Additionally, there will be taxis queuing at the end of the pathway as well. In addition to a valid drivers license, Mexican law requires anyone driving into the country to have Mexico-specific liability insurance. Is Baja safe? Should you drive? Things to know before you go The United States has many border cities that are located along the countrys border with Mexico and Canada. Tijuana isnt one of those places you go wild in. If you are going to be a victim of a crime in Tijuana, it is most likely going to be a petty crime such as pickpocketing or bag-snatching. . Sometimes, they are forced to call a friend or family member for ransom money. Tijuana visitors typically enjoy their stay as long as they stick to well-trafficked touristy areas and do not get into any trouble. Many roads to scenic spots are dirt, not blacktop, and best handled by vehicles with four-wheel drive and high clearance. However, rates were 28% lower in 2021 than 10 years ago. Number of murders committed per 100,000 inhabitants in Mexico from 2009 to 2021. July 7, 2023 4:11 PM PT . 1 as it winds along the Baja peninsula in Playa El Requeson, Baja California Sur. Well, the use of good judgment will determine how safe it will be for you. These bags, although slightly more expensive than regular backpacks, come with additional safety features. A couple of years ago, Tijuana was a popular day trip destination for people traveling in Southern California. You can also do organized excursions out to some of the gorgeous wineries outside the city. Dont carry expensive bags, wear designer clothes or sporty new shoes. One of the policemen removed McMillans credit card from his wallet, asked him for his PIN number and withdrew $400 from an ATM. Tijuana is still a dangerous place to visit, but you have the ability to decide how much risk you want to take. Keep your valuables out of sight and tucked safely away in your bag. Solo travelers definitely shouldnt be deterred from visiting Tijuana. Is Tijuana dangerous? (2023) - Where the Rooster Crows We all get it. Zona Norte, more than any other part of Tijuana drives tourists to ask the question, is Tijuana dangerous to visit?. The town was nothing but farmland until the early 20th century. 68.75. In reality, the vendors in Tijuana arent held to code for cleanliness, so Id avoid these. Come on, to party a bit. Obviously not every taxi driver in Tijuana is sketchy or a scammer. American accused of killing 3 women in Tijuana arrested in California 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. That means the homicide crime rate was 28 per 100,000 in 2020. Is Tijuana dangerous for woman to travel to? The second type is a pickpocket with an accomplice, although they arent as sneaky. Find the most up-to-date statistics and facts on crime worldwide. Here are a few notable ones: Its really easy to walk into Mexico. This neighborhood is fairly dangerous though, and you should use caution here. Although if you travel down to party in the infamous Zona Norte red light district, then youre taking your chances. History in agriculture, party-going, and food Safety & Traveling to Tijuana In safer parts of Mexico like places in the Yucatan, this is uncommon. Mexico City is the capital of Mexico and has a large population, giving it a greater chance of being the target of crime. Tijuana, Mexico, is currently experiencing a high rate of violent crime and gang activity, which visitors should be aware of. While there have been annual fluctuations, the violent crate rate is lower now than in the 1990. Really, Tijuana was just an agriculture mud-hole. When I think of Tijuana, Ive always had images of young kids making a run to the border to blow off some steam. 30 Safest Cities in Mexico in 2023 [Locals' Guide] - Travel Mexico Solo This is a comment to Buck who has an issue with Rosarito being called "Nearby cities" to Tijuana and said when really it's the same one-. The bottom line is Tijuana is dangerous at night, and more crime often happens during the night and twilight hours there. And if you are constantly worrying, you wont enjoy your trip! If the value is 0, it means it is perceived as very low, and if the value is 100, it means it is perceived as very high. But avoid walking between the border and the city center at night and opt to take a taxi instead. 