The history of this sprawling border city dates back to 1668, when Franciscan friar Father Garcia de San Francisco founded the Mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Misión de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe). The cathedral still stands on the west side of Plaza de Armas in downtown Ciudad Juárez.
Border Tips
There are several border crossings between El Paso and downtown Juárez, including the Ysleta-Zaragoza Bridge, the Bridge of the Americas, the Stanton Street Bridge and the Santa Fe Street Bridge (also called the Paseo del Norte Bridge).The port of entry at Santa Teresa in nearby New Mexico is on the western edge of the El Paso/Juárez metropolitan area; take exit 8 (Artcraft Road) off I-10 and proceed west about 13 miles. Since it bypasses the city, this is the recommended crossing point for tourists and other travelers who are driving to Chihuahua and beyond or otherwise headed for interior Mexico. Banjercito offices at this border crossing and at the 30-kilometer (19-mile) mark on Mex. 45 (the Juárez-Chihuahua Highway) can process the paperwork necessary for vehicle travel into the interior.
Dollars or pesos are accepted when entering or departing Mexico or the United States. Baggage may be inspected at the customs offices. Both Mexican and U.S. Customs and Border Protection offices are open daily 24 hours at Ciudad Juárez. U.S. Customs and Border Protection offices at Santa Teresa are open daily 6 a.m.-midnight. AAA/CAA members can obtain Mexican automobile insurance at AAA Texas offices.