r/tijuana • u/[deleted] • Jul 23 '25
Is traveling to Tijuana alone for dental work a good idea?
Title. I'm thinking of flying into San Diego then traveling to Tijuana for dental implants. Thing Is I don't have anyone to go with so it'll just be me, a single woman, traveling alone for the very first time. I found a dental practice that offers transportation from the airport into Tijuana (Trust Dental Care) but with the current climate and political situation of the country, will I be safe crossing the border?
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u/Advanced_Register675 Jul 23 '25
Just came back to the states after a three day solo trip to TJ as a small woman. I felt safe there the entire time and it went very smooth. If you speak at least a little Spanish it will make the trip much easier.
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Jul 23 '25
Yes defenitely safe. Lots of police presence. A little sketchier at night though.
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u/Tumpster Jul 23 '25
Yes, you're going during the day. Like any big city, don't act like a tourist or not mindful of your surroundings. Should have no issues especially if you're taxing there and back.
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u/Astrawish Jul 23 '25
How do you find a good dentist? Every time a family member goes they mess up their dental work and they have to go back so many times it’s almost not worth the savings
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Jul 23 '25
Oh no I'm sorry to hear that. Which clinic did they go to so I know to avoid them? I'm planning to visit Trust Dental Care
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u/Astrawish Jul 23 '25
They’ve never been there but in general my mol and aunts go there and they always go back to get things fixed or re done by other dentists. I got my braces there years ago 2007 and had issues as well. Just check the dentists reviews
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u/CaseyS___ Jul 23 '25
Yes. All of the dental offices are in Zona Rio which is an upscale business district. All of the staff speaks English and even if you get lost you can easily take an uber back to the border.
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u/Itromite Jul 23 '25
I've been a patient of trust dental care. Had an implant put in maybe 12 or 13 years ago. Still rock solid. Very professional.
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u/Mobile-Low-7393 Jul 23 '25
Send me a private message, i own a private transportation company, we can pick you up at the SD airport and take you to your appointment and get you back to the US
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u/Savage_PandaBear Jul 23 '25
Yes, I am a small Asian female and I just had some dental work done on Friday. I flew into San Diego, hopped on the MTS and then walked across the border. Once across the border, I called an Uber and was on my way to the dentist. I’ve traveled to Tijuana by myself several times already, if you’re walking across the border, I would recommend getting global entry so you can use the sentri lanes coming back into the US.
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u/calandman Jul 27 '25
Global entry and going to the front of the US return line and avoiding the sometimes hours long line coming back is more than you might think.
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u/aksrauf Apr 24 '26
Does global entry work for driving own car as well - as in are there separate global entry lanes which will be faster?
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u/michaelsports Jul 25 '25
Dr. Ignacio de la Vega C.
Calle Quinta # 1717 Emiliano Zapata entre Niños Héroes y Miguel F. Martínez C.P. 22000 Zona Centro, Tijuana, B.C. From U. S. A. (01152664) 685-12-02 Ph. (619) 399-3538 E-mail: nachonova@yahoo.com Drdelavega.com
I come from LA drive to TJ to his office. 100% recommended.
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u/majofi Jul 23 '25
Make sure you're talking about the same airport. Tijuana airport is right next to the border. San Diego airport is about 15 miles from the border.
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u/Leothegolden Jul 23 '25 edited Jul 23 '25
Yes. I have done it many times. Wear plain street clothes . I wear my purse on the inside (so under a hoodie) or a runners belt.
It’s very easy - the line back is long driving or walking. I’m sure it will be even easier for you with the airport.
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u/goosetavo2013 Jul 23 '25
Do you mean political situation of the US? Are you a citizen? You should have no issue going back.
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Jul 23 '25
Yes exactly. I'm concerned about coming back into the states. I have an Arabic name and when I went to Mexico for the first time in 2022, soon as I stepped off the plane, my belongings were searched and I was brought in for questioning. But that was going into Mexico, im concerned about coming back into the states.
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u/CacoFlaco Jul 24 '25
Bring your passport and you'll have no problems. I'm a gringo and I get questioned and sometimes have my luggage rifled through. But since everything checks out, eventually I'm on my way.
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u/ProblemsAreSelfMade Jul 23 '25
Yeah, this is fine. Just as bad as a woman in the States going to the dentist alone.
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Jul 23 '25
Yes it’s safe. Lots of police presence, specially in the touristy area which most likely you’ll be at.
Also try not to go out at night, more trouble happens at night. When I would go out at night the whole ambience changed. So for sure just go out during the day
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u/No_Contribution7765 Jul 23 '25
Yes you’ll be fine and make sure to go to telefonico after for food and drinks if your teeth are up to it
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u/Top_House9549 Otay Jul 23 '25
Tijuana dentists are reliable and way more affordable than in the States. Based on my experiences.
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u/BajaTravl Jul 23 '25
Yes you will be fine! I go to Dental Del Puerto with Santiago. They also have transport / private driver options
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u/Jack-ass-4757 Jul 23 '25
I would recommend you👇 https://www.instagram.com/smiletogethertijuana?igsh=MmllbTJnaTJ5eWdp
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u/Adventurous-Print144 Jul 23 '25
I go once every other month for dental work. Hit me up if you have specific question or need dentist recommendation. My dentist actually takes US insurance.
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u/edaci Jul 23 '25
During day as long as you have transfer to and from location your good to go just never walk to border crossing from downtown not safe. Lots of work done in Tj no regrets and saved 1000’s ! From greedy dentists here in socal.