2023 Current State of the Union: US Crime, Police, and Prisons - USAFacts And with such a high rate of crime in 2021, citizens can expect very little change in 2022. In 1950, the population of Tijuana was 60,336. Terms of Use and Rivera appeared in federal court on Monday, where US magistrate judge Karen L Stevenson ordered him to remain detained at the federal metropolitan detention center in Los Angeles for the duration of his extradition proceedings, according to Ciaran McEvoy, spokesperson for the US attorneys office. To save on your plastic waste, you may want to consider purchasing a reusable water bottle for your trip to Mexico. According to figures published by the state prosecutors office, the city recorded 2,014 homicides in 2020. Questions over Americans safety in Mexico have been underlined by the mid-January death of Orange County public defender Elliot Blair, who suffered unexplained head injuries at a Rosarito Beach resort; and by the early March shooting deaths of two Americans and one Mexican in an apparently botched kidnapping in Matamoros, 1,570 miles east of Tijuana. Not only could an altercation in a bar turn violent quickly, but you could end up in a Mexican jail. So is Tijuana dangerous to visit? Of the people killed this year, 68 have been women. From the station, there are signs marking the path toward Mexico. World & Nation Five of the six most violent cities in the world are in Mexico, report says Cadavers are stacked in refrigeration units at the morgue in Tijuana on May 11, 2018. If you are a US citizen, you can open an account with Charles Schwab. Before you close the book on TJ, you should understand that it can be visited safely if you pay attention to some things. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Never get in a random car without checking the license plate first. Is Tijuana Safe to Visit in 2023? Your Complete Guide by a Local Murder rates increased dramatically between 2011 and 2021, jumping 46% in one decade. But Tijuana requires a lot more assertiveness than other parts of Mexico. This only supports and encourages drug violence. You can then walk from the border crossing to downtown TJ. Melissa Douglas is a British Travel Writer based in Merida, Mexico. 2019 was an especially violent year for the city. Your belongings arent always safe when traveling, and you need to protect your. Why Western Men Are Fleeing Their Countries for SE Asia, Is It Safe to Drive in India: Exploring the Roads of the Subcontinent. Its a huge red-light district, and its the largest in North America. It is a good idea to practice good safety in order to have a good time in the city. By the same measure, Baja California Sur had the fourth-lowest rate among Mexican states. Tijuana had the highest number of homicides (1,393), followed by Ciudad Jurez, which is south of El Paso, Texas. Several drug cartels operate in the region and fight to control the trafficking routes into the United States. It is dangerous. Bryant Rivera arrested in killing of sex worker in Tijuana, Mexico In 2021, Tijuana has been ranked number one for murders against women. Dont go wandering around this neighborhood, because trouble will find you. There is also parking at the metro station, although many choose to park more North and take the blue line into the border. Tijuana Tops 2,000 Homicides in 2022 - NBC 7 San Diego California man accused of killing 3 women in Tijuana arrested Drug sales are done right out in the open here, and often youll witness users getting high just off of the main thoroughfares. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. And its been going up since 2017, because of a dispute over turf between the Nueva Generacin Jalisco and Sinaloa cartel. Tijuana has a very high crime rating of 82.69 with residents concerned that crime has increased over the last three years. Tijuana has a lot of great food. Express kidnappings happen when an unsuspecting tourist gets into a random street cab and the driver is corrupt. They will use some type of tactic to win your trust and lure you into a less busy area. Tijuana's overall crime rate, however, remains high, as the city is ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in the world in 2022. If you agree, they will set you up by contacting the corrupt cop who you have to bribe to get out of the situation. With the recent influx of immigrants from Central America, many people are wondering if the crime rates in Tijuana are increasing due to the caravan. It recognizes that most crimes happen in non-tourist areas of Tijuana and the importance of staying in a central area. The State Department also puts the states of Chihuahua, Durango, Jalisco, Morelos, Sonora and Guanajuato (the latter includes San Miguel de Allende) in that category. Yes, thats right. . To get there, use the train ride on the Imperial Way blue line (bright-red Tijuana Trolley) from San Diego. As you walk, there will be taxi drivers along the pathway offering their driving services. These population estimates and projections come from the latest revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects. Mexico: body of missing journalist found in Nayarit state, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Tijuana is sketchy by day so you definitely have to be more careful by night. If youre going down there for this type of fun, then pony up and spend a bit more to be safe.