Also, your car isnt safe in either parking locations along the border. 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. Cartels frequently traffic drugs throughout the region. Some plastic surgeons may not have the proper licenses. You can arrive at the border by either car, train, or bus. Additionally, there are plenty of reports of car theft and break-ins within these parking lots. Dont accept offers of drugs. When he refused, McMillan said, one officer brandished a billy club and the other put him in a headlock. In fact, all of Mexico's popular tourist areas are relatively safe, so whether you're traveling for the beach or the culture, you can be assured you'll be welcomed and safe. However, look for a place popular with locals and tourists, as the ingredients will be fresher. Hail a taxi or summon anUberif you have to go somewhere after the sun goes down. As with any city, it is best to avoid wandering around alone at night in areas that are not well-known or are known for being dangerous. Caesars Restaurant is on Avenida Revolucion in downtown Tijuana. It's not safe. Gangs fight over territory, and cartels wage war over profitable smuggling routes in the US. US dollars are accepted in Tijuana but not everywhere. Many Americans visit Tijuana in Mexico, making it one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Zona Ro, Centro, Hipdromo, Playas are all tourist friendly and safe. This neighborhood is fairly dangerous though, and you should use caution here. They may demand bribes for traffic violations whether or not you actually violated any law. So, how safe is Tijuana for Americans in 2023? We are also a member of several other affiliate networks. Finally, earthquakes may occur from time to time as well. Many doctors and staff speak English, and some have even . Not much sight seeing going on in Tijuana. You should pay traffic fines on the official. There is still an enormous amount of poverty through small towns and rural areas, and many neighborhoods of Tijuana are rife with poverty and crime. Many locals and visitors alike continue to enjoy the vibrant culture and beauty of the city without issue. How Dangerous is Scuba Diving. To stay beyond that time frame, make sure you stop at the immigration kiosk for a visa if you are coming by land. Look. Is Baja California Safe to Visit in 2023? View the San Diego blue line schedule and map here. There are several bars and clubs in Tijuana that are safe to visit, but it is always best to check with your hotel concierge before venturing out. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. The further away you get from the touristy area, the more dangerous it gets. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. In January, the average temperature is 11.4 C. With a population of 1,763,197, there are 134 murders per 100,000 people. If youre innocent, pay the bribe on the spot and definitely dont go to the station. Is it safe to go to Tijuana from San Diego in 2023? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The entire area is seedy, and bad things can go down quickly. 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. It located outside Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, near the U.S.-Mexico border. Is it normal to feel lost after high school? Ignore them altogether and keep walking. July 21, 2021 1:41 PM PT. Rosarito is generally safe, but crime can still occur. The fact of the matter, as of recently, the Tijuana police are mostly owned by the cartel. Is Tijuanas Red Light District Safe? Whether or not to cancel your trip to Tijuana is a personal decision that depends on your comfort level with the current safety situation. . 5 years ago. I got a backpack, a wallet, a handbag for my fianc. While they dont usually target tourists specifically, tourists may get caught up in cartel violence and shootouts between the police and cartels. For one, they are drugs. If you plan on using tap water for cooking or drinking, boil it first. As I mentioned earlier, there is more to the town than its early roots suggest. There are good police officers, and if you break the law, you should pay a legitimate fine or jail time. You will want to avoid the red light district Zona Norte (the North Zone) in Tijuana. In my opinion, there isnt any upside to driving your car over the border. Politely tell them no, thank you, and theyll move on. It will take about 45 minutes. However, the best strategy for most visitors (especially day trippers) is to visit several exchange vendors and choose one that gives the best rate. While it isnt as bad in recent years, theres no denying that the police of. The vast majority of citizens in Tijuana want you to enjoy your stay. However, theres no denying that Tijuana is a dangerous city. To get the best and safest tourist experience in Tijuana, stick to the tourist districts and consider the following travel-safe practices: . Tijuana is Mexicos 6th largest city, and its most dangerous. It truly is more trouble than its worth. I think facts are the best way to understand how dangerous Tijuana is. Crime is another issue that should concern you. Its just a good idea to take a vehicle, which goes double if you dont know the streets of Tijuana that well. Most of the begging is going to occur right at the border and on Avenida Revolucin. Im sure you understand just how bad they are. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Read 10 Tips to protect your valuables while traveling. Some prostitutes may drug and rob men who visit them, and thieves may operate in the area. Tijuana is also perfect for day trips from San Diego. 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. If you are visiting with your family (or even some friends) then head over to El Trompo. Stick to the touristy areas, travel in a group, and dont listen to strangers on the street, and you can have a wonderful trip. At the same time, record numbers of U.S. citizens are either visiting Mexico as tourists or residing in the country, yet the number of Americans murdered in Mexico remains remarkably low. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. 