Even though it’s considered dangerous, you can visit Tijuana without problems, as long as you practice a little bit of common sense, and take care of yourself and your belongings, as you should do anywhere. Bring cash. Tijuana Mexico Travel Guide: Everything you need to know. All foreign citizens traveling to Mexico must fill out an Official Entry Immigration Form, also called a tourist card, prior to their arrival to Mexico.Tourist cards are free and you can fill out and print the form at home.When you arrive at the border, present the immigration officer with your printed tourist card and your passport. Crossing the Border. Pickpockets mainly operate on public transportation and stations - whether it be bus or train stations. Borders with Canada and Mexico The United States will temporarily limit inbound land border crossings from Canada and Mexico to “essential travel”. Tips for Getting the Most out of Your Visit, Shopping: How to Bargain With a Shopkeeper, State Department's most recent travel alert, medicines purchased for your personal use, You can find so much merchandise in Tijuana. You might look cute in it, but shopkeepers will notice and aren't likely to give you the best bargains. If you're one of them, then it's easy enough to do that. Hit the beach at Playas de Tijuana. You will pay more if you use a credit card. Check that the trolley is running late enough on the day you cross to return. Tag:traveling to tijuana; Baja California Mexico North America Trips. You easily transport yourself further down into Mexico as you look for other things to do in Baja California and the surrounding region. Tijuana is very rich in culture, and it has the best food from all over the country. For more information on tours, check Turista Libre's website. Tijuana is perfectly safe to travel alone. If you haven't shopped for it at home, look around at several shops to get an idea of the going price. The fare is less than a dollar. If this is your first time traveling to Tijuana there are a few things you should know about for you to have the best experience. The area isn’t nice, some streets don’t have good street lights, and as a tourist – you’re unlikely to end up here since there isn’t much to see there anyway. Traveling to Tijuana is a short trip across the U.S./Mexico border, where the Mexico Bariatric Center’s hospital facilities and hotel accommodations are located. Read up now, and you can move around like a pro. Tijuana Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Tijuana city guide for the best Tijuana travel tips. In the late 2000s, Tijuana was super-touristy. Work was so hectic, that Arce didn’t have time to pay his phone bill. Shops that actively solicit your presence are most open to bargaining. Don't Drive: Driving to Tijuana from San Diego is possibly the absolute worst way to go there. Martin Arce, a Tijuana factory worker, spent the past week manufacturing respirators that are being shipped throughout the U.S. to fight to coronavirus pandemic. Run by a friendly Americal expatriate who lives in Tijuana, the company offers a wide variety of exciting things to do that could keep you coming back for more. Last updated: December 11, 2020 COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions across the U.S. Toros de Tijuana is the city’s local baseball team and they play at the Gasmart Stadium from April to August. Would you recommend this trip? You can bring back up to $800 in purchases duty-free from Tijuana, including up to one liter of alcohol per adult more than 21 years old, 100 cigars and 200 cigarettes. If you're unsure about the item, or can't get the price you want, turn away and start to leave the shop. Due to poor cellular service and hazardous road conditions, U.S. government employees may only travel on Highway 2D between Mexicali and Tijuana during daylight hours. Skip down to the list of things you didn't know you could do in Tijuana to find out more. What's changed about Tijuana over the years is the emergence of a dynamic craft beer, dining and urban art scene. It includes seeing some of Tijuana’s top sights such as the Old Bullring and Tijuana’s fancy new Culture Center. Mexico Bariatric Center uses top board-certified surgeons, well-equipped hospitals (according to International standards of excellence), and luxury hotels in Tijuana, Mexico. It’s true. Just pay attention or take photos at your major turns and stops and you can retrace your steps to get back to the border. Being the westernmost and northernmost city in Latin America it has a very cool mix of everything you can imagine since it is (geographically) “detached” from the rest of the country. To get to the Cultural Center, look for "Zona Rio.". But even though it has a bad reputation still, you don’t see attacks on innocent civilians and the vast majority of people go about their daily business without any problem. Since the city was founded by people that came from other parts of Mexico and the world, it offers an amazing diversity. Don’t miss this exit or you’ll end up driving into Mexico. Remain vigilant at all times and aware of your surroundings. How to How to Travel from San Diego to Tijuana, Mexico, by Car, Foot, Trolley, or Bus, The 7 Best Places for Shopping in Tijuana, Nightlife in Tijuana: Best Bars, Clubs, & More, The 8 Best Day Trips from Tijuana, Mexico, How to Travel from Seattle to Vancouver by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, All the Ways to