How Safe Is Tijuana for Travel? (2023 Updated) ⋆ Travel Safe

Safety Index:

Tijuana is a city located in the Mexican state of Baja California, on the US-Mexico border.

It is Mexico’s most populous city with 2,181,000 people, and the 2nd largest city in the country after Mexico City.

The city has a long and rich history, dating back to pre-Columbian times, and is home to a diverse population of Indigenous peoples, as well as descendants of European immigrants.

If you enjoy a good drink, Tijuana is the place for you.

The city has a thriving nightlife, with many bars and nightclubs.

Just be sure to stick to well-known and tourist-friendly areas, as some neighborhoods are best avoided after dark.

Tijuana is also home to some excellent museums, including the world-famous Museum of Anthropology.

The city is a great base for exploring Baja California’s wine country, as well as the beaches and resorts on the Pacific coast.

Unfortunately, this city is also infamous for being a major center of drug trafficking and organized crime.

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.

Warnings & Dangers in Tijuana

OVERALL RISK : HIGH

If you must travel to Tijuana right now, it may be best to go on a well-protected tour. Tijuana was voted the most dangerous city for two years in a row. There are 134 murders per 100,000 people. By the end of 2020, Tijuana accounted for at least 2,000 murders. More Americans living in the area have become targets of organized crime.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : MEDIUM

Taxi drivers may scam you in this city - especially if you hail one from the street. You can have a more stress-free ride using Uber. The location also makes it convenient to take your car over the border to drive down the peninsula. Be aware of pickpockets on public transport and in transportation stations.

PICKPOCKETS RISK : HIGH

In Tijuana, pickpockets are very active. 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. Sometimes they work in groups. Don’t let strangers stop you on the street with a sob story.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : LOW

There is a small risk of hurricanes, but generally only during the months right before and after a hurricane season. The earthquake risk is very low in Tijuana. It is not an area where you will expect a blizzard or tornado either.

MUGGING RISK : MEDIUM

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. Tourists are still highly advised to leave all valuables at home and remain vigilant at all times.

TERRORISM RISK : LOW

The biggest threat in Tijuana is the drug cartel. Tijuana is not an area that has been the target of terrorist threats in recent history.

SCAMS RISK : HIGH

You can get scammed in Tijuana very easily. Various people will try to take advantage of you, so just be aware of your surroundings and don't trust anyone that you don't know.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : HIGH

If you are a female tourist, there is a high risk that you will be harassed or even assaulted in Tijuana. It is highly recommended that you avoid walking alone at night and stick to well-known areas. Even if you prefer solo travel, it is best to travel in a group if you are female. Unfortunately, the city holds the record of having the highest femicide rate in the world.

TAP WATER RISK : HIGH

Don't drink water from the tap here! It's not safe. Stick to bottled water or drinks from sealed containers. Water in Mexico is often contaminated with parasites or bacteria, which can make you sick. When you buy bottled water, be sure to check the seal on the cap.

Safest Places to Visit in Tijuana

The tourist locations are the safest part of the city.

These include the downtown area, the Zona Rio, Zona Centro, Zona Norte, and the beaches.

The beaches are beautiful and offer great swimming, snorkeling, and diving opportunities.

When downtown, you can visit historic landmarks, museums, art galleries, and cultural centers.

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.

It may not be the classiest part of the city, but you will be among many tourists.

Zona Rio has many specialty shops, craft beer bars, a casino, and cultural tours.

It is a major shopping hub in the area.

Places to Avoid in Tijuana

As with any city, it is best to avoid wandering around alone at night in areas that are not well-known or are known for being dangerous.

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.

The most dangerous neighborhoods in Tijuana are those that are known for being a center of drug trafficking and organized crime.

Avoid the eastern part of the city as it is simply not safe and will have little to see for a tourist.

