Driving to Juarez

[gerrymeridamx 2]

Plane tickets from home to Juarez are about $750.00 but from home to El Paso they are about $200.00. I thought I could just fly to El Paso and rent a car and drive to Juarez. Has anyone here done that? How did that work out?

[sagarcia 1]

Plane tickets from home to Juarez are about $750.00 but from home to El Paso they are about $200.00. I thought I could just fly to El Paso and rent a car and drive to Juarez. Has anyone here done that? How did that work out?

I am flying into El Paso. I will be taking a taxi to Juarez. From what I've heard it costs about $50.00. Well worth it considering the price of the ticket to fly into Juarez. I can only imagine the insurance on a rented car would be ridiculous, especially when crossing the border.

Sandi

Edited September 7, 2009 by La Guera y Wicho

[TBoneTX 45,299]

Unless Juarez differs, Mexican auto insurance will not break your bank. It runs from midnight to midnight of each day.

A taxi or other mode of transportation may be a better bet for you. Do a Google search for "El Paso Convention & Visitors' Bureau" and follow up with what you learn there.

As with any Texas/Mexico border town, it's best to stay in the tourist or business areas during daylight hours, and to keep your wits healthily about you at all times.

[gerrymeridamx 2]

Unless Juarez differs, Mexican auto insurance will not break your bank. It runs from midnight to midnight of each day.

A taxi or other mode of transportation may be a better bet for you. Do a Google search for "El Paso Convention & Visitors' Bureau" and follow up with what you learn there.

As with any Texas/Mexico border town, it's best to stay in the tourist or business areas during daylight hours, and to keep your wits healthily about you at all times.

I did the google search and here is what the El Paso Convention & Visitors' Bureau says:

The situation in Ciudad Juarez is of special concern. Mexican authorities report that more than 1,800 people have been killed in the city since January 2008. Additionally, this city of 1.6 million people experienced more than 17,000 car thefts and 1,650 carjackings in 2008. U.S. citizens should pay close attention to their surroundings while traveling in Ciudad Juarez, avoid isolated locations during late night and early morning hours, and remain alert to news reports. A recent series of muggings near the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez targeted applicants for U.S. visas. Visa and other service seekers visiting the Consulate are encouraged to make arrangements to pay for those services using a non-cash method.

Of course none of this is news to us. We have heard about the violence in Juarez for years. One of my students is from there and yesterday I mentioned to him that I may be going there soon and asked for some advice, he said, "be very careful." Needless to say, we will take care of each other while we are there.

[inwayovermyhead 0]

we Opt for driving around in my mother in laws, Ugly van. always with the doors locked. I havent heard anything about the insurance on car rentals from el paso. but I know car rentals here in juarez are expensive. there are american car rental companies here. I think theres a budget. & i dont remember the other one. This city has yet to have their own cabbie killer. there are a few bus drivers convicted of assaulting their last passengers though. Oh yeah, what you do need is spare change for the people in the parking lots, they'll watch your car. were always very nice to them. I guess the best advice i can give you is to behave like locals. Theres plenty of El Pasoans who still come over to this city.. God KNOWS WHY??? But some people are still friendly here. Specially around the consulate. most likely you will meet a couple who is willing to help you guys out with directions or something, I find people waiting in line with me very trustworthy.

[YGandMAT 0]

Plane tickets from home to Juarez are about $750.00 but from home to El Paso they are about $200.00. I thought I could just fly to El Paso and rent a car and drive to Juarez. Has anyone here done that? How did that work out?

I also flew in to El Paso, Tx. The cab ride from El Paso airport to the hotel was $55.00. We got around Juarez in a Cab, and we had no issues. We did not go out at night though.

[TBoneTX 45,299]

We did not go out at night though.

Si, man; this echoes what more than one Customs supervisor & various agents have told me. Stay in the tourist & business areas during daylight hours, and keep your wits about you. From my research (for other purposes), I gather that the leaders of Juarez are taking every measure to make the city safer. I visited Nuevo Laredo a couple of years ago during the height of the media hysteria about lawless mayhem and killings everywhere, and I spent a lot of time talking with several locals. They told me to notice the police circling the block every 10 minutes (to keep the tourist area safe), and by gosh, it was true. Perhaps the situation in Juarez is similar. When you go there, ask the natives, and please let us know what they say so that other VJ readers can benefit from the first-hand insights.