Tijuana is a bustling city in Mexico known for being the most crossed border in the world. The Mexican border city is located just south of California and is the industrial and financial center of Mexico. It is the largest city on the Baja California Peninsula and is considered a cultural metropolis and great influencer of Mexican culture.Downtown Tijuana is the main tourist area since it is filled (for eight blocks) with many shopping opportunities, street food vendors and fun experiences that are all perfect for tourists. The cost of living is relatively low in Tijuana as well, so visitors may be able to make their money stretch a little further by visiting this destination. But, is Tijuana safe to travel to for vacation?
Border Town Experience
The city of Tijuana offers the full border town experience with a cultural mix that is like no other. It has a unique culinary experience that has incorporated Mexican, indigenous, as well as, American influences and gained global attention. Tijuana has many different cultural offerings like lively nightlife and an array of restaurants and bars, thus, it offers a lot to travelers since it is culturally significant. The cultural climate and safety level of Tijuana can be defined by its rich history. After the Mexican-American war (from 1846 -1848), Tijuana became an attractive destination for travelers who wanted to indulge in certain adult activities. During the American Prohibition era (1920 – 1933), due to its proximity to the American border, Tijuana became a place popular for entertainment and liquor.
Travelers will find that Tijuana’s nightlife is still extensive. While the city has plenty of perks to offer travelers, the city has struggled with issues like drug trafficking, violent crimes and illegal immigration. All of these factors have contributed to the safety level of Tijuana, as well as, which areas are the safest.
Travelers should exercise caution if they plan on visiting Tijuana. Tijuana is one of the most dangerous cities in Mexico. The US State Department discourages travelers from visiting the city and advises them to take some precautions if they are planning a visit. To steer clear of danger, travelers should opt to stay in neighborhoods that are considered safe.
Where To Travel
The Zona Rio and Playas de Tijuana areas are the best places to stay and explore in Tijuana. Zona Rio is a modern neighborhood with the best shops, restaurants, and nightlife. It is considered one of the safest areas in Tijuana, Mexico and the city attracts a healthy volume of tourists yearly due to its lively atmosphere and diverse cultural experiences.
Playas de Tijuana is the northwestern beach neighborhood of Tijuana, Mexico. This small community is centrally located near the main beach and has plenty of recreational activities for travelers to enjoy like the boardwalk or El Cielo Winery Resort. The boardwalk is a popular stop in Playas de Tijuana that provides a nice path where visitors can feel the ocean breeze.
What Areas To Avoid and Safety Precautions
Travelers should avoid the eastern part of Tijuana due to drug trafficking and violence. Neighborhoods like Sánchez Taboada, Tres de Octubre and Camino Verde are places where travelers are more likely to experience dangerous situations. Tijuana is considered particularly dangerous at night for tourists. Tijuana’s non-tourist areas have the highest rate of danger, which makes it crucial for tourists to stay in metropolitan areas that are well-lit.
Travelers should reconsider travel to Tijuana. If travel is unavoidable, stay in populated tourist areas or take precautions like not walking alone at night and showing off flashy possessions. It is recommended to take extra safeguards while traveling in Tijuana, like carrying pepper spray. While it is illegal to cross the Mexican border with pepper spray or defensive weapons (due to international aviation regulations), it is completely legal for travelers to buy pepper spray while in Mexico. If you have a smartphone or smart watch, consider sharing your location with your loved ones as well.
Another way for travelers to protect themselves is to use Apple AirTags. An AirTag is a device that tracks location, so it is commonly used to keep track of important items like luggage, wallets, or keys. Travelers can use their MacBook, Apple Watch, or other devices to discover the location of their personal belongings that have been tracked by their AirTag. This tracking device makes traveling easier since it allows travelers to have a sense of security, but could potentially be abused. There is a risk that an AirTag can be used to stalk or track tourists, as questionable individuals have been known to casually and inconspicuously drop them in a purse, or luggage or attach one to a car fender. Thankfully, Apple has implemented additional security features that discourage unwanted tracking, like Find My notifications that alert users of unknown devices traveling in one’s vicinity.
The prevalence of violent crime and gang activities has made Tijuana one of Mexico's most dangerous cities, and the US State Department has flagged this as a very high-risk location. Tijuana was named the world's most violent city in 2019, with 134 homicides per 100,000 people.
Violent crime and gang activity are common. Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote locations. Of particular concern is the high number of homicides in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana.
The warning is part of a travel advisory for the country that has been in effect since late August 2023. According to the department's website, “violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico.”
When we first started talking about a family vacation in Mexico, flying from the Tijuana Airport seemed like a great option – and bonus points because it was easy and cheap! Now before I go on, please purge from your list of negative associated with Tijuana – it is completely safe and very US-friendly.
Zona Rio is a modern neighborhood with the best shops, restaurants, and nightlife. It is considered one of the safest areas in Tijuana, Mexico and the city attracts a healthy volume of tourists yearly due to its lively atmosphere and diverse cultural experiences.
If you appreciate Mexican cuisine, good beaches, and Mexican culture, visit Tijuana. You are sure to make your Tijuana trip enjoyable with Mexican food, Tijuana tours, craft beer, and easy access back to downtown San Diego via the San Ysidro trolley station.
Get a permit online, at the Mexican border, or at certain Mexican consulates in the United States. U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport book or card, and an entry permit issued by Instituto Nacional de Migración. Enter Mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if remaining in the border zone.
Violent crime, including kidnapping and human trafficking, is a risk in parts of the country. As of August 2023, the U.S. State Department has issued a Level 3 classification for the state of Baja California, advising visitors to “reconsider travel,” specifically because of crime and kidnapping.
Level 3 countries on this list include Papua New Guinea, Guinea Bissau, China and Chad. There are also nine Level 4 countries designated as among the worst for human trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, South Sudan and Venezuela.
The U.S. Department of State issued a Mexico Travel Advisory in February 2024, urging travelers to exercise increased caution due to crime, including violent crime.
Overall, driving in Mexico is both safe and convenient as long as you are armed with the proper information. Make sure you have your Mexican car insurance, U.S. driver's license and passport on hand and stick to the well-lit toll roads during the day.
An easy and convenient way to travel to the region is the Cross Border Xpress CBX) pedestrian bridge connecting the Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) to San Diego. The airport offers access to over 30 destinations within Mexico.
Overall Risk in Tijuana is high. If you must travel to Tijuana, it may be best to go on a well-protected tour. Tijuana was voted the most dangerous city for two years in a row. There are 134 murders per 100,000 people.
According to The Citizen Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice, as reported in Wikipedia Cancun comes in 12th among Mexican cities for its murder rate of 44 murders per 100,000 people, less than one-quarter the rate of Tijuana, which topped the list.
Rosarito. Rosarito is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Rosarito Beach and Baja Studios, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Playas de Rosarito.
The Yucatan Peninsula along the Caribbean coast is widely regarded as the safest region in Mexico. States like Yucatan, Campeche, and Quintana Roo Tulum have very low crime rates compared to the rest of the country.
It's known for its vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and, of course, its medical tourism. From cosmetic surgery to life-saving procedures, Tijuana is a major hub for medical travelers.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning people against having plastic surgery in Tijuana, as it's been found that 11 Americans who have had surgeries there recently have came home with infections that are resistant to antibiotics.
Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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