However, for special events, the buses usually run later into the evening. There are good and bad people everywhere, and there are better and worse neighborhoods everywhere. It's to the advantage of the merchants to be able to speak at least a little English, so many do. Don't expect to find much useful information in the published tour guides. Talk to people who've been there.
Border towns can be an inexpensive way to visit Mexico.
The pedestrian bridge toll costs 35 cents to leave the US and the Mexicans charge 2 pesos or 25 cents for the return trip. And if you're planning to travel to points within Mexico, oftentimes it is less expensive to get to the US border town, cross the border, and then use Mexican transportation departing from that particular town. Elevens, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Office Max and the like. You'll find these on nearly every block. For instance, the plaza del toros in Nuevo Laredo features bull fights.