Do your best to avoid neighborhoods such as Reforma, Sánchez Taboada, Camino Verde, and Mariano Matamoros.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Tijuana

Here is a list of 10 safety tips you should follow when visiting Tijuana:

Be aware of your surroundings and be cautious when traveling to unfamiliar areas – Certain areas of the city are more dangerous than others. So get a map, and become familiar with the safe areas. Know where you are going at all times.
Avoid walking alone at night – regardless of gender. If you are a woman, you must avoid traveling alone here. Come with a group if you can.
It is not safe to drink water from the tap – Stick to bottled water or drinks from sealed containers. Water throughout Mexico has bacteria and parasites, which may give you long-term problems.
Be careful about leaving visible items in your car – Thieves regularly break into and steal from cars here. If you need to leave something of value in your vehicle, be sure to conceal it as much as possible.
Avoid buying counterfeit or pirated goods – while some tourists enjoy purchasing these items, they support organized crime and drug cartels who often use their profits for illegal activities such as human trafficking and murder.
Don’t leave food or drinks unattended – if you are in a crowded area, be aware of your surroundings and who might approach you with the intent to drug your drink. While this does happen at all times of day, it is more common at night when many people are intoxicated.
Be cautious about taking taxis – while Tijuana offers cheap transportation options, there have been reports of taxi drivers drugging passengers so that they can rob them upon arrival at their destination. Only use licensed taxi cabs and make sure that the meter is on when you get in the cab. If you can, try to stick with Uber so you won’t be hassled about the rate.
Carry small bills and coins with you – as most shopkeepers do not carry much change.
Avoid carrying large sums of cash and valuables with you – Leave most of your belongings in a safe place at your hotel or home.
Avoid getting into confrontations with strangers – If you are feeling unsafe, walk away and find a safe place to go.

When traveling to any new destination, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers that may await you.

However, with a little bit of common sense and caution, most tourists experience no problems while visiting Tijuana.

So... How Safe Is Tijuana Really?

With a population of over 2 million people, Tijuana is the largest metropolitan area in northwestern Mexico.

Unfortunately, it’s most known for its high crime rate.

Like many border towns, violence has plagued this city for decades.

Cartels frequently traffic drugs throughout the region.

Tijuana continues to have problems with violent drug-related crimes and gang turf wars in poor neighborhoods.

As a tourist, you can avoid most crimes that will plague the average local.

However, a lack of common sense or being in the wrong place at the wrong time can easily make you a victim of a crime.

Kidnappings, robberies, and homicides have gone up in the last couple of years to the point where Tijuana has been dubbed the “Most Dangerous City In The World”.

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.

If you go out for a drink in a touristy club, be extra vigilant about your drink so it does not get spiked.

Areas frequented by tourists are generally safe in Tijuana, but visitors should be aware of their surroundings at all times and avoid walking in bad neighborhoods at night.

You can still be a victim in a tourist zone if you are not being careful.

How Does Tijuana Compare?

City	Safety Index
Tijuana	41
Guadalajara	62
Mexico City	45
Playa del Carmen	69
Cabo San Lucas	68
Vienna (Austria)	88
Hong Kong (China)	70
Manama (Bahrain)	54

Useful Information

Visas - American and Canadian tourists can visit Tijuana for up to 72 hours without a visa. To stay beyond that time frame, make sure you stop at the immigration kiosk for a visa if you are coming by land. Mexico usually allows Americans to stay for up to six months on an approved cost-free Visa.
Currency - The currency of Mexico is the peso. One US dollar equals about 20 pesos. You can use your credit card in most major cities in Mexico, but it is best to carry cash.
Weather - The weather in Tijuana is typically warm and dry with average temperatures ranging from 18-25 degrees Celsius.
Airports - To fly to Tijuana, visitors can use the Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) which is about a 15-minute drive from the city center. You can also fly into San Diego, California, and take a short bus or taxi ride across the border.
Travel Insurance - It is best to come to Tijuana with some type of travel insurance for both health and property protection. Make sure you can seek medical care in case you accidentally get food poisoning, which is known to happen in Mexico. Since property crime can be rampant in Tijuana, having property coverage can give you peace of mind.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Tijuana Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 13° C

Feb 14° C

Mar 15° C

Apr 16° C

May 17° C

Jun 19° C

Jul 22° C

Aug 22° C

Sep 21° C

Oct 20° C

Nov 16° C

Dec 14° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	19	20	20	21	21	23	26	26	26	25	22	20
Low °C	7	8	9	11	13	14	17	18	16	14	10	7
High °F	66	68	68	70	70	73	79	79	79	77	72	68
Low °F	45	46	48	52	55	57	63	64	61	57	50	45

I thought it wasn’t to dangerous and it almost cost me my life. I have just returned home in Los Angeles after walking across the border on Wednesday night. I was there to accompany her while she had dental work done at that big black high rise building right over the border.

