Big Bend National Park, Day Two: Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry (Into Mexico)

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Having completed the Lost Mine Trail hike in near record time, I had the whole afternoon free to explore the eastern side of Big Bend National Park. In my planning for this road trip, I had read that there is a legal border crossing into Mexico located right in Big Bend (it's the only one of its kind in a national park). You need a passport to make the crossing, so of course I brought my passport.

About 12 noon, I headed out of the Chisos Basin (that's what the Lodge area is called) and took the road in direction of Boquillas Crossing to make a trip travel into Mexico. At the Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry, I met a border guard who gave me the rundown on the crossing and expressly warned me that I had to be back by 4 pm, otherwise I would need to spend the night in Mexico. That wasn't happening so I planned to make the visit a quick one, no more than an hour and half.

After my passport was checked and the rundown was complete, I was waved through the gate and was on my way to Mexico. The crossing by boat of the Rio Grande cost me $5 and the trip into Boquillas by pickup truck cost me $10 (a ride by burro costs $15). I also had to pay $3.50 to the Mexican immigration station in Boquillas and I received a wrist band that I had to wear at all times while I was in Mexico. 

The $10 pickup ride included a very nice guide, Raoul, who was a lifelong resident of Boquillas and who gave me a tour of Boquillas and some of its history. Then he guided me to his favorite restaurant (which I can only assume he has some relationship with but who knows, maybe it is the best restaurant in the town!). Anyway, I had a nice lunch of four tacos and a bottle of Mexican Coke. After lunch, I checked out a nearby shop and then decided to head back to Big Bend. It was a nice visit which also helped to add some foreign intrigue to the road trip.

Having a four taco lunch in Boquillas
Crossing the Rio Grande
Posing in front of a Mexican taproom


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