Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry: The Complete Guide to Crossing into Mexico

Planning to visit the Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry and visit Mexico? This is one of the most unique experiences in the entire national park system.

It’s the only place where you can legally walk from a US National Park in Texas, directly into Mexico, cross the Rio Grande on a small rowboat ferry, ride a burro into town, have a margarita overlooking the river, and be back in Big Bend by the afternoon. It sounds almost too good to be true. It’s very real.

The first question most people ask is whether Boquillas is safe, and the answer is an unqualified yes. Boquillas del Carmen is a tiny, remote village of about 200-300 people that depends almost entirely on visiting tourists for its livelihood.

The residents are warm, welcoming, and genuinely happy to see you. We crossed without hesitation and would do it again on every Big Bend visit. At no point did we feel anything other than completely welcome.

Here’s exactly what to expect at the Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry, step by step.

Planning Your Boquillas Crossing: What You Need to Know

• Everyone traveling to Mexico must have a valid passport.
• U.S. dollars are accepted in Mexico, and you should bring smaller bills for easy payment. The Rio Grande Village Visitor Center can make change. You will need cash!
• The Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry is open at specific times on specific days. Check here for the latest information.
  • The crossing is currently open Friday through Monday, 9:00 am through 4:00 pm.
• You must check in with customs and immigration and pay a small fee when you arrive in Mexico. A bracelet will be provided. Check-in is located in a small trailer.
• On the return trip back into the United States, you must check in with customs and immigration as well. This will be done through a virtual kiosk, and the border patrol agents on-site will help you with this process.
• Give yourself enough time to cross and return.
• Bring water because it will be hot and dry. We recommend using a water bladder for your backpack!
• Visit our Gear page to purchase your America the Beautiful Pass online at REI’s website. In some cases, you can purchase an annual pass at the entrance of some parks.

🏜️ Learn more about our trip to the Texas and New Mexico National Parks.

History of Boquillas del Carmen

For generations, Boquillas del Carmen existed as a small but thriving border community where residents would cross the Rio Grande informally to shop in the US, sell crafts, and interact with Big Bend visitors daily.

Then, in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the US government closed all informal border crossings in 2002 as part of sweeping national security measures. Overnight, with no warning and no transition period, Boquillas lost access to its primary source of income.

The impact was devastating. The village’s population dropped dramatically as families relocated to larger Mexican cities in search of work. Those who stayed held on through years of economic hardship, maintaining their homes and community in a place that the outside world had essentially cut off. The crossing remained closed for over a decade.

Thanks to both the US and Mexican presidential administrations, in 2013, the Boquillas Crossing reopened as an official US port of entry. It was the first new official border crossing opened in the US in decades.

Is Boquillas del Carmen Safe?

Yes, and we want to give you a real answer rather than just a reassuring wave of the hand, because we know this is the question standing between you and one of the most memorable experiences in the national park system.

Boquillas del Carmen is a village of approximately 200-300 people tucked into a remote canyon on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande, surrounded by the Maderas del Carmen Natural Protected Area.

The nearest town in Mexico is 150 miles away by dirt road. There are no cartels here, no drug trafficking routes, no reason for anyone with bad intentions to be in Boquillas, because there is simply nothing here except a small, tight-knit community that survives almost entirely on the generosity of tourists who cross from Big Bend.

The Boquillas Crossing is an official US port of entry, operated jointly by US Customs and Border Protection and Mexican customs and immigration. You are crossing at a legal, staffed, monitored border crossing, not an informal or unofficial point. US Border Patrol agents are present on the American side, and the crossing infrastructure on both sides has been purpose-built for visitor safety and convenience.

We crossed without a moment of hesitation and felt completely welcome from the first second we stepped off the ferry. The residents of Boquillas are genuinely happy to see visitors.

Your presence there matters to them in a very direct and immediate way. We met friendly locals, curious dogs, and children selling handmade crafts who were nothing but charming.

The only thing to be aware of is the heat and sun exposure on the walk to town, so bring water, wear sunscreen, and bring a hat. That’s the only real safety concern at Boquillas. 🌞

At the Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry: What to Expect

If you plan a trip to Boquillas del Carmen, park at the Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry along Boquillas Canyon Road. Turn left onto the road before the Rio Grande Village Visitor Center. There are restrooms in a separate building at the crossing.

Once you enter the Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry, the guards will greet you and give you some information on crossing into Mexico. Next, head out the doors and down to the river to cross the border!

