In everything good there is also something bad and therefore I wanted to say a word on crime because this is such a huge topic when traveling into Mexico and Central America. My opinion (and experience) is that there is less crime in Mexico and Central America than in North America, which is also statistically proven. However, travelers are popular targets because they stand out and usually have something worth stealing. Thus the odds substantially increase because you, most likely, are a more desirable target to the criminal than the local farmer that earns in a year what you earn in a month.

They usually break into your car or hotel room when you are not around. Hence, park in safe places, stay in hotels that have locks on the doors and windows and think defensively when in large cities, (i.e. don’t carry your wallet in your back pocket). There is more about crime in the Guide, but you get the idea.

Updated 2009 Whats going on?

One of the biggest questions on travelers minds these days  is safety. In the last six months both USA and international news agencies have reported many violent attacts, in the areas of Tiajuana, Rosarito Beach and Ensenada between drug cartels and police with the public being in the crossfire. In addition, traveler's have been carjacked, mostly in the San Felipe area and the route between Tj and Rosearito, and armed robberies have been directed at campers and surfers, the most noted in Cuarto Casas and Colonet.

(Note: In the last 50 years there has never been a tourist kidnapp in Baja!)

What is the governments response?

The Northern Baja State Police, and the Green Angels have increased patrols between TJ and Esenada and areas near the boarder crossing. Rosarito has a new tourist police force to help. The emergcy number in Baja is (066) but (911) can be used too. State police in the Tj. Rosearito and Ensenada area now have english speaking officers to help you.

Travel recommendations:
 

• DO NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT!
• DO NOT CAMP IN OPEN AREAS!
• DO NOT STOP FOR ANYONE SUSPICIOUS!

Surfers and beach visiters must leave all valuables at the hotel or in your locked car that you park in a secure area---which usually means that someone is watching it. When on route do not stop in a remote area for any unmarked cars with flashing red lights. Police cars are clearly marked "Policia" or "Federal" on the side of car. This will eleminate the chance of a car jacking.  Use major towns  as your stop for fish tacos, food, gas and stocking up on the stuff for your long travel days.

Other travel info:

Good times to cross over the border into the United States are between the hours of 1:30pm to 3:00pm and 11:00pm to Midnight. Plan to be over the line before Midnight because stations begin to close at this time and the line starts backing up. Very bad times to cross is in the Morning between 1am through 10am. And Sundays and Saturdays during the Evenings.

Car travel going into Mexico has no waiting, except on Friday evenings so schedule extra time. On average it takes about one hour, to re-ener into the United States. Make sure you have all your USA documents in order because every car and person is checked! (Starting Feburary 1st, all US Citizens will need a passport or proof of passport application or birth certificate to drive back into the US. On January 1st 2009 only passports will be accepted) Walking into the the US can take up to 30 miniutes or less and can be much faster than a drive across!

The PAY roads in Mexico are very good and you may see random check points along with the regular check points for drugs and guns. There is usually Federal Police just between near border towns and larger cities, control your speed through these areas.

Last update : 17-02-2009 07:08

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