Is it now safe for US citizens to visit Tijuana, Mexico?

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Prof.Gringo

You should be OK.

Remember to use common sense and don't do things in TJ that you wouldn't do back home.

Most of the violence is directed against people invloved with drug gangs and corrupt cops getting blown away.

I actually would tell you to be more careful with the cops as they tend to be corrupt and they like to jack tourists up for $$$.

Don't carry credit cards or excessive cash. Wear normal, subdued clothing and don't flash cash or expensive items.

Just take basic precautions. It's safer than strolling through Compton or South Central LA, that's for sure.

BTW if you meet Mexicans in TJ that speak perfect English and they offer to "help" you in anyway or give you a sob story, STAY AWAY! Those guys are deportados, they grew up in the US, got in with drugs and gangs, got caught, served time and got deported to Mexico. Many of them can't speak good Spanish and they often don't have Mexican papers and ID's. What do they do for work? Same as they did before, but now they rip off and rob tourists.They are the scum of the streets and can't be trusted in any way, shape or form, EVER!

Good luck and take care!

Here's a report from The News, the English language Mexico newspaper-

"Police swarming embattled Tijuana

THE NEWS

Eighty-one neighborhoods in the beleaguered border city of Tijuana are currently being patrolled around the clock by police, Mayor Jorge Ramos said Monday, shortly before a meeting in which Baja California law enforcement authorities sought to find a new security strategy after a week or so of violence that claimed the lives of more than 50.

The move, Ramos said, aims to instill calm in a city that, albeit accustomed to drug-related violence, has witnessed a spike in acts of violence this year. Last weekÂ´s discovery of dozens of bodies, some of them dumped near schools and day cares, made national and international headlines, as did reports of an intensifying feud between the long-established Arellano FÃ©lix drug cartel and a new upstart organization headed by one of its former henchman.

Sixty-one people died over a nine-day period ending this past weekend, and most of the killings were connected to cartel activity, the authorities said.

A dozen bodies were found last week near a day care, and another bunch discovered in an empty lot right next to a school.

In January, a broad daylight shooting in the border city prompted the evacuation of three nearby schools. The Army was subsequently sent in to restore order, as well as confidence in authorities.

TijuanaÂ´s local police, who have been deployed in RamosÂ´ latest effort to crack down on crime and restore security and calm, are widely considered to be corrupt and inefficient. Previous efforts to overhaul the force - stripping of them of their arms and subjecting them to drug tests - have failed, security analysts say.

So far this year, more than 3,500 people have died in drug-related violence throughout the country, according to estimates by the newspaper El Universal."

http://www.thenews.com.mx/home/tnArticulo.asp?cve_cont=191900

gamerunner2001

Well, use some common sense and don't go looking to buy dope, make your way across the border before midnight and have fun

sloopy

I've been to MX over a 100 times. Never any trouble except a crooked cop in Tecate ripped me off on a traffic violation. (My fault).
Other than that, use common sense, know your surroundings, don't flash jewelry and cash around. Things you wouldn't do in LA, Chicago or New York City.
By the way, average time spent in TJ by a visiting US citizen is 4 hours. Do your research...lots of blogs on Baja travel...
See www.bajanomad.com (I think it is) which is a good one.

leegleze

Probably no safer than it is in various areas of L.A. If you want to go for a vacation, I would advise breezing through TJ as quickly as possible and spend another hour or two driving down the Baja Coast to places mentioned by the previous responder. TJ is a border town, and as such, is not a great place to spend your time.

BajaBeachBoy

I dont think its a good time, i live in Tijuana.

Raquel P

okay you would not have any trouble if you do what you have to do is normal is the same as living were you are.
is the same thing.

okarlasp

not even safe for mexican people

Paul S

Safety is a state of mind.

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