Crossing the Rio Grande: The Ferry into Boquillas del Carmen

Take the ferry service provided by the residents of Boquillas to cross the river. The round-trip cost per person is $5, and you’ll take a rowboat across the river into Mexico. Children 7 and under are $1 each. After you cross the river, pay the folks on the other side. It is possible to cross the river on foot if the water level is low, but it’s still advised to take the ferry.

Arriving in Boquillas del Carmen: Getting Into Town

Once you cross the Rio Grande, you are officially in Mexico! You’ll be offered guide services and burro rides immediately after crossing. These are local residents trying to make a living from tourism.

You don’t need a guide to navigate the short walk to town, but if you’d enjoy the company or want to support a local directly, it’s a perfectly good option. A simple, friendly ‘no thank you’ is all you need.

There are a few options to get into town, as listed below.

• Walk: Free! Walk about 3/4 mile to town.
• Hire a burro or truck: $10/person
• Hire a horse: $15/person
• Guide: Not necessary, but if you choose to have one accompany you, please tip them generously.
• You will be approached by children selling handmade crafts and other trinkets. These are great little souvenirs to bring back with you to the U.S. However, make sure they are not made of a natural product. The children are persistent and appreciate anything you buy from them!

Where to Eat in Boquillas del Carmen: Jose Falcon’s vs. Boquillas Restaurant

There are 2 restaurants to choose from if you are looking for a quick bite to eat and a refreshing drink. Jose Falcon’s is one option. If you are looking for a great view overlooking the Rio Grande, this is your spot.

Directly across the street is Boquillas Restaurant. The food at both places is safe, simple, and fresh. Check the menus at both locations to see what they have to offer. We chose Boquillas Restaurant and had a delicious margarita and soft drink! Be sure to grab a Coke sometime when you are here.

Mexican Coke is made with cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup and comes in a glass bottle. It really tastes different and totally better.

🛎️ Have you booked your stay in Terlingua? Better get on that! We recommend a VRBO.

Things to Do in Boquillas del Carmen

Furthermore, there are plenty of small vendors set up around town where you can purchase small items and souvenirs to take back to the U.S. As noted before, make sure these are not natural source produced.

• Per the National Park Service website: “Rocks, minerals, and archeological items are still illegal to purchase, import, and possess in Big Bend National Park.”
• NO FOOD or food products of any kind (tamales, restaurant leftovers, alcohol, vanilla, etc.) can come north through the port of entry.

Here’s what you CAN bring back across the border, because good news, there’s plenty:

• Handmade crafts, textiles, and artwork from the village vendors. These make wonderful souvenirs and directly support local families.
• Clothing and personal items purchased in town.

What to leave behind: fresh fruits, vegetables, meat products, and anything made from natural materials like rocks, bones, shells, or plants. USDA and NPS restrictions apply to all of these at the re-entry kiosk.

The customs staff are helpful and will flag anything questionable. When in doubt, ask before you pack it. The worst that can happen is that they will make you give up any prohibited items on your return.

Lastly, take a stroll past the Park Bar and visit the local museum on the left, where you can learn about the history of Boquillas del Carmen. Hit up the Park Bar if you are looking for some additional refreshments or a round of pool.

Returning to the US: Re-Entry at the Boquillas Crossing

Finally, head back toward the U.S. and take the ferry back across. Remember to tip your guide if you have one! Make your way back to the Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry and check in with an officer using one of the mobile kiosks.

First, you will identify yourself with your passport and use the camera to present yourself. Next, the officer will ask about your visit and if you have anything to declare. There are staff onsite to help you with this process. The process took us about 30 minutes, as there was a tour group in front of us when we arrived. Again, allow plenty of time to complete this adventure.

We had a great time on our day trip to Mexico!

Where to Stay

🛏️ We recommend staying in nearby Terlingua. This is the perfect location for exploring Big Bend and taking a day trip to Boquillas. Check out the best places to stay in nearby Terlingua, TX. Here are a few top picks below.

• Have an entire place to yourselves in one of the awesome VRBOs around Terlingua.
• Terlingua Ranch Lodge – best seller.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Boquillas Crossing Worth It?

We are very happy that we decided to take this quick trip to Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico! We learned a bit about the history of Boquillas and met some very friendly people and dogs! While some border areas are considered unsafe, Boquillas is very remote, and the next town is 150 miles away by dirt road. The village generates its income from visiting tourists, so please be generous.

At no point did we feel unsafe, and many make this journey daily. This is one of the most unique things you can do in our national parks, and we recommend adding a visit to Boquillas del Carmen to your bucket list.