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. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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. See, I told you it was close. Heres the thing with using a credit card in Tijuana the bars will most likely bill you extra with every drink you order. Continue for a bit and walk over the bridge above the freeway. PRO TIP: Hotel Cascadas, the hotel next to the Hong Kong Gentleman Club, offers free VIP transportation from the U.S. border. Facts and Myths Explained, The Best Countries to Visit in the Caribbean. Read about our approach to external linking. And the people are great, there is quite a bit to see and do, and the food is both amazing and international. Avenida Revolucin is a pretty safe area, and its well-trafficked by local police officers. Tijuana has seen a methamphetamine-fuelled murder epidemic which produced a record 2,518 murders in 2018 and looks set to cause even more this year. 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. As of recently, the fact of the matter, the Tijuana police are mostly owned by the cartel. There will be a clearly marked walkway, and youll see the Monumental Arch getting closer in the background. Tijuana, a vibrant city just south of the US- Mexico border, is home to over 2 million people, and it is known for its beautiful beaches and lush vegetation. A. They will use some type of tactic to win your trust and lure you into a less busy area. It is dangerous. 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. PaP is, by far, the more violent city of the two. A wave of car burnings in the Mexican border city of Tijuana prompted residents to stay home. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. If youre a woman then take extra care about what you drink (they can spike the drinks) and dont go outside alone to smoke or just go on walks. They are going to be looking for anyone by themselves, so its important you dont travel alone there. Its harsh but its true. Tijuana is a fun place with great shopping and excellent food. Crime data on Tijuana: 1. Roughly 8,000 prostitutes are working in Tijuana, and its said that close to 1,000 are working on any given night around the Zona Norte area. Dont eat unwashed salad foods, theres a risk of E. Coli poisoning. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. REUTERS/Luis Cortes So far in 2020, 22 of. Here are a few things that will undoubtedly take you some time to adjust to: #1 Population. How it Works We collect relevant crime data from police agencies and validated sources to plot it on a Google map. Also, Zona Norte is dangerous because of territorial disputes between drug cartels, countless scams, and numerous muggings. There is parking near the border, or you can take the San Diego Blue Line down to the station. You are going to be safe in Tijuana if you use common sense such as not showing wealth, going out in the night or being in connection with drug cartels, which is the main reason why Tijuana has more than 2000 murders every year. The town was nothing but farmland until the early 20th century. I got stopped by a cop once because I didn't look at him. Overview and forecasts on trending topics, Industry and market insights and forecasts, Key figures and rankings about companies and products, Consumer and brand insights and preferences in various industries, Detailed information about political and social topics, All key figures about countries and regions, Market forecast and expert KPIs for 600+ segments in 150+ countries, Insights on consumer attitudes and behavior worldwide, Business information on 70m+ public and private companies, Detailed information for 35,000+ online stores and marketplaces. "We also ask them to settle their debts with those who didn't pay what they owe, not with families and hard-working citizens.". The larger ones will probably be a bit safer. Might not be so bad if we go for just one day and we are in a large group. As you might have guessed, most violent crimes are drug-related in Tijuana. Dont take your phone out in busy areas. Did you know, many Tijuana officials promote it as a tourist attraction? It's not safe. Clubs like Hong Kong Gentlemens Club or Adelita Bar will have a large security team. Unfortunately, it's most known for its high crime rate. Because Tijuana cops are straight-up corrupt. Among female crossers surveyed in 2005-2006, 53% reported experiencing some type of victimization, with 29% experiencing moderate physical aggression and 38% experiencing unwanted moderate sexual incidents. Another problem is TJ's violence being overstated. Please note that not all content is translated or available to residents of all countries. Yes, Tijuana is dangerous. This is quite common in tourist areas down there, so watch out. Police corruption is still there and won't go away anytime soon. Earlier this week drug cartel gunmen burned vehicles and businesses in the western states of Jalisco and Guanajuato after authorities attempted to detain a leader of the Jalisco cartel. As an affiliate, I receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. Even if you prefer solo travel, it is best to travel in a group if you are female. Zona Norte, more than any other part of Tijuana drives tourists to ask the question, is Tijuana dangerous?. Tijuana is not an area that has been the target of terrorist threats in recent history. Its not as fun as Bruce Springsteen makes it sound, so make sure you bring plenty of cash for both the prostitutes and the cops. Thrillist. Things like museums, lovely beaches or busy markets. As a tourist, you can avoid most crimes that will plague the average local. Avoid fast-talkers or beggars asking for something. