How dangerous is TJ? (renting, crime, hotel)

[usc886]

Seriously, just a day trip out to Tijuana cant be that bad?

[Oerdin]

If you just go down there to do the tourist thing and eat at a few restaurants then it's safe enough but if you go down there and get involved in illegal stuff, like drugs or what not, then your odds of finding trouble increase dramatically.

[society619]

Very...Stay Away...I'm Super Serial

[tickyul]

Well, if you stay on the beaten path, avoid the areas away from the main tourist areas you SHOULD be ok. Oh yeah, it would probably be best not to walk to downtown TJ from the border (or vice-versa), best to take a legit Yellow Cab.

[UrbanDecay]

I wouldn't go down there. Why risk it? You can find plenty of good mexican food up here.

[moved]

Originally Posted by tickyul

Well, if you stay on the beaten path, avoid the areas away from the main tourist areas you SHOULD be ok. Oh yeah, it would probably be best not to walk to downtown TJ from the border (or vice-versa), best to take a legit Yellow Cab.

I go to TJ every couple of months. I take the trolley to the border, and walk across. I've never had a problem, and don't go looking for trouble. I take of what I went across the border for, have lunch, and walk back across the border.

[bajaxtreme]

I'm on TJ almost every day for work and never had any issue.

[tickyul]

Originally Posted by moved

I go to TJ every couple of months. I take the trolley to the border, and walk across. I've never had a problem, and don't go looking for trouble. I take of what I went across the border for, have lunch, and walk back across the border.

Yeah, but don't you kinda get the creeps when you are walking through that area (back/to TJ) that has all of those junked Police cars/Taxis, I heard that is where a lot of people get jacked at night.

[Jenkay]

Originally Posted by tickyul

Yeah, but don't you kinda get the creeps when you are walking through that area (back/to TJ) that has all of those junked Police cars/Taxis, I heard that is where a lot of people get jacked at night.

Nope. I'm down there every couple of months and don't get the creeps at all.

[earlyretirement]

I think much of it just depends on you. I haven't been to TJ in what seems like forever. I went several times to meet up with friends back when I was a bachelor. This was many years ago and I'm sure crime is worse now and you hear the problem with the drug lords, etc.. Most times I just parked at the parking lot on the USA side and walked over. Twice I drove over and stayed at a hotel with a garage/lot and never had problems but this probably isn't the best idea these days. Plus the line to come back into the USA seems like it was always brutally long and took forever. So that's another advantage of just parking and walking over as it was always quick and easy.

I read the advice to take a taxi and that probably isn't bad advice but I never felt that was necessary for me. I also knew many people that went and they never had any problems walking over from the parking lot.

I think some people have "rob me" almost literally written on their foreheads. So for these kind of people it's probably not a good idea. I'd recommend not to go over drunk/on drugs, etc. The times I went I saw people really drunk walking, zonked out. I also saw some Americans getting beaten up as they were being drunk asses and making a scene.

During the day is much lower key than at night. I've never had any problems there at all but then again I speak fluent Spanish. I think as long as you aren't making a scene, not drunk/on drugs and aware of your surroundings and not attracting undue attention to yourself you'll be ok. Also, not a good idea to wear any flashy jewelry or loud clothes..... just basic common sense but I've seen quite a few ugly Americans the times I went before.

Really I think that applies for most of the world. I've been to every single country in South America including Colombia several times and never had any issues or problems. I find Latinos really friendly and laid back and as long as you're not being an "ugly American" you shouldn't have any problems. I have traveled quite a bit through Mexico including renting a car and driving through many towns and I find Mexicans some of the kindest, down to earth, honest, hard working people.

Moved said it best, "if you don't go looking for trouble" you should be ok.

I'm sure you'll get your fair share of people that say to avoid it like the plague, etc. I doubt you're going over just for food. I just find it's great to enjoy other cultures, see how other people live and visit new countries. Even if it's the "other side of the tracks". It really makes you realize just how lucky we are as Americans when you go to places like that.