Tijuana for tourists?
February 28th, 2008 by Treena ShapiroWhile I was wondering aloud whether it’s worth $200+ to get the kids passports for a couple hours in Tijuana, my editor mentioned he’d just read an article about how tourism in the once popular destination has dropped 90 percent because of gang violence.
I found Richard Marosi’s article in the Los Angeles Times and am now thinking my decision probably shouldn’t be based on passport fees.
Living in Hawaii, I’m used to hearing about revitalization efforts and attempts to clear unsavory elements out of targeted areas. At first, the article reminded me of a VERY extreme version of the Waikiki makeover:
The tourism collapse is especially sad, many merchants and tourists say, because people may not be aware that recent beautification projects and police crackdowns have left the area safer and spiffier than it has been in years.
Tree-lined promenades feature repaved sidewalks and roadways. Police sweeps have cleared out the drug addicts. Gone too are most of the beggars and hookers. At the balcony bars, club owners have turned down the ear-splitting volume.
Many stores showcase high-quality products: silver from Taxco, Talavera pottery from Michoacan, handcrafted stained-glass and leather products. The Cuban cigars at the business association-approved stores are authentic, and tourists can get custom-made furniture and pinatas at the historic arts and crafts market.
Sounds pretty nice, huh?
I was thinking that the merchants could use some support until I got a few paragraphs further in:
Since Jan. 1, more than 50 people have been killed across the city, some in wild shootouts that terrified bystanders. Last month, police discovered an organized-crime hide-out near downtown that they said included a training center for hit men complete with a soundproofed basement shooting range.
Recently, the upscale restaurant Hacienda Cien Años, which once drew tourists, was identified by U.S. authorities as a front for money laundering.
Downtown has been flooded with police and has been largely free of the violence. No bystanders have been killed in the shootouts. A crackdown on corrupt transit cops has resulted in fewer reports of extortion, and merchants immediately report officers who stop tourists without reason, according to police.
That’s not very comforting.
Since my son had come up with the Mexico idea, I wasn’t looking forward to trying to talk him out of it, but I didn’t have to.
He read over my shoulder for a bit, then settled the issue:
“You didn’t already pay to go to Mexico, did you?” he asked.
When I said I hadn’t, he made it simple: “Don’t.”
Phew.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:57 am
Went to Tijuana a couple of times in the 60’s when drugs were a major problem and border officers were cracking down on hippies and drug dealers going through for dope. Having long hair myself, it was scary while border guards were giving me suspicious looks and checking my id. It didn’t appear to be dangerous in Tijuana but then I stayed in the main tourist part of town. If you really want to visit Mexico, may I suggest Mexico City instead of the sleazy border towns. My wife’s Mexican friend speaks highly of her home city and goes back regularly to visit.
February 28th, 2008 at 7:38 am
even if your son didn’t readily agree after reading that article it would’ve been a BIG hands down, no way, jose!! never been to mexico and honestly never really had any desire to go. i don’t see the appeal like others do!! check out the Wassap Wit Dat blog…he just went to San Fran…maybe you folks could consider that location? looks so much nicer, yummy foods, and no passport fees!
February 28th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Haha. At quick glance I thought you wrote “Marijuana for tourist”. Lol. Where was my mind? Yah, forget Mexico, that’s not a place I would call a “family destination”. Wasn’t that kid who stabbed someone yesterday on the outer islands being sent back to Mexico? I think you’ll be better off taking them to Canada and going skiing or maybe even the national parks. Watch more Travel channel for ideas. Samantha Brown goes to some good safe places.
February 28th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Tijuana is not really a representation of Mexico. But it is like any other country, there are areas you wanna stay away from and areas that would be wonderful to visit. I guess it would take more research on your part.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Oops. I should have clarified that Tijuana wasn’t going to be the primary destination. We’re going to San Diego to see koalas and giant pandas, and my son suggested a side trip into Mexico since we’d be nearby.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:11 am
OOOHHHH…you guys gotta make a stop at LegoLand!! we took a family trip to Anaheim about a year and a half ago…we went down to SeaWorld and LegoLand…out of the three (of course Disney was the main attraction!) LegoLand was BY FAR the best day!! by kids and adults!! it’s super close to san diego too…closer than it was to anaheim at least!! awwww man…i need to go on a trip!
February 28th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Awww…if you were in the OC area, you could visit me!! I wouldn’t be much of a hostess though, I’m ready to pop!
February 28th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Ah, the element of danger. It makes for a great travel experience. To experience the life of people in countries less fortunate than yours is a wonderful experience that travel offers us. It is an experience that will not only make us stronger people, but better people. Happy travels!
February 28th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Tree . . . if I were to offer some advice?
Just stay in San Diego.
With all the volatility resulting from the whole immigration issue’s blossoming nowadays (and I’m not pointing fingers at anyboty), Tijuana, the border, that’s just not the place to be.
Just being honest here. You can’t pay me enough to go there unless it was in the millions and I had armed bodyguards with me.
February 28th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Someone just suggested visiting Old Town in San Diego as a kid-friendlier alternative:
http://www.oldtownsandiegoguide.com/Guide_07.html
I’m adding that to the itinerary.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
san diego is cool, they have the drive thru safari zoo, and stuff. lots of family activities over there..
February 29th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Thanks for everyone’s advice!
Annie, how close are you now? We’re going to get to see photos, right?
February 29th, 2008 at 8:51 am
i have been to tijuana couple of times in late 2005, to experience the ultimate mens night out. i was told that a couple of weeks prior to my “outing” there were a shootout among cops. COPS! my friend told me that there are a lot of corruption within the police department and government. they claim that its been cleaned up, i dont think so. during my time there we went to numerous bars and gentlemens clubs and while viewing the city, it was like living the real resident evil movie. the zombies were the beggers. the roads where dirt like structures, but it looked like the city was doing something about it but it looked like they stopped. the heavy machinery was old rusty with vines growing on them, some with flat tires. it was pretty terrible. as for the gentlemens clubs, thats a different story. some of the best clubs and bars ive been to is in tijuana. but as a tourist destination? negative! its good for a short stop with some guy friends. tijuana is to mexico what wainae is to oahu!
oh and as for clubs if anyone goes there, may i recommend club “lord Black”. just ask one of the millions of taxi drivers waiting at the san diego border crossing. all of them know where it is. it is the nicest and cleanest establishment in tijuana. no guy will be disappointed.
February 29th, 2008 at 8:53 am
lol… tijuana is to mexico what wainae is to oahu
thats funny and such a great comparison!
February 29th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Well, Donkey Show, you are free to go to Tijuana if you want. My advice was to Tree (please, please read); the heck I give a Tijuana about what YOU do.
What the heck’s with the tap water reference? I never mentioned it.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Oh my, making this comment makes me feel like such a MOM!!!
Donkey Show: Please play nice! I had to remove your second comment because of inappropriate language.
Chicken Grease: (see above if you’re wondering why your blockquote is missing) No worries about us trying to cross the border. When we go to Mexico someday, we’ll pick a better destination.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Tree: I’m due in 2 weeks…yes, i’ll post pictures.
February 29th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I mean, shootouts between the police members? I rest my case, heh.