Calle Coahuila between Avenida Niños Héroes and Avenida Constitución in Zona Norte.Avenida Revolución between the Arch and Cale Ignacio Zaragoza in Zona Centro.It is safe enough to walk around the main tourist streets at night. If you’re concerned about getting robbed, you should stick to these neighborhoods.Īfter dark the risk of mugging or robbery increases. The main tourist areas of Zona Centro, Zona Norte, Zona Rio, and Playas de Tijuana are particularly safe because they are heavily policed. It’s safe enough to wander around and explore almost anywhere in the city.
During the day, the risk of getting mugged is low. Unfortunately, muggings and robberies happen in Tijuana. In the time I have lived in Tijuana, I have not witnessed any cartel-related activity of any kind though I know it exists.īy sticking to the more touristy parts of Tijuana like Zona Centro (downtown), Zona Rio (the business district), and Playas de Tijuana, you can nearly eliminate your chance of encountering any violent cartel-related crime. Innocents who have been killed are usually unlucky bystanders who have been caught in the crossfire when a turf war errupts. These homicides mostly occur in poor and working-class neighborhoods outside of the city center. The reality is that, while these violent crimes do happen, they almost exclusively take place among organized criminals or cartel members who are dealing in drugs and trafficking.
US travel advisories tell a similar story. They make it sound like Tijuana is an active war zone.
Of course, the media loves to exaggerate and sensationalize all of this because it makes for exciting news. Violence has increased because the high-level traffickers have lost control over low-level street dealers. They are fighting a war over drug trafficking routes through the city and into the United States. The murder rate spiked drastically in recent years because of a turf war between the Sinaloa Cartel and another newer gang, the Nueva Generación Jalisco. Luckily, that number is down slightly from the past couple of years. 2020 is on track to surpass the 2000 homicide mark according to this article. In fact, for the past two years, Tijuana has been considered the most violent city in the world with 134 murders per 100,000 residents. Tijuana is a tough city with a statistically high crime rate. You have probably seen shocking stories in the news about gang murders, shootouts, kidnappings, assassinations, and beheadings in the city. I’ll start off with most visitor’s biggest concern, violent crime. Staying Safe from Violent Crime in Tijuana I’ve also made this video to outline the main points of the article Luckily, the risks are manageable if you take some simple precautions. Needless to say, there are risks to visiting Tijuana. In this same time, I have also been inside a bar during an armed robbery and pickpocketed on the street. While living here, I have made friends, experienced the culture, and discovered some real hidden gems of restaurants, bars, and clubs. I’ll start off by saying, I love this city. Hopefully, this guide helps you make an educated decision whether or not visiting Tijuana is worth the risk.Īfter living in Tijuana for over a year, I’ve gotten to know the city pretty well. We’ll cover violent crime, theft, transportation safety, common scams, the police, and food and drink safety. This guide answers the question ‘Is Tijuana Safe?’ It outlines all of the crimes and scams that exist in Tijuana and explains some precautions you can take to avoid them. With all of the shocking news reports of violent crime in Tijuana over the past decade, many travelers have gotten the idea that the city is too dangerous to visit.