Don't miss out on this exciting city just because of its poor reputation. Zona Ro, Centro, Hipdromo, Playas are all tourist friendly and safe. Tijuana is a city located in the Mexican state of Baja California, on the US-Mexico border. Therefore, arranging private transportation is critical before visiting wineries in Guadalupe Valley. OVERALL RISK : MEDIUM The U.S. Government advises people to "reconsider travel" to Mexico, which is the third-highest of four levels of danger.Covid-19, as well as a rise in crime and kidnappings, are the major reasons.Like many countries, some areas are safer than others.Major tourist areas are generally safe.The overall crime rate per thousand people is actually higher in the United States . To get there, use the train ride on the Imperial Way blue line (bright-red Tijuana Trolley) from San Diego. Just drive south on Interstate Highway 5, and you'll be at the border crossing. I would NOT visit Tijuana alone as it can become dangerous even if you are a man. Dont be mistaken though, people live there. Not for the moment. Among female crossers surveyed in 2005-2006, 53% reported experiencing some type of victimization, with 29% experiencing moderate physical aggression and 38% experiencing unwanted moderate sexual incidents. The city has a range of food from street vendors serving up some of the best tacos in Mexico to high-end restaurants of many international flavors. It is Mexicos most populous city with 2,181,000 people, and the 2nd largest city in the country after Mexico City. If you have to walk over the bridge, cross with someone else. U.S. State Department Renews Warning About Travel To Mexico Where It The ticket is then read by a judge who often lowers the price. Tijuana really is the wild west. The location also makes it convenient to take your car over the border to drive down the peninsula. For short trips, yes. Its no joke down there in Zona Norte. But if youre just visiting and stick to the touristy areas, you can have a great time while staying safe. How Safe is Tijuana for Americans in 2023? - Where the Rooster Crows Keep your valuables hidden and maintain a low profile. Cartels and gangs may make illegal roadblocks, demanding money for the privilege of passing or outright robbing you. | Safety Concerns, Is Norway Safe to Visit in 2023? By far the biggest risk for travelers in Tijuana is petty crime, including classic travel scams. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Drink spiking is typical, and women should be extra cautious. The price depends on the day of the week, time of the day, the season, and whether you chose an . How Dangerous is Scuba Diving. Take the Plunge: 8 Affordable and Incredible Diving Destinations You Dont Want to Miss Out On! Dont stop to sleep in sketchy areas as well. Its a bad look. Dental care is probably the most common type of medical tourism in Tijuana. Cartels also operate in Baja California. If you want to take expensive equipment such as cameras or smartphones, keep them hidden, locked away and on your person. Hong Kong is one of the more reputable. Many police officers in Mexico are highly corrupt. As an expat, you have a . Wherever you stay, ask your hotel receptionist or Airbnb host about which areas are safe to visit. Going this weekend. Along this thoroughfare, youll find typical chain restaurants, souvenir shopping, small markets, and American stores. Following the arrest of a key cartel boss, the US Embassy in Mexico has advised American tourists to avoid Tijana, Rosarito, and Baja California due to serious safety concerns. Stick to bottled water or drinks from sealed containers. At 7.7 times more than Detroit, the end of 2019 recorded 2,100 total murders in Tijuana. For the best beach resort towns, like Cabo San Lucas, youll want to go further south to Baja California Sur. Oddly enough, there are a few establishments there that are safer than others. The accomplice will either stomp your foot or literally strike you. The end of 2021 has shown little improvement, and Tijuana has an average of about 164 murders a month now (source Border Report). However, try to negotiate the price if you choose this option. You can arrive at the border by either car, train, or bus. Avoid Sanchez Taboada and Camino Verde, along with the citys neighborhoods. Fortunately, most homicides are cartel-related and occur in neighborhoods tourists dont frequent. As a guide, you should pay around $5-7 for a taxi from the border to the Centro or . In the end, you should try and break the process to prevent more corruption in the future. Cash only. Is Tijuana dangerous for woman to travel to? It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. From the station, there are signs marking the path toward Mexico. