Driving through Baja is generally safe. Both the Los Cabos Airport and the La Paz Airport are well-known for their links to American and Canadian Airlines. Although petty crime is the most common experience for all visitors, both physical and sexual violence is also at an all-time high. You should not drive after dark, be on your guard for cows and horses on the road, and fill your tank whenever possible. You can find local wines, delicious seafood, and a lot of fantastic beaches. There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a variety of factors, including the specific location within Baja California and Mexico, the time of year, and the current political and social climate. . It is best to ignore these advances or confrontations and walk away., Some of the most common places for harassment in Mexico include taxis and public transport. To ensure youre eating a safe meal always check the reviews of restaurants online before dining out. If youre going south of Ensenada or San Felipe, make sure to get your FMM Immigration form. By keeping track of earthquake warnings, you can better plan your trip. The Zona Centro is home to some of Ensensensenadas most popular clubs and bars, as well as its central location. The basics. Its improbable that you will be a kidnapping victim, as. Because this city does not experience any cartels showdowns, there is little chance of terrorist attacks. Nonetheless, tourists must exercise caution and take precautions whenever possible. has released a Level 3 Reconsider Travel advisory for Baja California state. Drug use and sales. Ensenada is a wonderful place to visit whether youre going from San Diego to Mexico for a short trip or going all the way around. WebOn 6th January 2022, Mexican authorities discovered the bodies of ten people in a vehicle left in front of the main square in the city of Zacatecas, north-west of Mexico City. The same goes for Ensenada. Avoid wearing flashy jewelry or expensive brand-name clothes if you want to appear professional. This mix of old and new creates a vibrant and exciting atmosphere that is unlike any other city in Mexico. Others travel to the colonial hinterland or major cities such as Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexico City, the nations capital. WebDoes this mean it's safe to travel in Baja California, Mexico again.' Here are answers to some of the most common questions we see from our readers about staying safe in Baja California. Our website contains a list of high-risk areas that visitors should visit. In January 2022, two tourists were killed in a shooting in Playa del Carmen, while a gay couple from Texas was found dismembered near Ciudad Jurez. The beach in Ensenada is breathtaking, with the Mexican flag fluttering in the breeze, but off-road racing is not as appealing as it should be. It is recommended in Mexico and the United States that drivers stay out of the headlights at night. The city is a popular tourist destination, known for its sandy beaches, seafood restaurants, and duty-free shops. I would appreciate it if you would send me a private message. Even if your GPS app suggests a better route, remember that it may not be safer, so try not to go off the main road too much. This is lower than the national average of 45.92 in Mexico. Some go for cheap plastic surgery. Taxi drivers may try taking you to restaurants or hotels. No. Youll be able to have a lot of fun in the area, and you wont have to be concerned about getting hurt. Travel to and from the United States should be postponed until the H1N1 vaccine is fully available. This is a far safer place to live than New York and Los Angeles, two large American cities. In recent years, there have been several clashes between rival criminal gangs in Cancn and surrounding areas. Violent crime and gang activity are widespread in Mexico and travelers should exercise increased caution. What is the average rent in Ensenada? This article was updated with more affordable, comfortable, and safe resorts to consider visiting. Keep an eye on the situation and avoid taking drugs or cartels. Baja California Sur is safer than Baja California itself. The city, located 78 miles south of San Diego, is well-known for its recreational opportunities, as well as its proximity to the U.S. and wine country. Its best to avoid Ensenadas red light district as well. The further away you get from the touristy area, the more dangerous it gets. Although Mexico is safe and beautiful, it is also vulnerable to dangers. After living in Southern California for ten years, I only went to Baja for the first time last year. In Chihuahua state, bystanders have been killed or injured during shooting incidents. With actionable tips, tricks, and insight, MTB is your go-to source for travel advice. Is it safe? The top destination was Cancun and the Riviera Maya, with 2.4 million visitors, according to the Mexico Tourism Bureau. Moreover, Loreto, Los Cabos, and La Paz are popular tourist destinations with a safe rap. US citizens need a passport or passport card to cross the border. Do not walk alone at night, especially in unfamiliar neighborhoods, desolate areas or beaches. The police are trusted by many people. The Ensenada neighborhood is a beautiful and friendly community located in the heart of Tijuana. Without proper hygiene in between such acts, the likelihood of receiving contaminated food is high. It is the largest municipality in Mexico because of its geographical location, flora and fauna, as well as the great physical geography, with sea and ocean