic plans. Check before you go to avoid surprise roaming charges.
• Download Google Maps and WhatsApp before you cross. Many clinics communicate primarily via WhatsApp.
• Google Translate offline pack (Spanish) — useful at pharmacies if the clerk prefers Spanish.
• Free Wi-Fi is available at most clinics and many restaurants — ask for the password.

What NOT to bring

• Weapons of any kind — guns, knives (even small pocket knives), pepper spray, tasers. Mexican law is strict; penalties are severe.
• More than $10,000 USD cash undeclared. Amounts over $10K must be declared on both sides of the border.
• Fresh fruits or meats — US Customs will seize them on return.
• Large quantities of prescription pills intended for resale. Illegal.
• Marijuana or cannabis products — federally illegal to bring into the US, complicated under Mexican law.
• Valuables you don't need — expensive jewelry, passport of non-traveling family members.
• Your entire US medication cabinet — a modest, labeled supply is fine; a shopping bag full is not.

Before you leave home — 24-hour checklist

1. Confirm your dental appointment (WhatsApp or phone).
2. Tell your bank/card company you're traveling to Mexico — avoid fraud freezes.
3. Check your passport expiration (valid for the day of travel is enough at land borders; 6 months is the common recommendation).
4. Charge your phone and bring a car charger.
5. Print or save your clinic's address, phone, and directions.
6. Pack your passport in the same bag every trip — never your "regular" wallet.
7. Check the live border wait times the morning of your trip.
8. Top off the gas tank — Andrade has one gas station but prices may be higher.