It has over 5 million people living close to the border - not just the Mexican stereotypes you may be familiar with. Some travelers on a day trip to tijuana feel like San Diego however those not used to Mexican culture will find it very foreign. How Safe Is Tijuana for Travel? - Travel Safe - Abroad Are There Any Dangers for Travelers to Rosarito, Mexico? We have replaced natural landscapes with impervious streets and structures and that has resulted in high pollution loads in our rivers and in our ocean, she said. The worst of it is when it rains, and it's not going to be doing that for a while. Make sure all foods are heated all the way through. The beaches are beautiful and offer great swimming, snorkeling, and diving opportunities. Second, renters must purchase Mexican auto insurance. They arrange you the hotel and a driver to take you from the border to the hotel and drs office. But if you are visiting the west coast from another part of the country there is a good chance you have a rental car. They have one of the most exciting menus in California. And often only a limited number of locations that can handle reservations from the United States to Mexico with a return scheduled back in the United States. Would it surprise you if I told you the way you have been pronouncing the name of this city is wrong? . And finally, you can cross using the Cross Border Xpress (CBX), a sky bridge linking Tijuanas General Abelardo L. Rodriguez International Airport (TIJ) with the U.S. side of the border. Relaxing walk to overlook the ocean into Baja to the south and Coronado to the north. At Kokopelli they were mixing crazy ingredients like octopus with basil pesto in tacos. Thats right! Tijuana is famous for its delicious food. And downtown you will find colorful and eclectic public works of art. Tijuana Beaches? : r/sandiego - Reddit Why is that? 2 years ago. The museum has regular installations. At some point in 2022, six homicides per day were recorded in the city. 1. The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement has deported people from dozens of different countries to Tijuana, occasionally deporting some US citizens by mistake. However, many of those crimes take place in parts of Tijuana that even the locals will never visit. Adding a business to Yelp is always free. We were there in the afternoon so the place was rather sedate but perhaps that is not the case when in full swing (pun intended). Tijuana is consistently ranked as the most dangerous city in Mexico and one of the most violent cities in the world with a rate of 105 intentional homicides per 100,000 residents in 2022 (SESNSP). Kevin, Coronado Beaches Deemed Safe For Swimmers, Surfers - Patch Sept. 6, 2021 Las Playas next to border fence Playas de Tijuana still in the top five of the most contaminated beaches in Mexico The earthquake risk is very low in Tijuana. It takes a little training to find the entrance to the line especially when the line is really long. If you want to take expensive equipment such as cameras or smartphones, keep them hidden, locked away and on your person. If you find you need to stretch your legs during a ballet or need some fresh air, step out to the botanical gardens. 21. Not all the drugs make it over the border. When crossing the border into Mexico using a rental car you will need the following documentation: a letter of permission from the rental company, a valid drivers license (for the person driving the vehicle), a valid passport, a tourist visa (if necessary), and your car rental documentation. If you have a bad experience somewhere you will likely conclude it is dangerous. Marlin Park (Foster City, San Mateo County), 3. If you are crossing with little kids I would recommend the Otay Mesa border crossing as opposed to the San Ysidro border crossing. Erckenbrack Park (Foster City, San Mateo County), 2. Ask where youre staying for the nearest safe atm. Snchez Taboada is famous for drug-related crime. Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica, Los Angeles County), 4. As a safe bet aim stay vigilant no matter where you find yourself in the country. 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. As an aside, bullfighting has been banned in many parts of Mexico. Beach closing tracker: See where beaches are closed in Mass. Although lively bars serving tequila shots are still in plentiful supply, the Tijuana Cultural Center, the Estadio Caliente Stadium, and El Popo Market also offer a healthy dose of Mexican culture. He has a BA in Global Economics from UC Santa Cruz (Go Banana Slugs!) Do your best to avoid neighborhoods such as Reforma, Snchez Taboada, Camino Verde, and Mariano Matamoros. Unfortunately, the city holds the record of having the highest femicide rate in the world. You can have a more stress-free ride using Uber. You can also travel to nearby Rosarito or Playas de Tijuana to visit the beach. You will, however, have to find a safe way to scramble down to the water because there are no stairs and because the cliffs are somewhat soft and precarious, for lack of better words. It was alarming to discover just how bad the pollution has been in the lower L.A. River, the report noted, especially along areas that are not meant for recreation but still used for swimming and fishing. They play on the Caliente Casino grounds in one of the smallest stadiums in first-division Mexican soccer. Los Arcos is one of the most important restaurant chains in all of Mexico. If you pay attention to the traffic, it is very easy to take a one-day trip to Tijuana. Given that Mexico considers traffic accidents both a civil and criminal offense, having someone knowledgeable about Mexican law can be invaluable. Yes, Tijuana is dangerous at night. Rental car companies do not allow you to pick up a car in the U.S. and return it in Mexico. Taxi drivers may try taking you to restaurants or hotels. Surfers were right: Imperial Beach is polluted with Tijuana sewage even I always say, You know Tijuana, right? With a little bit of advanced planning, it is possible to have a great time. You may have heard that crossing the border at the San Ysidro Port of Entry is a miserable experience. Theres a LOT to see here so this is a must-visit if you have kids. Lol I wasnt pronouncing the name wrong peasant. Try to avoid rush hour to save some time. Yes, driving to Tijuana is safe. Middle-class Tijuanenses dont hang out in the red-light district or Snchez Taboada. I have never hada problem paying in dollars nor have I heard about anybody ever having a problem paying in dollars. Santee is not just a dusty farm town any more, July Walk in San Dieguito Lagoon, Summer Nights at the Botanic Garden, Morgan Wallen. People drive just inches from the car in front of them so nobody can change lanes and cut in front of them. Buy Mexican automobile insurance before crossing the border. This is the southeast side of the Libremiento Sur. These are just good practices. With roughly, 100,000 crossings per day including around 70,000 vehicles and 20,000 pedestrians it is undeniably busy and a bit frenzied. We tried the Traditional and the Baja. West Palm mayor: No final decisions on $16 million marina project The beaches are beautiful and offer great swimming, snorkeling, and diving opportunities. Lets start talking about the best things to do in Tijuana that wont get you into trouble. If you are a female tourist, there is a high risk that you will be harassed or even assaulted in Tijuana. The United States and Mexico have a great relationship. Dont let strangers stop you on the street with a sob story. Finally, in an adjacent building, you can research the archives. 