A Mini Guide To Tijuana Baja California

Tijuana has long been a favourite for partying frat boys and sorority sisters looking to escape the 21 and over drinking limit in the US. However, this Baja California border town has far more to offer and was recently named one of the New York Times’ top travel destinations for 2017. With that in mind, here’s your mini introductory guide to Tijuana, Baja California.

What to do

Enjoy the architecture

It may not have the architectural reputation of the country’s capital, or of pretty colonial towns like Guanajuato and Zacatecas, but that doesn’t mean Tijuana’s buildings aren’t worth taking a look at. In fact, there are a number of buildings and monuments dotted across the city that will leave you enthralled; we recommend stopping by the Cathedral, Torre de Agua Caliente and the Casa de la Cultura, the latter of which boasts gorgeous Spanish architectural influences. Moorish El Foro (formerly Jai Alai) is also unmissable.

Catedral de Tijuana, 2da 7982, Zona Centro, Tijuana, Baja California, México, +52 664 685 3026

Torre de Agua Caliente, Blvrd Agua Caliente, Juárez, Tijuana, Baja California, México, +52 664 684 9640

Casa de la Cultura, Av. Buenos Aires, Altamira, Centro, Tijuana, Baja California, México, +52 664 637 3122

El Foro, Av Revolución, Zona Centro, Tijuana, Baja California, México, +52 644 685 7073

Snap some Instagram worthy photos

For the photo fiend, Tijuana is the perfect place to visit as it has a number of Instagram worthy snapshots just waiting to be taken. One of the most well-known tourist attractions in Tijuana is the so-called burro-zebra (donkey-zebra) or the Arco de Tijuana, both on Avenida Revolución. The Arco is a symbol of the link between Mexico and the US whereas the donkey-zebra is just a quirky bit of fun. If you like ridiculous, colourful statues, you should definitely stop by La Mona monument also.

Avenida Revolución, Tijuana, Baja California, México

La Mona,Ensenada 17, Anexa del Rio, Tijuana, Baja California, México

Where to eat

1. Telefónica Gastro Park

Restaurant, Seafood, Mexican, Pub Grub

Food trucks are all the rage in Tijuana at the moment, probably as a result of the city’s proximity to food fad friendly California. However, you shouldn’t miss out on this uber cool culinary movement when paying a visit to one of Mexico’s top 2017 tourist destinations; with that in mind, we recommend stopping by one of the area’s best, Telefónica Gastro Park. A particular stand-out is the Humo truck which sells a selection of homemade meals, such as gourmet hotdogs.

Taco joints

This is really more of a ‘what to eat’ than a ‘where to eat’, as the tacos de carne asada are unmissable in Tijuana according to local insiders. Don’t just stick to carne asada though, as the fish and prawn tacos throughout Tijuana are also must-tries. Some suggestions for where to pick up these Tijuana tacos include El Mazateño and Los Arcos, which offers regional tacos gobernador. Of course, the ever trusty (as long as you’re careful!) friendly street vendor is also likely to offer up some tasty tacos.

El Mazateño, Calz del Tecnológico 473, Tomas Aquino, Tijuana, Baja California, México, +52 664 607 1377

Los Arcos, Blvrd Salinas 1000, Aviación, Tijuana, Baja California, México, +52 664 686 4757

Where to drink

Where to stay

2. LifeStyle Hostel

Hostel

Perfectly situated near the Tijuana coast, LifeStyle Hostel has a fantastic user rating for its location, staff and cleanliness – the hostel trifecta! If you’re thinking of staying for an extended period, this would be an ideal place, given that you can meet fellow Tijuana travellers and make the most of the services, like Jiu Jitsu classes and attached tattoo studio. Plus, you get a free beer on arrival. What’s not to love?

3. Hotel Hacienda del Río

Hotel

Alternatively, if you’d prefer a bit more luxury during your stay in Tijuana then the centrally located Hotel Hacienda del Río would perhaps be preferable. Right in the heart of the Zona del Río area, which is littered with excellent restaurants and nightlife, as well as some of the region’s top hotels, you’re well placed to explore the city at leisure with this as your base. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool if you fancy taking a dip.