Tijuana gets a bad rap, but here’s the thing: most of it is actually pretty safe if you know where you’re going. The problem is that certain areas can turn your trip from fun to frightening in a matter of blocks.
I’ve spent years visiting this border city, and I’ve learned something important. The difference between a great time and a terrible experience often comes down to staying aware of your surroundings. Some neighborhoods look sketchy because they are sketchy, while others just need a little local knowledge to enjoy safely.
What you’re about to read isn’t meant to scare you away from Tijuana entirely. Instead, think of this as your street-smart guide to keeping yourself out of trouble while still experiencing everything this energetic city has to offer.
Places to Avoid in Tijuana
Knowing which areas to steer clear of can make all the difference between coming home with amazing stories or cautionary tales. Here are the spots where you’ll want to keep your distance, along with what makes them risky and how to stay safe if you accidentally wander too close.
1. Zona Norte After Dark
This red-light district sits right in the heart of downtown, stretching along Coahuila Street and the surrounding blocks. During daylight hours, it’s mostly quiet, but once the sun sets, this area transforms into something completely different.
You’ll find street workers, aggressive touts, and people looking to take advantage of tourists who’ve had too much to drink. Drug dealing happens openly here, and theft is common. The police presence is minimal, which means if something goes wrong, you’re pretty much on your own.
What makes this area particularly tricky is that it’s close to some popular tourist spots. You might be walking from Avenida Revolución and suddenly find yourself in the wrong neighborhood without realizing it. The buildings get seedier, the lighting gets dimmer, and the people on the street start giving you looks that make your stomach drop.
If you must pass through this area, do it before sunset and stay on the main streets. Don’t make eye contact with anyone trying to pull you into bars or clubs. Keep your phone in your pocket, your wallet secure, and move with purpose like you know exactly where you’re going.
2. Sánchez Taboada Neighborhood
Located in the eastern part of the city, this residential area has consistently high crime rates that make even locals nervous. Gang activity runs deep here, and territorial disputes can turn violent without warning.
The streets are poorly lit, there’s little commercial activity to draw crowds, and honestly, there’s no good reason for tourists to be here anyway. This isn’t a neighborhood you stumble into by accident while sightseeing. You’d have to actively travel there, which you absolutely shouldn’t.
Carjackings happen frequently in this zone, especially at night. Armed robberies target both pedestrians and drivers stopped at intersections. The local authorities have increased patrols, but the area remains one of the most dangerous in the city.
Your GPS might try to route you through here if you’re driving to certain parts of Tijuana. Override it. Take the longer route along major highways instead, even if it adds fifteen minutes to your trip.
3. The Canal Zone (El Bordo)
This area runs along the Tijuana River canal and has become notorious for its large homeless population and open drug use. Walking through here feels like stepping into a different reality, one that’s both heartbreaking and dangerous.
Makeshift shelters line the canal banks, and you’ll see people openly using substances in broad daylight. While many people here are struggling with addiction and homelessness rather than looking to cause harm, the desperation in this area creates unpredictable situations.
Assaults do happen, particularly when people are under the influence or experiencing withdrawal. There’s also a serious health risk from unsanitary conditions, contaminated water, and discarded needles scattered throughout the area.
Some humanitarian organizations work in this zone, but they go in organized groups with safety protocols. If you want to help, donate to these organizations instead of venturing out on your own. There’s compassion, and then there’s putting yourself in unnecessary danger.
4. East Tijuana Industrial Areas
The industrial zones on the eastern edges of the city might seem harmless during business hours, but they become isolated and dangerous once workers go home. These sprawling areas full of factories and warehouses turn into ghost towns after 6 PM.
Street lighting is minimal because these areas weren’t designed for foot traffic. The isolation makes them perfect spots for criminal activity, from drug deals to armed robberies. There are few witnesses, no cameras, and help is far away.
I once made the mistake of trying to cut through an industrial area to save time getting to my hotel. Within ten minutes, I realized I hadn’t seen another car in five minutes. Every instinct told me I was in the wrong place. I turned around immediately.
Unless you’re specifically visiting a factory or business in these areas during working hours, stay away. Stick to residential or commercial zones where there are people around and businesses open.
5. Playas de Tijuana at Night
During the day, this beach area attracts families and offers beautiful ocean views. But nighttime completely changes the character of this neighborhood, especially the more isolated sections of the beach.
The boardwalk areas near restaurants and the bullring remain relatively safe with good lighting and foot traffic. But venture away from these spots onto the darker stretches of beach, and you’re asking for trouble. Muggings targeting lone walkers happen regularly.
Groups of young people sometimes gather here to drink and use drugs, and confrontations can escalate quickly. The sound of the waves masks everything, so even if you called for help, nobody would hear you. The police patrol sporadically, but response times can be slow.