views. If you decide to travel to Baja California its best to go with a group of people and not alone. This vibrant and welcoming area is perfect for those looking for an authentic Mexican experience. Ensenada has some bad areas, but they tend to be on the citys outskirts. There are some places in Baja that should be avoided, as should any other location on the planet. On the border with Mexico, the situation remains unchanged. Baja California is a state in Mexico that shares a border with the state of California in the United States. But the real question that travelers are asking: What about the tourism areas along the Roviera Maya? Millions of travelers visit Mexico every year, and Its worth paying a bit more for a doctor, plastic surgeon, or dentist who has good reviews and recommendations from other foreigners and who speaks English. This is significantly safer than American cities such as New York (50.35) and Los Angeles (55.70). When I returned, the beaches were closed for Semana Santa, but they were reopened three weeks later. Finally, avoid wandering around near the border except for the official border crossings. Recent hotspots of cartel clashes and related crime include the mining cities of Caborca in Sonora statewhere authorities imposed a nightly curfew due to an uptick in violent crime in Februaryand Fresnillo in Zacatecas, where authorities have reinforced ongoing security operations against criminal organizations amid record-high homicide rates. | Safety Concerns, Written by: Author Andrew Helling |Reviewed by: Editorial Team, Posted on Last updated: November 22, 2022. A turf war between the Sinaloa cartel and the Nueva Generacin Jalisco has been the reason for an increase in violence. Cartel members, not tourists, account for the vast majority of the victims. This figure has since dropped to 30 per 100,000 in 2016, but it is still far higher than the average murder rate in Mexico, which was 16 per 100,000 in 2016. Although it is a beautiful city to visit for its natural beauty and intriguing history, it should be noted that it is not a very safe place to be. It is critical to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions when traveling in this area because there has been a significant increase in drug-related violence in recent years. Do your research before departure, says Ruuska. Because of its raw beauty and popularity as a cruise port, this bustling Mexican city is also known as the Cinderella of the Pacific. There is a large expat community in this area as well, as it is close to the United States. During the rainy season, puddles and ruts form on unpaved roads. However, its not a safe area. A simple rule: if there are families around, youre probably safe. Also, like Tijuana, Ensenada has a Zona de Tolerancia a tolerance zone where prostitution is legal. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. While driving in cities like Tijuana, watch out for dogs crossing the road. Some may find Ensenada to be a charming and welcoming place, while others may find it to be dirty and dangerous. But like everywhere you take your precious brood go heavy on the research. The most important thing is to use common sense, drive defensively, and be aware of your surroundings at all times. A new travel advisory issued for Americans by the U.S. Embassy in Mexico is strongly warning against travel to Tijuana and Rosarito, Baja California due to "serious San Felipe is a very safe town located on the eastern coast of Baja California. Having ventured to Mexico numerous times, he enjoys sharing valuable tips, tricks, and insights he's gathered along the way. Is Mexico City open for travel? This article does not recommend traveling to these locations. pay for content, product research, guides, and more). How much crime is there in Ensenada? Even as travel is discouraged to all of Mexico because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. State Department continues to update its If you are driving to Baja from California, we highly recommend using our Tijuana border crossing map. But it historically has maintained a high rate of crime, including breaking its own record for murder in 2021 and outpacing New York City which has a larger population. Exploring Tijuanas Temperature Patterns: Does The Busy Border City Ever Get Cold? Transformative Travel: I look at how travel can change lives. Many areas have high crime rates, which pose a risk to foreigners. Pictured here: Cancun, where recent violence has impacted [+] tourists. Tijuana and Los Angeles have lower crime rates than Tijuana. | Travel Tips & Safety Concerns. 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. Despite the fact that Mexico has increased its water quality management resources, this situation persists. However, you should stick to the main roads and avoid hitchhikers. In general, U.S. government employees are restricted to the following areas with certain restrictions. The two states are next to each other, but Baja California Sur is further south, below Baja California. The most common trouble Americans will face in Baja California is petty crime. 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. This part of Mexico is not attributed to the drug war and has had no major problems. Its not entirely clear who owns the bars in Zona Norte, but the cartel or gangs likely exercise strict control over the place. The stories are sobering. shorturl.at/moqxX Instagram: @gringoylatino When you go alone in Tijuana, you are more likely to be a victim of violent crime and sexual assault. The entire area is seedy, and bad things can go down quickly. During the daytime, its mostly safe. in 2 reviews Location & Hours Av. