El Paso is part of the borderland lying on the Rio Grande river next to our sister city, Juarez. For many of us locals, it is pretty common and easy to go back and forth between both cities and countries each time we desire. However, for others who haven’t been before, Juarez is an interesting gateway.
This guide can be helpful to plan your next visit to El Paso’s sister city. Check out some of the most popular places to visit and a little bit of the border crossing process.
Juarez is one of the most important Mexican cities because its economy is based on industry or maquiladoras (factories). It is the birthplace of international celebrities such as the singer Juan Gabriel, Johnny “J” rapper, and main producer of Tupac Shakur, Vanessa Guzmán, Miss Mexico 1996 (an actress who is a gym owner in El Paso now), and Karla Martínez, co-host of Despierta America.
For the Foodie
Here are some of my favorite restaurants in Juarez.
*Personal recommendations. These are the spots you must try!
- Angus Rojo. Steakhouse
- Ardeo. Brazas kitchen
- Barrigas. Mexican food
- Cabanna. Seafood
- Chapa. Mexican and Steakhouse
- Corralito Steakhouse. Same concept that we have in El Paso with some menu additions
- Costumbres. Mexican restaurant in Juan Gabriel hall
- Custodia de San Pablo. Cultural and gastronomic museum
- El Arrancadero.Steakhouse
- El Tragadero. Steakhouse
- Great American Steakhouse. Same concept that we have in El Paso with some menu additions
- Gula. Modern American kitchen
- Flor del Nogal. Mexican gastronomy
- Katsura. Japanese sushi bar
- *Kentucky Bar. Where margaritas were invented 🍸 (only +18)
- La Cabaña. Steakhouse
- La Feria. Mexican kitchen
- La Toscana. Italian kitchen
- Lai Way Yen. Canton kitchen
- Las Espadas. Brazilian Steakhouse
- Los Arcos. Seafood
- Maria Chuchena. Mexican cuisine
- May Flower. Chinese kitchen
- Mercado San Benito. Mexican kitchen
- Muzza. Italian cuisine
- Rocco. Fusion kitchen
- Shangri La. Mandarin kitchen
- Sushi Itto. Sushi bar
- Tinto. Fusion kitchen
- Vía Venetto. Italian kitchen
- *Viva Mexico. Mexican food and night show 🇲🇽
Places of Interest
*Personal recommendations. These are must-dos!
- *Dunas de Samalayuca. Enjoy an ATV adventure or special events in the Desert of Chihuahua dunes 🏜.
- *Fiesta Park. Amusement and skating park, great for a family day!
- Museo de Arqueología e Historia del Chamizal. Archeology and History Museum El Chamizal.
- Museo de Arte de Ciudad Juárez. Art Museum.
- Museo de la Revolución en la Frontera (MUREF). Mexico History Museum.
- *Museo La Rodadora. Interactive museum based on science, technology, art, and cultural exhibitions. Great for kids! 🧩
- Paseo y Casa de Juan Gabriel. This site encompasses a museum, a walking hall, and a restaurant based on the life of the famous singer Juan Gabriel.
- Parque Borunda. Park with rides for kids and a big food court offering delicious nachos, elotes, tacos, enchiladas, churros, and more.
- Parque Central de Ciudad Juarez. Central Park with an artificial lake, fountains, some animals like ducks and a giraffe. Great area for walking, running, or bike riding for kids.
- Plaza de la Mexicanidad (La X). Open space for walks or bike rides. Spot for special events or concerts.
- Many more activities are scheduled during the year like concerts, football, soccer, and baseball games, Lucha libre tournaments, fairs, congresses, and more.
Shopping
There are numerous supermarkets where you can find groceries and essentials at cheaper prices than El Paso stores. If you want to take advantage of lower prices, you can go to Smart, Soriana, Walmart, or Superette. Sams and Costco memberships even can be used in local stores.
Many local boutiques offer fashionable clothing for kids and women across the city or inside the main malls like Las Misiones, Plaza Sendero, or Rio Grande Mall.
*Note for shoppers: review this list of prohibited products to bring to the US.
Currency
Almost all of the mentioned places in the previous lists accept credit cards. If you prefer to pay in cash, they all accept USD currency with a minor difference below the market price ($1 USD = ~$18 pesos Mexicanos). Just in case you need pesos Mexicanos you will find several exchange spots throughout the city.
Hotels
If your stay is more than a day trip, search for hotel nights on common websites where you will find alternatives like Fiesta Inn, Four Points, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, Courtyard, Maria Bonita, City Express, Hotel Lucerna, Real Inn, City Express, La Quinta, and many more.
The Logistics
Four international points of entry connect Ciudad Juárez and El Paso: the Bridge of the Cordova Americas, the Ysleta International Bridge, the Paso del Norte Bridge, and the Stanton Street Bridge. There is also a land crossing at nearby Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and another one, the Tornillo – Guadalupe International Bridge located 50 km southeast of Juarez City.
Once you take any of the US exits to Mexico, you will cross only one customs checkpoint on the Mexico side. Some cars are randomly selected to pass a second checkpoint with x-rays. If this is your first time crossing the border, don’t forget to bring your ID and your car registration just as required documentation. A registered US car can travel no further than 15.5 miles (25 km) from the border. If you plan to travel beyond that point, a temporary permit is required.
Once you end your visit and want to come back home, choose one of the border crossings. But try to avoid lines during rush hours like 6 to 9 am and 4 to 8 pm (before and after school and work hours) during weekdays. Lines on weekends are unpredictable from very fast lines (~30 min) to long lines around 2.5 hours. There are some Facebook groups where you can find public traffic reports, or there are El Paso live cameras to see how the bridge lines are when you’re trying to select the best bridge option. Once you choose a bridge, you need to pay ~$1.5 USD to cross the Mexican side. (This fee does not apply to the Americas bridge). Then there is a US customs checkpoint where the traveler’s nationality must be demonstrated by a visa or passport.
We hope this guide helps those families trying to experience Mexican culture for a weekend.
Don’t forget to prepare everything for the kiddos as you are going on a family road trip.
Originally published March 2022.
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of El Paso Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
