While domestic travel is not prohibited, there are a few restrictions. 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. These measures have helped to reduce the murder rate, but Ensenada still remains one of the most dangerous cities in Mexico. My aim is not to scare anyone, but rather to inform you of the reality. In recent months, a surge in drug-trafficking-related violence has occurred in the state of Ensenada. It has been named the safest place in all of Mexico due to its low crime rate. Here are 10 reasons why! Baja California Sur is safer than Baja California itself. Dont accept offers of drugs. The San Diego-Tijuana joint bid was chosen as the first binational World Design Capital by WDO. According to the UK Government, over 576,971 British nationals visited Mexico in 2017 with most visits being trouble-free. The food in Baja California is relatively safe to consume. Is Baja California safe? What are the symptoms of CVIDA-19? Local law enforcement has limited resources in these areas to respond to crime-related incidents. Discover the best tips and tricks for withdrawing money in Puerto Vallarta. You may even have trouble finding a taxi, and Uber may not work as you get further away from the city. It also advises you to always stick to the main roads and highways. Those looking for a peaceful place to relax and enjoy the company of others are drawn to it. However, the U.S. State Department has issued an advisory for the state: Level 3 Reconsider Travel. Traveling around Mexico is considered to be lower risk than people might be led to believe, and some destinations are comparably safer than others. No. US travelers urged to 'avoid travel to Mexico' and 'exercise increased caution' in hot spots. For the best beach resort towns, like Cabo San Lucas, youll want to go further south to Baja California Sur. Its best to avoid driving at night if possible, as your visibility is reduced, and criminals are generally more active at this time. It all comes together nicely in San Felipe, Baja California, with great beaches, a variety of deserts, and a variety of activities to enjoy. Some businesses may charge you for things that you dont need. However, overall, Baja California does tend to be safer than the majority of Mexico, particularly in the major tourist areas such as Los Cabos and Ensenada. Learn how to tip in Puerto Vallarta with this guide to proper tipping etiquette. Eeva Ruuska is the head of Americas operations at Riskline, a global travel risk intelligence company that provides independent country and city risk assessments as well as a 24/7 alert messaging system. This is lower than the national average of 45.92 in Mexico. Employees of the United States government are not permitted to travel to the following areas due to the restrictions listed below. 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. Safer areas of Chicago Experts agree that Chicagos downtown area is safe, especially for tourists. In summary, La Paz is a safe place to visit. You do not need to provide a negative result of a Covid-19 test or proof of vaccination to enter. During the daytime, its mostly safe. Before driving down, you should be aware of a few things. Baja California is relatively safe for US tourists, as evidenced by the large numbers of travelers who cross the border by car or on foot. Is San Felipe worth visiting? The water quality at Tijuana and Rosarito beaches has been declared poor by the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks. Unpatrolled beaches on the Baja Peninsula have been the source of drownings. There are low levels of robberies, carjackings, and hate crimes, and a high level of corruption and bribery. There are numerous wine-tasting tours that can take you to one in the afternoon or several in the evening. 2023 Tour By Mexico. Dont go where there are few other people in the vicinity; this includes camping in secluded places. Alex Gomez is a professional writer, travel enthusiast, and the creator of Mexico Travel Buddy. These motorcyclists are often in a hurry, as many deliver food for apps like Rappi or Uber Eats. According to a recent official research, Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas, and San Jose del Cabo are the safest destinations in Mexico. Thats assuming youre not doing things that could get you in trouble such as breaking the law, making a scene, or hanging out with the wrong people. Rosarito is generally safe, but crime can still occur. It appears that Baja is more laid-back than San Diego. Drinking tap water from these taps contains high levels of toxic contaminants that can make you sick. In 2022, this country was visited by 13 million tourists from the United States. Aside from restaurants and nightlife, the city has a variety of parks to keep the kids occupied. There is also a rich culture and history to explore. The Advisory level for Mexico City is currently at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Note that travel advisory warnings change all the time. However, these incidents have been between criminal organizations and gangs. Read on to learn all about staying safe in Baja California, Mexico. Because of high civilian traffic, the US government advises people who have not been vaccinated against the flu to avoid traveling to Mexico. Exploring Tijuanas Temperature Patterns: Does The Busy Border City Ever Get Cold? This area is packed with a variety of unique activities and excellent restaurants that will provide you with memorable experiences. Its not entirely clear who owns the bars in Zona Norte, but the cartel or gangs likely exercise strict control over the place. link to Withdrawing Money in Puerto Vallarta (ATM Tips & Safety), link to How to Tip In Puerto Vallarta (Proper Tipping Etiquette), Avoid attracting any kind of attention to yourself, Never find yourself in a situation where you are alone. 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. The area is well known for its beautiful beaches, resorts, and golf courses. See this list of some of the. Funding the cartels means theyll keep taking over parts of Mexico. With millions of people living within an urban landscape, hardly any civilians see any of the gang-violence themselves. Avoid drugs and cartels, then you avoid violence. The vast majority of homicides are the result of targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. It is not necessary to be concerned about your safety while traveling between San Diego and Tecate in Baja California. Traveling in Baja is Safe I am not saving the best for last. WebMexico has a high risk of violent crime, such as murder, armed robbery, sexual assault and kidnapping. The more recent map is here. You're not guaranteed tomorrow, and, often times, you can buy an international plane ticket for less than a domestic one. The rest stop at km marker 84 contains several impressive buildings on the side of a cliff overlooking the bay. It is safe to swim in the ocean in La Paz, but it is critical to stay aware of the currents and shallow water. In the case of Baja California, the free zone covers the entire state. The top destination was Cancn and the Mayan Riviera, which received 2.4 million people, according to Mexicos tourism office. However, you should still travel with increased caution. Also, armed muggings can occur while stopped, especially in crowded cities, so try to limit how often you stop and plan your trip ahead to ensure youre taking the best routes. If they refuse to transport you to your destination, insist or find another vehicle to take you to your destination; if they do not transport you, be polite but firm when telling them where you want to go. Some general rules of thumb are to keep all your belongings in a secure place. