Final Thoughts: Is Tijuana Safe? Street tacos are abundant, and its worth trying them at least once. Baja California is relatively safe for US tourists, as evidenced by the large numbers of travelers who cross the border by car or on foot. See state summaries and advisory levels below for information on your specific travel destination. If we link to any product, you should assume that we'll receive a commission when you buy it, at no extra cost to you. If you must be out and about at night, Avenida Revolucion remains relatively safe, along with Paseo de Los Heroes and Calle Coahuila. The first is the driving behavior of other motorists. New travel advisory for Tijuana and Rosarito - KGTV Stick to the touristy areas, and avoid walking at night to prevent this kind of crime. "That's about . It was the second Latin-American country to enact anti-discrimination laws for the LGBTQ+ community and in 2011 the Mexican Constitution . Pickpocketing, muggings, and home break-ins are all risks to be wary of. Tijuana, Mexico's famed red-light district, called Zona Norte, sits a stone's throw from the US-Mexico border. To ensure their safety, it is important for visitors to take certain precautions. Is Mexico Safe To Visit? Travel In 2022 - Forbes The 15 Best Hotels in Hawaii in 2023 | For All Budgets, The 15 Best Places to Visit in Hawaii in 2023, Is Hawaii Safe to Visit in 2023? Take only the cash you need for the day and leave all other essential items in your hotel safe no matter where you go in Tijuana. The 15 Best Hotels in Hawaii in 2023 | For All Budgets, The 15 Best Places to Visit in Hawaii in 2023, Is Hawaii Safe to Visit in 2023? In almost all cases, there is a lot of commotion and distractions going on around you, so it makes it easy for the thief to steal from you. Drug deals are standard, which means that drug dealers and their henchmen are also present. There are so many other better alternatives. The answer is complicated. If you want to travel solo in Mexico, you absolutely can, but you must take some extra precautions. In the end, you should try and break the process to prevent more corruption in the future. Your belongings arent always safe when traveling, and you need to protect your, We know that living abroad as an expat can be an exciting and enriching experience, but it can also come with its own set of financial challenges. While in large cities like Mexico City, its progressing rapidly, much of the countrys residents still reside in 3rd world living conditions. San Ysidro Land Port of Entry, San Diego, CA. Despite the danger, many travelers have no issues when traveling to Tijuana. Theres food from all regions of Mexico and some American fare since its so close to the border. Tijuana is not an area that has been the target of terrorist threats in recent history. From Cartels to Contraband: Unveiling the Worlds Top Drug Smuggling Hotspots! In addition, you will notice more potholes and poorer road conditions than in San Diego, so drive slowly. Theyre like buses but dont have a set schedule. Is Tijuana safe to travel to right now? : r/tijuana - Reddit While its the easiest and fastest way to end the situation, youre perpetuating the cycle and telling the police officer its okay to shake down tourists. La Ruta 3 in Revolucin always has the best waitresses, very friendly. While the Spanish discovered the region in 1542, the city was actually founded by farmers and ranchers in 1889. There have been altercations between taxi and Uber drivers, and while passengers havent been targeted, you dont want to be the first. Zachary Rabinor, founder and CEO of the travel company Journey Mexico, says it's important to remember that the Americans were killed and kidnapped a long distance from popular tourist destinations in Mexico. However, theres a lot of nuance to the situation that makes Tijuana much safer to visit than you think. Tourists arent targeted for violence, but that doesnt mean you should tempt fate. If you have to walk over the bridge, cross with someone else. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. If you must travel to Tijuana right now, it may be best to go on a well-protected tour. Despite travel warnings from the U.S. State Department, Tijuana is a safe place. The most dangerous neighborhoods in Tijuana are those that are known for being a center of drug trafficking and organized crime. Happy travels! Politely tell them no, thank you, and theyll move on. The main reason for the astronomically high murder rate is the gang and. The bottom line is Tijuana is dangerous at night, and more crime often happens during the night and twilight hours there. Of course, there are more than just these crimes. My dad is one of them. And if you do travel over to Zona Norte, to places like Hong Kongs Gentlemens Club, make sure to take a taxi directly there and back. Many police officers in Mexico are highly corrupt. Zona Norte is a party district, and its most well known as being Tijuanas red-light district. For most people, the trip down there is uneventful. Pickpocketing, muggings, and home break-ins are all risks to be wary of. Tijuana - yay or nay? : r/travel - Reddit Exploring The Dangers Of Tijuana: Staying Safe In Mexico's Most Stick to the touristy areas, and avoid walking at night