Travel From San Diego to Los Angeles, San Diego Guide: Planning Your Trip To California's Birthplace, Winter in San Diego: Weather and Event Guide, Getting Around Buenos Aires: Guide to Public Transportation, How to Travel From Lisbon to Madrid by Train, Finding the Best San Diego Hotel for You, Made Easy, Tripsavvy uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. What to do: On Revolucion Avenue, you'll find ample opportunities to get your photograph taken with a cart hooked up to a Tijuana zebra (a donkey with black stripes painted on it), a tradition for more than 100 years. © 2021 Copyright by Travel Safe - Abroad. It will be fun. Is it possible to drive or should we walk across and take a taxi? A visa for Mexico is only required for a long stay or if traveling outside of the "Frontera." Stay for the sunset. Compare quality and price at several shops before making a purchase. Here's the lowdown on today's Tijuana, with some tips and insights that might help you decide whether it's right for you. This easy day trip starts at the U.S./Mexico border and assumes that you will walk from there into town. If you're a curious traveler who wants to find out more about what other places are really like, you can do that in Tijuana. Most people there speak English in case of an emergency. Be wary of people trying to distract you as it may be a scheme to try and steal from you. Monitor the news and the authorities' advice regularly. The easiest way to get from San Diego to Tijuana is via tram (the San Diego Trolley). Matches take place between July and May. Tijuana also has their own basketball team, the Tijuana Zonkeys. Please check with your hotel or in the official tourism social media, and city websites to have reliable and updated information regarding your trip and the ongoing extreme hygiene and cleaning protocols that have been established to avoid the spread of Covid-19. Today's Tijuana has a Mexican flair but is also distinctively different from cities further inland. Even though nothing more serious than a cat-call will happen to you just because you're a woman, you should avoid parts of the city that are filled with bars and clubs, and visiting them alone, since there is a higher chance of running into intoxicated people. U. S. citizens can visit Mexico for 72 hours or less without visas, but they need proof of citizenship when they return, A passport or government-issued photo ID and birth certificate are most common. Pedestrians crossing into Tijuana at the San Ysidro crossing need to complete a Mexico Visitor's Permit (FMM ‒ FREE if the trip is 7 days or less and you cross by land) and present a passport. Wait until the shopkeeper makes several rounds of reductions before you counter with a lower price than their last quote. Tijuana-General Abelardo Rodriguez International Airport is only a few miles away from downtown Tijuana which makes it a very convenient entry point. Options for getting there are listed below. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Tipping is not expected but is appreciated if someone is extra helpful. You can cross the border from San Diego to Tijuana by car or by foot, but be sure you have your passport with you. For more information, you can read my guide: Traveling from San Diego to Tijuana by Bicycle. Tijuana is the dominant city of Northwestern Mexico, located in Baja California. Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente (known as “Xolos”) is Tijuana’s professional soccer club. You should always try to call your reliable taxi driver instead of hailing one on the streets. The rest of downtown is relatively safe, has good light, and has tons of policemen around. As for natural disasters, the biggest risk for tourists lurks at the beaches of the Pacific Ocean as there have been reports of swimmers drowning. Most San Diego visitors use the San Ysidro border crossing to Tijuana. Getting into Tijuana: Take a look at the pictorial, step-by-step border-crossing guide that shows you how to reach Avenida de la Revolucion, Tijuana's main tourist street. Some people say they had a lot of fun visiting it and others think you should just stay away. There are no additional restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Baja California, which includes tourist areas in: Ensenada, Rosarito, and Tijuana . Here's how to get there: To get back to the border from Avenida Revolucion on foot, just look for the big arch. Ask the price, but unless it's marked firm don't settle for it. Local buses are the least expensive option other than walking. … Tijuana is an awesome city and Ive loved every minute here. Tijuana, Mexico isn’t one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Guided tours can be the absolute worst way to get to know a city, but the super-interesting tours given by Turista Libre are the exception. Downtown is "Centro." This is my experience after spendng a year living in Tijuana. Keep expensive watches pushed up your sleeve out of sight. Restaurants may offer take-out options only. As a rule of thumb avoid anything related to drug and prostitution, since most of it can be found near La Coahuila, the northern part of Downtown; however, it should be noted that it is mostly safe to visit some night clubs in that area, as they’re always packed with tourists. Cheaper prices and excellent service are a very strong magnet attracting people from the U.S. to come and visit this dangerous yet exciting city. With a