My family is fortunate to have an excellent dentist, Dr. Luis Lopez Bojorquez (a graduate of the Dental College in Mexicali), who has been keeping our teeth in good health at a modest expense for the last five years. "Dr. Luis" phone number is 011-52-658-517-77-50. The office address is Real Plaza Del Sol, No. 19 - "A" Avenue, Suite 4, Los Algodones, or email him at lopezb_mxli@yahoo.com.mx.

When I first learned of Algodones and was referred to Dr. Luis by a friend of a friend, my entire mouth was in pretty bad shape. I needed deep cleaning of the gums and a new cap over a root canal which had never been done by the dentist who charged me $1500 in 1994 to do the work. "Dr. Luis" took care of my dental issues for less than $400, and made me a partial for a missing tooth as well. I had several procedures done without Novocaine (at my own request) and felt very little, if any, pain. Apparently large doses of Novocaine aren't always necessary.

Then again, maybe Luis just knows what he's doing.

A patient waits in Dr. Luis's clean, well equipped office.

This dental patient is not at all frightened.

El Paraiso Cafe next door. Try the Tostadas.

Mexico is a very colorful place.

Yes, the dental work one can find in Los Algodones is awesome, and so are the savings.

Algodones is also a good place to go to find a drugstore. Many prescription drugs can be found at very low prices, as well as cartons of cigarettes, liquor, etc., at greatly reduced prices.

There are also many optical offices, where glasses, etc., can be procured within 24 hours, also at a tremendous discount.

Before discovering Los Algodones and Dr. Luis, I had had so many problems with my teeth (or maybe the problem was not being able to afford the customary charges of our local dentists) that I was afraid I would lose them all before too long. I had lost four. All I could afford was to have them pulled. I haven't lost any since we started going there twice a year for cleanings. I've had two fillings done in five years, at about $65 a filling (porcelain).

The last time we visited Dr. Luis, there was a couple in his office who had driven all the way down from Idaho, just for dental work. They had been seeing Dr. Luis for years. I have met many others who have, as well, during the time we have been his patients. He does excellent work, and you will hardly feel a thing, Novocaine or not.

After your dental appointment, stop in next door at El Paraiso for lunch. It's a laid back, cheerful little restaurant, with an outdoor cafe out back, and good food. A lot of people go there just to relax and have a good meal and a margarita.

Many interesting and affordable Mexican arts are available, as well as the usual clothing, wallets, purses, etc., in the shops along the streets or the vendors' carts.

Overall, Los Algodones is an enjoyable place to frequent.