If you want to enjoy the beach atmosphere, stick to the populated areas near Plaza Coronado or the area by the bullring. Go with friends, stay where there are lights and other people, and head back to your accommodation before it gets too late.
6. Street Taxis in Sketchy Areas
This isn’t a physical location, but it’s absolutely something to avoid. Those white and yellow taxis that aren’t affiliated with official taxi stands or apps can be seriously dangerous, especially in already questionable neighborhoods.
Unlicensed taxi drivers have been known to work with accomplices to rob passengers. The scheme usually works like this: you get in, they drive you somewhere isolated, and suddenly, there are more people involved. Sometimes they’ll drive you to an ATM and force you to withdraw money.
One reliable report from 2023 documented over 200 incidents of taxi-related crimes in Tijuana, with tourists being prime targets. The actual number is probably higher since many people don’t report these crimes.
Use Uber or official taxi stands at hotels and the airport. Yes, it costs a bit more, but your safety is worth every extra peso. Download the Uber app before you arrive, and make sure your phone is charged.
7. Unauthorized Border Crossing Points
The official border crossings at San Ysidro and Otay Mesa are well-lit, monitored, and safe. But there are other areas along the border fence where people attempt unauthorized crossings, and these zones are absolutely off-limits for your safety.
These areas attract human smugglers, border patrol agents, and desperate people trying to cross. The combination creates an environment that’s tense and potentially violent. You might think you’re just exploring near the border, but you could stumble into an active smuggling operation.
Both Mexican and U.S. authorities take border security seriously. If you’re seen hanging around these areas without a good reason, you’ll attract unwanted attention from law enforcement on both sides. That’s a headache you don’t need.
There’s no legitimate reason to be near the border except at official crossing points. If you’re curious about the border fence or want photos, there are safe viewpoints in areas like Friendship Park where you can see it without putting yourself at risk.
8. La Mesa Penitentiary Surrounding Area
This state prison sits in the eastern part of the city, and the neighborhoods immediately surrounding it have serious crime problems. Family members of inmates often congregate here, and gang activity spills over from inside the prison walls.
The area experiences frequent shootings related to gang conflicts. Drug trafficking operations run through these streets, and territorial disputes can turn deadly. Innocent bystanders sometimes get caught in crossfire.
There are no tourist attractions here, no great restaurants, no reason whatsoever for visitors to be in this zone. Even delivery drivers are cautious about coming here after dark.
Your hotel or Airbnb should be nowhere near this area. Check the location before booking. If you somehow end up here by accident, turn around immediately and leave the way you came.
9. Certain Parts of Downtown After 2 AM
Downtown Tijuana, along Avenida Revolución is fun and relatively safe until the bars close. But once it hits 2 AM or 3 AM, the character of the street shifts dramatically as drunk people stumble around and predators look for easy targets.
The legitimate businesses close up, but the people hanging around often have less innocent intentions. Pickpockets work the remaining crowds, scammers try to lure intoxicated tourists into scams, and violent robberies increase as the night wears on.
Police presence actually decreases during these late hours, which seems backwards, but that’s how it works. The officers know most tourists have gone home, so they reduce patrols.
If you’re out enjoying the nightlife, set yourself a curfew of 1 AM at the absolute latest. Have your ride arranged before you leave the bar or club. Don’t walk back to your hotel alone, even if it’s only a few blocks. The money you save by walking isn’t worth the risk.
10. Unlicensed Money Exchange Shops
Again, not exactly a place, but these informal money changers set up in sketchy areas and specifically target tourists who don’t know better. You’ll spot them by their handwritten signs and too-good-to-be-true exchange rates.
The scam works in different ways. Sometimes they’ll count out your pesos quickly while sleight-of-hand removes some bills. Other times, they’ll give you counterfeit currency that you won’t notice until you try to spend it later. Some even work with accomplices who rob you after seeing how much cash you just exchanged.
The legitimate money exchange businesses (casas de cambio) are licensed, have proper storefronts, and offer rates that are competitive but not suspiciously high. They’re mostly located on main streets in safe areas.
Stick to official exchange places, use ATMs inside banks or hotels, or simply use a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. The tiny bit extra you might pay in fees is nothing compared to losing all your cash to a scam.
Wrapping Up
Tijuana offers incredible food, exciting nightlife, and genuine cultural experiences that make it worth visiting despite these risks. The key is staying smart about where you go and when.
Most of your trip will happen in safe, tourist-friendly areas like Zona Río, the good parts of downtown, and the restaurant districts. Stay in those zones, trust your instincts when something feels off, and you’ll have an amazing time.
Keep this guide handy, share it with anyone traveling with you, and remember that awareness is your best defense against trouble in any unfamiliar city.
