South of the Border South Carolina remains a recognizable roadside destination on Interstate 95 in Hamer, offering travelers attractions, shopping, dining, lodging and highway services in 2026. The property continues to list its Sombrero Tower and Arcade, Reptile Lagoon, Motor Inn, RV campground, restaurants and retail locations as active visitor offerings.
Located near the North Carolina-South Carolina line, the destination has been part of the Southeast’s highway landscape for generations. Its large signs, colorful buildings and Pedro mascot make it easy for motorists to recognize while traveling along I-95.
The attraction today combines practical highway services with entertainment and sightseeing. Travelers can stop briefly for food or shopping, spend time visiting attractions or stay overnight at the property.
Where the Destination Is Located
South of the Border sits in Hamer, South Carolina, in Dillon County. The complex is positioned at Interstate 95 and U.S. 301/501, just south of the North Carolina border.
That location remains one of its biggest advantages. I-95 carries travelers through the East Coast from the Northeast toward Florida, putting the attraction directly alongside one of the country’s major north-south travel routes.
Motorists traveling south from North Carolina encounter the destination soon after crossing into South Carolina. The location also makes it accessible for travelers heading north.
The property uses the address 3346 Highway 301 N., Hamer, South Carolina 29547.
Is South of the Border Still Open?
Yes. South of the Border continues to operate in 2026.
Its current visitor information lists attractions, dining, shopping, accommodations and other facilities. The property continues to promote overnight stays through its Motor Inn and Camp Pedro RV campground.
The Sombrero Tower and Arcade remains listed as an attraction. Current operating information gives it hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Reptile Lagoon also remains open, with posted hours that vary by day.
Because individual facilities can have different schedules, travelers planning a particular activity should check the current operating hours before visiting.
The Sombrero Tower Remains a Major Landmark
The Sombrero Tower is among the most recognizable structures at the property.
The observation tower rises more than 200 feet above the grounds. A glass elevator takes visitors toward the top, providing views across the surrounding property.
The structure fits the larger visual identity that has defined the destination for decades.
The tower also serves as a major roadside landmark. Travelers approaching the complex on I-95 can see its distinctive silhouette from a considerable distance.
The attached arcade gives visitors another entertainment option. Together, the tower and arcade continue to serve as one of the destination’s primary attractions.
Reptile Lagoon Continues to Draw Visitors
Reptile Lagoon is another major attraction operating at the property.
The facility features a large indoor collection of reptiles, including crocodilians and snakes. Current information lists 15 species of crocodilians and 50 species of snakes, along with other reptiles.
The attraction also includes a discovery center and gift shop.
Its current schedule varies during the week. The facility lists hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
That makes it possible for travelers to include the exhibit in a short highway stop or a longer visit.
Shopping Remains Part of the Experience
Shopping continues to be an important part of the complex.
The property currently operates several retail locations, including Mexico Shop East, Mexico Shop West, Pedro’s Myrtle Beach Shop and Pedro’s Pura Vida.
The stores offer different categories of merchandise. Visitors can find souvenirs, apparel, hats, beachwear, toys and other items.
Mexico Shop West is promoted as the largest of the Mexico Shop locations. Mexico Shop East is identified as the oldest store on the property.
The stores reinforce the destination’s long-running roadside souvenir-shop identity.
Fireworks also remain part of the property’s retail operation. Fort Pedro Fireworks lists a selection of fireworks and operates along U.S. 301 near the I-95 complex.
Dining Options Remain Available
Travelers can also find several food options on the property.
The Peddler Steak House remains one of the destination’s primary full-service dining choices. Its current menu focuses on steaks, prime rib, chicken, seafood and salads.
The restaurant currently lists evening hours, with different schedules for Sunday through Thursday and Friday and Saturday.
Pedro’s Ice Cream Fiesta provides a more casual option. It serves ice cream and other frozen treats and currently lists daily hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
These options allow travelers to choose between a full meal and a quick stop for something cold and sweet.
Overnight Stays at the Motor Inn
South of the Border is more than a roadside attraction because it also provides lodging.
The South of the Border Motor Inn offers rooms and suites for travelers who want to spend the night at the property.
The motel includes access to the Pleasure Dome, an indoor heated pool area with a sauna and locker rooms with showers for motel guests. An outdoor pool is also available.
The lodging operation fits the property’s long history as a highway destination.
For motorists traveling long distances on I-95, staying at the attraction can provide an opportunity to break up a lengthy trip without leaving the immediate highway area.
Camp Pedro Offers RV Sites
RV travelers have another option at Camp Pedro.
The campground currently lists 100 full-hookup sites. The property provides both 30-amp and 50-amp electrical service.
Campground facilities include showers and laundry areas. Barbecue grills are available, and play areas provide an additional amenity for families traveling with children.
The campground gives the property another role in the modern road-trip market.
Rather than serving only motorists who want a short stop, the destination can accommodate travelers who prefer RV camping or need a longer overnight break.
A Business That Started With a Small Beer Stand
The history of the attraction began on a much smaller scale.
Alan Schafer opened a beer depot near the South Carolina-North Carolina border in 1949. The business developed as an answer to alcohol restrictions affecting nearby North Carolina communities.
The small operation eventually became a larger roadside business.
A diner followed, and additional services gradually appeared. Motel accommodations, shopping, entertainment and other attractions transformed the original business into a much larger destination.
The growth reflected the changing nature of American automobile travel during the middle of the 20th century.
Families increasingly traveled long distances by car, creating demand for unusual stops along major highways.
