Its improbable that you will be a kidnapping victim, as. Why does Tijuana have a party reputation? The states attorney general reported that as of the end of 2021, Tijuana registered a staggering 1,761 murders. Armed muggings can also occur at traffic lights, even in busy cities. 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. Neighborhoods like Zona Rio and Playas de Tijuana are known to be some of the safest areas. Many drivers may not even have a valid license. Flag taxis from the street; take Uber or Didi instead. The city is famous for profitable drug smuggling routes into the US, and cartels fight tooth and nail over them. In 1924, an Italian immigrant named Caesar Cardini moved South of the border to Tijuana in an effort to improve his restaurant business. The town was nothing but farmland until the early 20th century. 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. In general, you might want to avoid Tijuana altogether. Politely tell them no, thank you, and theyll move on. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. So you should carefully vet restaurants and food trucks to ensure they meet your standards. At some point in 2022, six homicides per day were recorded in the city. New travel advisory for Tijuana and Rosarito - KGTV Just make sure you dont explore the city and get safe credible rides to any place. Tijuana really is the wild west. They might get so frustrated they simply leave. If you think youre being overcharged for a taxi, a trip from the border to the center of town should be around $5 (USD). The Valle de Guadalupe (Guadalupe Valley) in Baja California features many wineries and restaurants. I have just returned home in Los Angeles after walking across the border on Wednesday night. 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. Either use cards for emergencies only, or take cash out at trusted atms either in shopping centers. Of course, there are more than just these crimes. In reality, the vendors in Tijuana arent held to code for cleanliness, so Id avoid these. To get the best and safest tourist experience in Tijuana, stick to the tourist districts and consider the following travel-safe practices: . | Safety Concerns. 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. Zona Norte, more than any other part of Tijuana drives tourists to ask the question, is Tijuana dangerous?. Would want to leave our valuables at home and remember to carry small bills for shopping. The first is your run-of-the-mill pickpocket. 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. Is Baja safe? Should you drive? Things to know before you go You can have a more stress-free ride using Uber. Make no mistakes about it, its dangerous. If you have to walk over the bridge, cross with someone else. Swim in choppy waters or when there is a warning flag. You're not guaranteed tomorrow, and, often times, you can buy an international plane ticket for less than a domestic one. 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? Just as McMillan was about to pass out, the policemen handcuffed him and threw him up against the car, telling him they were arresting him for resisting their inquiries. However, the greatest risk is the heat, especially in the summer when the temperature can rise above 100 degrees. Police arent helpful and can be extremely inappropriate. The same goes for Ensenada. Be vigilant, pay attention, and always have a good understanding of where you are. 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. Even if youre in Tijuana for a short time, youre going to see poverty. The main tourist destinations of Baja California all have neighborhoods that are unsafe to go to. These guys murder like its a hobby for them. 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. Is Baja California Safe in 2023? | Safety Concerns | Travellers Walk with purpose even if lost. In 2017, the murder rate per 100,000 people was 365. If you are driving into Mexico, youll need your vehicle registration. If you want to see the world, go see it! Often a so-called tour guide or the like will attempt to befriend you. If you travel to Tijuana, make sure to stay in heavily policed areas known for tourism. Stay in a secure hotel, hostel, or Airbnb instead of camping on the beach. It was the second Latin-American country to enact anti-discrimination laws for the LGBTQ+ community and in 2011 the Mexican Constitution . There are 134 murders per 100,000 people, and Tijuana has been ranked the most violent city in the world. I know why youre most likely going there. However, keep children from wandering off. Read 10 Tips to protect your valuables while traveling. Well, the use of good judgment will determine how safe it will be for you. Note: If you plan to enter Mexico by land and stay more than 72 hours, you will need to stop in the immigration module located at the border. The further away you get from the touristy area, the more dangerous it gets. With the right precautions, its still possible to have a safe and enjoyable trip to Tijuana. The people who approach you on the street often speak perfect English. Layerculture is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com Other affiliate programs linking to other recommended products and services are also used. The rating is mostly based on its insanely high homicide rate of 2,367. Try using a taxi booked through a hotel or Uber. Uber is a better alternative since Uber sets the rates. I recommend if youre not Mexican, do not go. Stay in safe neighborhoods. 