Tijuana, an Undeserved Bad Fame!

2011-01-01T20:20:00.000-08:00

When you mention the city's name to people -- even Mexicans -- who have not visited Tijuana, you get a lot of reactions, sometimes with smirk on the face, especially negative comments which most of them are unfounded.

The city has variety of options to offer to its visitors and inhabitants : Cecut is a cultural center which sponsors variety of multicultural events. So many high class restaurants with national and international dishes, mostly located in nice neighbourhoods which every time you see more and more are built. The older properties, sometimes close to ruins, are converted to nice malls or just street corner stores.

The pacific ocean coast is 10 minutes away from the center of the city. In half an hour you can get to the beach city of Rosarito where you can enjoy the beach and inexpensive seafood in lots of modest to high class restaurants with an excellent view of the ocean. Another hour drive will get you to Ensenada, a port city -- cruisers' stop -- with more amenities and much more options for fun, enjoyment, and of course seafood. There are all types of hotels with different budgets from the most modest to the luxury ones.

Lots of people come to Tijuana to receive dental and medical services, cosmetic surgery, obesity treatment. In general products and services cost much less.

2009 National Population Council (CONAPO) place the Tijuana metropolitan area at 5th largest in the country with 1,784,034 persons. There are lots of migrant workers from the central and southern Mexico who work in Maquiladoras (assembly plants). Since 2008, after the global economy recession, a lot of these workers who could not survive the economy downturn and downsizing of the plants returned to their homelands.

Everyday life in Tijuana is like anywhere else. Tijuanians have the same type of goals and dreams for themselves and their children like people anywhere else in the world. I say that because I have travelled extensively almost in all 5 continents.

A lot of major carmakers' agencies moved into the town because I am sure they have done their market research studies that the middle class is growing and their buying power is very significant. Big superstores like Walmart, Sam's club, Office Depot, ... have been in town and opening new branches. Major fast food restaurants are all over the town. If it weren't safe, these big multi-nationals would not have been here.

Security is an issue, but I won't touch it because you hear enough of it on the regular news media. Only I can add that there is a great deal of exaggerations.

travelog

Tijuana, an Undeserved Bad Fame!