Is Rosarito safe? (2024)

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Rosarito is a beach town along the Pacific Coast of Mexico about 25 minutes south of the U.S. border. A popular getaway from Southern California, Rosarito offers awesome water activities like surfing 🏄🏽‍♀️ kayaking 🛶 and snorkeling 🤿 and also has great restaurants. But because the town also has seen an increase in crime in recent years, many travelers wonder whether Rosarito is safe to visit. 

If you are also wondering about safety in Rosarito, you’ve landed on the right page. I traveled to Rosarito several times from San Diego ☀️ and will give you my take on safety in this popular destination.

Is Rosarito safe?

Rosarito is relatively safe for an average traveler, as long as you stay around popular tourist spots. But as anywhere else in Mexico, staying safe in Rosarito requires taking some precautions. Rosarito is a great place to be, and as long as you follow common sense, you should stay out of trouble. 

✅ Read: Is Baja California safe?

Where’s Rosarito?

Rosarito Beach is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of the U.S.-Mexico border and is part of the municipality of Playas de Rosarito in the state of Baja California.

Map of Rosarito, Mexico

Is Baja California safe? 

The Baja California Peninsula is a huge geographical area that consists of two states: Baja California and Baja California Sur. Traveling around Baja is generally safe, and many visitors from the U.S. and Canada come here to do a road trip.

While Baja is considered one of the safest places to visit in Mexico, visiting it requires some precautions, as the region is known for its remote areas, long distances, and lack of amenities in some parts of the peninsula. When you travel around Baja, you could also see your cell phone signal disappear entirely in some places, which could be a problem if you need help while on the road.

What does the U.S. State Department about safety in Baja? 

The U.S. State Department, which provides information about safety in different countries, has separate classifications for Baja California (also known as Baja Norte) and Baja California Sur. 

The agency has four different classifications for all of Mexico’s 32 states that range from “do not travel to” to “exercise normal precautions.”

It advises visitors to reconsider travel to Baja California due to crime and kidnapping thanks to Tijuana playing a big role in the overall statistic. 

Crime in Baja California

According to the information on the U.S. State Department website, criminal organizations compete in the border area to establish narco-trafficking and human smuggling routes with violent crime and gang activity being common. Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote places.

Baja California Sur, home to the popular resort Cabo San Lucas, enjoys a better rating, with the State Department advising travelers to exercise increased caution due to crime. 

📍Check: Best things to do in Bahia de Los Angeles

Is Rosarito Beach safe?

Rosarito Beach is perfectly safe during the day, as there are plenty of beachgoers and vendors. If you are going to surf or swim, don’t leave your belongings unattended, and always check the current conditions, to make sure that it’s safe to get in the water. 

However, it’s best to avoid Rosarito Beach at night for safety reasons, especially in remote areas away from hotels and restaurants where crime is more likely to happen. 

📍Check: Is Tecate safe?

What is crime like in Rosarito? 

Crime in Rosarito has decreased over 2023, according to the head of Rosarito’s head of public safety, Francisco Javier Arellano. According to the data, Rosarito saw 117 murders in 2022 and 37 in the first eight months of 2022. 

Other types of crime like car theft, robberies, and carjackings are also down as of 2023, according to the government data.

What is the most common type of crime in Rosarito?

According to Numbeo, crime has been increasing in Rosarito over the last 3 years, with the most prevalent types of crime being corruption, bribery, vandalism, and theft. 

Is Rosarito safer than Tijuana?

While Rosarito is statistically safer than Tijuana, it still has higher than average crime rate, which is why travelers should exercise increased caution.

Rosarito safety tips: 

1. Stay around popular tourist spots

You will significantly increase your chances of staying safe if you stick to popular tourist areas and avoid remote parts of town.

2. Don’t flash your wealth

When walking around Rosarito, dress in simple clothes and avoid any displays of wealth. Flashy clothing expensive jewelry and camera gear could attract the attention of the wrong people. 

3. Avoid the beach after dark

Most people come to Rosarito to enjoy the beach, but it’s best to avoid the beach after dark, especially as a foreign tourist.

4. Don’t do drugs

Rosarito is a popular tourist destination, and while police try to keep it safe, unfortunately, there’s a drug cartel presence here. If you go to popular bars in Ensenada, you might come across people selling drugs. If you get offered drugs, all you need to say is a polite no and walk away. 

5. Drink only bottled water

Tap water in Rosarito is not suitable for drinking, as everywhere else in Mexico. Always buy bottled water or refill your water bottle at your hotel, if it offers clean filtered water. 

6. Learn some Spanish

Speaking Spanish could be a huge game changer when traveling around Baja, as not everyone here speaks English.

While you should be able to get away with speaking English in tourist areas of Rosarito, you will have a better awareness of what’s going on around you if can speak at least some Spanish.

7. Don’t divulge your travel plans to strangers

Mexican people are very welcoming and friendly, but you should be careful about sharing your personal information with someone you don’t know.

If you are talking to someone for the first time, and they are asking about your travel plans, you can just give them a basic overview without going too much into detail about where you are headed and what you plan on doing.

8. Don’t drive at night

Driving at night in Baja is possible, but not recommended, as there are very limited amenities and scarce cell phone service. Rural parts of Baja also have an issue with cattles roaming on the roads, which could lead to an accident when you drive at night in the dark.

9. Stay on main highways

Stick to main highways, as they are well-maintained and have better security.

10. Never leave your food and drinks unattended

Rosarito has plenty of great restaurants and bars. Always make sure to finish your food and drinks and never leave them unattended. 

