General Information
Four bridges in El Paso make it easy to cross into Mexico. U.S. Canadian citizens are not required to show papers when crossing the international boundary into Juarez, provided their stay is less than 72 hours and they do not travel beyond the 18-mile limit. Non-citizens must carry a valid passport or alien registration card. Visitors who require a U.S. visa must be in possession of and present their passport with the remark "multiple entry visa," issued by U.S. authorities, together with the entry card received upon first entry into the U.S. Pedestrians pay 25 cents to cross into Juarez and a little more to return (based on the peso exchange rate); vehicles pay a nominal fee each way (except at the Bridge of the Americas, which is free).
Once every 31 days, U.S. residents may bring back duty free articles for personal or household use up to $400 in value, one quart of liquor per person over 21 years of age, and either one carton of cigarettes or 100 cigars (non-Cuban). Do not bring back live animals or birds, potted plants, lemons, apples, mangos, some herb teas, pork, ham, uncooked chicken, eggs or products made from endangered species. Before crossing, request information about which agricultural products you may bring back from Mexico. Call 915-633-7300.
El Paso’s, "sister city", Ciudad Juarez, offers the visitor: glass factories, curios, silver jewelry, pharmacies, and boot and leather shops, etc., all of which display the best of Mexican arts and crafts.
At night, Juarez offers many first-class restaurants, with service to match, entertainment, and nightclubs. Have fun!
Tips For Traveling
- Rent a trolley or arrange with a local tour operator for a van or bus to take you over the bridge to various nightclubs and/or restaurants and back to El Paso.
- Take a taxi cab to the Santa Fe Street bridge and walk over the bridge to Juarez Avenue, the main tourist strip. Arrange for a pick up on the El Paso side of the bridge at a specific time.
- Ask if your hotel will drive you to the bridge and arrange a time for the return trip back.
- Park in one of the lots at the end of South Santa Fe Street and walk across the bridge.
- Take the downtown Sun Metro North/South trolley from in front of the Convention Center, around downtown and to nearby the bridge. Walk across the bridge. On your return trip, board the trolley at the corner of 6th and El Paso Street, a block from the bridge. Hours are: Weekdays from 6:15 am-8:15 pm; Saturdays from 7:40 am-8:15 pm; Sundays from 11:45 am-7:55 pm. Trolleys run every 15 minutes.
- Once you’ve crossed over the bridge, walk along Juarez Avenue as far as 16 de Septiembre and back.
- If you want to go to Viva Mexico or Ajuua’s or someplace other than Juarez Avenue, take a Juarez taxi cab. Specify where you want to go and ask the price in advance.
- Drive your own vehicle into Juarez. It is strongly recommended that you purchase special Mexican auto insurance that is available from several companies in the El Paso area since most U.S. policies do not provide adequate coverage. Maps and road signs are hard to find and driving etiquette is different, so taking your own car is not our first recommendation.
EL PASO-JUAREZ TROLLY CO. Visit on the web: www.borderjumper.com
1 Civic Center Plaza
El Paso, Texas 79901
Contact: Mercedes Calzada or Marcela Casillas
Telephone: (915) 544-0062
Fax: (915) 544-0002
Mission Trail Tour, Christmas Light Tour, and coming soon Columbus NM Tour.
Set your own tour pace with regularly scheduled pickup points along the tour routes.
Call for information and fees.
| INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE TOLLS* |
| Santa Fe/Stanton Bridges (Downtown): |
| Pedestrian Toll Into Juarez |
$ .25 |
| Returning To El Paso |
$ .25 |
| Passenger Car Into Juarez |
$1.25 |
| Returning To El Paso |
$1.85 |
| Cordova Bridge, 5 mi. to downtown: |
Free |
| Zaragosa Bridge (18 mi. to downtown): |
| Passenger Car Into Mexico |
$1.25 |
| Returning to El Paso |
$1.85 | * All fares and tolls are subject to change.
* Delays can be expected at all bridges.
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