Enjoying Safe Travel in Baja
Is Baja and Mexico in general safe to travel to?
I would like to tell you traveling to Baja and Mexico in general is very dangerous as the U.S and International press like to say. Only because of the old Eagles song that says “call it paradise and it won’t be”; but the truth is even with the reported violence in Tijuana, Rosarito Beach and other areas of Mexico it IS Safe to travel and live here
Yes many of the reports of drug cartel shootings and kidnappings of Mexicans is true but considering the populations and statistics you are not in any more danger than cities of similar populations in the United states. Also the fact is that these events in most cases are not in tourist areas or even concern tourist at all. See this letter from the mayor of Rosarito Beach.
We do recommend that if driving in Mexico you do so in the daylight hours and obtain driving in Mexico insurance. The areas in Baja (Norte) that have been problem areas such as Tijuana and Rosarito Beach are because the Mexican Government is fighting back to regain control and clean out the drug cartels. Obviously the cartels are not happy with this and have retaliated with some serious violence.
The best way to drive down is get across the border and pass on a visit to Tijuana and go to Rosarito Beach, Tecate or look for Ensenada accommodations if you are traveling late in the afternoon. You can then start early in the morning and drive south in the daylight areas to wherever you like without any serious problems. Once you are south of the town El Rosario you are really in “The Baja” and the people from there and southward are very friendly and helpful. One other bit of advice is to stay near populated areas or camp with others. Last year there were a few incidents in the northern Baja areas where surfers camp by themselves to avoid crowds but then they were robbed of their goods and threatened. By traveling or staying in groups really lowers any dangers that might possibly exist.
Please note that we receive many road reports from people that have recently driven down or up the transpeninsular highway 1 without any problems at all. I have had many calls and emails asking whether it is safe to drive down and I tell them as long as you are driving during daylight and have obtain specific driving in Mexico insurance you should not have any problems.
Yes there are many of us that live here year round that would love to keep Baja for ourselves but the facts are you are NOT in as great of danger in Mexico as a tourist; as many people would like to have you believe. Especially if you are flying down to areas like Loreto, La Paz or the Los Cabos region there have been very few incidents over the years of violence. Yes there is the local policeman looking for Mordida (known “as a bite “or a bribe) but even that seems to have tapered off with the additional Federal troops and police that have been brought in to ensure the Mexico tourist’s safety.
Again, understand I’m not saying that has not been serious problems here in Baja and Mexico but the overall safety is not as grave as the U.S. Press likes to make it out. The Mexican government has been working very hard to clean up the corruption and fight back against the cartels that are really fighting amongst themselves.
So, when you are ready to plan a trip out of the oncoming cold of North America or other areas just keep in mind that sticking to the tourist areas and not buying or using illegal drugs you really have little chance of any problems at all. If you do be sure to contact the police and or us and make a report so that we can advise others as to what truly happened without a lot of sensationalism.