Lastly, without a doubt, make sure not to try to walk to the tourist district at night. Funding the cartels means theyll keep taking over parts of Mexico. Along this thoroughfare, youll find typical chain restaurants, souvenir shopping, small markets, and American stores. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Like many border towns, violence has plagued this city for decades. Well, its not. 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. Cartel violence has an extremely likely chance of. I got stopped by a cop once because I didn't look at him. The two most prominent strip clubs are Hong Kong Gentlemens Club and Adelitas. 2023 BBC. Drunks are what thieves are looking for. If you go, make sure to stay with a group and avoid going outside of the tourist district. In that moment of distraction, the thief will then grab your item or bag and run. 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. The victims, two men and two women in their teens and early 20s, said they were headed for a night of partying across the border only to be found strangled, stabbed and beaten a few days later. NY Daily News. This even goes for trendy clothing. It isn't the most violent city in the world. Lastly, the worst thing you could do is take a lady off the street. Print the full size map. Crime in Tijuana, Mexico Compare Tijuana with: Do you live in Tijuana? REUTERS/Luis Cortes So far in 2020, 22 of. PRO TIP: Use Google Maps street view to become familiar with the street before you go. An accomplice or two will be waiting to mug you. I love going to Puerto Vallarta, Cabo, Tulum. Eventually, youll see an alley to your left. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. You can still be a victim in a tourist zone if you are not being careful. Do your best to avoid neighborhoods such as Reforma, Snchez Taboada, Camino Verde, and Mariano Matamoros. They are posed with the risk of harassment, sexually transmitted diseases, and even rape. View the San Diego blue line schedule and map here. All the bars outside of Dandys are filled with overly drunk teens to 20 year olds puking in bathroom stalls, closed off locals in cliques unwilling to take part in conversation, and DJs that have no clue who to mix music to establish a flow if their life depended on it. As I mentioned earlier, there is more to the town than its early roots suggest. But to describe it in a strictly Mexican context is to misrepresent it. Next, youll pass through the turnstile doors. Some 350 additional troops were flown into Tijuana on Saturday, and Ms Caballero said around 3,000 soldiers and 2,000 police officers have been deployed across the state to restore order. After all, the city has been ranked as the most violent city in the world for multiple years running now. The first is your run-of-the-mill pickpocket. Stick to bottled water or drinks from sealed containers. The app works exactly the same way as . Her name is Olga, and like thousands of other women in this town, she works as a prostitute, recruiting clients at a topless bar. If you are visiting with your family (or even some friends) then head over to El Trompo. Just a block west of Revolucinis the bustling downtown street of Constitucion Avenue. This is not a city to get lost in. If youre on foot, dont walk from the border to downtown Tijuana after dark. Tijuana is no joke. Mexico is generally a poor country, and youll stick out like a sore thumb if youre carrying an expensive camera and wearing gold jewelry. There is a heavy cartel presence in Tijuana, and many drug dealers and their henchmen hang out in Zona Norte. Tijuana Map: The Attractions. Tijuana is safe enough to roam around and explore but take more care if heading outside of the main tourist zones of. For a fee of course. "We also ask them to settle their debts with those who didn't pay what they owe, not with families and hard-working citizens.". Is Medellin, Colombia Safe to Visit? From here, the total walk will be 30-40 minutes. Muggings, kidnappings and similar street crimes have been known to happen in Tijuana, but they aren't very common occurrences, according to the residents of the city. Tijuana is also home to some excellent museums, including the world-famous Museum of Anthropology. Theres more to Tijuana than just the nightlife. With a population of over 2 million people, Tijuana is the largest metropolitan area in northwestern Mexico. Mexico is considered a developing nation. And the last thing you want is the cops showing up. While it has long been controlled by the Arellano Felix cartel, it is believed to have become a battleground between several other gangs. These tend to only have one doorman and arent careful in regards to who they let drink in their establishment. "Ranking of The Most Dangerous Cities in The World in 2022, by Murder Rate per 100,000 Inhabitants. He continues, We should not try to oversee and over-regulate, thats the biggest problem weve always had, thats where we have battle, (- source). Probably not any more dangerous than prostitutes in your home country. The biggest threat in Tijuana is the drug cartel. 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. 