Boquillas Crossing: Visiting Mexico from Big Bend

Visiting Boquillas del Carmen was one of the most unusual things we did in Big Bend because this is not just a viewpoint across the Rio Grande. We used the official Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry, crossed the river and legally entered Mexico for a short visit to the village.

How the Boquillas Crossing works

You first go through the official U.S. Port of Entry. From the river, visitors can take the small rowboat across for a fee. Walking across is permitted only at the official crossing and is not recommended when the river is high. Once on the Mexican side, the village is about half a mile away, with walking, burro, horse and vehicle options available.

Crossing into Boquillas felt like a completely different experience from the hiking days elsewhere in Big Bend.

You really are entering Mexico

This is an international border crossing, not a casual river hop. Visitors need proper documentation, must follow the official Port of Entry process and check in with Mexican immigration after arriving. NPS currently says U.S. and Canadian citizens can use a valid passport for the crossing; travelers should verify current document requirements before visiting.

There is no other legal place to simply walk across the border within Big Bend National Park. That is important because several park trails run right beside the Rio Grande.

Boquillas Canyon is a separate experience

We also hiked in the Boquillas Canyon area. The trail stays on the U.S. side of the river. The canyon hike and the official border crossing are nearby, but they are not the same activity. That distinction cleared up our own memory afterward.

How much time would we allow?

We would give the crossing a few hours rather than squeezing it between hikes. The current NPS page notes that most visitors spend a couple of hours in Boquillas. The port is not open every day, so check the current schedule first and plan the east side of the park around it if visiting Mexico matters to you.

Is the Boquillas Crossing worth it?

We thought so. Big Bend has plenty of spectacular hiking, but this was an experience we could not have replicated elsewhere in the park. Just treat it like the international crossing it is: bring the correct documents, know the hours and leave enough time to return before the port closes.

Back to our Big Bend National Park guide.