Despite the stories that have been infiltrating U.S. media, Baja is generally a safe place to travel. It is statistically safer than many cities in the U.S. Most of the violence that you hear about in Mexico is related to narcotics trafficking and takes place in border towns. It is important to remember that you’re a visitor in a foreign country though so we recommend taking the following precautions:
- Don’t make yourself a target – flashy electronics, expensive jewelry and irreplaceable items are best left at home. Remove extra credit cards, your social security card and other unnecessary items from your wallet before you go to Mexico.
- Do your driving during daylight hours
- As a general rule, anything that is illegal in the U.S. is illegal in Mexico
- Don’t drink and drive
- It is illegal to drink on the streets or in your car in Mexico.
- Do not do or take drugs to Mexico. You will go to jail.
- Guns and ammunition are not allowed in Mexico.
- Make three copies of your passport, driver’s license, Mexican insurance policy and vehicle registration. Keep one set of copies in your vehicle, one set in your wallet or luggage and one set with a friend or family member at home.
- It’s also a good idea to make copies of any credit cards that you take with you so that you can easily call to cancel them if they are lost or stolen. Leave one copy with a friend or family member at home and have one copy in your wallet or luggage.
- Carrying extra passport photos with you is always a good idea when traveling. If your passport is lost or stolen, you will need a new passport photo in order to get a replacement passport and it can often be difficult to find a place that processes passport photos in another country.
- Register with your country’s consulate before you go. U.S. citizens should register with The Department of State
- Water is safe to drink at the large resorts, hotels and restaurants in the major cities. If you are outside a major city, ask for bottled water or just stick with cerveza.
If you dial 078 in Baja from any public, private or cell phone it will direct you to the tourist assistance hotline. Their bilingual staff can help you out with anything from emergency response to general travel information.
911 will get you emergency services.
U.S. Consulates in Mexico:
Tijuana:
Paseo de las Culturas s/n
Mesa de Otay
Delegación Centenario C.P. 22425
Tijuana, Baja California
664-977-2000
After-hour emergency hotline: 001-619-692-2154
Los Cabos:
Tiendas de Palmilla
Carretera Transpeninsular Km 27.5
Local B221
San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23406:
Telephone: (624) 143-3566
Fax: (624) 143-6750