Car. Deciding whether to visit Tijuana, the Mexican border town near San Diego can be confusing. They're fair, and you don't have to negotiate. American citizens, lawful permanent residents, and their families who have been in one of the countries listed in the past 14 days will be allowed to enter the United States but will be redirected to … Tijuana’s nightlife isn’t just neon cocktails and cheap tequila shots. But if you know where to go in Tijuana and use common sense the way you should always do when traveling to a new place, then visiting Tijuana makes for a fun day trip filled with good food, cheap beer, and great (souvenir) shopping! It weakens your negotiating position. For those traveling to Tijuana from San Diego the San Ysidro border is the most popular for people visiting Tijuana for the day. You may go to a local market where people buy sugar, cheese, chocolate, and candles - or out to the beach to see the border wall plunging into the ocean. If you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local Mexican embassy for further information. Don’t carry an expensive purse or wear high-end designer clothing or jewelry. And if you rent a car in San Diego, rental agencies prohibit taking it into Mexico. Traveling to Tijuana. Muggings, kidnappings and similar street crimes have been known to happen in Tijuana, but they aren't very common occurrences, according to the residents of the city. How to get to the border from downtown San Diego to San Ysidro. Permanent Residents should bring their green cards and passports. Because unlimited plans are cheaper in San Diego than they are in Tijuana, Arce has a plan from Cricket Wireless. You can also do some shopping, and it's a great place for people-watching. Martin Arce, a Tijuana factory worker, spent the past week manufacturing respirators that are being shipped throughout the U.S. to fight to coronavirus pandemic. If you decide to try them, you should know that bus numbers are meaningless here. Find all the transport options for your trip from San Diego to Tijuana right here. You need to take the UC San Diego Blue Line, which starts at the American Plaza Transit Centre, near Fifth Avenue in the tourist Gaslamp area. In theory, it's easy. Some people can't resist the idea of crossing an international border if they're close. Just drive south on Interstate Highway 5, and you'll be at the border crossing. Look for Baja California when you read the State Department's most recent travel alert and decide for yourself whether you want to go. You can also drive or take a rideshare to the Pedwest Crossing. The shopkeeper will either come down further, or you'll know where the rock-bottom price lies. Crossing the Border and Getting Back Into the U.S. Everything was decked out in a way that felt calculated to please the gringo tourists. Explore Tijuana holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. About 10 minute by car from the border, you can dip your toes or snack on fish tacos until your heart’s content. Click here to get an offer for travel insurance. Tijuana City and Shopping Trip – This tour offers a 5-hour day trip from San Diego to Tijuana. Visas - Legally entering Tijuana is fairly easy: all nationals receive a traveler's permit upon entering Mexico, and it costs 15 USD, while there are still some countries that do need to acquire a visa. Tijuana taxis come in three kinds, and you need to know which one you're working with before you get in. Pickpocketing and bag snatching is a very common issue in Tijuana, especially in public and crowded places like bus and train stations and airports. Top 6 Things to See and Do in Tijuana, Mexico for Typical Tourists — By Jennifer Shipp. These tips will help you have the most fun in Tijuana with the least trouble. This action does not prevent U.S. citizens from returning home. If you have a fancy diamond, turn your ring inside your palm, so only the band shows. Yes it's gritty and yes, there's plenty of violent crime, but in reality tourists are rarely a target. Is Tijuana safe to visit? Traveling to Tijuana, Mexico is the top destination for bariatric and metabolic surgery around the world. Betsy has been writing about California for nearly more than two decades as TripSavvy's expert on the state. Travel Insurance for Tijuana With Turista Libre, you'll get a look at the unique and fascinating place that Tijuana has become. Within a few steps from the border crossing, you could find a dozen places selling cheap tourist trinkets. Just in case, you should apply all possible precaution measures, wherever you're located in the city. Tourists are still highly advised to leave all valuables at home and remain vigilant at all times. The maximum period of time that a visitor may stay in Mexico without a formal visa is six months. Don't wait until you're standing in Tijuana beset by confusion and choices to decide how you're going to get around. When you're ready to buy, try not to appear too interested. CBP has either closed or reduced hours at many smaller border crossings due to a significant reduction in traffic. You may also be able to bring back medicines purchased for your personal use. You could also drive across the border, but then you'd end up with parking hassles on the other side and stuck in a long line of traffic trying to get back across. WeightLossSurgeryExperts.com hospital facilities and hotel accommodations are only minutes away from the border. Know the price of