Pedestrian crossings into Mexico between Yuma and El Paso

[OZeRV]

We are an Aussie couple currently in Fort Stockton en route to Grand Canyon and places further north. We are on a whistlestop tour of parts of USA and would like to spend a day in a Mexican border town as pedestrians. It would seem our options are to cross at El Paso, Douglas, Nogales or Yuma. Would appreciate any comments from forum members with experience in any of these localities.

Doug and Jackie

[OZeRV]

As I said in my previous posting thanks to all contributors to this thread. We also made a second day pedestrian crossing at Nogales and found it to be a good experience. We walked a few extra blocks into the town and found a good boot store with very patient staff who managed to find a couple of pairs of boots that look great and fit well for both Jackie and myself.

Doug

[silversand]

gtla wrote:
I believe that the number is a bit exagerated and the majority of the "kidnappings" take place betweeen cartels.

....actually, the number of "reported Mexican kidnappings" at ~~72 a day is felt by many "security industry professionals..." to be extremely low. Many experts theorize that the actual number of kidnappings in Mexico to be 10+ times that number every day +/-. Roughly 98+ % of Mexican kidnappings go totally (and I mean absolutely totally) unreported.

I don't really know what the OP wants to know about the border crossings he/she lists? The ease of crossing? The documents required for an on-foot crossing? The perceived security issues with crossing at either/all those listed? The length of time a foot crosser has "on the other side" ? What the walking surface is like ?

I've crossed (on foot) into Juarez so many times, I can't even recall the actual number (24, 35 times?), and have photos of every meter of walkway/bridge, etc on the way over and back (even the profuse and varied graffiti on the concrete walls on both sides of the river). The crossing at Juarez is easier than taking a breath; there are TONS of things (both historical and "touristy") to see/do over there (I have about 300+ photos to prove it), you don't need any papers to get into Juarez (just bring a passport to get back into the US), the road/bridge surfacing is pretty good, so light walking shoes are sufficient (just look out for sidewalk hazards on Juarez side), the security is what your/whatever level of comfort/what your situatonal awareness level is (no one can assess the future in situ security over there (or, anywhere, even in Vatican City for goodness sakes) the moment you enter Juarez walk around it and return.... from behind a PC, logged into this Forum this moment or at any other time. The security situation changes minute-by-minute, block by block as you walk {hey, that rhymes doesn't it?} ).

So, it's whatever you decide to do ! Whatever you decide to do, enjoy and have fun doing it.

S-

[briansue]

Many posters warn us about crime in Mexico as though there is no crime in the US and that Mexico is more dangerous. So there are carjackings in Mexico according to a link above from US Dept. of State. I would be curious to know how our Dept. of State would write up their travel warnings if they had to write one for the US based on crime statistics. If you are afraid to go to Mexico because of carjacking concerns maybe you should read the US Dept. of Justice report on carjacking in the US . . . http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/c02.pdf . . . Be sure to read the part where they explain how they define carjacking. Are people in the US so unaware of what goes on around them or just in some sort of denial? Reality check.

National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)

"Information about murder/auto thefts was obtained
from the Uniform Crime Reports sponsored by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation."

"On average, 1993-2002, about 38,000 carjacking
victimizations occurred annually"

"A weapon was used in 74% of carjacking victimizations.
Firearms were used in 45% of carjackings,"

"Carjacking as defined in NCVS is a completed or attempted
robbery in which a car or other motor vehicle was taken or an
attempt was made to take it and the offender was a stranger to
the victim."

"Carjacking is not one of the crimes measured by the
NCVS on a yearly basis because of the low number of
cases identified annually"

[OZeRV]

OZeRV wrote:
We are an Aussie couple currently in Fort Stockton en route to Grand Canyon and places further north. We are on a whistlestop tour of parts of USA and would like to spend a day in a Mexican border town as pedestrians. It would seem our options are to cross at El Paso, Douglas, Nogales or Yuma. Would appreciate any comments from forum members with experience in any of these localities.

Doug and Jackie

Thanks to all for your comments. This morning we drove from El Paso to Columbus on the road that hugs the border (9) and visited the town of Puerto Palomas. Yes, I understand this is not the real Mexico bit it certainly is not Main Street USA as I understand it.

We had an enjoyable time, dined at The Pink Store and purchased a couple of pairs of prescription glasses. Interestingly the only ATM in town was out of cash so I had to go back to Columbus to get cash to pay for the glasses as the establishment did not have a credit card facility.

