Any travel to Baja by car and border crossing does not require proof of a covid test. 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. Despite that, they dont usually cause trouble for tourists. However, not all doctors are professional or good at what they do. As a result, a lot of people visit Ensenada simply because they want to experience a more authentic Mexican city. As well, San Felipe has a lot of gorgeous beaches where you can soak up the sun, swim, and of course fish.. Tabasco state has a high rate of crime and violence. Never leave your drink unattended or accept drinks from strangers or new acquaintances that you have not seen poured, says Ruuska. We caught up with Ruuska to find out whether its safe to travel to Mexico right now. A visit to San Felipe is an excellent way to unwind and spend quality time with friends. La Guerrerense, a food cart serving seafood tostadas and cocktails, is another option for seafood. No surprise, the U.S. State Department recently issued a chilling warning about travel to Mexico with a level 3 on a scale of 1 to 4, meaning reconsider travel. And some parts of Mexico where drug cartel violence is at its worst have long been on a no-go list, with a level 4 no-go advisory. Despite being classified as a Level 3 travel advisory by the United States Department of State, Baja California is one of the most secure in Mexico. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. 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. The most common trouble Americans will face in Baja California is petty crime. 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. Drug deals are standard, which means that drug dealers and their henchmen are also present. I would appreciate it if you would send me a private message. Note that travel advisory warnings change all the time. Youll be able to have a lot of fun in the area, and you wont have to be concerned about getting hurt. If you are considering traveling to San Felipe, it is important to do your research and be aware of the risks involved. These states are orange, meaning that some basic COVID-19 restrictions (like wearing masks indoors) are in place. Baja California is safe to drive, even if you are unfamiliar with the area. Ensenada is an excellent place to visit on a short trip from San Diego or as part of a longer itinerary through Mexico. Safer areas of Chicago Experts agree that Chicagos downtown area is safe, especially for tourists. Is Baja California, Mexico, a good place to drive? Don't travel at night outside major cities. 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. Mexicali has a population of 1,996,844 people, making it the states second largest city. Travel Advisory 2023. This region offers numerous unique activities to choose from and numerous excellent places to eat, making this a perfect vacation destination. Depending on where you travel to, the cost of living in Mexico can vary drastically. Capital Tijuana is the largest city in the Mexican state of Baja California and on the Baja California Peninsula. San Diego and Tijuana were selected from a field of 46 other candidate cities from around the world after submitting a joint bid. If we link to any product, you should assume that we'll receive a commission when you buy it, at no extra cost to you. Some plastic surgeons may not have the proper licenses. While the attacks generally do not target foreigners, bystanders couldand have been affected, says Ruuska. These motorcyclists are often in a hurry, as many deliver food for apps like Rappi or Uber Eats. Many Americans travel to Tijuana for affordable medical and dental care. In many parts of the state of Guerrero, armed groups operate independently of the government. The best thing you can do is to completely abandon the solo plan. It is also a popular tourist destination. There is no easy answer to this question as opinions will vary from person to person. If I were you, I would avoid drugs, drug dealers, and any drug-related activities altogether in order to increase your overall safety. It is not necessary to have a health checkpoint or to travel if you have a negative test result. Cruises will also most likely be canceled on Sunday as well as excursions and massages. In addition to these cities, there are a few other small towns in Baja that are safe, such as San Quintin, El Rosario, and Catavina. If you have a six to eight hour stay in the city, I recommend going Downtown or taking a tour offered by the ship. Violence has been on the rise in this city in recent years. When transiting, avoid public transport and hailing taxis on the street, and use app-based services or regulated taxi stands. While visiting Baja, you should always be ready for anything. Because this city does not experience any cartels showdowns, there is little chance of terrorist attacks. The safest areas remain Ensanada, Rosarito, and Guadalupe Valley. In general, you might want to avoid Tijuana altogether. It has been named the safest place in all of Mexico due to its low crime rate. U.S. government employees are not permitted to travel to Guerrero state due to crime. You will want to avoid the red light district Zona Norte (the North Zone) in Tijuana. Even as travel is discouraged to all of Mexico because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. State Department continues to update its There are surf schools in TS, Pescadero, and Cerritos. 