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. However, while it is certainly not without its risks, Tijuana is generally safe for travel if visitors take the right precautions by sticking to certain areas. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. PDF 2022-2023 Beach Report Card - Heal the Bay Just remember that Downtown Tijuana is right next to the red light district so having some drinks at the iconic Dandy del Sur or going dancing at Las Pulgas you may be seated next to a table full of prostitutes on their day off. A whole fish is one of my favorite dishes to try at new seafood restaurants and I always use Los Arcos as a reference. There's little sand and lots of pounding surf, so it's definitely not the place where folks can laze around all day long, but if you're an experienced surfer, this is an amazing spot. The first floor is dedicated to collectibles. Finally, on the upper level, you will find rotating installations. Your email address will not be published. In its annual " report card ," Heal the Bay graded more than 700 beaches and found that 94% of California's beaches logged clean water-quality marks between April and October 2021, and that . The adults get the quality food they crave in a relaxed kid-friendly setting. Being a border town is at the root of many challenges facing this Mexican city. Legitimate lotteries don't call collect, so never accept a collect telephone call from someone claiming to be a lottery official. Tijuana isnt a great place to go exploring without a set destination. Downtown Tijuana and Zona Ro may not have as many murders as the suburbs, but there is still plenty of theft. Walk like you know where you are going even if you are lost. Yes, you can visit Tijuana in one day. There is a boardwalk that runs along the oceans edge. When it comes to driving rental cars to Mexico, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. My knowledge of the city came from a few people I know who have been there but mostly from television and movies. It is located near the San Ysidro Trolley Station and its open 24/7. It stretches some eight miles across the coveted coast of . If I were to order sea urchin in Guadalajara, it would originate from this area. Every month we see pictures in the Baja expat forums of US citizens living in the Tijuana River wastewater system who are obviously chemically dependent. Know where you are going and what you are going to do. In case of an accident, you could be held responsible for damages and might face imprisonment if unable to fulfill your financial obligations. It is important to note that Mexican car insurance should be issued by a Mexican company. If you enjoy a good drink, Tijuana is the place for you. Learn how your comment data is processed. You can find the Tijuana Museum of History in Old Tijuana, the historic center of the city. If you are a Caesar Salad aficionado or want to be able to tell your friends that you had a Caesar salad where it originated, then Caesars (located at Revolucin Avenue between 4th and 5th Street) is the place to go. I was only 12 years old but 91X promoted all the concerts at Iguanas on the radio. Here are the dirtiest beaches in California - Los Angeles Times It looks like this city has come a long way since then! West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James and city commission members sought to reassure increasingly angry residents Monday night that no final decisions have been made on a sweeping $16 million . Clam Beach County . It is highly recommended that you avoid walking alone at night and stick to well-known areas. La Ciruela Electrica on Calle Flores Magn in Downtown Tijuana is a record shop that has information on all the upcoming concerts. During prohibition in the US, Tijuana became a favorite hangout for Hollywood and those who enjoyed a party. 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. Why does Tijuana smell so bad? - TimesMojo Funding the cartels means theyll keep taking over parts of Mexico. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Use common sense and caution like you would in any large city. Go horseback riding along the beach from Rosarito. A place that is dangerous. Neighborhoods like Snchez Taboada, Camino Verde, Tres de Octubre, and Urbivilla Del Prado 2 should be avoided. How Safe Is Mexico for Travel? - Travel Safe - Abroad This is a review for beaches in Tijuana, BCN: "Located just beneath Cuvier Park, Wipeout Beach is one of many infinitely beautiful spots here on the La Jolla coastline. I love the Gringo en tuxedo en vacaciones which is a chile relleno taco filled with shrimp. I remember when Pearl Jam played at the Iguanas nightclub in Tijuana in 1992. In Downtown Tijuana on Calle Hermenegildo Galeana (7th Street) the Museo De La Lucha Libre Mexicana has an exceptional collection of lucha libre memorabilia. The heavy rains in 2023 were devastating to these slums. But that changed after 2018, when the city built a 1.6-million-gallon tank beneath the parking lot to capture and recycle dirty runoff before it flushed into the ocean. We visited Norte Brewing Co. In his opinion, fewer people come because they cant get in the ocean. Not sure if they were worried about me reporting them. Tijuana is a huge city with close to 2 million residents. That left a black cloud hanging over the city for a long time the same way JFKs assassination stained Dallas reputation. Know how to brick your phone with the manufacturer. 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. You might not get the best exchange rate but you will almost always be able to pay in dollars. This is my favorite place to eat in Tijuana. Once you taste it fresh, the week-old variety just wont cut it. They are originally from Culiacn, Sinaloa but the Tijuana location was one of their first restaurants in another state. I saw Maldidta Vecendad here back in 2012. As the name implies the museum is dedicated to the citys history beginning with indigenous people on up to current pop culture.