Doug

[Travis1]

Please read before crossing border.

Here

[briansue]

Here are some exact quotes from . . . http://www.insightcrime.org/news-briefs/mexicos-kidnapping-cases-rise-2012-ngo . . .

"according to an NGO" (I have no idea what an NGO is)..

"No proof was offered to substantiate these claims."

"Little information has been provided on the methodology used"

"The Federal Police put the number of kidnappings at 1,093 from January to September this year, equating to roughly 4.5 cases per day"

We have no idea what "In Sight Crime" is?? Government agency? Official statistics? Made up movie script? Science fiction?

We have not heard of any tourists being kidnapped. Has anyone?

[butchfuzion]

Haven't been to Nogales for a few years but was always fun. There is a certain "carnaval" atmosphere for the first few blocks but if you take the time to go further in you will find interesting places for regular Mexican citizens. It is pretty safe in my opinion as long as you aren't down there for prostitutes, illegal drugs or getting sloppy drunk at bars. By the way, people tell me that doing those types of things in any city in the U.S. will also get you into dangerous situations! Just took a trip to Chicago in April and had a great time even though they had 90 some people killed there on the 4th of July a few years ago. Go have fun and just exercise some caution as I am sure you will as seasoned travelers.

[qtla9111]

paulcardoza wrote:
No towns in Mexico have seen more drug cartel violence than Juarez has. Stay away at all cost.

Ciudad Juarez, once one of Mexico's most notorious and violent cities, saw its homicide rate drop over 60 percent between 2011 and 2012, a decrease which may have more to do with organized crime dynamics than security policy.

Funny, the bad guys live in El Paso and do their dirty work in Ciudad Juarez, same in McAllen, Tx and Reynosa, Tamps.

[qtla9111]

Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
http://www.insightcrime.org/news-briefs/mexicos-kidnapping-cases-rise-2012-ngo
Here is the link to 72 kidnappings a day.

I believe that the number is a bit exagerated and the majority of the "kidnappings" take place betweeen cartels.

One important thing this website has left out based on its name InSight Crime/Organized Crime in the Americas is our neighbors to the north who orchestrate many of these crimes and are deeply embedded in over 200 U.S. and Canadian cities.

Waiting for, "the rest of the story . . ."

[paulcardoza]

I can tell you that El Paso borders on Juarez and there is absolutely no reason to visit Juarez! It is primarily an industrial town, where lots of US manufacturers have relocated. Little to see or do. Juarez is also notorious for drug trafficking and the associated crime and violence that goes along with it. No towns in Mexico have seen more drug cartel violence than Juarez has. Stay away at all cost.

[Jack_Diane_Free]

http://www.insightcrime.org/news-briefs/mexicos-kidnapping-cases-rise-2012-ngo
Here is the link to 72 kidnappings a day.

[John___Angela]

Algodones is a fun town for a day. But if you have a week consider jumping on a plane and flying to Guadalajara or even Mexico City. Guadalajara is an amazing city and an example of one of the many perfectly preserved 17 th century Spanish city's of Mexico. Lots to do and see and an experience you will never forget. Mexico City is another choice of course. And of course it has considerably less crime and violence than its US counterpart Washington. Mexican cities also tend to be amazingly clean. Even if you can just squeeze in a long weekend it would be worth it. Just stop by a travel agent and check it out. Don't bother with a beach city. Head for a colonial city.

Enjoy your trip.

[robatthelake]

daveB110 wrote:
You can have a fun time in Los Algodones, Baja California. You do not have to buy anything if you don't want to. Walk around, check the mind bogling array of items made in their country, have a Mexican style breakfast or lunch. In the winter months there is usually music and dancing, to live music. If you go in a group especially, you can have a barrel of fun, the Mexican beer is very good. This day trip is on our agenda every winter, plan on staying a bit later than others and the line won't be so long to re-enter USA (likely not a problem in summertime). I have never had a concern about personal safety while there. Never.

Times Two!

[daveB110]

You can have a fun time in Los Algodones, Baja California. You do not have to buy anything if you don't want to. Walk around, check the mind bogling array of items made in their country, have a Mexican style breakfast or lunch. In the winter months there is usually music and dancing, to live music. If you go in a group especially, you can have a barrel of fun, the Mexican beer is very good. This day trip is on our agenda every winter, plan on staying a bit later than others and the line won't be so long to re-enter USA (likely not a problem in summertime). I have never had a concern about personal safety while there. Never.