Juarez (Spanish: Ciudad Juárez) is a city in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. It stands on the Rio Grande, across the United States border from El Paso. Juarez is rich in the northern culture of Mexico, and is home to the Mexican vaquero (cowboy) culture.
Juarez is a large Mexican city in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert. It is named for 19th-century president and popular hero Benito Juarez, the first Mexican president of indigenous descent. Juarez is nowhere near the tropical Mexico with beautiful beaches and Aztec and Mayan culture many people expect. You will be more likely to encounter people resembling cowboys than any other vision of a Mexican one might have. This can be more charming and realistic than the culture of other locales that are not off the beaten path in Mexico.
However, special attention must be paid to criminal activity in Juarez, as well as the city and state of Chihuahua in general; there has been police corruption in the area, some incidents quite violent in nature as they pertain to the border area's prevalence in illegal drug and human trafficking. Also, visitors, especially females, should be aware of the sexual violence and murder rates amongst the female populace; since 1993, perhaps earlier, hundreds of women, most of them underpaid workers at sweatshops known as "maquiladoras," have been killed by persons unknown, their bodies found beaten, raped, tortured and murdered in and around Juarez. As most of the victims are local women, deemed by their killers and indeed quite often by those investigating their deaths to be disposable.
Foreign visitors should not have much to worry about as long as they follow common sense; if you avoid venturing out alone into suspicious areas of town, particularly after dark, making obvious your personal wealth to strangers, and staying well clear of any illegal activity, particularly involving drug purchase/smuggling, you should be fine. Just remember that Mexican police are notoriously lacking in concern for those whose activities are considered "high-risk". The U.S. Border Patrol can also be quite mercurial about these matters, and neither American nor Mexican prisons are very enticing places to spend one's vacation.
Juárez experienced over 2300 murders in 2019 (out of a population of 1.7 million). While many of the victims have been connected with drug trafficking, the random nature of this violence requires precaution.
A passport is required to enter the United States from Juárez. Juárez is part of Mexico's zona frontera, and no visa or passport is required to enter from the United States. Pedestrians are rarely stopped or asked for identification. Vehicles may be stopped at random: usually indicated by a red light at the border crossing. Your vehicle may be searched if stopped, and the most serious matter is to carry a firearm or ammunition without a permit to do so: even one spent shell casing may result in serious charges.
Highways exiting Juárez have checkpoints that do require foreigners to present a visa. If you do not have one, you may fill out a tourist card at the checkpoint.
Long-distance buses arrive at Central de Autobuses Ciudad Juarez 📍, located on Blvd. Oscar Flores 4010. The following bus companies serve the terminal from other cities in Mexico:
While there has not been service to Juarez since the early 1990s, neighboring El Paso is served thrice-weekly by Amtrak trains running between Chicago, New Orleans and Los Angeles.
There is a public bus system in Juarez; however, it is not very easy to use and is often overlooked by tourists. In general, buses have their final destination on a board in the front window. They make frequent stops, and often run in close succession to one another; if you miss a bus, another of the same route is likely to appear in a matter of minutes. Many routes continue to run overnight: exercise extreme caution on buses at night and buses that go into poorly policed barrios of the city (especially to the west and south). Buses have been targeted in attacks, mainly aimed to collect protection money for route operators.
Taxis are abundant and inexpensive, but always ask for the ride fee and if possible ask two different drivers to get the best fare. Taxis are not metered, and initial fares may be given based on one's perceived ability to pay (a tourist or wealthier Mexican may be quoted a higher fare). However, most sites of touristic interest in Juarez can be reached by walking in the historic center. Upon arrival in Juarez, it is likely that most foreigners will be greeted by a plethora of taxi drivers offering to drive them to the market. While the market cannot be seen from the border crossing, it is a relatively short walk: after crossing the Santa Fe street bridge, walk down Avenida Juarez to 16 de Septiembre, turn left and then walk about seven blocks (street blocks are much smaller in Juarez than in neighboring El Paso).
Driving in Juárez, while less chaotic than in Mexico City, is not recommended for a casual visitor. While the lack of high-speed freeways means many accidents that happen in the central parts of the city are relatively minor, fender benders in Mexico may involve frustrating red tape. If you do drive in Juárez, make sure you have Mexican automobile insurance, as not having Mexican insurance may result in criminal charges and a visit to jail. Most larger businesses have parking lots with attendants that will ask for a nominal fee (US$0.25, or M$2-3). Watch where you park; cars that are illegally parked on streets may have their license plates removed by a transit cop. The idea is to ensure you will pay the fine before leaving the country (and your plates should be returned after doing so). If this happens to you, the ticket should indicate where to pay your fine, should you chose to do so (you should be able to re-enter the United States in any event, but you may face some added complications with a missing plate).
If you ever get disoriented, one landmark that may help you out is the gigantic message made of whitewashed rock on a southwest hill 📍 that reads "Cd Juarez La Biblia es la verdad, leela." ("The bible is truth, read it.") It is supposedly a contender for some sort of world record. Some even climb this, though it would be kind of ironic to get robbed on a hill that has been turned into a religious marquee.
Juarez is unlike many border towns in that it is a major city with over a million inhabitants. However, most foreign tourists will still enjoy the same elements of stereotypical Mexican culture that they do in other border towns such as Nogales, Tijuana, and Nuevo Laredo.