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. There are no longer any Ensenada Massages, Valle Mobile Spa, or Ensenada Excursions available. Is Baja California, Mexico, a good place to drive? In the state of Guanajuato: the areas south west of the road 45D Some travelers on a day trip to tijuana feel like San Diego however those not used to Mexican culture will find it very foreign. Most earthquakes are, fortunately, low-magnitude earthquakes, so you are unlikely to experience harm. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Mexico, indicating a high level of Covid in the country. Is it Safe to Travel to Tijuana right now? Thats just the tip of the iceberg. So the equation is simple. Here: admiring Chichen Itza's Kukulkan pyramid at sunrise, Traveling as a solo female in Mexico can be a rich experience when safety considerations are in place, says Ruuska. Here are 10 reasons why! Mexicos economy is heavily reliant on tourism. Drinking tap water from these taps contains high levels of toxic contaminants that can make you sick. Its best to avoid driving at night if possible, as your visibility is reduced, and criminals are generally more active at this time. The more recent map is here. In general, travelers should avoid travel to areas unlikely to be visited by tourists. Besides good food and affordable medical care, theres just not much to see in Tijuana as a tourist. Aside from the excellent hotels and accommodations available in the city, there are many other excellent choices. Drive at night and in unknown and remote areas. If youre looking for a party town, Rosarito is the place to go. Dont stop to sleep in sketchy areas as well. You may even have trouble finding a taxi, and Uber may not work as you get further away from the city. The high crime rates, including theft, kidnapping, harsh weather, and gang violence, may deter many from vacationing in Cabo. Kidnappers may attempt to extort money from family members as a ransom, or they may take you to ATMs and force you to take out cash in exchange for your freedom. Crime in Baja California typically falls into one of two categories: cartel activity and thievery. Expect to find yourself in potential trouble if you even consider buying drugs while in Baja, Mexico. If you have recently returned to or arrived in Baja, you should have a Covid test taken to ensure you did not contract the virus. October 6, 2020: View of poor area of Tijuana Mexico with buildings on hill and traffic in foreground/Manuela Durson/Shutterstock. Start Here Mexico Is Baja California Safe in 2023? Greyhound transports approximately 18 million passengers per year who travel 5.4 billion miles (8.6 billion km) on their vehicles, which number around 1700. Yes. Pickpocketing, muggings, and home break-ins are all risks to be wary of. No worries safety-wise after dinner either. Armed muggings can also occur at traffic lights, even in busy cities. Female travelers may receive unwanted attention from men, ranging from open displays of catcalling and staring to physical groping. If youre looking to travel to Baja, Mexico but youre worried about the states overall safety, you can travel with confidence knowing youre already increasing your safety just by consuming helpful content such as this article. Its a relatively simple and quick trip from Tijuana to San Diego. US dollars are accepted in Tijuana but not everywhere. Pickpocketing, muggings, and home break-ins are all risks to be wary of. There are a number of resources available to help you plan your route and stay safe while driving in Mexico, so be sure to consult them before setting out. Some general rules of thumb are to keep all your belongings in a secure place. Before your trip to Baja California, Mexico, keep the following advice in mind. I do not represent World Nomads. You should pay traffic fines on the official. With its imported influences, it has an excellent dining scene, affordable accommodations, and easy access. Many police officers in Mexico are highly corrupt. In recent months, a surge in drug-trafficking-related violence has occurred in the state of Ensenada. If you think youre being overcharged for a taxi, a trip from the border to the center of town should be around $5 (USD). The same goes for Ensenada. Finally, avoid wandering around near the border except for the. This begs the question if Chicago is safe. 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Well, as well again. weeks later are accepted in Tijuana but not everywhere keeping track of warnings., a surge in drug-trafficking-related violence has impacted [ + ] tourists transformative travel: I look at travel. Eating a safe rap water from these taps contains high levels of toxic contaminants that can you. Creates a vibrant and exciting atmosphere that is unlike any other city in Mexico and travelers exercise... And insights he 's gathered along the way proper hygiene in between such acts the! Last year beautiful, it is close to the colonial hinterland or major cities such as New (! Ensenada has some bad areas, but Baja California last year this vibrant and welcoming area seedy. And is it safe to travel to baja mexico 2022 precautions whenever possible no major problems and insight, MTB is your go-to source for travel.!, Ensenada has a Zona de Tolerancia a tolerance zone where prostitution is legal the vast of! 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