Eagle Pass is a quiet city of roughly 30,000 residents with a counterpart city across the border called Piedras Negras. They are surprisingly similar in size and both are very welcoming and mellow communities.
Divided by the Rio Grande, both cities have wonderful culture with the usual back and forth of commerce and crossover found in smaller border cities and towns. They are nice places to visit as standalone trips but many folks head this way to venture farther into the heart of Mexico.
Reminder! You must have Mexican car or RV insurance when crossing the border. 3rd party liability is the legal minimum requirement. Save time getting Mexican insurance in Eagle Pass and buy online with us! In a few minutes, you can have multiple quotes and the option to purchase right from your phone or computer!
Getting to the Border In Eagle Pass
The border crossing at Eagle pass is known for being very straightforward and generally not too chaotic. It’s an excellent crossing point for RV’s and trucks and has plenty of space which is hard to find.
It’s a direct route from San Antonio and also from Austin, Texas for that matter. The highway access and low key entry makes it a great option for tourists who have some border anxiety and want a friendly place to get through the process.
When arriving at the border, you will still need a passport and your vehicle registration/title to obtain an FMM visa at the Aduana and a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit at the Banjercito. You won’t need this TIP if you only plan on visiting the area within about 10-miles of the border itself.
Bridge I Border Crossing – Located off Garrison and Commercial Roads, two passenger vehicle lanes and pedestrian foot crossings are available. It opens at 7 am and closes before 11 pm daily. This bridge connects to downtown in each city for shopping and convenient access to restaurants and fun.
Bridge II Border Crossing – Take Monroe Street to reach Bridge II which is also known as the Camino Real International Bridge. It’s a larger bridge with two lanes entering Mexico and four lanes entering the United States. One of those lanes is SENTRI as well. Pedestrian bridges are large and the route puts you on the highway without having to go through town. RV’s driving south should run this route.
Eagle Pass Border Lodging and Side Trips
It’s worth spending a day or two enjoying Eagle Pass. You can service your vehicle, fill propane tanks on the RV and cruise around before or after crossing over. Several casinos offer lodging and gaming and outdoor spaces have fishing, water access and room to enjoy fresh air.
Places to Stay in Eagle Pass:
- Maverick Inn (close to border)
- Eagle Pass Inn (close to border)
- Townplace Suites
- Holiday Inn Express
Things to Do Before or After Your Trip to Mexico:
- Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino (has an RV park too)
- Maverick County Lake
- Fort Duncan Museum
- Eat some TexMex
Eagle Pass also has golf courses, local shops to explore and public parks. Support the local businesses when possible and have fun in this friendly community.
Crossing to Piedras Negras, Mexico
After you cross into Mexico, the downtown has shops and restaurants to enjoy. Find a parking spot or just stroll around on foot. Things are pretty safe and friendly here. Most tourists focus on shopping and walking around during the daytime as well.
Lodging in Piedras Negras:
- Days Inn by Wyndham (close to border)
- Holiday Inn Express Piedras Negras
- Quality Inn (has a nice pool)
- Hampton Inn by Hilton
Side Trips to Consider:
- River walk in town
- Plaza de las Culturas
Obviously, if you take Bridge II across, you can bypass the city stops and begin a longer drive into Mexico. Don’t forget your Mexican auto insurance online with Cross Border Coverage before starting your trip!
