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. Fortunately, most homicides are cartel-related and occur in neighborhoods tourists dont frequent. Save. Its not entirely clear who owns the bars in Zona Norte, but the cartel or gangs likely exercise strict control over the place. 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! | Safety Concerns, Written by: Author Andrew Helling |Reviewed by: Editorial Team, Posted on Last updated: November 22, 2022. Best Place to Sit on a Plane for Anxiety: A Comprehensive Guide. Don't drink water from the tap here! Pat-downs . It truly is more trouble than its worth. Click here to get an offer for travel insurance. Before you close the book on TJ, you should understand that it can be visited safely if you pay attention to some things. Rosarito is generally safe, but avoid isolated areas of the beach, especially at night. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Dont let the cheery colors confuse you they paint the houses those colors to make those areas look more welcoming. (2023), How dangerous is Tijuana? | Travel Tips & Safety Concerns, Is Albania Safe in 2023? If you are kidnapped, never resist. . Yes! Tijuana is Mexicos 6th largest city, and its most dangerous. Additionally, the Hong Kong Gentlemens Club is probably the most friendly and conservative for visitors, and it also has a hotel attached (Hotel Cascadas). This is not a city to get lost in. Zona Rio has many specialty shops, craft beer bars, a casino, and cultural tours. The entire area is seedy, and bad things can go down quickly. Its a good idea to visit them all but I recommend you go with a group. Solo travel in Mexico can make one feel very vulnerable at times - though that goes for anywhere, especially in Latin America. You can also pay the bribe. Try using a taxi booked through a hotel or Uber. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Prostitution is legal in Zona Norte, but the area is unsafe. The same goes for Ensenada. They may demand bribes for traffic violations whether or not you actually violated any law. Stratfor Worldview. However, at night, it gets rather sketchy. They might get so frustrated they simply leave. The cultural center announced it would be . Many Americans travel to Tijuana for affordable medical and dental care. Youth and reported history of verbal abuse were consistently associated with victimization with more participants frequently reporting incidents of victimization. Did you know the striped painted donkey is called a Zonkey? Traveling to Tijuana and Rosarito, Baja California, poses a "serious risk," according to US officials. Pichardo owns a travel company based in Tijuana. Exploring LA on Foot: How to Stay Alive While Strolling the City of Angels! Often parents will have their children beg. Two, traffic safety is rather alarming. In this article, we will explore the current safety situation in Tijuana and whether it is still a safe destination for American tourists. Yes, visitors from Tijuana are typically safe as long as they stick to well-patrolled touristy areas and avoid trouble. Its very cheap compared to the other forms of transportation available, so it perfect for those visiting Tijuana on a budget. I could tell you that any place you travel to is dangerous. 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. So, count your change, ignore people approaching you on the street, and look at hotel reviews before you book. Come on, to party a bit. Tijuana is dangerous because of cartels and gangs. It's relatively safe. One of the reasons the State Department increased Baja Californias advisory to a Level 3 warning was the arrest of a cartel leader, which led to increased violence between cartels and the police, according to theUS Embassy in Mexico. Drug deals are standard, which means that drug dealers and their henchmen are also present. If you go out for a drink in a touristy club, be extra vigilant about your drink so it does not get spiked. However, you should keep your head low and not make Ubering obvious, as many taxi drivers hate Uber and think theyre taking business away from them. In Zona Norte, the ladies there are checked monthly. The location also makes it convenient to take your car over the border to drive down the peninsula. Ask where youre staying for the nearest safe atm. The further away you get from the touristy area, the more dangerous it gets. It truly is more trouble than its worth. Many Americans drive down from San Diego or other California cities and make a road trip to Baja California. However, keep children from wandering off. Not much sight seeing going on in Tijuana. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico warned Americans traveling to Tijuana and Rosarito of heightened risk for violence between cartels after authorities announced the arrest of a high-ranking cartel leader last week. Ignore them altogether and keep walking. The first is your run-of-the-mill pickpocket. Crime is another issue that should concern you. A drivers license is not acceptable. If you drink at a nightclub or bar, watch your drink like a hawk. And the people are great, there is quite a bit to see and do, and the food is both amazing and international. The city has a long and rich history, dating back to pre-Columbian times, and is home to a diverse population of Indigenous peoples, as well as descendants of European immigrants. Featuring coastal towns like Rosarito and cities like Tijuana, Baja California has a lot to offer in terms of beaches, nightlife, and family fun not to mention its fantastic food, such as the famous fish tacos. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. It is dangerous. While it isnt as bad in recent years, theres no denying that the police ofTijuana is still very corrupt. It's teeming with crooked police . More Americans living in the area have become targets of organized crime. I know why youre most likely going there. On Thursday I went to the the center of town and did some shopping. | Travel Tips & Safety Concerns. And its mostly centered around gang and cartel violence, where tourists arent targeted. After you exit on the San Ysidro/International Border stop, you will walk only a short distance through immigration. During the daytime, its mostly safe. Globe-Trotting Without the Worry: The Ultimate Guide to Healthcare for Expats Across the World! Due to it being on the border, various malicious actors are present, which only increases crime levels. Is Baja California Safe to Visit in 2023? Its important to realize that driving in Mexico is not like driving in the United States. Not sure if they were worried about me reporting them. The end of 2021 has shown little improvement, and Tijuana has an average of about 164 murders a month now (source - Border Report ). "To put things in perspective, Matamoros is about 1,360 miles away from Cancun," Rabinor said, according to CNN. Bridges over the border and across the Tijuana river become dangerous at night. After you get through immigration, youll walk a bit more toward the final turn-styles that will take you into Mexico. Unfortunately, its most known for its high crime rate. Re: How dangerous is tijuana for a tourist.i hear people ask me. Taxi drivers may scam you in this city - especially if you hail one from the street. The vast majority of citizens in Tijuana want you to enjoy your stay. However, all bets are off during the night when the most crime occurs, so you should strive to be indoors at your hotel or back in San Diego by the time the sun sets. It's a regular trick of taxi drivers, who can up the cost of even short trips to astronomical levels. Politely tell them no, thank you, and theyll move on. El Popo Market is also a great place to go to just to see the local products being sold. It is the 6 th largest city in Mexico after all. The original wood bar that is still standing from the 1920s is the focal point of the restaurant with a vintage cash register surrounded by liquor bottles. withlovepaperandwine.com. The ticket is then read by a judge who often lowers the price. Tijuana is a fun place with great shopping and excellent food. 