Experience Mexico
Travel Advisory from the United States Department of State
March 14, 2010The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico of concerns about the security situation in Mexico, and that it has authorized the departure of the dependents of U.S. government personnel from U.S. consulates in the Northern Mexican border cities of Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros until April 12. Family members of US Government personnel assigned to other areas of Mexico outside the Mexican border states are not affected by this departure measure. This Travel Warning supercedes that of February 22, 2010, and announces the authorized departure of some dependents and updates security incidents.
While millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year (including tens of thousands who cross the land border daily for study, tourism or business and nearly one million U.S. citizens who live in Mexico), violence in the country has increased. It is imperative that U.S. citizens understand the risks in Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and who to contact if victimized. Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.
Recent violent attacks have prompted the U.S. Embassy to urge U.S. citizens to delay unnecessary travel to parts of Durango, Coahuila and Chihuahua states(see details below) and advise U.S. citizens residing or traveling in those areas to exercise extreme caution. Drug cartels and associated criminal elements have retaliated violently against individuals who speak out against them or whom they otherwise view as a threat to their organizations. These attacks include the abduction and murder of two resident U.S. citizens in Chihuahua.
Passport Information
June 20, 2007 — The Department of Homeland Security today has stated that beginning January 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a passport or government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, when entering the U.S. Children under 16 years of age would be required to present certified copies of their birth certificates.
At a date still to be determined, DHS would begin implementing full requirements of the land and sea phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which mandates that all persons entering the U.S. be required to show a passport or authorized travel documents. Government officials said they expect full implementation to be in the summer of 2008, though Congress has required that it be implemented only by June 2009. Both the Senate and House recently passed legislation requiring that the new rules be implemented no earlier than the June 2009 date.
New requirements for having passports to enter the U.S. on airplanes began in January. The increased number of applications for passports inundated the State Department and caused the processing time to balloon from three weeks a year ago to up to three months presently. The State Department recently announced that through September 30 it will temporarily allow American air passengers to re-enter the U.S. if they have a government-issued photo ID and proof that they have applied for a passport.
Information gathered from the Travel Industry Association Web Site, June 20, 2007
Facilities And Crossings
Bridge of the Americas Commercial Operations
Phone:
(915) 872-5720
Operational Hours:
6:00 AM-2:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM-6:00 PM
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
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Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry
Phone:
(915) 872-5710
Operational Hours:
Twenty Four (24) Hours A Day
Seven Days A Week (7)
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El Paso International Airport – Customs
Phone:
(915) 782-4700
Operational Hours:
8:00 AM-12:00 PM
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
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Paso Del Norte Port of Entry
Phone:
(915) 872-5700
Operational Hours:
Twenty Four (24) Hours A Day
Seven Days A Week (7)
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Ysleta Commercial Operations
Phone:
(915) 872-3434
Operational Hours:
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM-12:00 PM
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
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Ysleta Port of Entry
Phone:
(915) 872-3424
Operational Hours:
Twenty Four (24) Hours A Day
Seven Days A Week (7)
INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE TOLLS*
Santa Fe/Stanton Bridges (Downtown):
Pedestrian Toll Into Juarez $ .25
Returning To El Paso $ .25
Passenger Car Into Juarez $1.25
Returning To El Paso $1.85
Cordova Bridge, 5 mi. to downtown: Free
Zaragosa Bridge (18 mi. to downtown):
Passenger Car Into Mexico $1.25
Returning to El Paso $1.85
- All fares and tolls are subject to change.
- Delays can be expected at all bridges.
