If you're unsure how to do it, follow these steps to save some money. Rome2rio makes travelling from San Diego to Tijuana easy. Walk to it, turn right, go across the bridge and through the small shopping plaza. Find all the transport options for your trip from San Diego to Tijuana right here. Tourists are still highly advised to leave all valuables at home and remain vigilant at all times. Be wary of people trying to distract you as it may be a scheme to try and steal from you. This travel guide covers violent crime, transportation safety, common scams, Tijuana police, and more. 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. Just drive south on Interstate Highway 5, and you'll be at the border crossing. It includes seeing some of Tijuana’s top sights such as the Old Bullring and Tijuana’s fancy new Culture Center. Monitor the news and the authorities' advice regularly. They're fair, and you don't have to negotiate. Tipping is not expected but is appreciated if someone is extra helpful. Tijuana is an awesome city and Ive loved every minute here. To get to the Cultural Center, look for "Zona Rio.". This is my experience after spendng a year living in Tijuana. It weakens your negotiating position. You'll easily get scammed in Tijuana. Is Tijuana safe to visit? Four years ago, some enterprising business people negotiated a deal to build a 390-foot transborder skybridge between the U.S. and Mexico that deposits travelers directly into Tijuana International Airport from San Diego. Tijuana taxis come in three kinds, and you need to know which one you're working with before you get in. Don't Drive: Driving to Tijuana from San Diego is possibly the absolute worst way to go there. 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. Some people say they had a lot of fun visiting it and others think you should just stay away. Tijuana’s nightlife isn’t just neon cocktails and cheap tequila shots. If all you want is the tired old tourist stereotypes, go right ahead. 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. Tijuana also has their own basketball team, the Tijuana Zonkeys. 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. There are several ways to enter Tijuana, and your choice should depend on where you are coming from. 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. For more information, you can read my guide: Traveling from San Diego to Tijuana by Bicycle. Check out the craft beer scene. Look for Baja California when you read the State Department's most recent travel alert and decide for yourself whether you want to go. Where to Cross the US-Mexico Border 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. Today's Tijuana has a Mexican flair but is also distinctively different from cities further inland. Last updated: December 11, 2020 COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions across the U.S. You should always try to call your reliable taxi driver instead of hailing one on the streets. Everyone has their level of tolerance. Tourist locations are safe, although Rosarito is the main tourist destination there are lots of points of interest for tourist in Tijuana. Tijuana has had a bad reputation for years and was once considered among the most violent cities, not only in Mexico but in the World. 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. Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente (known as “Xolos”) is Tijuana’s professional soccer club. Tijuana, Mexico isn’t one of the top tourist destinations in the world. It took me two trips to realise that the best of Tijuana is ocean side. You can also drive or take a rideshare to the Pedwest Crossing. 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. Permanent Residents should bring their green cards and passports. Borders with Canada and Mexico The United States will temporarily limit inbound land border crossings from Canada and Mexico to “essential travel”. There haven't been any terrorist attacks in Tijuana's recent history, but they shouldn't be ruled out. 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. 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. You might look cute in it, but shopkeepers will notice and aren't likely to give you the best bargains. Tijuana Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Tijuana city guide for the best Tijuana travel tips. You may also be able to bring back medicines purchased for your personal use. You easily transport yourself further down into Mexico as you look for other things to do in Baja California and the surrounding region. This action does not prevent U.S. citizens from returning home. Work was so hectic, that Arce didn’t have time to pay his phone bill. Tag:traveling to tijuana; Baja California Mexico North America Trips. In the late 2000s, Tijuana was super-touristy. U.S. citizens traveling through Chihuahua should reconfirm accommodation availability and operating status with hotels ahead of time. How to Get From San Diego to Tijuana. Getting from San Diego to Tijuana is easy and cheap if you know the tricks. Just pay attention or take photos at your major turns and stops and you can retrace your steps to get back to the border. Traveling With A Dog To Mexico What People Need. Crossing the Border. Here's how to get there: To get back to the border from Avenida Revolucion on foot, just look for the big arch. Just in case, you should apply all possible precaution measures, wherever you're located in the city. It will be fun. If you take the San Diego Trolley to the border, use the San Ysidro crossing. Some businesses are conducting temperature checks. They offer lots of specialty tours that may include food tours, "Lucha Libre" Mexican wrestling, a brewery tour or an artists' tour. U.S. and Canadian citizens must present either a passport or a government-issued photo ID plus proof of citizenship. I get the Blue Line from City College in Downtown San Diego south to San Ysidro at the border. This easy day trip starts at the U.S./Mexico border and assumes that you will walk from there into town. Skip down to the list of things you didn't know you could do in Tijuana to find out more. 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. With Turista Libre, you'll get a look at the unique and fascinating place that Tijuana has become. Most San Diego visitors use the San Ysidro border crossing to Tijuana. Would you recommend this trip? 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. Tijuana-General Abelardo Rodriguez International Airport is only a few miles away from downtown Tijuana which makes it a very convenient entry point. Is Tijuana Safe to Travel Alone. 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. When the shopkeeper reaches a price close to what you want to pay, counter with your price and be firm. Our family of four has used the Cross Border Xpress (CBX) bridge and terminal several times now, and it makes traveling into Mexico a breeze. You can find so much merchandise in Tijuana: Leather goods, cigars, fine Mexican handicrafts,​ and cheap souvenirs. 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. Take the pedestrian bridge over the highway and get in the line. © 2021 Copyright by Travel Safe - Abroad. Tijuana Mexico Travel Guide: Everything you need to know. It’s true. These tips will help you have the most fun in Tijuana with the least trouble. The easiest way to get from San Diego to Tijuana is via tram (the San Diego Trolley). Don't wait until you're standing in Tijuana beset by confusion and choices to decide how you're going to get around. You can find parking lots on the U. S. side of the border from Tijuana. 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. Buy a giant sombrero, a colorful pinata, and take a few selfies. You can cross the border from San Diego to Tijuana by car or by foot, but be sure you have your passport with you. Keep expensive jewelry out of sight, too. 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 this is your first time traveling to Tijuana there are a few things you should know about for you to have the best experience. Would you recommend this trip? The rest of downtown is relatively safe, has good light, and has tons of policemen around. Tijuana: Walking across Take the Trolley (Blue Line) to the last U.S. stop at San Ysidro and walk across. Here are a few tips for getting across the border and back safely: 1). Check that the trolley is running late enough on the day you cross to return. Or if one of your companions likes to bargain, let them make your purchase for you. By using Tripsavvy, you accept our. For those traveling to Tijuana from San Diego the San Ysidro border is the most popular for people visiting Tijuana for the day. Pickpocketing and bag snatching is a very common issue in Tijuana, especially in public and crowded places like bus and train stations and airports. 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! Instead, look for the destination written on the front of the bus instead. As well as getting travel insurance you can get more advice regarding the current COVID situation and travel warnings in Mexico, here. 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