Jaunted

While the violence isn't targeted against tourists, it certainly makes it more difficult to sell Tijuana as a safe and fun weekend destination. Visits are down 90% from a high of 4.5 million in 2005, causing a variety of downtown businesses to close their doors until the violence can be brought under control. The sad irony of the situation is that the city had recently made great strides in elevating the downtown area to serve a classier set of tourists by sprucing up the main streets, clearing out many of the prostitutes and panhandlers, and getting some of the more obnoxious bars to turn down the volume a bit.

In our experience, tourist fears are usually overblown - and Mexican authorities seem intent on keeping a protective eye over the few visitors that still trickle in - so we'd be happy to drop by for a weekend of shopping, dining, and perhaps a tequila shot or two. Still, here's hoping peace returns to the area soon, because a reputation for tackiness sure beats a reputation for killings.

[Photo: signonsandiego.com]

Related Stories:
· Border Bloodshed Likely to Worsen, Experts Warn [signonsandiego.com]
· A Real Tijuana Hangover [LA Times]
· Mexican Police Find 9 Bodies Dumped in Tijuana [AP]
· Tijuana, You Have to Live It [Tijuana Tourism Board]
· Crime Coverage [Jaunted]