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. Some prostitutes may drug and rob men who visit them, and thieves may operate in the area. However, if you are a first-time visitor to Tijuana or Mexico in general, it is recommended that you dont drive. The worst thing ever to happen to me in years and years of going to Tijuana is that I got ripped off once by a shady taxi driver for an extra US$5. Before I continue, its important to distinguish between Baja California and Baja California Sur. Be safe in your hotel or across the border. How Safe Is Tijuana for Travel? - Travel Safe - Abroad Before your trip to Baja California, Mexico, keep the following advice in mind. You cant run around like a gringo making demands. Theres food from all regions of Mexico and some American fare since its so close to the border. Funding the cartels means theyll keep taking over parts of Mexico. Tijuana is repeatedly cited as being the most dangerous city in Mexico and one of the most dangerous in the world. Drug sales are done right out in the open here, and often youll witness users getting high just off of the main thoroughfares. For that matter, you shouldnt begin with, but its just a bad idea to deal with any drug trade there. US dollars are accepted in Tijuana but not everywhere. Enjoy. However, its important to weigh the risks and take precautions to stay safe if you do decide to go. It's not safe. The 9 Most Dangerous Places in Mexico: Deadliest Cities And if you walk in, you can simply walk back very easily. The entire area is seedy, and bad things can go down quickly. This is not a city to get lost in. Note that travel advisory warnings change all the time. So be sure to avoid sketchy areas and always be aware of your surroundings. Various people will try to take advantage of you, so just be aware of your surroundings and don't trust anyone that you don't know. 7 Day Itinerary to Fiji: A Comprehensive Guide to Exploring Fiji, Where to Travel in South America in August: A Guide to the Best Destinations, Why You Should Think Twice Before Posting on Social Media While on Vacation, Debunking the Myths and Discovering the Thrills of Scuba Diving! Is Baja California Safe to Visit in 2023? If you go out for a drink in a touristy club, be extra vigilant about your drink so it does not get spiked. However, keep children from wandering off. Mexico Travel Advisory - United States Department of State Don't waste your hard-earned money. If you wish to enjoy excellent nightlife and a relaxing city on the water, Ensenada is a quiet and small city that is much safer than Tijuana. With the highest number of murders per 100,000 people, many news outlets call Tijuana "The Most Dangerous City in The World." However, there's a lot of nuance to the situation that makes Tijuana much safer to visit than you think. Not all the taxis use their meters and can charge you a criminal price when you get to your destination. If you lose anything due to crime, dont expect to get it back. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Dont take your phone out in busy areas. In general, you might want to avoid Tijuana altogether. Finally, earthquakes may occur from time to time as well. In this article, we will explore the current safety situation in Tijuana and whether it is still a safe destination for American tourists. Why does Tijuana have a party reputation? Drivers in Mexico dont always follow road rules like in the United States. Tijuana is safe enough to roam around and explore but take more care if heading outside of the main tourist zones of. | Safety Concerns, per 100,000 people, many news outlets call Tijuana The Most Dangerous City in The World.. | Safety Concerns, The 10 Absolute Best Beaches in California in 2023, The 10 Most Dangerous Countries in Africa in 2023, The 19 Best Places to Visit in Wyoming in 2023, The 2023 Guide to the Cancun Seaweed Season. Mexico usually allows Americans to stay for up to six months on an approved cost-free Visa. Drug deals are standard, which means that drug dealers and their henchmen are also present. Theres nothing youll want to see beyond the touristy areas, so familiarize yourself with a map of this city and where they are. Some plastic surgeons may not have the proper licenses. Unless youre a Tijuana local, you probably shouldnt cross the border at night. Unfortunately, its most known for its high crime rate. Even if your GPS app suggests a better route, remember that it may not be safer, so try not to go off the main road too much. If you must travel to Tijuana right now, it may be best to go on a well-protected tour. Some of the safety measures that American tourists can take include: By following these safety measures, American tourists can greatly reduce their risk of becoming a victim of crime or violence while visiting Tijuana. There are parking lots where you can park your car and then walk over the border to downtown Tijuana, so theres no real need. The short answer is yes, Tijuana is safe for tourists. Some tracks may be unsafe, while others may present no issues. Zona Norte, also known as Hong Kong District, is one of the most dangerous and highly trafficked tourist areas. This goes