No More Spinning Fear! Security Improvements in Baja Saturday April 19th, 2008
Security for tourists in Baja has dramatically increased and
we’re already seeing positive results. The cities of Tijuana,
Rosarito Beach and Ensenada hosted about 150,000 visitors for
spring break and there were no crimes reported against tourists!
During the last few weeks our staff has driven to Baja several
times and walked the streets of Rosarito and Ensenada. The
security is very noticeable and we all felt safe.
You may have seen and heard a lot about recent violence in Baja
involving tourists. Violence anywhere is tragic, but we believe
that the tragedy has been compounded by unbalanced media
coverage. Crime rates in Tijuana are no higher than Los Angeles,
yet the headlines keep focusing on Baja. The truth is that the
local, state and federal government of Baja has really ramped up
security and crimes against tourists have ceased.
Here are some examples:
The Baja State Secretary of Tourism has placed
additional security along the road between the San Ysidro
border crossing and the beginning of the toll road in
Tijuana.
Mexican Federal Police have increased patrols on the
toll road between Tijuana and Ensenada.
The federal Angeles Verdes tourist police have also
increased patrols on the toll road between Tijuana and
Ensenada.
Baja California State police are posted at exits,
on-ramps and toll plazas.
Rosarito Beach launched a new tourist police force.
Mexico’s military has been deployed to re-enforce
police.
As a thank you for your continued support, we’ve cancelled our
$5 late fee for online registration. You can
register online for just $35 until April 14. We have
Mexican auto insurance from
Baja Bound available online if
you plan to drive. We have round-trip bus transportation from
Outback Adventures available to
take you and your bike from San Diego to the event if you don’t
want to drive.
Hotels in Rosarito and Ensenada
have space available at reasonable rates, and we even have
weekend packages from
Baja California Tours complete
with round-trip transportation from San Diego and two nights
hotel in Ensenada included.
We do share your concerns, but we also feel safe traveling to
Baja. We’ll be heading down on April 19 and September 27 for the
Rosarito Ensenada bike rides, and we hope you will join us soon.
Passport Requirement No passport required. To return to the U.S. from
Mexico by land you need to prove your identity and your
citizenship. A passport is the best form of identification, but
if you don't have a passport, you can use a government-issued
photo ID (like your driver's license) and a copy of your birth
certificate.
Emergency Phone Numbers
Tourist Assistance: 078
Police: 066
American Consulate: 001-619-692-2154
Event Medical Staff: 001-619-284-7910
International Travel Safety Tips
Here is some common travel advice to enhance your safety when
traveling abroad.
Do...
Consider using a bus service to go round-trip from San Diego to
the event.
Be a humble guest and show respect to the other culture.
Speak the local language, or at least learn a few phrases.
Drive only during daylight hours.
Use major highways and avoid smaller roads wherever possible.
Caravan while driving (watch for California license plates and
drive together).
Follow driving laws (stop at stop signs and don’t exceed posted
speed limits).
Hide valuables in your luggage or vehicle trunk before arriving.
Use hotel safe for storage of valuables.
Stay on main streets, in well populated and well lit areas.
Carry passport, credit cards and cash in several places, not
together.
Travel light so you can move quickly and have free hands.
Don’t...
Don’t drive like everyone else (follow the laws, even if other
drivers around you are not).
Don’t speed (speed limits are posted in kilometers/hour and are
enforced with radar).
Don’t be loud, crude or disrespectful.
Don’t display affluence with jewelry, technology, vehicles, or
clothing.
Don’t be in places that are unpopulated or dark.
Don’t leave belongings unattended.
Don’t drink in public (drinking is illegal on sidewalks, city
streets and beaches).
Don’t drink and drive.
Bring...
Bring your passport or ID.
Bring a photocopy of your passport or ID and your itinerary and
carry them separately from the originals.
Bring 2 credit cards and minimal cash (event and fiesta are cash
only).
Bring in their original, labeled containers prescription
medicines, sunscreen, lip balm, antibiotic, 5 band aids, pain
reliever, antacid, and decongestant.
Bring a copy of emergency contact info, including the Emergency
Phone Numbers listed above and your friends and family back
home.
Leave behind with family or friends...
Leave a copy of your itinerary and phone number of hotel.
Leave a copy of your passport (or photo ID and birth
certificate).
Leave the account numbers of the credit cards you are traveling
with and the phone numbers to call in case they are lost or
stolen.