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. Additionally, there will be taxis queuing at the end of the pathway as well. Final Thoughts: Is Tijuana Safe? Due to it being on the border, various malicious actors are present, which only increases crime levels. However, food preparation laws are slack here than in America. Pickpocketing, muggings, and home break-ins are all risks to be wary of. While driving in cities like Tijuana, watch out for dogs crossing the road. Cartels and gangs may make illegal roadblocks, demanding money for the privilege of passing or outright robbing you. It is highly recommended that you avoid walking alone at night and stick to well-known areas. As in many Latin American cities, youll notice neighborhoods on the hills surrounding the cities, which often feature colorful houses. 10-20 pesos is enough. Might not be so bad if we go for just one day and we are in a large group. If you have to walk over the bridge, cross with someone else. So you should carefully vet restaurants and food trucks to ensure they meet your standards. (2023), How dangerous is Tijuana? For a fee of course. Its about a 45-minute walk from the border, and the directions will be difficult to follow without light. Here are answers to some of the most common questions we see from our readers about staying safe in Baja California. 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. They have routes throughout Tijuana. The US State Department gives Baja California Sur a Level 2 Exercise Increased Caution travel advisory, compared to the Level 3 Reconsider Travel advisory it gives to Baja California. SEATTLE . Drink spiking is typical, and women should be extra cautious. If youre a couple of young guys heading down to TJ to party a bit, youre probably heading there to chase tail. 70 helpful votes. And with such a high rate of crime in 2021, citizens can expect very little change in 2022. Also, like Tijuana, Ensenada has a Zona de Tolerancia a tolerance zone where prostitution is legal. I would NOT visit Tijuana alone as it can become dangerous even if you are a man. There are also money exchanges at the station, and Id advise getting some money exchanged here before you cross. 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. Some tracks may be unsafe, while others may present no issues. It's a regular trick of taxi drivers, who can up the cost of even short trips to astronomical levels. Zona Norte, more than any other part of Tijuana drives tourists to ask the question, is Tijuana dangerous?. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Prostitution is legal in Zona Norte, but the area is unsafe. If you plan on using tap water for cooking or drinking, boil it first. Of course, there are more than just these crimes. However, there's no denying that Tijuana is a dangerous city. For about 8 blocks, Revolucin is lined with shops, bars, and restaurants, many aimed at tourists. Despite that, they dont usually cause trouble for tourists. To give you an idea, Tijuana closed out July 2021 with a whopping 190 murders. By the end of 2020, Tijuana accounted for at least 2,000 murders. However, the greatest risk is the heat, especially in the summer when the temperature can rise above 100 degrees. 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. Tijuana prides itself on being an "anything goes" city but, despite its twin streaks of Catholic conservatism and machismo culture, Mexico, in toto, has got behind LGBTQ+ rights. Gangs fight over territory, and cartels wage war over profitable smuggling routes in the US. While the cartels primary income source is not robbing tourists, thats not to say it never happens. Baja is easily accessible from the United States and offers an opportunity to experience Mexicos gastronomy and beaches. So in the 1920s Tijuana exploded as a getaway for Americans looking to indulge in both drinking and gambling during prohibition times. Americans have been traveling across the border for dental work for decades. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. After they got the money and let me go. Its best to apologize and walk away here. The Valle de Guadalupe (Guadalupe Valley) in Baja California features many wineries and restaurants. The situation has become so dire that the US State Department has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Tijuana, warning Americans not to visit the city due to the high levels of crime and violence. I do not represent World Nomads. The entire area is seedy, and bad things can go down quickly. Is Baja California Safe in 2023? . You can get scammed in Tijuana very easily. Solo travel in Mexico can make one feel very vulnerable at times - though that goes for anywhere, especially in Latin America. Also, like Tijuana, Ensenada has a Zona de Tolerancia a tolerance zone where prostitution is legal. Some go for cheap plastic surgery. And some parts of Mexico . In this article, Im going to go over some important notes to help you stay safe while in Tijuana. If you go out for a drink in a touristy club, be extra vigilant about your drink so it does not get spiked. If you want to see the world, go see it! You can also pay the bribe. Watching Out for Earthquakes, Hurricanes, and Diseases, Both earthquakes and hurricanes can occur in Mexico, according to the, There is also a risk of Zika virus along the coast, according to. The line back to San Diego might be a hassle but it'll be worth the trip for a nice gastronomic experience. And it should go without saying, but never under any circumstances buy drugs in the city. Neighborhoods like Zona Rio and Playas de Tijuana are known to be some of the safest areas. Youll likely be targeted for a scam at least once. In addition, you will notice more potholes and poorer road conditions than in San Diego, so drive slowly. According to theAustralian government, some kidnapping victims claim that police officers have been involved in their kidnappings. If you lose anything due to crime, dont expect to get it back. Not sure if they were worried about me reporting them. Yes, thats right, I said the food is international. Despite the high levels of crime and violence, Tijuana is still a popular destination for American tourists. No surprise, the U.S. State Department recently issued a chilling warning about travel to Mexico with a level 3 on a scale of 1 to 4, meaning "reconsider travel.". 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. Either go on a tour, drive down from California, rent a car in Mexico, or hire a private driver for the day.