Lupe: just to quote your original post: "I know people who have relatives in Tijuana and they were told not to visit ..." So....by definition, you heard it from someone else (you didn't experience it yourself, nor even did they directly experience it). Ergo, "hearsay".

Also, just because you have been told things by others doesn't make my information "bogus" (that's an easy way to attack me, but false). It means that you have been told something by someone - and someone else (me in this case) is providing other information since there is a lot of misinformation out there. I don't think Rick Steves is giving you bogus information (is he?).

I also suggest that you and others try going back to Tijuana to find out for themselves. It's one thing to come onto a website and make accusations, its another to find out yourself. Clearly in a city of 1.7 million people (that I, in fact, visited on Friday during a conference I was invited to -- which included around 300+ professionals in the middle of Tijuana), not everyone is apparently being so threatened. My comments are meant to urge professionals in the travel industry to be like Rick Steves -- find out for yourself, and don't give hearsay the only consideration.

I'm very open to even helping you on your next trip to Tijuana, Lupe, if you have any questions. I just think it's more professional and honest to provide data and facts, not repeat things we've heard from others....

Don't trust me? Here are some comments from recent visitors to Tijuana (including some additional comments from Rick Steves' own blog):

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/567083

http://www.tequilagringo.com/?q=content/expo-tequila-2008-impressions-tips

http://www.ricksteves.com/blog/index.cfm?fuseaction=entry&entryID=289

Again, it's okay to have doubts, and to ask questions. But also important to look for facts and accurate information before accusing a whole city as being too dangerous based on second- or third-hand information.

Thanks again,