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. Just make sure you have at least 3-4 other people with you and things will be fine. If youre staying in a hotel, make sure to get bottled water to drink and brush your teeth with. Thinking about going out for a girls night out but might have to consider going somewhere else because Im nervous of some of the risks after reading through this article. Many police officers in Mexico are highly corrupt. However, it does have cartel activity, and crime is also a risk. Looking back, his stomach dropped. Some travelers on a day trip to tijuana feel like San Diego however those not used to Mexican culture will find it very foreign. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. I will never step foot in Tijuana again. See state summaries and advisory levels below for information on your specific travel destination. Most of the time, its just not worth it. The rating is mostly based on its insanely high homicide rate of 2,367. You can still be a victim in a tourist zone if you are not being careful. The main driving point of crime is a large number of drug cartels moving into the city. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. He says the tourist areas are safe. So, dont buy drugs in Tijuana. Many Americans visit Tijuana in Mexico, making it one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. However as it's a popular city, it can easily be reached with domestic flights arriving . Hail a taxi or summon an. | Safety Concerns. Police arent helpful and can be extremely inappropriate. They have routes throughout Tijuana. Many used to live in the US before they were deported for crimes. However, food preparation laws are slack here than in America. For one, they are drugs. This goes for tap water and ice cubes. In 2021, Tijuana has been ranked number one for murders against women. You can find souvenirs here and also get a chance to taste some of the local, delicious food. Cars are the easiest way to get around the city, but you can get by perfectly fine on foot. And Juarez has long been known as the place El Chapo and many other infamous drug kingpins reside. A simple rule: if there are families around, youre probably safe. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind to help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. As a tourist, you can avoid most crimes that will plague the average local. Drivers in Mexico dont always follow road rules like in the United States. You may also have to fill out a form from the Mexican immigration authorities. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Lastly, the worst thing you could do is take a lady off the street. According to Fox News, the city is amongst one of the most dangerous in the world due to violence and is currently sitting at a level 2 rating. Got tips, tricks & advice we can learn from? The most dangerous place to drive your car in Tijuana is near Avenida Revolucion and Avenida Constitucion and Second and Third Streets. To Americans raised to trust "Officer Friendly," the concept of police and public official corruption may seem difficult to grasp. Questions over Americans' safety in Mexico have been underlined by . While the rise in crime and violence is certainly cause for concern, it is still possible to enjoy all that Tijuana has to offer by taking certain precautions. Dont be mistaken though, people live there. 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. The Zona Centro is home to many of the best bars and nightclubs, while the Zona Norte is known for its nightlife, cheap drinks, cheap accommodations, and well- its red-light district. However, try to negotiate the price if you choose this option. If youre just planning on spending a day or two in the city, head back, and you can have a great time. 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. In 1924, an Italian immigrant named Caesar Cardini moved South of the border to Tijuana in an effort to improve his restaurant business. However, there is an increased risk of crime and kidnapping in Baja California, which is why the State Departmenthas released a Level 3 Reconsider Travel advisory for Baja California state. If you think youre being overcharged for a taxi, a trip from the border to the center of town should be around $5 (USD). Restaurants and food vendors typically serve purified or bottled water, and the ice from these places is safe. Even if youre in Tijuana for a short time, youre going to see poverty. They can stop you on the street and pat you down to find something to charge you a fine for. Don't Drive: Driving to Tijuana from San Diego is possibly the absolute worst way to go there.In theory, it's easy. Muggings, kidnappings and similar street crimes have been known to happen in Tijuana, but they aren't very common occurrences, according to the residents of the city. Tip: Street vendors may be selling items like popsicles or slushes that were made from tap water, so avoid the water-based food items from street carts. Dont go where there are few other people in the vicinity; this includes camping in secluded places. Lastly, be extra vigilant about your belongings. This is how we keep the lights on (i.e. The money goes to the station rather than the corrupt officers pockets. Look. Stick to the touristy areas, and avoid walking at night to prevent this kind of crime. Read on to learn all about staying safe in Baja California, Mexico. Tijuana isnt one of those places you go wild in. Theyre there to prevent violent crime against tourists, not to help you. Drug sales are done right out in the open here, and often youll witness users getting high just off of the main thoroughfares. Tijuana is known for the nightlife as it has a LOT of nightclubs and bars to go around. Keep a photocopy of your passport with you at all times. However, is Baja California safe for tourists, both single tourists and families? The first is the driving behavior of other motorists. If you travel to Tijuana, make sure to stay in heavily policed areas known for tourism. 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. Rosarito is generally safe, but crime can still occur. If prostitutes come to you, they often try to distract you by touching you before pickpocketing any valuables you have. The minute you come over, youll see begging. Mugging isnt as prevalent, and you must look out for it in the wrong neighborhoods outside touristy attractions. And about 2/3rds of those murders happened at nighttime. Yes, thats right, I said the food is international. The dealer gets a cut of the fine, and their racket continues with the next victim.
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