They arrange you the hotel and a driver to take you from the border to the hotel and dr’s office. On Thursday I went to the the center of town and did some shopping. I got a backpack, a wallet, a handbag for my fiancé. I was walking down the street with two police officers walking a head of me. I thought that there’s cops so I’m ok. Long story short I was kidnapped by them forced to drain my bank accounts after handcufffing me and sticking a gun in my mouth. After they got the money and let me go.

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. About 2-3 hrs have gone by and my fiancé was tracking my location on my iPhone trying to call store owners in my location to get me into a store. I was in shock and honestly at this time my memory is foggy. I got picked up a third time. I don’t no if this cop was good or bad. He asked about money and I told him his friends already took everything I had.

He kept asking me To describe them but I told him I didn’t remember. Not sure if they were worried about me reporting them. He drove me further into TJ and then let me go. 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 fiancé using find my friends gave him my location and got me back to the hotel.

For a fee of course. I love going to Puerto Vallarta, Cabo, Tulum. I will never step foot in Tijuana again. I recommend if you’re not Mexican, do not go

4 Reviews on Tijuana

T
Tina says:
at
Thinking about going out for a girl’s night out but might have to consider going somewhere else because I’m nervous of some of the risks after reading through this article.
Might not be so bad if we go for just one day and we are in a large group. Would want to leave our valuables at home and remember to carry small bills for shopping. Would want to check out the beach and maybe the wine country on the Pacific coast.
1. R
  Ryan says:
  at
  Bad choice
  There are so many other better alternatives. I’m sure TJ has its charms but it wouldn’t be my first pick on a list of bad cities.
A
Ashton says:
at
More dangerous than your average city but still has its charm
Tijuana is known for the nightlife as it has a LOT of nightclubs and bars to go around. There’s more to Tijuana than just the nightlife. Things like museums, lovely beaches or busy markets. It’s a good idea to visit them all but I recommend you go with a group. I would NOT visit Tijuana alone as it can become dangerous even if you are a man. Just make sure you have at least 3-4 other people with you and things will be fine. This city is known for being more dangerous than your average city so keep your eyes peeled for trouble.
If you go out at night (mostly interested in the nightlife), again make sure you don’t go alone. If you’re a woman then take extra care about what you drink (they can spike the drinks) and don’t go outside alone to smoke or just go on walks. During the day, in the safe neighborhoods and places, nothing will happen. But in crowded areas there are pickpockets and thieves and other criminals so it’s best to be in a group, pay attention to your things and your surroundings.
As for places to visit (other than bars) I like the Tijuana Cultural Center. Here you can learn more about the native people of this region by watching a film in the IMAX dome or seeing live performances in the Performance Hall. There’s also the aquarium and much more to see. If you are visiting with your family (or even some friends) then head over to El Trompo. This is an interactive science museum which keeps kids entertained through games and exhibitions. There’s a LOT to see here so this is a must-visit if you have kids.
El Popo Market is also a great place to go to just to see the local products being sold. You’ll find all sorts of interesting fruits and vegetables, some of which you might not know about. You can find souvenirs here and also get a chance to taste some of the local, delicious food.
C
Chris says:
at
I thought it wasn’t to dangerous and it almost cost me my life. I have just returned home in Los Angeles after walking across the border on Wednesday night. I was there to accompany her while she had dental work done at that big black high rise building right over the border.
They arrange you the hotel and a driver to take you from the border to the hotel and dr’s office. On Thursday I went to the the center of town and did some shopping. I got a backpack, a wallet, a handbag for my fiancé. I was walking down the street with two police officers walking a head of me. I thought that there’s cops so I’m ok. Long story short I was kidnapped by them forced to drain my bank accounts after handcufffing me and sticking a gun in my mouth. After they got the money and let me go.
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. About 2-3 hrs have gone by and my fiancé was tracking my location on my iPhone trying to call store owners in my location to get me into a store. I was in shock and honestly at this time my memory is foggy. I got picked up a third time. I don’t no if this cop was good or bad. He asked about money and I told him his friends already took everything I had.
He kept asking me To describe them but I told him I didn’t remember. Not sure if they were worried about me reporting them. He drove me further into TJ and then let me go. 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 fiancé using find my friends gave him my location and got me back to the hotel.
For a fee of course. I love going to Puerto Vallarta, Cabo, Tulum. I will never step foot in Tijuana again. I recommend if you’re not Mexican, do not go

Rated 3.25 / 5 based on 4 user reviews.

How Safe Is Tijuana for Travel?

Mexico : Safety by City