Ciudad Juárez

Ciudad Juárez is a large Mexican city in Chihuahua state that sits directly across from El Paso, Texas, separated by the Rio Grande. It spreads across a wide area with densely built residential neighborhoods, modern industrial zones and broad avenues, all framed by low mountains in the background.

The settlement began in 1659 as El Paso del Norte, serving as a Spanish mission and trading point at the river crossing. It took its current name in 1888, after President Benito Juárez governed from there during the French invasion.

The place is known for street vendors selling tacos, quesadillas and other Mexican dishes straight from the grill, while daily life unfolds around open plazas and busy markets. In the evenings, families and friends gather in public parks and restaurants, where music and conversation fill the air and reveal the energy of border living.

The main bridges over the Rio Grande connect the area to Texas and are heavily used during the day, especially during morning and late afternoon rush hours. Visitors should expect dry heat in summer and cool winds in winter, as the climate here is desert-like and the sun is strong most of the year.

At several border crossings, thousands of workers move back and forth between the two countries every day, creating a constant flow that defines the rhythm of this region. The area also holds one of the longest streetcar lines in North America, which once connected both sides and can still be traced by old tracks and stations.