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. Fortunately, most homicides are cartel-related and occur in neighborhoods tourists dont frequent. Dont accept offers of drugs. Unfortunately, the city holds the record of having the highest femicide rate in the world. There is a small risk of hurricanes, but generally only during the months right before and after a hurricane season. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. They then drove him to the border and dropped him off. voiceofsandiego.org. There are good police officers, and if you break the law, you should pay a legitimate fine or jail time. 9 Most Dangerous Places in Mexico (to Avoid in 2023) The places they recommend are typically more expensive as well. 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.. While the cartels primary income source is not robbing tourists, thats not to say it never happens. 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. It truly is more trouble than its worth. Yes! How Safe Is Juarez for Travel? - Travel Safe - Abroad The vast majority of citizens in Tijuana want you to enjoy your stay. Lastly, without a doubt, make sure not to try to walk to the tourist district at night. And its mostly centered around gang and cartel violence, where tourists arent targeted. They can stop you on the street and pat you down to find something to charge you a fine for. When he refused, McMillan said, one officer brandished a billy club and the other put him in a headlock. My dad is one of them. If youre heading to Zona Norte to party, dont get overly intoxicated. Is Tijuana Safe to Visit in 2023? It truly is more trouble than its worth. Some tracks may be unsafe, while others may present no issues. The State Department urges those who do travel to remain on main . After you get through immigration, youll walk a bit more toward the final turn-styles that will take you into Mexico. In the alert from July 4, the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana said there was "potential for confrontations between criminal . He drove me further into TJ and then let me go. View the San Diego blue line schedule and map here. This area encompasses the entire Caribbean coast, from Cancun all the way down to the Belize border. if you have to go somewhere after the sun goes down. But locals characterize it as dangerous for tourists. The price depends on the day of the week, time of the day, the season, and whether you chose an . When I think of Tijuana, Ive always had images of young kids making a run to the border to blow off some steam. Tijuana isn't just the dangerous border town that it's made out to be in the news. 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. Politely tell them no, thank you, and theyll move on. From the station, there are signs marking the path toward Mexico. Youll likely be targeted for a scam at least once. Areas frequented by tourists are generally safe in Tijuana, but visitors should be aware of their surroundings at all times and avoid walking in bad neighborhoods at night. Remember, even though youre only a stones throw away from the United States, your rights as a U.S. citizen are seriously compromised while in Tijuana. For the best beach resort towns, like Cabo San Lucas, youll want to go further south to Baja California Sur. Additionally, there are plenty of officers around here, so you can always ask them if you get confused. 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. 13 Tips to Get Rich as an Expat Read More , Copyright 2023 Where the Rooster Crows - Best & Safest Places to Visit & Live. Check theNational Hurricane Center for hurricane warnings. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind to help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. I thought it wasnt to dangerous and it almost cost me my life. If you want to travel solo in Mexico, you absolutely can, but you must take some extra precautions. Are there areas of Tijuana that are safer than others? Rosarito is generally safe, but crime can still occur. It is, actually, the northern-most airport in Mexico. Things like museums, lovely beaches or busy markets. Its a common story to hear about tourists being pulled aside by corrupt police in Tijuana. They may demand bribes for traffic violations whether or not you actually violated any law. Gangs fight for territory in the city and control dealers on the street level. Both earthquakes and hurricanes can occur in Mexico, according to theUK government. 2019 was an especially violent year for the city. I do not represent World Nomads. After you exit on the San Ysidro/International Border stop, you will walk only a short distance through immigration. And two, you dont know who might be working with the police. Its not entirely clear who owns the bars in Zona Norte, but the cartel or gangs likely exercise strict control over the place. Not all the taxis use their meters and can charge you a criminal price when you get to your destination.
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