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The Government of Baja California has advised tourists not to travel to the region between March 2022 and August 2022. Yes, driving to Tijuana is safe. Unfortunately, Mexico is known to have a high crime rate and parts of the country can be dangerous. Transformative Travel: I look at how travel can change lives. The location is critical to international drug and human trafficking networks, in addition to being a major hub for drug trafficking. Is it safe to travel to Mexico right now? If I were you, I would avoid drugs, drug dealers, and any drug-related activities altogether in order to increase your overall safety. WebMaster far more: Ideal travel insurance coverage. In addition, the U.S. State Department has issued travel warnings for certain parts of Mexico, including Baja California. My parents were coming out to see me, so I wanted to take them out for a little visit down there. I prefer to exchange money in the United States (at the change houses near the border). Baja California is a state in Mexico with a large population. Is Baja California safe to travel? US citizens should also register with the US Embassy in Mexico before traveling to Ensenada. The same goes for Ensenada. Since Todos Santos is a popular tourist city, local police presence is apparent and quick to respond to any petty crimes that may occur while visiting. The safest areas remain Ensanada, Rosarito, and Guadalupe Valley. It is a good idea to avoid cities with gang violence and drug activity. The closest buses to this city are provided by the Tijuana Bus Service, which leaves San Diego and arrives in Tijuana. In 2002, San Diego was named the first National Design Capital of the United States, a designation that has since evolved into the name of the West Design Center. Prostitution is legal in Zona Norte, but the area is unsafe. So be sure to avoid sketchy areas and always be aware of your surroundings. La Paz, Puerto Vallarta, Ensenada, and Mazatln are just a few of the popular tourist destinations in Baja California, which is well known for its rich marine environment. However, overall, Tijuana is generally considered safe for travelers, as long as you take basic safety precautions and use common sense. The majority of the valley is open, with a small section of it open to the public. In 2022, 13 million U.S. tourists visited this country. Tijuana is one of the more dangerous areas in Mexico. As if thats not enough, the weather there is consistently superb for almost 9 months out of the year. As an affiliate, I receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. Despite the fact that the number of homicides is concerning, experts believe that tourists visiting Baja California in tourist areas are unlikely to face cartel violence or crime. 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. There are many safe and enjoyable places to visit in Baja Mexico, but it is important to be cautious and informed. Ensanada, Mexico, has one of the lowest crime rates in Baja, Mexico. Mexico is the worlds sixth most popular tourist destination, according to the World Tourism Organization. Travel to Cancn, Tulum and the surrounding areas in Quintana Roo is still considered safe, says Ruuska. In general, travelers should avoid travel to areas unlikely to be visited by tourists. Not only are these some of the safest areas in all of Mexico, but also some of the most exciting because theyre the home to acclaimed national parks and amazing caves. Its a relatively simple and quick trip from Tijuana to San Diego. And yet, despite the pandemic, Mexicos homicide levels have remained historically high, at 27.8 deaths per 100,000 people. During the daytime, its mostly safe. When transiting, avoid public transport and hailing taxis on the street, and use app-based services or regulated taxi stands. It is possible to find Baja forums on this site, but I am unsure if I can mention them. Runtime 10:37 View count 98 Description #mxico #travelmexico #comidamexicana Subscrbanse a mi canal!!! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. La Paz is the capital of California Baja, a sunny state in Mexico. The state of Baja California Sur has a population of 2,643,426 people, making it Mexicos most populous. When it comes to exploring the cities in Baja, there are a few very simple rules you should follow to increase your safety. Authorities have also increased security measures in these areas, including Cancn, Acapulco, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta. You should be aware of your surroundings and take appropriate precautions to avoid any problems. We have been in Baja for the past two months and are sharing what van life is really like down here in 2021. As soon as you cross that border, the situation changes drastically. Its situated on the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains and the Pacific coast side of the (Baja California) Peninsula. Baja California is one of the biggest states in Mexico that offers a lot of tourist attractions like beautiful beaches, granite mountains, and mesmerizing islands. Of course, not all the food you might find will be safe to eat. The high crime rates, including theft, kidnapping, harsh weather, and gang violence, may deter many from vacationing in Cabo. The center of Ensenada is safe, as is the promenade on the water and its touristy beaches. 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. Tijuana is safe enough to roam around and explore but take more care if heading outside of the main tourist zones of. Travel to and from the United States should be postponed until the H1N1 vaccine is fully available. I do not represent World Nomads. Many people in Ensenada are now able to obtain the vaccine. New York and Chicago have higher crime rates than Baja California. In addition to the aforementioned cities, San Quintin, El Rosario, and Catavina are other small towns that you can add to the list of safe areas in Baja. The city is a popular tourist destination, known for its sandy beaches, seafood restaurants, and duty-free shops. Is Baja California Safe? The Valle de Guadalupe is located in northern Baja California, just north of Ensenada, and serves as the states unofficial Napa Valley. 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