Is Tijuana safe to visit right now? (September 2026)

Travel advisories for Mexico

What the advice says

• The US State Department places Mexico at Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, and this rating is set at the country level, not specifically for Tijuana.
• UK travel advice warns that street crime and pickpocketing are common in major Mexican cities and tourist areas, including on public transport, so limiting the cash and cards you carry is worth doing.
• Care is advised when using ATMs, since criminals have targeted people at cash machines and exchange offices; using ATMs in daylight and inside shops or malls is recommended.
• Short-term opportunistic kidnapping, sometimes called express kidnapping, can happen in urban areas, and travelers are advised to stay alert and avoid higher-risk areas at night.
• Drink and food spiking has been reported, including cases linked to tainted alcohol and methanol poisoning, so it is safer not to leave food or drinks unattended in bars and restaurants.
• Some individuals have posed as police officers to demand money from travelers; genuine requests for a fine should be met by asking for identification and a payable-later citation rather than handing over cash on the spot.
• Sexual offenses have been reported in tourist areas, including near hotels, so extra caution after dark is worthwhile, as it would be for any solo traveler in an unfamiliar city.