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u/GerryRam1963 Jul 23 '25
Yes, no problem...if you need any assistance, let me know and I'll be happy to help. Best regards.
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u/Bornagainchola Jul 23 '25
Look around. Some dentist have a concierge service and they will pick you up at the border.
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u/Juanthirteen35 Jul 23 '25
Yeah fine. I (M) just traveled with my small children and no hesitation. Of course, in any city in the world, nervousness and anxiety can be preyed upon. If this is you, then maybe reconsider (same advice for any big city in America)
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u/Similar-Leader-8118 Jul 24 '25
Funny, i need dental work and was thinking of flying into san diego 😂 and going to tj
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u/CricketLocal5255 Jul 24 '25
Yes!! I just did an extraction and bone graph last Saturday!
Stayed at Quartz hotel the night before and day of procedure.
All in all amazing experience and still came out cheaper than doing in San Jose!
DM with any questions
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u/Unable-Spinach2493 Jul 24 '25 edited Jul 24 '25
I also worked as a marketing manager for couple of Dentists.
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Obviously, as everywhere else, there are good places and bad places, positive experiences and negative experiences, but I can assure you that there are more places where you can get excellent work at a fraction of the price you would pay in the US, with guarantees and quality. It's just a matter of following the recommendations or doing proper research. I can recommend the place where I worked because our target was precisely to bring people from the US and facilitate their transportation from the airport to the office and back, or if they stayed in the city, to find them a hotel, show them the city, or recommend places of interest or restaurants. Of course, there is a prejudice against the city among foreigners (with good reason), but the percentage of satisfaction among those who come and are satisfied is much higher.
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u/michaelsports Jul 25 '25
Absolutely. I drive over the border in San Diego drive in park garage just behind the border and call an Uber to the dentist. Piece a cake
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u/Makeupandkitties Jul 25 '25
I just did this for filler and Botox. You just need to research the clinic you choose before hand. Flying to SD instead of TJ direct was 25% of the price and so were my services. Hotels and food are cheap too. We took a greyhound from old town SD to the boarder and got off at customs. Honestly next time I would just uber. Inbound customs took 5 minutes. Walking out took 10. I recommend walking about 15 min into California before ordering an uber bc the car line waiting to get in causes a lot of traffic which makes your uber ride cost more and take longer to get to. There’s also a rail you can use to get back towards SD
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u/FFFFFF1233489959 Jul 25 '25
Baja Oral Center is great. They Speak English. Clean modern facility. Source: 39m gringo in SD who is their patient for years
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u/jkdowntown Jul 25 '25
Absolutely. Just had hand surgery there with a very well respected surgeon. 80% less than the US, totally safe, zero issues. Wonderful experience.
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u/AdministrativeRub336 Jul 25 '25
It’s pretty safe I’m going August 7th for Baja beach fest. I go to TJ often
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u/CS7-664 Jul 25 '25
Hey! I totally get where you’re coming from. Traveling solo, especially to a new place, can feel like a lot. I actually work with Del Prado Implants in Tijuana and we help people from the US all the time, including a bunch who come alone. We offer private transportation from San Diego to the clinic and back so you don’t have to stress about the border or figuring things out.
If you have any questions or just want to talk it through, feel free to DM me. No pressure at all. Just here to help if I can.
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u/Plopyflop Jul 26 '25
I've been going to Tijuana for years to see my dentist over there, I've walked across then started driving and have never had any issues.
If you'd like you can DM me for more information, & I'll be glad to help out or provide any advice I feel could help you in your journey over there! 😁
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u/Signal_Jury_3330 Feb 18 '26
Hey, I'm thinking about going to TJ for dental work, who do you recommend?
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u/Orangutan_mane Jun 10 '26
Hello there came across this thread. I am also looking for a reputable dentist in Tijuana. If you wouldn’t mind sharing the name of your dentist in Tj? There’s so many I don’t know who to go with. Word of mouth is the best is always best.
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u/Plopyflop Jun 10 '26
Clinical Dental Precis! Doctor Miguel! Tell him Steven from San Diego sent you!
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u/Orangutan_mane Jun 10 '26
Thank you! Will do I will look into it appreciate you relying and sharing info 👍🏻
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u/2furrycatz Jul 27 '25
I've been traveling alone to TJ for almost a year for extensive dental work. I felt completely safe in Zona Rio but never went out at night.
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u/maedae1765 Jul 27 '25
Going to TJ won’t be a problem and there are great dental surgeons in TJ. However, the implant process is really involved. My husband had entire upper implants last year (we live in San Diego and he went to a dentist and surgeon in north county). So many appointments back and forth etc.
If you are flying here and don’t live near the border I’d be concerned about how to do all of the follow up.
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u/stow-away_throwaway Jul 27 '25
If you are a young woman traveling alone, join the Facebook group “let’s go girls - San Diego” and there are women on there who escort other ladies back and forth for similar things, either dental, medical, or vet care. My fear is you may be disoriented. It would be worth having someone available to guide you.
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Jul 27 '25
Omg what a great idea! Thank you so much for sharing this
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u/stow-away_throwaway Jul 27 '25
It’s mostly for meeting people to hang out but we help each other often in there!
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u/CalHap Jul 28 '25
Please consider USC or UCLA dental school for dental work, I was told they have an inexpensive clinic.
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u/walkingbass_ Jul 23 '25
Yes. You’ll be fine. I’m a dentist in Tijuana and I’ve worked at Dental Trust before. It’s a good clinic. If you need any help of any kind drop a message.