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This activity is easier for tourists to avoid, but the desperate have a habit of showing up where theyre not wanted and, since COVID-19, they are, if anything, more desperate. . When he refused, McMillan said, one officer brandished a billy club and the other put him in a headlock. And even if youre going to party it up in some of the crazier areas of the city, like Zona Norte, you should be okay if youre careful. If youre interested, this is probably the safest route. In Zona Norte, the ladies there are checked monthly. The city is a great base for exploring Baja Californias wine country, as well as the beaches and resorts on the Pacific coast. Its no joke down there in Zona Norte. This is a cartel-operated area. From the station, there are signs marking the path toward Mexico. Nios Heroes and Calle Coahuila (Coahuila Street). First and foremost, dont dress like you want to be robbed. 2023 BBC. Do your best to avoid neighborhoods such as Reforma, Snchez Taboada, Camino Verde, and Mariano Matamoros. Click here to get an offer for travel insurance. They are going to be looking for anyone by themselves, so you mustnt travel alone there. View the San Diego blue line schedule and map here. If you go, make sure to stay with a group and avoid going outside of the tourist district. The ideal entry-level account for individual users. After all, much of the economy there is based on tourism from the United States. Hitting the reset button, 5 Maps That Boost Your Travel Research (for Asia). The one and only famous caesar salad was invented in none other than Tijuana. Often a so-called tour guide or the like will attempt to befriend you. I'm surprised this is always left out but Haitians fleeing violence in Port-au-Prince are building a growing community in TJ and, perhaps not surprisingly, appear to be unimpressed by the level of crime and violence there. Chart. Tijuana is no joke. Additionally, if youre new to Tijuana, it will be hard to find your way at night. Its a bad look. Especially at night. Additionally, there are plenty of officers around here, so you can always ask them if you get confused. There are 134 murders per 100,000 people, and Tijuana has been ranked the most violent city in the world. Pickpockets mostly operate in the crowded touristy areas of Zona Centro and Zona Norte. Crime in Tijuana There are three important things you should look out for in Tijuanapetty crime, scams, and muggings. The one obstacle to my free-thinking about driving around the Baja is police corruption, which at the municipal and state level, while greatly improved since the bad old days of Felipe Calderns presidency, still poses a concern. The State Department advises U.S. citizens to "reconsider travel" to five states in Mexico due to crime and kidnapping. Discovering Southeast Asia: The Ultimate Guide to a Life-Changing Journey, Why Do the Rich Keep Their Money in the Cayman Islands? "The state has lost control," said Victor. Riding a moped in Phuket, Cebu City, Mumbai, and more. After all, the city has been ranked as the most violent city in the world for multiple years running now. Just think why would a Tijuanan ask you, a foreigner without any local knowledge, to help them? Besides, acting like a gringo wont help with bargaining in shops, getting decent service, or keeping you safe. Visitors must have valid passports, visas, and a Tourist Migration Form (FMM), a short-term permit that allows for stays of up to 180 days. For the latest travel warnings and alerts around the world, read about lockdowns and border restrictions. 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. This is where one leaves their drink unattended and someone puts a drug into the drink. While much of the violence in Tijuana in the past 20 years was down to a turf war between drug cartels trying to secure one of the most lucrative cocaine smuggling corridors into the United States, the violence of late has been more localized, as street gangs vie for control of depressed neighborhood blocks to sell crystal meth and heroin to residents. I do not represent World Nomads. Here is a list of 10 safety tips you should follow when visiting Tijuana: When traveling to any new destination, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers that may await you. With a population of over 2 million people, Tijuana is the largest metropolitan area in northwestern Mexico. Its unfortunate, although this is probably the most prominent thing to ruin a tourists time while visiting Tijuana. 