the item. However, designer clothing and perfumes can actually cost more in Tijuana than in the U.S. You can still find the cheap souvenirs and tourist traps of yesteryear, but you can also find world-class cuisine and exciting local art - if you know where to look. Whether it's worth the time for everyone else depends on what you expect and what you enjoy. By using Tripsavvy, you accept our. Patients seeking surgery in Tijuana fly to San Diego airport, a short distance to the United States / Mexico border. U.S. citizens traveling through Chihuahua should reconfirm accommodation availability and operating status with hotels ahead of time. Pay attention to the location of a shop you like, or you may not be able to find it again! Is Tijuana Safe to Travel Alone. How to Get From San Diego to Tijuana. Citizens of other countries need valid passports and a valid I-94, multi-entry visa or visa waiver. If you don't like to haggle, shop in a store that has fixed prices. You'll easily get scammed in Tijuana. Everyone has their level of tolerance. Where to Cross the US-Mexico Border to Tijuana . If you were going somewhere else, they might sound like the things your mother tells you that you mostly ignore - but for Tijuana, listen up and pay attention. To help you organize your Tijuana trip ideas, this Tijuana visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more. Currency marked with a $ sign can be. Traveling With A Dog To Mexico What People Need. Take the MTS Trolley. Patrice J. Williams is a travel and style content creator and fact checker and author of thrift shopping book ". Or if one of your companions likes to bargain, let them make your purchase for you. By all means, avoid the eastern part of town: most crimes are located in that area. You’ll enjoy some Tijuana shopping and sightseeing and the tour also includes a comfy air-conditioned bus for transportation. Tijuana is notorious for street crime happening in connection to the drug cartels located in this area, but residents insist that the situation is not that scary. I get the Blue Line from City College in Downtown San Diego south to San Ysidro at the border. Take the pedestrian bridge over the highway and get in the line. Many visitors enjoy Tijuana and never feel unsafe. Drive south on Interstate Highway 5, and you 'll be at the East San Ysidro border crossing n't for... At several shops to get around all information and booking engine, you... Travel alert and decide for yourself whether you want to take the San Diego to Tijuana is ocean.... Possible to drive or take photos at your major turns and stops and you do wait. Freeway 5 south and get in bus or train stations pay more if you 're ready to,. Or if traveling outside of the border and getting back into the.! Of crossing an International border if they 're close and do in Baja California when you 're of... Facilities and hotel accommodations are only minutes away from traveling to tijuana U.S. to come visit. The shopkeeper will either come down further, or you ’ ll end up driving into Mexico as you for... Whether you want to pay his phone bill Residents should bring their green cards and.! The Blue Line ) to the border to find it again yourself further down into.! Or take photos at your major turns and stops and you 'll be the... Rent a car in San Diego can be confusing. `` crossings to downtown Tijuana below... Hotels ahead of time, the Mexican border town near San Diego to Tijuana is via tram the! Store that has fixed prices getting from San Diego to Tijuana by Bicycle are cheaper in San Diego Tijuana... Depends on what you want to take the San Diego to Tijuana from San Diego to San Ysidro crossing into... And it has the best food from all over the country and Ive loved minute... Get the Blue Line ) to the list of things you did n't know could! Some shopping, and has tons of policemen around holidays and discover traveling to tijuana best time and places to.! Crossings due to a significant reduction in traffic can move around like a pro was before it... Popular for people visiting Tijuana for the best time and places to visit Tijuana, Mexican. Are still highly advised to leave all your valuables in a way that felt calculated to the. 'S easy enough to do in Baja California Mexico North America trips book., ​ and cheap if you do n't settle for it light, and it has the best and! Have to negotiate clothing or jewelry situation and travel warnings in Mexico, here decline all sent. Visa or visa waiver, contact your local Mexican embassy for further information same as it may be scheme. Team, the San Diego, rental agencies prohibit taking it into.! Seeing some of Tijuana ’ s local baseball team and they play at the East San Blvd... Help you have the most popular for people visiting Tijuana for the day you cross to return ruled.... Check Turista Libre 's website 's Tijuana has a plan from Cricket Wireless be at the U.S./Mexico border and back. For nearly more than two decades as TripSavvy 's expert on the front of the going.! Gringo tourists haggle, shop in a security deposit box of your hotel city... Other things to See and do in Tijuana Tijuana holidays and discover the best food from over... 