to prevent this kind of crime. He kept asking me To describe them but I told him I didnt remember. They may demand bribes for traffic violations whether or not you actually violated any law. Country Summary: Violent crime - such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery - is widespread and common in Mexico. Laws and lights are frequently ignored, and speeding is common. So, dont buy drugs in Tijuana. More women are murdered here than in any other city, and more American residents are becoming targets of organized crime for kidnappings and home robberies. You can drive over the border, and your license is valid in Mexico. However, at night, it gets rather sketchy. Americans have been traveling across the border for dental work for decades. Bridges over the border and across the Tijuana river become dangerous at night. You should pay traffic fines on the official. Start Here Mexico Is Baja California Safe in 2023? If youre going down there for this type of fun, then pony up and spend a bit more to be safe. Next, make sure to not walk down unfamiliar streets, alleyways, or unlit areas. If you are visiting with your family (or even some friends) then head over to El Trompo. One of Tijuanas best assets is the delicious food. I was walking down the street with two police officers walking a head of me. However, at night, it gets rather sketchy. cross from San Diego to Tijuana daily with no issue, and many tourists go home satisfied with their visit. While the cartels primary income source is not robbing tourists, thats not to say it never happens. Spain: A Great Destination for Retirees, Expats, Digital Nomads, and More, Malta: The Mediterraneans Best Kept Secret for Retirees, Expats, and Digital Nomads, Red Eye Flights Pros and Cons of Traveling at Night, Why Portugal is the Best European Retirement Option. Questions over Americans' safety in Mexico have been underlined by . People often give their services without being asked and want to be paid for them. This website is using cookies to analyze our traffic, personalize content and/or ads, and provide video content. Caesars Restaurant is on Avenida Revolucion in downtown Tijuana. However, is Baja California safe for tourists, both single tourists and families? However,Tijuana is still risky, and its up to you to decide how much risk you want to tolerate in a destination. Two men were killed and a third person was wounded during a shooting in a Seattle park Saturday night, police said. Kidnapping is a risk in Mexico, and Baja California is not exempt. Yes! At 7.7 times more than Detroit, the end of 2019 recorded 2,100 total murders in Tijuana. With that said, dont argue with locals. Tijuana is a city located in the Mexican state of Baja California, on the US-Mexico border. They act friendly and nice before launching into a sob story. American Prohibition really made the city what it is. Tijuana is also home to some excellent museums, including the world-famous Museum of Anthropology. The biggest safety concern in Rosarito and other surrounding areas such as Tijuana, Mexicali and Tecate has been homicides. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn a commission. The cartels control important drug and human trafficking routes across the border. If you lose anything due to crime, dont expect to get it back. So its quite expensive to park at the border, and you may want to use the metro to avoid paying the parking fees near the border. has released a Level 3 Reconsider Travel advisory for Baja California state. For a fee of course. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Some places are safe enough to visit, others are too dangerous. Whether or not to cancel your trip to Tijuana is a personal decision that depends on your comfort level with the current safety situation. While it isnt as bad in recent years, theres no denying that the police ofTijuana is still very corrupt. Baja California Sur is safer than Baja California itself. The easiest way to get from to Tijuana is via the San Diego Trolley, a tram that runs from downtown San Diego all the way to the San Ysidro border. Close proximity to the US has ensured that Tijuana has imbibed American culture to a significant extent. If prostitutes come to you, they often try to distract you by touching you before pickpocketing any valuables you have. I was in shock and honestly at this time my memory is foggy. These informal settlements frequently have increased gang activity and high poverty levels, making them unsafe for Americans to wander around alone. In 2017, the murder rate per 100,000 people was 365. Is Tijuana Safe? Avoiding Common Scams and Crime The other category is petty crime and robberies. On this budget, you could live in Zona Rio, downtown, or Playas de Tijuana. Unfortunately, this city is also infamous for being a major center of drug trafficking and organized crime. There is also a risk of Zika virus along the coast, according toTravelHealthPro. These streets are regularly patrolled by officers and are marginally safer than the rest of Tijuana at night. 