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. The army and National Guard on patrol in Tijuana, Woman shot dead after pulling into wrong driveway, Man charged with shooting boy who knocked wrong door, Award-winning photo turns out to be AI creation, US accuses Brazil's Lula of parroting war propaganda, Man jailed for sex assault on Spanish Big Brother, FBI makes arrests over US Chinese 'police stations'. Learn more about how Statista can support your business. Often these freelancers work with others to drug and mug their victims. Be vigilant, pay attention, and always have a good understanding of where you are. These cookies do not store any personal information. It became known around this. Due to the limited food supplies at the time in the region, he invented the caesar salad. I never once had witnessed a murder or heard gun shots. Tijuana's redlight district is known as a hot spot for crime in Tijuana, and is known to be an area with many drug-related crimes. For one, youre going to potentially wait hours in traffic just to filter back into the United States. Sometimes they work in groups. Here's everything you need to know, from local laws to marriage and muxes, we take a look. With an estimated population of 639,052 inhabitants, Celaya is the third most populous city situated in the south-central part of the Mexican state of Guanajuato. Police arent helpful and can be extremely inappropriate. We all get it. Just be sure to stick to well-known and tourist-friendly areas, as some neighborhoods are best avoided after dark. Be aware of pickpockets on public transport and in transportation stations. San Ysidro Land Port of Entry, San Diego, CA. Youll find all sorts of interesting fruits and vegetables, some of which you might not know about. This will lead you up to a walkway to cross the river. Just walk away. Its recommended not to go below Juarez (Segunda) because it leads to the red light district. Due to it being on the border, various malicious actors are present, which only increases crime levels. Taking a shuttle or taxi from one club to another. During the day, in the safe neighborhoods and places, nothing will happen. Tijuana crime scene. In the red-light district, prostitutes are required to carry a permit and get monthly health checkups. Often parents will have their children beg. The city has a thriving nightlife, with many bars and nightclubs. So in the 1920s Tijuana exploded as a getaway for Americans looking to indulge in both drinking and gambling during prohibition times. And its been going up since 2017, because of a dispute over turf between the Nueva Generacin Jalisco and Sinaloa cartel. That's 40 percent more than in 2017, which was already a record-breaking year. I also don't recommend going to south, east or southeast part of the city (there's nothing to see there anyways). Weekend of cartel threats exposes unnerving realities of crime and power in Tijuana The Mexican National Guard waits for the arrival of more than 300 Special Forces from the Mexican Secretariat. Hiring a prostitute off the street, more commonly referred to as freelancers, is very dangerous. There are134 murders per 100,000 people in Tijuana, and the city is ranked as the most violent city in the world. In one case, a man was killed even though his son left a $25,000 ransom payment in . We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. More Americans living in the area have become targets of organized crime. Stratfor Worldview. The group states that the main reasons behind this violence are human trafficking and drug trades by different gangs. Surprisingly, many larger clubs are a lot safer. Dont hold a tab with the bar. Just make sure you dont explore the city and get safe credible rides to any place. Would want to leave our valuables at home and remember to carry small bills for shopping. And if you walk in, you can simply walk back very easily. Well, its not. There has been a spike in homicides in the last couple of years, due to drug-related gang violence. 10 tips to protect your valuables while traveling, 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. In the fiscal year 2022, the city expects to hire over 200 new officers. Look for groups of other visitors, and wave to them as though theyre family, whether they see you or not con artists dont like to be outnumbered. The US consulate said in a statement that it "is aware of reports of multiple vehicle fires, roadblocks and heavy police activity" in several cities in the region and urged its employees to shelter in place. If you must go, get a taxi or uber directly to the door of the club. A Look at Crime Rates, Safety for Tourists, and More. Tijuana Printable Tourist Map. Ranking of the most dangerous cities in the world in 2022, by murder rate per 100,000 inhabitants [Graph]. Well, the use of good judgment will determine how safe it will be for you. Would want to check out the beach and maybe the wine country on the Pacific coast. You will take the line to its last stop, the San Ysidro/International Border. As a border town, its become a melting pot attracting cooks from many different places. Lastly, be extra vigilant about your belongings. At 7.7 times more than Detroit, the end of 2019 recorded 2,100 total murders in Tijuana. 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Cascadas, the Hotel next to the station, there are checked monthly safe it will a. Dont dress like you want to be robbed you extra with every drink you order these cookies will be to! Billy club and the food is both amazing and international receive a fee when you get confused are going be! Adelita Bar will have a good understanding of where you are female plague!