Get insurance for your trip to Rosarito

Getting insurance for your trip to Rosarito is an excellent idea, as it will protect you in the event of accidents, hospital visits, and anything else that might disrupt your travel plans. Safety Wing offers several insurance plans that are suitable for different types of travelers.

Getting a Mexico car insurance for your trip to Rosarito

If you are driving to Rosarito from the United States, be aware that American car insurance is NOT valid in Mexico. To drive in Mexico, you will need to buy Mexican car insurance that will protect you in case of accidents or any damage that could occur to your car while you are in this country. 

Where can I buy Mexico car insurance?

If you renting a car for your trip to Rosarito, you can buy Mexican car insurance through your car rental company. DiscoverCars offers Mexican car rental insurance that you can add to the price of your car when you pay online.

But if you are driving your own vehicle across the board, you need to buy it online or once you get to Mexico.

What if I get pulled over by police while driving in Rosarito?

If you get pulled over while driving in Baja California, keep calm, have your documents ready, and answer the questions that you get. I’ve never had problems with police in Mexico, but I heard stories from other travelers about police asking extorting money from foreigners in exchange for dismissing a citation.

While bribing a police officer could seem like an easy way to get out of paying a fine, it’s best to accept your citation and pay it online. This will help you to avoid trouble and get yourself out of a sketchy situation. 

Remember to stay polite and calm, as getting nervois or acting angry could make the situation worse.

Register for the STEP program 

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling to Rosarito, consider enrolling in STEP, The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, a free service that allows U.S. citizens abroad to register their trip with the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Here are some of the benefits of enrolling in the STEP program ahead of your trip:

• Get updates from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination.
• Stay in contact with the U.S. Embassy in case of an emergency whether it’s a natural disaster, political unrest, or anything else.
• Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.

How to get to Rosarito?

To get to Rosarito, you first need to travel to Mexico. Most travelers cross the U.S.-Mexico border, but you can also fly to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) ✈️ which has domestic flights from many destinations in Mexico and some charter flights from the United States. 

📍BOOK YOUR FLIGHT TO TIJUANA

When you get to Tijuana, you will need to rent a car or get on a bus to Rosarito. If you want to enjoy some of the best places in the area, visit beaches, and have more freedom, I recommend renting a car in Tijuana 🚘

Renting a car for your trip to Rosarito

I recommend (and use) DiscoverCars, one of the most popular platforms for renting cars online, where you can find dozens of vehicles at competitive rates.

Why rent a car with DiscoverCars 

DiscoverCars is one of the best platforms for renting cars and you can choose from dozens of available vehicles. 

All you need to do is type in your travel dates and specify the type of vehicle that you are looking for, and the platform will do all the work for you showing you all the available options. 

One of the best things about booking your vehicle with DiscoverCars is that you can also buy your Mexican car insurance with them which is required to drive a car in the country. 

✅ RENT A CAR FOR YOUR BAJA ROAD TRIP 🚗

Is it safe to drive to Rosarito from San Diego?

The highway from San Diego to Rosarito offers some of the most scenic views in Mexico as it takes you south on Interstate-5 along the coast. Part of the federal highway, this is a busy and secure road, with plenty of traffic and police presence.

You also need to pay a cash fee of 48 Pesos💰per person, when you pass a toll before you arrive to Rosarito. 

San Diego to Rosarito shuttle 

If you are on a budget, you can also take a shuttle from San Diego to Rosarito. Five Star Tours operates a weekly shuttle that takes you to Rosarito Beach at the Festival Plaza Hotel. The shuttle costs $24.00 one way, with the round-trip costing $39. 

Hotels in Rosarito 

✅ Vista Hermosa Resort and Spa – Located 10 minutes south of Rosarito, Vista Hermosa Resort and Spa has a spa, an outdoor swimming pool, and a gym. Some rooms have ocean views, and the property also has an airport shuttle and free on-site parking. 

✅ Rosarito Beach Hotel – Located in the middle of Playas de Rosarito, is one of the best places to stay as you can learn a bit of history here. Once a popular spot with Hollywood actors, today it’s one of the best historic buildings in Rosarito, as well as a popular resort that boasts superb oceanfront views, on-site restaurants, an outdoor swimming pool, and private parking. 

✅ Las Rocas Resort and Spa – A gorgeous beachfront hotel, Las Rocas has a spa, a gorgeous pool, and a small beach. If you are looking for a tranquil stay while visiting Rosarito, book your stay at this beach. 

👉 FIND MORE HOTELS IN ROSARITO

Safety in Rosarito: FAQ’s 

Is Rosarito safe at night?

Rosarito is more safe during the day than at night, and it’s best to finish your activities by the time it gets dark. if you are out late, take a taxi back to your hotel, or take a taxi. It will be more expensive, but you will be safer than trying to walk back to your place. 

Is Rosarito safe to live in?

Although Rosarito is not crime-free, it’s overall a good place to live, as it has many beaches, affordable housing, and plenty of restaurants and things to do. It’s also within a quick drive from the U.S.-Mexico border and Tijuana International Airport, which means you are well-connected if you live here.

Why is Rosarito so popular?

Rosarito boasts beautiful sandy beaches along the Pacific Ocean, it has good tourism infrastructure with a variety of hotels, restaurants, and entertainment, and is close to the U.S. border, making it a popular weekend getaway. 

Are Rosarito beaches clean?

Rosarito beaches are mostly clean especially around tourist areas and major hotels that make sure to maintain them for tourists. 

Safety in Rosarito: Final word

Rosarito is one of the most popular day trips from San Diego and other parts of Southern California, where you can sunbathe on wide sandy beaches, enjoy water activities, and get a taste of a small Mexican town. While Rosarito is relatively safe, as a tourist, you should take some precautions to stay safe.