Tijuana will get loads of consideration within the press. Although some information shops remind individuals it’s usually referred to as “The Most Dangerous City in the World,” with a number of journey warnings.
With nice sights and buying locations, these touring into Tijuana who take precautions can have an incredible expertise. Travel collectively, keep in areas widespread with vacationers, keep away from flashy garments and vehicles, and watch out with strangers for a protected Tijuana journey.
Suggested: Is Puerto Vallarta Safe to Visit?
Crime and Safety in Tijuana
Pickpocketing and comparable petty crimes usually goal vacationers. Criminals additionally search for individuals who might fall sufferer to scams. Unlike different vacationer locations, these points even occur inside supposed “safe zones,” corresponding to tour teams, accommodations, and different regular vacationer locations and actions.
More severe crimes, corresponding to mugging and cartel or gang violence, normally occur away from vacationer zones. Visiting these areas, particularly with out trusted native guides, might result in an unlucky state of affairs.
If you lose one thing or somebody snatches objects from you, following acquainted practices corresponding to submitting a police report is normally ineffective. Even if native legislation enforcement locates the objects, they could not return them with no bribe.
Each vacationer ought to carry out a threat tolerance when contemplating locations to go to, based mostly upon their consolation stage and familiarity with native tradition and the Spanish language. Those fluent in Spanish may additionally discover it useful to roleplay as a “dumb” vacationer, unfamiliar with native customs, however ought to achieve this rigorously.
Tijuana presents loads to get pleasure from in the course of the day, however take nice care in the course of the night time, when most legal exercise takes place. Generally talking, keep at or very near your resort or return to San Diego earlier than it will get late into the night.
Important Considerations for a Safe Tijuana Visit
To get the most effective and most secure vacationer expertise in Tijuana, persist with the vacationer districts and take into account the next travel-safe practices:
- Dress Casually: If you may have valuables, carry them in a entrance, safe pocket. Avoid carrying costly garments and maintain private possessions the place they are often seen.
- Stay Alert: Refrain from overindulging in alcohol or venturing into unfamiliar areas. Neighborhoods away from the vacationer districts, corresponding to Camino Verde and Sanchez Taboada, needs to be prevented, as ought to any red-light districts.
- Stay Enlightened: Daytime adventures in Tijuana’s crowded vacationer locations are normally protected, however nighttime exercise needs to be restricted to areas corresponding to Avenida Revolución, Calle Coahuila in Zona Norte, and different well-lighted and patrolled areas. If you’re out at night time, take solely what you want with you.
- Eat Carefully: Frequent eating places and meals vehicles that have a tendency to draw each vacationers and locals. Avoid consuming meals left exterior, unwashed produce, or meals not totally cooked.
- Drink Even More Carefully: Bottled and purified water is far safer than faucet water. If you go to a bar, use moderation when consuming alcoholic drinks.
- Stay Drug-Free: Avoid buying unlawful medicine. Although gangs and cartels typically don’t goal vacationers, in search of a number of medicine might get an individual into loads of hazard and hassle.
- Understand that Corruption Exists: To Americans raised to belief “Officer Friendly,” the idea of police and public official corruption could appear tough to understand. Pat-downs, arbitrary tickets, police and judges on the take, and an expectation of paying bribes have occurred. Pay official fines you incur, however know that a number of the supposed “good guys” do have unhealthy intentions.
- Travel Carefully: Driving your automobile into Mexico is feasible, however many insurance coverage corporations don’t cowl losses. Traffic guidelines are sometimes ignored, and a few taxi operators cost extreme charges.
Enjoy Your Tijuana Visit
Stay vigilant in vacationer areas for a protected go to.