for tap water and ice cubes. It is always advisable to wear sunscreen when visiting anywhere in Mexico. Is it safe to go to Tijuana from San Diego in 2023? Politely tell them no, thank you, and theyll move on. Top 27 Communication Apps For International Travel, 96% are Christians with most identifying as Catholic, October-November with temps of 46 to 91, Hamburgers or hotdogs at Telefnica gastro park, Fine dining Mexican Cuisine at Misin 19 in Zona Ro, Street tacos from Las Ahumaderas near Zona Ro, Zona Centro (while the touristy district is here, bad stuff still happens in this area. So in the 1920s Tijuana exploded as a getaway for Americans looking to indulge in both drinking and gambling during prohibition times. Kidnappers may attempt to extort money from family members as a ransom, or they may take you to ATMs and force you to take out cash in exchange for your freedom. Dont go wandering around this neighborhood, because trouble will find you. Not always. Tijuana continues to have problems with violent drug-related crimes and gang turf wars in poor neighborhoods. The further away you get from the touristy area, the more dangerous it gets. Baja California is one of the safer areas of Mexico, especially if you stick to Rosarito, Ensenada, and Guadalupe Valley. Often a so-called tour guide or the like will attempt to befriend you. Colectivos are another great option. When you ask is Tijuana dangerous?, you wouldnt immediately think about water. If you want to see the world, go see it! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. With that said, dont argue with locals. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. It also advises you to always stick to the main roads and highways. Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the Riviera Maya. Here you can learn more about the native people of this region by watching a film in the IMAX dome or seeing live performances in the Performance Hall. The most dangerous neighborhoods in Tijuana are those that are known for being a center of drug trafficking and organized crime. There has been a spike in homicides in the last couple of years, due to drug-related gang violence. It is dangerous. (2023), How dangerous is Tijuana? Rosarito is generally safe, but avoid isolated areas of the beach, especially at night. The fact of the matter is, Tijuana has a long history with party-goers. In January, the average temperature is 11.4 C. Menu Menu Location (855)-506-6188 Contact . While driving in cities like Tijuana, watch out for dogs crossing the road. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Zona Rio has many specialty shops, craft beer bars, a casino, and cultural tours. Watch out for drivers who are speeding or driving while drunk. The main driving point of crime is a large number of drug cartels moving into the city. Things like museums, lovely beaches or busy markets. Pickpocketing, muggings, and home break-ins are all risks to be wary of. If you must go, get a taxi or uber directly to the door of the club. 13 Tips to Get Rich as an Expat Read More , Copyright 2023 Where the Rooster Crows - Best & Safest Places to Visit & Live. It may not be the classiest part of the city, but you will be among many tourists. . If you lose anything due to crime, dont expect to get it back. After all, much of the economy there is based on tourism from the United States. You will need to catch the blue line from any station traveling South toward San Ysidro. Tijuana, located only 30 minutes south of San Diego, is a popular vacation . If you are visiting with your family (or even some friends) then head over to El Trompo. Violent crime is possible as well. When he refused, McMillan said, one officer brandished a billy club and the other put him in a headlock. Its a good idea to visit them all but I recommend you go with a group. Flag taxis from the street; take Uber or Didi instead. Bras, money belts or secret bag compartments will do. There are more people over the last few years visiting the city than ever before. Taxi drivers may try taking you to restaurants or hotels. As a border town, its become a melting pot attracting cooks from many different places. especially homicides in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana. Be wary of attempts at credit-card fraud. Mexico is an appealing tourist destination, but visitors should be aware of the risks associated with the area. Yes, thats right. ). If you go out at night (mostly interested in the nightlife), again make sure you dont go alone. Stratfor Worldview. During the daytime, its mostly safe. American Prohibition really made the city what it is. , some kidnapping victims claim that police officers have been involved in their kidnappings. A simple rule: if there are families around, youre probably safe. I was walking down the street with two police officers walking a head of me. They might get so frustrated they simply leave.
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