Typical Mexican souvenirs such as blankets, pottery, and trinkets themed in Mexican culture.
Make sure to haggle as it will be expected. If you act uninterested, or begin to walk away, you should get quoted a lower price. The merchants speak English and are constantly encountering Americans, so you will not seem very foreign to them if you are not Mexican yourself. Goods may range from kitschy trinkets to high quality artisan-made glassware, pottery, jewelry, leather goods, and woven cloth. Most markets also have good food and drink, and musical entertainment.
If one cannot live without US-style retail, Juarez has many shopping areas featuring familiar retailers such as Home Depot, Sears and Wal-Mart. Most US (and even some Canadian) banks have branches in Juarez as well.
Don't forget the burritos.
Be aware that you can't drink in public places or in the street, ask before.
Juarez has its fair share of local and international hotels. However, many travellers will find it easier, and much safer, to spend the night across the Rio in El Paso, as it is a large American city with all the usual American services.
The crime situation in the state of Chihuahua is of concern. Though authorities in Ciudad Juárez and El Paso have tried to curb underage drinking, the downtown districts fill with intoxicated club and bar patrons at night, many of these patrons being under 21 and sometimes under 18. A drunken fight or barroom confrontation can escalate into serious violence, so be careful. High-end clubs will very openly discriminate against anyone who looks like "trouble" (shaved heads, tattoos, gang clothing, or even a working-class appearance), and despite this type of profiling, these venues cannot guarantee your safety as well.
At times, there will be suspicious activity in high-end clubs and bars. If you see this going on, turn the other way. In traditional Mexican bars or cantinas, unaccompanied women may be seen as "fair game" or may even be rather unwelcome: bars known as "ladies bars" are more accepting and tolerant of female patrons.
If you are in a nightclub or bar, be very cautious when other men or women approach you. They may be friendly, very good looking, and professional. They can gain your trust easily by inviting you to their table for drinks, or a smoke where you would meet their other "friends." Do not be fooled by this; chances are they are expecting to get you intoxicated, and as a team they will attempt to discreetly steal your valuables. This is a way certain groups related to the drug cartel and/or local gangs operate. They will then sell your stolen valuables in electronics or jewelry stores where they would get a commission of the sale. Hot items are cell phones (#1), watches, and cash. They will even invite you to their place or not mind staying over with you. Do not be fooled if they are very clean and good, and/or rich looking. Once your valuables are gone, they're gone. Always travel with a trustworthy friend.
While sampling Mexican beer and tequila is highly recommended for a tourist, it is probably wise to avoid heavy drinking in an unfamiliar border city. It is also best to keep a close watch on drinks in nightclubs, as they may be laced with date rape drugs by strangers, in order to initiate a robbery.
Juárez is patrolled by the Mexican army in an attempt to crack down on crime. Mexican military personnel are generally professional (in comparison to the police), if intimidating with their automatic weapons.
Stop at any roadblocks. Driving through a checkpoint may result in gunfire. Juarez municipal police are to be avoided, as most are tied to criminal gangs and engage in extortion, kidnapping, rape and contract murder. Federal police are perhaps just as corrupt, but are less likely to engage in "petty" crime directed at tourists. If you are in danger, actual military personnel are the best option.
Juarez is notorious for police setting up traps to pull over motorists or, sometimes, question people leaving bars and clubs. This is done so "mordidas" or bribes are offered. While bribes are widespread, a US$20 bill may not get you out of any situation (especially with military agents). Most police officers will at least go through the formality of writing a ticket, asking questions, or writing a report before any "arrangement" takes place.
If for some unfortunate reason you are eyewitness to public violence and/or shootouts (as many in Juarez have been), immediately follow what everyone around you is doing. The people of Juarez have the routine down to a T, and it will behoove you to follow everyone else. If alone, look for cover under cars, in alleyways, garbage cans, wherever. Do not knock on a random house or business; many of these lock their doors during gunfire exchanges and open them for no one. Do not record or photograph any violence or any suspicious behavior. Sicarios, or hitmen, have absolutely no scruples and won't hesitate to assassinate any person they suspect of playing for the other side.
One serious word of caution: Do not be caught with any type of weapon in Mexico. This can include a small pocket knife, or even ammunition or bullet casings. American motorists have been jailed for driving into Mexico with spent ammunition casings in their car trunk.
In the early 2010s, the situation changed dramatically in Ciudad Juarez. The police started patrolling the streets again. The homicide rate fell from 3,500 in 2010 to 311 in 2015. However, this does not mean you should feel completely safe. Continue to travel with caution, and expect the unexpected at any time.
Downtown is a mixture of safe and seedy areas during nighttime. Both the street of Av. Juárez and the neighborhoods surrounding it are the safest to be around at night. Oddly enough, the main streets are the ones that may be more unsafe at night. Small neighborhood streets are oftentimes lively with the activity of the residents – nowadays it's common to see people outside just hanging out, on a barbecue or other outdoor activities.
Avoid traveling south and southeast of the International Airport, outside of situations where you're leaving the city, going to Cerro Bola through Camino Real or to the Samalayuca Dunes. There really isn't anything noteworthy down there, and Valle de Juárez (the general name of the area) is the one hit most by remaining cartel violence.
If you feel unsafe in an area, it's best to trust your gut instinct and leave.
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