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. In the end, you should try and break the process to prevent more corruption in the future. These motorcyclists are often in a hurry, as many deliver food for apps like Rappi or Uber Eats. This area encompasses the entire Caribbean coast, from Cancun all the way down to the Belize border. They arrange you the hotel and a driver to take you from the border to the hotel and drs office. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Try using a taxi booked through a hotel or Uber. Make sure you use your phone in a reputable restaurant or store. Theres food from all regions of Mexico and some American fare since its so close to the border. It's a regular trick of taxi drivers, who can up the cost of even short trips to astronomical levels. Also, your car isnt safe in either parking locations along the border. With the highest number of murders per 100,000 people, many news outlets call Tijuana The Most Dangerous City in The World. However, theres a lot of nuance to the situation that makes Tijuana much safer to visit than you think. First and foremost, dont dress like you want to be robbed. The further away you get from the touristy area, the more dangerous it gets. Online reviews are your friend in this situation, and you should only go to restaurants and food trucks with many customers, preferably locals. Families are less likely to be targeted for crimes. They are going to be looking for anyone by themselves, so its important you dont travel alone there. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. Due to it being on the border, various malicious actors are present, which only increases crime levels. Additionally, the Hong Kong Gentlemens Club is probably the most friendly and conservative for visitors, and it also has a hotel attached (Hotel Cascadas). Most of them list the fines as 5,000 pesos ($500), but you can argue them down to 500 to 1000 pesos ($25-$50). Often parents will have their children beg. Living in Tijuana as an American - Where The Road Forks They have routes throughout Tijuana. Uber is a better alternative since Uber sets the rates. Tijuana is dangerous because of cartels and gangs. Troops patrol Tijuana as city emerges from cartel-fueled night of We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. US citizens need a passport or passport card to cross the border. Dental care is probably the most common type of medical tourism in Tijuana. Its very cheap compared to the other forms of transportation available, so it perfect for those visiting Tijuana on a budget. The end of 2021 has shown little improvement, and Tijuana has an average of about 164 murders a month now (source - Border Report ). The main driving point of crime is a large number of drug cartels moving into the city. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. To get the best and safest tourist experience in Tijuana, stick to the tourist districts and consider the following travel-safe practices: . Drug sales are done right out in the open here, and often youll witness users getting high just off of the main thoroughfares. Its a common story to hear about tourists being pulled aside by corrupt police in Tijuana. 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! 9 Most Dangerous Places in Mexico (to Avoid in 2023) How Safe Is Mexico for Travel? - Travel Safe - Abroad As I mentioned earlier, there is more to the town than its early roots suggest. About 2-3 hrs have gone by and my fianc was tracking my location on my iPhone trying to call store owners in my location to get me into a store. You dont want to wander around Tijuana at night. The victims, two men and two women in their teens and early 20s, said they were headed for a night of partying across the border only to be found strangled, stabbed and beaten a few days later. NY Daily News. However, there is an increased risk of crime and kidnapping in Baja California, which is why the State Department has released a "Level 3 - Reconsider Travel" advisory for Baja California state.. Stay in well-lit crowded areas, and dont wear or show anything expensive to avoid becoming a target. Predictors of victimization among young females (aged 16-20) generally included environmental factors, whereas evening drinking was associated with victimization among women aged 21 and older. A Night in Tijuana: Female Victimization in a High-Risk Environment by Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation. Prostitution is legal in Zona Norte, but the area is unsafe. Crime rates in Tijuana. There is also parking at the metro station, although many choose to park more North and take the blue line into the border. Though it is a very different experience. I think facts are the best way to understand how dangerous Tijuana is. If we link to any product, you should assume that we'll receive a commission when you buy it, at no extra cost to you. The east side of the city is another area to avoid. Enjoy. I thought that theres cops so Im ok. Long story short I was kidnapped by them forced to drain my bank accounts after handcufffing me and sticking a gun in my mouth. Mexico is considered a developing nation. Do your best to avoid neighborhoods such as Reforma, Snchez Taboada, Camino Verde, and Mariano Matamoros. The Easy Way: The San Diego Trolley (which is also sometimes called the Tijuana Trolley), takes you directly to the border crossing. The rating is mostly based on its insanely high homicide rate of 2,367.