We do not recommend using the Otay Mesa border crossing because it means that you will have to traverse much of Tijuana, in what can only be described as, heavily congested traffic! There are places in Baja which are unsafe, and these are mostly in some parts of tourist cities like Cabo, or in the border towns. The government needs to check these pumps and fine them for rigging the pumps and cheating the customers. By telling us your country of residence we are able to provide you with the most relevant travel insurance information. read more Tijuana used to be a very violent city, but today that´s no longer true. You can … Hiker, mountain biker, professional handicapper and world traveler. Plus with lodging and food this cheap, maybe you should book a Baja Sur beach vacation today! The San Diego press (and most American press for that matter) is extremely negative toward Mexico. The State of Baja California today announced it has been awarded the Safe Travels Stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) in recognition of the health and hygiene protocols put in place by the state. One can make a lot of friends quickly. With 150+ adventure activities covered and 24/7 emergency assistance. Friends who visit Baja frequently report feeling just as safe in Baja as they do in California. Rural communities usually present little problem either, and roadways generally remain safe. Since Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabos are situated at the tip of the Baja Peninsula. There have been no major problems, attributed to the drug war, in any area of Southern Baja. You have to be careful and be aware of your surroundings and be smart. Stay low key – try to stay away from anywhere that “just doesn’t seem right”. Marijuana also known as “brick weed” or “Mexican brown” is on offer everywhere, but don't be tempted. The american community is very well received. San Felipe. Get as far south as possible before stopping for the night. These appear to be intentionally rigged to rip the customer off. Near the southern tip of Baja California, the small Mexican town of Todos Santos is a haven for surfing, fresh seafood and gorgeous scenery along the Pacific Ocean. You can also cross just west of Yuma, at Andrade, CA (not recommended) or drive even farther west to Calexico where there are two border crossings. Tell us about it in the comments! Only drink purified or bottled water while traveling here. Head south on the Mexican 5. The first political capital of "old California" is found here as well as many remnants of the … I worked in petroleum maintenance for many years and I calibrated gas pumps. However, no place is immune to any risk. Driving Baja California Dirt Roads Near Bahia de Los Angeles. So let me address a few of the big fears of Mexico travel, and provide some Mexico travel advice: Drug Cartels. Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Mexico: Read the latest travel alerts to find out how travel restrictions may affect you. You Didn't Know Exist. The best way to experience Baja is by driving, it can be an incredible adventure! Get details of properties and view photos. For the latest travel warnings and alerts around the world, read about lockdowns and border restrictions. The state received the recognized seal "Safe Travels" by the World Council of Travel and Tourism thanks to the protocols implemented before the COVID-19. Almost all of these problems are directly or indirectly caused by excessive drug use in the United States. These are Baja Sur (mostly) and Baja Norte (a little). Travel Insurance - Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Mexicali, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables. Welcome! Los Cabos, La Paz and Loreto each have international airports. The advisory lists a “level 2” warning for Baja California and Baja California Sur, recommending that travelers “exercise increased caution due to … Skip the tourist restaurants and kitschy, luxury beach resorts – this is where a nomad goes in Cabo San Lucas. Baja has its safe and dangerous areas. I believe that their gas pumps are rigged to show almost double of the actual price and liters. In Baja California, the murder rate this year is 73 per 100,000 residents so far. Then, for your second day, you may plan a more leisurely pace. Traveling to Mexico? It is not safe. The longer we were in Baja the more and more we liked it and really enjoyed all of the people and the beautiful scenery that they have here. Is it safe to live in Baja California Sur? Be polite but firm when telling them where you want to go and if they don’t want to take you there, keep insisting or find another taxi. Pickpockets and snatch and grab thieves thrive with the crowds. If you are driving, it is impossible to avoid the border area and the big cities in northern Baja, so there are some precautions you should take. Blog Post. Los Ángeles Verdes, or the Green Angels, patrol all federal and toll highways in Mexico offering free service during mechanical breakdowns, accidents or medical emergencies. In Baja California Sur, the security strategy will be coordinated by the three levels of government. To live as an expat in Mexico can be very rewarding and here is an article to help you see if Baja or Mainland Mexico is for you. There were 35 million international visitors to Mexico in 2016 according to the World Tourism rankings, making it the 8th most-visited country in the world. If you are in the major cities, you will likely find that tourist areas are completely safe. By Nancy Alcalá 2020-10-05T20:53:00+00:00. If you are crossing from the US into Mexico, the easiest way to get to downtown Tijuana is by taxi. BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO – I’m often asked by stateside friends about our family’s experiences traveling in and around Baja California. Mexicans are the most laid back, friendly and kind people you’ll ever meet. He then argues that I only gave him 20 pesos instead of 200s. But beyond that it is very safe. Baja California Sur state – Level 3: Exercise Increased Caution. The first three I’m willing to bet most people are not when they visit from the US. This was trip they had done many times before. I first visited a couple of years ago and on this return trip to the Baja peninsula, it was the promise of La Paz that helped me push on through the long desert drive. The white ones are regulated and less likely to rip you off. So keep your eyes peeled and valuables secured. 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