Tijuana

[Caliboy95]

Hello. I’ll be in San Diego in two weeks and I’m thinking of doing a day trip to Tijuana just to enjoy of their nightlife. 
 

I’d like to hear from anyone that has been there recently on what bars/restaurants to go, and safety tip for a solo traveler.

I’m thinking of parking my car at the border and walking to TJ and use Uber to my destination. 

[+ tassojunior]

If you speak Spanish it may be easier. TJ is a sexual marketplace. There is at least one gay bar downtown with guys for hire but safety is not high. (or even moderate). I don't speak Spanish, but if you do it may be safer. 

[Guest]

On 8/14/2023 at 1:00 PM, Caliboy95 said:

Hello. I’ll be in San Diego in two weeks and I’m thinking of doing a day trip to Tijuana just to enjoy of their nightlife. 
 

I’d like to hear from anyone that has been there recently on what bars/restaurants to go, and safety tip for a solo traveler.

I’m thinking of parking my car at the border and walking to TJ and use Uber to my destination. 

I haven't been there recently due to crime concerns, but, yes, you should park your car on the US and walk across. The last time I went (may years ago), there was a pedestrian overpass which takes you into the main touristy part of town. You don't need to use ride-share unless you have limited mobility. Different areas of Mexico have wildly different levels of danger, depending on the narco/violent gang activity. Tijuana isn't as bad as the extremely dangerous cities of Mexicali, Acapulco, and Juarez, but it's still higher than more touristy cities like PV, Cancun, Los Cabos, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico City. etc. If you do not have a Global Entry (or SENTRI) card, the drive across the border can take a lot of time. It can take an especially long time if you don't have a lower-level trusted traveler card such as a passport card or enhanced driver's license (in other words, if your only proof of citizenship is a passport booklet). 

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Mexico Travel Advisory

TRAVEL.STATE.GOV

 

Baja California state – Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.

Transnational criminal organizations compete in the border area to establish narco-trafficking and human smuggling routes. Violent crime and gang activity are common. Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote locations. Of particular concern is the high number of homicides in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana. Most homicides appeared to be targeted; however, criminal organization assassinations and territorial disputes can result in bystanders being injured or killed. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

U.S. government employees must adhere to the noted restrictions:

Mexicali Valley: U.S. government employees should avoid the Mexicali Valley due to the heightened possibility of violence between rival cartel factions. The boundaries of the restricted area are: to the east, the Baja California/Arizona and Baja California/Sonora borders; to the south, from La Ventana (on Highway 5) due east to the Colorado River; to the west, Highway 5; and to the north, Boulevard Lazaro Cardenas/Highway 92/Highway 1 to Carretera Aeropuerto, from the intersection of Highway 1 and Carretera Aeropuerto due north to the Baja California/California border, and from that point eastward along the Baja California/California border.
Travelers may use Highways 2 and 2D to transit between Mexicali, Los Algodones, and San Luis Rio Colorado during daylight hours. Travelers may also use Highways 1 and 8 to transit to and from the Mexicali Airport during daylight hours. Travel on Highway 5 is permissible during daylight hours.

There are no other travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Baja California state. These include high-traffic tourism areas of border and coastal communities, such as Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito.

Edited August 16, 2023 by Unicorn