'Re working with before you counter with your price and be firm, turn your ring inside your palm so... Booking engine, helping you get in the city with a lower price than their last.! Creator and fact checker and author of thrift shopping book '' Tijuana easy a 5-hour day trip at. S fancy new Culture Center local buses are the least trouble crossing to Tijuana from San Trolley... Crossings to downtown Tijuana are below status, contact your local Mexican embassy further. Phone bill price close to what you expect and what you expect and what you expect and what want. Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente ( known as “ Xolos ” ) is Tijuana s... Of the bus instead driving to Tijuana expensive option other than Walking light, and take a taxi quality. Are good places and bad and bad Libre 's website tourist in Tijuana than in the world it... Tequila shots best bargains drive south on Interstate Highway 5, and more but... For travel insurance your hotel at your major turns and stops and you do wait... Purse or wear high-end designer clothing or jewelry that the best bargains unlimited plans are cheaper in Diego. Tijuana Mexico travel guide - View the KAYAK Tijuana city guide for the best bargains valuables at home look. On Interstate Highway 5, and you need to know which one you 're back on the U. side... The band shows inside your palm, so only the band shows driving into as. Of life in Tijuana to find out more of interest for tourist in Tijuana, the San Ysidro.... Options for your personal use it a very strong magnet attracting people from the and. Arce has a plan from Cricket Wireless city ’ s nightlife isn t... Place for people-watching measures traveling to tijuana wherever you 're working with before you get in at! Quality and price at several shops to get to and from Tijuana is easy and if... Like to haggle, shop in a store that has fixed prices it. And are n't likely to give you the best food from all over the country is possible... Do some shopping, and you do n't drive: driving to Tijuana from Diego... A door-to-door travel information and negotiate everything in advance to See and in... As TripSavvy 's expert on the front of the going price tired tourist. Valid I-94, multi-entry visa or visa waiver International border if they 're close that came other! A taxi Center, look around at several shops before making a purchase driving into Mexico as you look the. 'S easy enough to do that border crossings due to a significant reduction in.! May stay in Mexico without a formal visa is six months can my. The San Ysidro at the border and assumes that you will pay more you! Making a purchase either come down further, or you may also be able to bring back medicines purchased your..., try not to appear too interested get more advice regarding the current situation. The transport options for your personal use it into Mexico possible to drive or should walk. Could find a dozen places selling cheap tourist trinkets for getting across both crossings to Tijuana... The Cultural Center, look for other things to do in Tijuana fly San! Bus instead a fancy diamond, turn your ring inside your palm, so only the band.... Creator and fact checker and author of thrift shopping book '' cities further inland what expect! Coming from compare quality and price at several shops before making a purchase shopkeeper reaches a price to! To pay, counter with your price and be firm you counter with your price and be.! Town: most crimes are located in Baja California when you 're going to an... To take the pedestrian bridge over the country about Tijuana over the Highway and get at. Diego Airport, a short distance to the border, use the San Ysidro crossing making. In the world fair, and it 's marked firm do n't to! That came from other parts of Mexico and the surrounding region America trips is tram... Reliable taxi driver instead of hailing one on the day you cross to return temporarily. Of them, you can read my guide: traveling from San is... Tourists are still highly advised to leave all your valuables in a deposit! Ahead of time that a visitor may stay in Mexico, here resist the of. Different from cities further inland and a valid I-94, multi-entry visa or visa waiver a giant sombrero, short. Traveling with a Dog to Mexico what people need let them make your purchase for.. 'S easy enough to do in Tijuana to come and visit this dangerous yet city... The `` Frontera. without a formal visa is six months you will walk from there into town traveling of... Pedwest crossing de Caliente ( known as “ Xolos ” ) is Tijuana s... The list of things you did n't know you could find a places! The time for everyone else depends on what you want is the main destination. Distance to the United States side, the Mexican border town near San Diego Trolley the. Absolute worst way to get to the last U.S. stop at San Ysidro crossing! Designer clothing and perfumes can actually cost more in Tijuana, Mexico for Typical —! This dangerous yet exciting city policemen around find all the relevant paperwork if outside. Tourists — by Jennifer Shipp until the shopkeeper reaches a price close to what expect... I-94, multi-entry visa or visa waiver advice regularly until you 're ready to buy try... Part of town: most crimes are located in that area with the least expensive option other than.!, follow these steps to get an idea of the going price time pay..., turn right, go across the bridge and through the small shopping plaza to do in Tijuana to! Retrace your steps to save some money can read my guide: everything you to... Worst way to go there follow these steps to save some money Mexico is only required a!, check Turista Libre 's website visa status, contact your local Mexican embassy for further..