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| Juarez, Mexico |  Review on April 19, 2017: |
caputo
Rating:  | Review Topic: General Review
Here are some tips on visitng the Juárez consulate. I am not going to talk about what happens at the consulate itself, since other people have covered it:
1. Allegiant AIrway has cheap fares to El Paso from some cities.
2. Taxis from the El Paso airport to the consulate area could cost from US$70-$100 each way. Here is a cheaper way to do it if you feel comfortable using public and Mexican transport (Spanish helps):
a. take the 33 or 50 bus from the airport to the Downtown Transfer Station ($1.50). They leave about every 20 minutes. If you stay overnight in one of the El Paso airport hotels, like Microtel, you can walk back to the airport or take the hotel shuttle
b. from the Downtown Transfer Station, ask where the Transborde or El Ejectuvio yellow buses leave from (It is a one block walk). Go in and buy a one way ticket to the consulate. It is US$13. The buses leave when they have enough passengers, usually less than every half hour. There are a lot of stops on both sides of the border and most passengers will be Spanish speaking. Just be sure to tell the driver that you are going to the consulate, otherwise the bus will not go that far.
c. To go back, there is a bus station in the little strip mall between the consulate and the Quality Inn where the Client Attention Services is. It may be labeled Omnibus, but is not well marked. Ask any of the other businesses. You can buy your ticket there back to the El Paso Airport directly. If you are looking for the phone number in Juárez, you may have to search under Transborde, Omnibus, or Dos Naciones. The fare is US$20 (paid in pesos with credit card or cash). I got a 3:00 bus back and arrived at the airport at 5:45.
d.There are many stops with a lot of people getting on just before the border and getting off just after the border on both sides.
e. Crossing each border you have to get off with your suitcases and clear customs. You meet the bus on the other side of the border.
f. You don't need a Mexican tourist card if you will be in Juárez less than a week.
3. The Quality Inn is a fine place to stay and well-located for consulate and medical exams. Though there is transport, you can walk to your medical exam. Quality Inn can take you back to the Juárez airport, but cannot pick you up.
4. The area feels pretty safe, even at night, and is modern, something like a US southwestern city.
5. The restaurant in front of the Quality Inn, the Diana is good for Mexican food. There are also a lot of US chains near the mall.
6. For great food in a simple location, find the La Grulla restaurant on TripAdvisor. There is no sign in front of it -- all of its clients come via TripAdvisor, Facebook or recommendations. A gourmet lunch for $5. Special Friday tasting menu after 4pm for $25. You have take an Uber or taxi there, a 10 minute ride. There is a little church next to its small cinder block building, if the driver is confused. Maybe call ahead to make sure there is space, since there are few tables.
7. Uber works great in Cd. Juárez. It is cheaper and safe. They can't pick up at the Juárez airport. You have to walk a block to the street.
8. There is a Farmacia de Guadalajara a block from the Quality Inn. There you can buy many prescription drugs for a fraction of the price. I was told that you can have confidence in the drugs there.
9. If you want to see a movie in English in the mall, you have to look for one that is "subtitulada," that is, in English with Spanish subtitles.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #21688