Is El Paso safe to travel through?
El Paso is one of the major American cities that lie close to the border with Mexico. You may have heard of El Paso before, as it is a city with a large University, military, and government agency presence.
It is typically known as the city that thousands of Texans reach each year when they make the drive down to Mexico.
The El Paso/Juarez transborder sits on the Rio Grande, which is an iconic landmass that has featured in many westerns from back in the day.
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Is El Paso Safe?
What you may or may not know, however, is that more border crossings into Mexico are made at the Tijuana/San Diego border. Why is this?
Mexico itself is still ruled in a few areas by the cartels, there are parts of Mexico that the US and UK governments advise never to travel to.
One of these is Chihuahua, the province that borders El Paso which is known as one of the most dangerous states in Mexico for visitors.
Should you travel through this border? Are El Paso and Juarez actually dangerous? This guide is here to give you a different perspective!
Is it Safe to Travel to El Paso?
Yes – Since it isn’t in Mexico, after all! Plus it isn’t the busier border city, El Paso is viewed as safer to travel to due to fewer people being around.
Also, the seventh division of the DEA is in El Paso, along with a great police force and safe streets.
Thousands pass through this border crossing every year, from both sides. But the Tijuana border receives 50 million border crossings a year.
Don’t forget, if you decide to enter Juarez, it costs 4 pesos to leave Mexico and enter back into the US.
El Paso is a humble city with a proud bilingual presence. Most visitors here describe the area as just as safe as most American cities, if not safer.
As far as travel advice goes, the only issue with traveling to Juarez is the implication of moving further south (which is). If you didn’t already know, this is one of the most dangerous places in Mexico, the Chihuahua region.
However, traveling to places such as Creel in Mexico and other magic towns nearby might change your perspective on the region.
Juarez and El Paso Border safety facts
- 2019 according to OSAC was the most violent year on record in Mexico with 35,558 reported homicides.
- One of America’s deadliest mass shootings recently played out at a Walmart in the east part of El Paso, killing 22. However, El Paso is often ranked highly on lists of safest American cities.
- According to OSAC, the Chihuahua region is listed as a ‘critical threat.’
- There have been no reports of crime specifically targeting Americans around the area in Mexico bordering to El Paso.
- El Paso has a lower risk of severe iterations of weather than other Texas cities. However, floods sometimes occur.
- According to the UK Government, over 576,971 British nationals visited Mexico in 2017 with most visits being trouble-free.
Is El Paso safe to travel alone?
El Paso is perfectly safe to travel alone.
It is suggested that you don’t trust the city as the safest on the planet, but it’s still safe enough to walk the streets and not feel threatened.
Save your ideas about Mexican stereotypes for another time! When you’re in a city like El Paso it’s best to trust your instincts and go forth.
Not many people travel to El Paso and expect danger, so the best advice is just to relax, you’ll have a wonderful holiday.
The historical region of Ciudad Juarez is begging for tourism, and it relies on the residents of El Paso to make the quick crossing every now and again. Other than that, there’s no risk of being in El Paso.
It would definitely help if you knew some basic Spanish conversation since there is a large Spanish-speaking population.
Is El Paso safe at night?
Yes – in certain parts it is safe to walk around El Paso at night. El Paso is a very safe city when you compare it to safety in Juarez across the border.
In 2010 El Paso was ranked as the safest city in the United States. However, still, you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time here.
For example, street beggars do exist and they are not scared to approach or be persistent with their demands. So when out and about at night in El Paso know that you can find trouble at any time if you’re not careful.
How far is El Paso from Ciudad Juarez?
They are bordering cities that touch each other.
Being so close, there are many instances of people crossing the border for education or work. Crossing the border on foot as part of a commute is a commonplace scenario.
The Guardian covered the stories of many who may have been affected by the ramping up of border control by the Trump administration.
For many, this is just a crossing that’s an everyday occurrence.
According to the article:
“For years, the adjoining cities have lived a symbiotic existence. Their inhabitants, culture, and economy an inseparable mix from either side of the increasingly militarized frontier.”
Juarez/El Paso Border: Safety Tips
The rules on both sides of the border differentiate.
However, below you’ll find a list of tips to help you on both sides:
- Make sure to keep most of your pesos and dollars on your person for border crossings, but keep them hidden. PacSafe backpacks and secure luggage does the trick for most travelers to Mexico.
- Don’t have ice with drinks and only drink from factory-sealed bottles.
- Don’t eat unwashed salad foods, there’s a risk of E. Coli poisoning.
- If you want to take expensive equipment such as cameras or smartphones, keep them hidden, locked away, and on your person. A secure backpack is perfect for this.
- Make sure to use trusted and accredited hotels or hostels if you’re on backpackers budget.
- Don’t accept drugs offers. Not only is it illegal, but dangerous. You’re funding the cartels, meaning they’ll keep taking over parts of Mexico.
- Keep dummy wallets for pickpockets and keep your money hidden away. Bras, neck wallets, or secret bag compartments will do.
- Don’t listen to anyone offering money, as they may ask you to be a drug mule. Or, possibly attempt to smuggle something (on you) without you knowing.
- Believe it or not, there is still a risk of contracting Covid-19. Visit the government website for more information if you are concerned.
- Don’t go where there are few other people in the vicinity; this includes camping in secluded places. A simple rule: if there are families around, you’re probably safe.
Do you need a passport for El Paso to Juarez?
For a safe and legal crossing, it’s recommended you keep your passport and other legal documents on you.
This is because there are high amounts of ‘checks’ done by U.S border patrols.
You might be asked to step into a small room, and, could even be questioned as to what your reasons are for crossing the border, etc.
Is El Paso Safe?
The historic city of El Paso is a great place to visit or make a stop for your journey into Mexico.
If you want to experience Mexico in a small staycation setting, a trip over the border to Ciudad Juarez from El Paso is both cheap and worth it.
Many people prefer the historic section of Juarez to Tijuana, which can be viewed sometimes as trashy or Reno-ish.
If you love Tex-Mex, get your trip sorted and get yourself acquainted with some of Mexico’s safest places without a worry in the world!
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