How the Pedro Identity Developed
Pedro became the central character associated with the attraction.
The sombrero-wearing mascot eventually appeared throughout the property and became the face of its advertising.
The business also developed a distinctive billboard campaign. Travelers approaching the property could see signs for miles along major highways.
The signs used humor and wordplay to capture attention.
That advertising strategy became an important part of the destination’s identity. Motorists often knew they were getting close before they could see the buildings themselves.
The Pedro character remains prominent throughout the property today.
Interstate 95 Changed the Destination
The development of I-95 was an important turning point.
When plans for the interstate placed the highway near the property, South of the Border had an opportunity to reach an even larger traveling audience.
The interstate’s construction helped shift the region’s highway traffic patterns.
The attraction’s location alongside I-95 eventually became central to its identity.
Today, the interstate connection remains one of the main reasons the property continues to attract travelers. People do not need to make a major detour to visit.
The complex sits directly within the flow of East Coast road traffic.
A Different Era of American Road Travel
The destination represents a style of roadside tourism that became especially popular during the middle decades of the 20th century.
Large signs, unusual architecture, oversized statues and themed attractions were designed to make travelers stop.
South of the Border became one of the best-known examples of that approach.
Its visual style has remained recognizable even as the broader highway landscape has changed.
Modern travelers encounter more standardized rest stops, chain restaurants and large travel centers. South of the Border stands apart because its appearance remains closely tied to its original roadside identity.
That distinction is one reason the property continues to attract people who are curious about its history.
Why People Still Stop
Different travelers have different reasons for visiting.
Some stop because they remember visiting as children. Others recognize the signs while traveling on I-95 and decide to take a break.
Families can visit Reptile Lagoon or the arcade. Adults may browse the shops or have a meal. RV travelers can use Camp Pedro, while motorists making longer trips can stay at the Motor Inn.
The property therefore serves several purposes at once.
It can be a quick roadside stop, an entertainment destination, a shopping location, a dining stop or an overnight travel base.
The Property Has Changed Over Time
South of the Border is not identical to the enormous roadside complex associated with its peak years.
Some attractions from earlier decades are no longer part of the current visitor experience. Other facilities have received attention or continue under different roles.
The property’s current offering focuses on attractions such as Reptile Lagoon and the Sombrero Tower and Arcade, along with shopping, dining, lodging and camping.
That shift reflects changes in the American highway travel industry.
Despite those changes, the destination has retained its recognizable name, mascot and location.
What Visitors Can Expect in 2026
Travelers visiting in 2026 can expect a mix of roadside nostalgia and active visitor services.
The most prominent attractions currently include:
- Sombrero Tower and Arcade
- Reptile Lagoon
- Multiple shopping locations
- Fort Pedro Fireworks
- The Peddler Steak House
- Pedro’s Ice Cream Fiesta
- South of the Border Motor Inn
- Camp Pedro RV campground
Operating hours differ among businesses and attractions.
Visitors who have a specific destination in mind should check the current schedule before making the trip. This is particularly important for travelers arriving late in the evening or planning to visit a particular attraction.
The Location Makes It Convenient for Road Trips
One of the strongest features of South of the Border is its highway access.
Travelers on I-95 can reach the property without making a lengthy side trip.
That convenience has supported the destination for decades.
A driver can stop for food, stretch their legs, shop for souvenirs, visit an attraction and continue the journey without spending hours away from the main route.
For travelers heading toward Myrtle Beach and other South Carolina destinations, the location can also serve as a recognizable point along the route.
Its Identity Remains Closely Linked to I-95
Few roadside attractions are as closely associated with a particular interstate as South of the Border.
The property’s advertising historically extended far beyond the immediate area. Its signs helped build anticipation among motorists long before they reached the attraction.
The giant Pedro imagery and Sombrero Tower became visual markers of the route.
Even today, the destination’s identity depends heavily on travelers seeing it from the highway.
That relationship between the attraction and I-95 remains central to its continued relevance.
South of the Border and South Carolina Tourism
The attraction has become part of South Carolina’s broader roadside tourism history.
Its location in Dillon County places it in a region where highway travel has played an important role in local commerce.
The destination’s longevity also reflects the importance of recognizable travel stops.
While many roadside businesses have disappeared or been replaced by standardized commercial developments, South of the Border has maintained its distinct identity.
Its continued operation gives modern travelers a direct connection to an older style of American road travel.
The Current Status in 2026
The latest available information confirms that South of the Border remains an operating destination in Hamer.
Its official visitor information continues to list attractions, restaurants, shopping locations, accommodations and campground facilities.
Reptile Lagoon and the Sombrero Tower and Arcade remain among its primary attractions.
The Motor Inn and Camp Pedro continue to provide overnight options.
Shopping and dining also remain part of the current operation.
For travelers using I-95, the destination remains easy to identify and access.
A Roadside Landmark That Still Stands Out
South of the Border has survived because it offers something that ordinary highway stops cannot easily duplicate.
Its identity is built around a specific location, a recognizable mascot, unusual architecture and a long history.
The property has changed since its earliest days, but its central role as a memorable stop along I-95 remains.
For travelers crossing the Carolinas, it continues to provide a place to pause, eat, shop, explore and stay.
The attraction’s current facilities show that its story has not ended. In 2026, the familiar roadside landmark remains part of the South Carolina highway landscape.
Have you stopped at South of the Border during a recent road trip? Share your experience and stay connected for more updates on this iconic South Carolina destination.