1. Avoid crime infested areas like Colonia 3 de Octubre, Zona Rio, and Zona Norte. The fact of the matter is, this happens and theres not much you can do about it. All of the main clubs are close together. The minute you come over, youll see begging. Be wary of attempts at credit-card fraud. If you act like an imbecile in Tijuana, get drunk and obnoxious, you may come home in a body bag. I know why youre most likely going there. Do take out Mexican car insurance, though. Here are a few things that will undoubtedly take you some time to adjust to: #1 Population. It is dangerous. Plaza Rio Tijuana. The environment changes pretty rapidly though, so make sure to not walk too far north on Constitucion Avenue. PaP is, by far, the more violent city of the two. Its said on any given night that Zona Norte has the same amount of prostitutes working as in Amersterdams Redlight district. Is Mexico LGBTQ+- friendly or not? The location also makes it convenient to take your car over the border to drive down the peninsula. A drug cartel had hijacked and burned. San Ysidro Land Port of Entry, San Diego, CA. Quite a few brothels are operating in the Zona Norte area. Is Jamaica safe to visit? Once youre through, youll follow the footpath to Mexico and out to the street. More than 60,000 Mexicans 'disappeared' in drug war, Mexican drug cartel threatens to kill TV reporter, Third journalist killed this year in Mexico, Teen died saving sister's life in Alabama shooting, Putin visits occupied Kherson region in Ukraine, US diplomatic convoy attacked in Sudan - Blinken, Realities dash hopes for Israel-Palestinian peace, Fighting hits Khartoum neighbourhoods - maps and images, How LinkedIn is changing and why some are not happy, Who didn't make the coronation guest list? Instead, book a shuttle with Hong Kong Gentlemen Club or take a ride service or take a white metered taxi. Besides, acting like a gringo wont help with bargaining in shops, getting decent service, or keeping you safe. Might not be so bad if we go for just one day and we are in a large group. You can still visit this restaurant. PRO TIP: Seems like common sense, but dont end up in jail. In reality, the vendors in Tijuana arent held to code for cleanliness, so Id avoid these. Tijuana sits on the US border and the area around the city is a lucrative drug trafficking route. Im not saying there arent thousands of tourists that go there without incident, but things do unfortunately happen to tourists there every year. What to Declare in 2023: Can You Travel Internationally with Valuable Jewelry? Geographic Arbitrage: Tips to Making Money Overseas. In almost all cases, there is a lot of commotion and distractions going on around you, so it makes it easy for the thief to steal from you. They use bad sources to compile those rankings, you don't need to be an expert you can tell just by looking at them. And the people are great, there is quite a bit to see and do, and the food is both amazing and international. The metro and greyhound station is within walking distance of the border. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. There is so much good food down there, and you kinda just want to let your guard down and try everything. Tijuana is a city located in the Mexican state of Baja California, on the US-Mexico border. If you enjoy a good drink, Tijuana is the place for you. 250,000+ Number of guns per capita by country; Right to keep and bear arms in the United States; United States cities by crime rate (100,000-250,000) United States cities by crime rate (60,000-100,000) Sources This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Constitucion. The city is a great base for exploring Baja Californias wine country, as well as the beaches and resorts on the Pacific coast. See this list of some of the. Youll not only have to pay the bill and all the overcharges, but youll have to pay a bribe to the corrupt cops as well. Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the United States-Mexico border About halfway down the block, youll start to see prostitutes lining the streets, some bars, and clubs. The larger ones will probably be a bit safer. Accept no invitations to house parties in Snchez Taboada, Reforma, Camino Verde and, farther out, Mariano Matamoros. (2022). In the red-light district, prostitutes are required to carry a permit and get monthly health checkups. Tijuana prides itself on being an anything goes city but, despite its twin streaks of Catholic conservatism and machismo culture, Mexico, in toto, has got behind LGBTQ+ rights. Download the full size map. Living in a populated place overseas can be invigorating. Avoid the eastern part of the city as it is simply not safe and will have little to see for a tourist. Drug sales are done right out in the open here, and often youll witness users getting high just off of the main thoroughfares. Revolucinwill be more dangerous. Its no joke down there in Zona Norte. Accessed April 18, 2023. https://www.statista.com/statistics/243797/ranking-of-the-most-dangerous-cities-in-the-world-by-murder-rate-per-capita/. 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. We all get it. Its important to not pay using a credit card in bars and clubs in Tijuana. At 7.7 times more than Detroit, the end of 2019 recorded 2,100 total murders in Tijuana. It will take about 45 minutes. But the water in Mexico isnt safe to drink. Water in Mexico is often contaminated with parasites or bacteria, which can make you sick. Because the rates of taxis are not always consistent, I would suggest taking an Uber there. The reality is, its more dangerous for prostitutes than Johns. At the end of the Tijuana River overpass, youll follow the walkway down to street level. You might be accustomed to strip clubs in the United States. 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. Create your own map. 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. Im so glad I got out of that crappy country. As a safe bet aim stay vigilant no matter where you find yourself in the country. Hello The TWO SIDES of Tijuana MEXICO || iam_marwa , welcome to my Youtube channel , i hope you have enjoyed this video. If you are a female tourist, there is a high risk that you will be harassed or even assaulted in Tijuana. 