Planning a Trip

Visitor Information -- Contact Fiprotur Chihuahua, Av. de las Americas No. 2551, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico (tel. 888/654-0394; www.visitajuarez.com). The El Paso Convention & Visitors Bureau, One Civic Center Plaza, El Paso, TX 79901 (tel. 800/351-6024 or 915/534-0601; www.elpasocvb.com), can also provide information and advice on trips across the border. If you're on foot, pick up the excellent Downtown Historic Walking Tour of Juárez brochure. Note: Be sure to bring your passport if you cross the border. As of 2008, passports are required for reentry into the U.S.

Trolley Tours -- If possible, I recommend taking one of the tours offered by the El Paso-Juárez Trolley Company (tel. 915/544-0062). Riders board in front of the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center downtown and can leave the train to shop or eat at any of eight different stops, then catch another trolley later in the day to return to El Paso. The trolleys run daily from 10am to 4pm year-round, but will not make the trip without at least 10 passengers.

A Note About Safety -- Although most visitors to Juárez have an enjoyable time without incident, the city sees its fair share of drug trafficking, pickpocketing, and violence. Tourists have not been targeted by a recent surge of violence, but have been victims of theft and carjacking. It is especially important to remain aware of your surroundings when visiting the city, and I recommend you do not travel across the border alone.