1

To re-enter- the only port of entry to the US anywhere in the area is Ojinaga about 100 miles west down the river road from Big Bend. Used to be lots of trouble there with the Narcos. Ever since the federal police killed off Pablo Acosta not hearing much. There used to be a crossing just east of big bend but someone killed the Mexican customs guys staffing it about 10 years back and they closed that port.

2

I don't think I would drive that part of Mexico.

3

OK let's re-try this. If I was staying in El Paso, is it possible to go to Chihuahua for the day? Let's say we get on a bus around 6AM... let's say we arrive around 11AM. Can we hang around till 4:00 or 5:00 or so and then head on a bus back? Where online are the bus schedules? I cannot seem to find them.

4

Look in the FAQ of thorn tree.

5

heyduke, you arent that rude to type that without putting in the number are you? the FAQs are overwhelming and it is too easy to miss things for you to think that is an appropriate response.

6

That would be a lot of seat time on a bus for minimal scenic & touristic values...Were you planning the train excursion perhaps...If you must...Walk over negotiate a taxi(first challenge) to the central bus terminal that is far from center. Walk along the counters & takes yer pick.Ist or 2nd class...Along in here somewhere you should be issued(and paying for) a "tourist card"...Think this over a bit...Rent the car, drive East on the I-10 & Visit Big Bend NP... carracar

7

#3 regarding going to Chihuahua for the day:

First of all, I assume you mean the city of Chihuahua rather than just the state of the same name. Assuming that, a day trip to Chihuahua isn't practical.

Chihuahua is a 4 1/2 hour bus ride south of El Paso/Juarez. You can get an express bus to Chihuahua at the bus station in El Paso near the "free" international bridge, or take a $40 taxi ride from El Paso to the Central de Autobuses in Juarez and catch a bus to Chihuahua from there. Or, you could walk across the international bridge and get a Mexican taxi to the Central de Autobuses saving some on the taxi ride. In any case, cross from El Paso into Juarez during the day and for safety's sake take only Mexican taxis where you buy the taxi ride ticket in a vendor's booth (and not negotiated with an individual driver).

Busses to Chihuahua leave El Paso about three times daily and from the Central de Autobuses hourly. The bus ride costs about $32 usd one-way. You can check the ADO or Estrella Blanca websites, but you won't have any problem just waking in a buying a ticket and all departure times may not be listed on the website anyway.

8

Sorry, to add to #7; I

see you asked if you could leave El Paso/Juarez around 6 a.m., visit in Chihuahua for the day, and then leave Chihuahua around 4 or 5 p.m. to return. Yes, you could do that, but that would put you in Juarez during the night - a bad idea. Actually busses leave from Chihuahua to Juarez all night long.

That would be a long way to go for very little visiting time. Why are you so set on going to Chihuahua which isn't a tourist destination? Chihuahua is a large, industrial city - very few tourists go there - I like it well enough and go there often as I have family there, but most tourists don't.

9

It's not clear at all what you were thinking about doing or how much time you have to do whatever that is. A day trip to Chihuahua from El Paso is possible, but I can't imagine why anyone would want to do that for the reasons that Bob just pointed out. As far as driving goes, the states bordering Texas are not places for people to make impulsive side trips into rural areas to explore or just to see what's there.

10

Along with others, I'm not sure exactly what your goals are. Having said that--I spent a spring break doing what you seem to be asking about. We went from El Paso to Chihuahua, then to Ojinaga/Presidio. From there, we drove the river road (beautiful in all seasons, but especially in the spring) to Lajitas. Then, on to Big Bend National Park. The drive back to El Paso was on fast highways, your notion of the scenery would depend on your taste. I thought it all was spectacular. We found people on the Mexican leg to be welcoming. The US part was devoted mostly to the national park--which is beyond spectacular. Spring (March/April) is wildflower season beginning at the Rio Grande and working up to the higher elevations as time passes. There are details that matter here. Are you US citizens, do you have any Spanish? If the answer is no to either, then you need to check out those items. We were in a private auto, which made things easier. My guess is that the US side of this from Presidio through BB and out to Alpine would be very difficult, if not impossible, unless you have wheels. You would have to check on the possibility of a rental vehicle in Presidio. If I can be helpful, send me your questions.

11

Jeez I wouldn't do that for all the tortillas in tlaxcala. Just too many sicarios with too much time and bullets on their hands. Same for travel after dark.

Suerte Amigo!

12

Michoacan, it goes without saying that one checks the comfort zone. I said nothing about night driving (for me a no-no)--but the point seems to be seeing the countryside, not likely to be done beneficially at night. This is a no-brainer on the US side, Mexico takes more consideration. The best scenery is in the US, so unless going to Mexico is part of what one wants to do....