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. The highest advisory level is Level 4: Do Not Travel. Residents of Ensenada are not always in danger as a result of red areas on the crime rate map. In 2022, 13 million U.S. tourists visited this country. The most important thing is to use common sense, drive defensively, and be aware of your surroundings at all times. If you wish to enjoy excellent nightlife and a relaxing city on the water, Ensenada is a quiet and small city that is much safer than Tijuana. All rights reserved, Exploring The Crime Rate In Downtown Tijuana: Causes And Solutions, Exploring The Pros And Cons Of Taking A Cab To Tijuana, How To Teach Conversational English In Tijuana, Tijuanas Pollution: Exploring The Impact On Californias Environment, Exploring Baja Californias Wineries: A Guide To Making The Most Of Your Trip From Tijuana To The Mexican Vineyards. Before I continue, its important to distinguish between Baja California and Baja California Sur. There are numerous wine-tasting tours that can take you to one in the afternoon or several in the evening. 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. 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. The east side of the city is another area to avoid. Ensenada is a fairly peaceful city in general. Its a very safe area, but public transport isnt always available. Yes. You should not drive after dark, be on 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. Pictured here: Cancun, where recent violence has impacted [+] tourists. It would be a good idea to keep a few pesos on hand. Many police officers in Mexico are highly corrupt. It is still very safe to travel to and from the city center, despite the risk of being attacked in ungated communities further away. When entering Mexico, you should only travel during daylight hours and bring a valid proof of vehicle registration. The month before, a California travel blogger and a German tourist were killed in a shooting in Tulum. Drug deals are standard, which means that drug dealers and their henchmen are also present. US dollars are accepted in Tijuana but not everywhere. Learn how to tip in Puerto Vallarta with this guide to proper tipping etiquette. The 15 Best Places to Visit in Hawaii in 2023, Is Hawaii Safe to Visit in 2023? Crime is another issue that should concern you. The location is critical to international drug and human trafficking networks, in addition to being a major hub for drug trafficking. Flag taxis from the street; take Uber or Didi instead. See my site Policies Baja California is known to have a large number of residents who speak English fluently. Baja is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico that is safe for tourists. Overall, crime rates in Mexico vary from city to city, state to state, and region to region, but they are quite low. shorturl.at/moqxX Instagram: @gringoylatino 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. Ensanada, Mexico is one of the calmest cities in Baja, Mexico, and as a result, this town has lower crime rates. There has been criminal activity and violence in Baja California. As a result, the city of Merida is consistently rated as one of Mexicos safest. U.S. government employees may not drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico, except daytime travel within Baja California and between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D, and between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D. Its always best to stay out of the red light district and stick to the most touristy areas. Tourist destinations have, however, not seen the crime levels seen in states affected by drug cartels. As a tourist, youre most likely to come across petty crimes like theft. The city is a major transit point for drugs being smuggled into the United States, and rival drug gangs often fight for control of this lucrative trade. Use app-based services or regulated taxi stands only, says Ruuska. However, the U.S. State Department has issued an advisory for the state: Level 3 Reconsider Travel. Thats especially true on the weekends when there are large crowds. Being home to popular tourist towns such as Cabo and La Paz, you can rest assured knowing police present a strong presence in the touristy areas. With millions of people living within an urban landscape, hardly any civilians see any of the gang-violence themselves. Watching Out for Earthquakes, Hurricanes, and Diseases, Both earthquakes and hurricanes can occur in Mexico, according to the, There is also a risk of Zika virus along the coast, according to. | Travel Tips & Safety Concerns. As one of the most popular tourist The top destination was Cancn and the Mayan Riviera, which received 2.4 million people, according to Mexicos tourism office. Yes! 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