1. . I could tell you that any place you travel to is dangerous. This is what most day-trippers to Tijuana experience, and it should go without saying that Revolucion is not representative of Tijuana and certainly not of Mexico. wikivoyage.org. Due to it being on the border, various malicious actors are present, which only increases crime levels. It is potentially dangerous to walkfromthe bordertothe red light district at night, especially if you are traveling alone. Revolucinand be right next to the Monumental Arch. Thousands of federal troops have been deployed to several Mexican border cities, including Tijuana, amid a flare up in gang violence. If youre a couple of young guys heading down to TJ to party a bit, youre probably heading there to chase tail. 1 of 3 expats return home because of these things. As mentioned above, not all bars and clubs are outright dangerous. What to Declare in 2023: Can You Travel Internationally with Valuable Jewelry? The most dangerous neighborhoods in Tijuana are those that are known for being a center of drug trafficking and organized crime. Dont accept offers of drugs. You can arrive at the border by either car, train, or bus. Both the U.S. and Tijuana parking isnt great, and there have been many breakins reported in these lots. A few dollars and some dead cards will be enough to satisfy a thief, who wont hang around to check the viability of the cards. Tijuana is safe to travel to with the family so long as you spend your time during the daylight hours and stick to the downtown areas such as Avenida Revolucin. 2.1 Crime. Many are established and have decent reputations. The drink then will make the victim either incoherent or pass out. 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. Constitution. 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. In one case, a man was killed even though his son left a $25,000 ransom payment in . Be vigilant, pay attention, and always have a good understanding of where you are. (May 4, 2022). And the Hong Kong Gentlemen Club has the Hong Kong Hotel next to it. Based on the high growth scenario, our data suggest that upto one in every 125 persons aged 1549 yearsin Tijuana is HIV-infected. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Riding a moped in Phuket, Cebu City, Mumbai, and more. Youll find all sorts of interesting fruits and vegetables, some of which you might not know about. If you are a casual day tourist, Zonas Centos Revolucion Avenue is where youll likely have the safest experience. The 10 most dangerous cities in the world mapped. The Tijuana River. In Zona Norte, the ladies there are checked monthly. The former director of Tijuanas Tourism and Conventions Committee even pushes to remove the taboo of prostitution and brothels and promote them as a way to bring tourists south from the United States. Dont hold a tab with the bar. If you hire a freelancer, you run the risk of catching an STD or even getting robbed. A Tijuana jail is the last place you want to end up. You should pay with every round of drinks you order. Police were busy yesterday in the northern border state of Baja California, where at least 18 bodies were found . Especially at night. Here are a few common sense tips and safety precautions to consider. While in large cities like Mexico City, its progressing rapidly, much of the countrys residents still reside in 3rd world living conditions. So in the 1920s Tijuana exploded as a getaway for Americans looking to indulge in both drinking and gambling during prohibition times. If the meter isnt being used, make sure to request it. After the city established itself as an agriculture hub, in the 1920s Tijuana exploded as a getaway for Americans looking to indulge in both drinking andgamblingduring prohibition times. A street in Celaya, Mexico. Additionally, the Hong Kong Gentlemens Club is probably the most friendly and conservative for visitors, and it also has a hotel attached (Hotel Cascadas). He kept asking me To describe them but I told him I didnt remember. Ranking of the most dangerous cities in the world in 2022, by murder rate per 100,000 inhabitants [Graph]. You will take the line to its last stop, the San Ysidro/International Border. After you turn left at the money exchange store, Centro Cambiario Baja Exchange, youll walk down the promenade. And if you walk in, you can simply walk back very easily. If youre innocent, pay the bribe on the spot and definitely dont go to the station. John, you felt unsafe, but no one hurt you, right? Please create an employee account to be able to mark statistics as favorites. El Popo Market is also a great place to go to just to see the local products being sold. In, Website (worldpopulationreview.com). I was in shock and called family and before I could think more police came and did the same thing making me cash advance my credit card. Turn left at the money exchange store. A simple rule: if there are families around, youre probably safe. Ask where youre staying for the nearest safe atm. 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. Youll have a great time and be back before dark. These larger nightclubs have security staff and are concerned about their reputation. A homeless man who witnessed the cop dragging me out of the car approached me and bought me a coke and I sat with him and then the driver from the drs office appeared after my fianc using find my friends gave him my location and got me back to the hotel.