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

Learn about Tijuana’s history at Museo de las Californias

Museum

While in Tijuana you might as well learn about the history of the place and Museo de las Californias is the perfect place to do so. A sprawling museum, it’s filled to the rafters with displays, exhibits and information about the history of the region from the pre-Hispanic period up until the 20th century.

Watch a Xolos Game

Stadium

The Xolos, known in full as the Xoloitzcuintles, are the local Tijuana football team and when you’re in the area, why not catch a game at the stadium? Given that the country as a whole is so football mad, even if you’re not really into the beautiful game, the atmosphere and bragging rights you’ll earn for having attended will make buying the (pretty cheap) ticket well worth it.

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

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

La Querencia

Restaurant

Baja Mediterranean cuisine is enjoying its share of the spotlight in Tijuana right now, and you can’t leave the city without stopping by the restaurant that started it all. It’s said that La Querencia was the brains behind this hybrid culinary invention so get yourself a table and try one of their machacasor exquisitely prepared carpaccios.

Where to drink

Dandy del Sur

One of the most recommended places to grab a beer in Tijuana is the Dandy del Sur. A typical Mexican cantina, the atmosphere is guaranteed to be excellent whenever you choose to visit. A great place to spend time with friends and soak up the local vibe.

Sótano Suizo

If you’re into craft beers, which are big business across the world right now but especially in Tijuana, then you have to stop by Sótano Suizo at least once during your visit to the city. Here you can try out one of the most recognisable craft beers to be produced in the region, Mamut. They offer everything from American Pale Ales to Dry Stouts and even Hefeweizen, so we’re certain there’ll be something to take your fancy.

Las Pulgas

If you prefer dancing to drinking, then Las Pulgas might be the best option for you in Tijuana. They proudly claim to offer Tecate brand beer at the lowest price in the area, so you can finally end the age old Mexican debate over whether Tecate really does taste better in the north. Offering a good mixture of norteño style music, mixed with some more mainstream rock, pop and cumbias every once in a while, there’ll be something for everyone at Las Pulgas.

Where to stay

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?

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.

About the author

Lauren Cocking

Northern England Writer

Yorkshire-born food, drink and travel writer based out of Mexico, you can find my work at Nat Geo, CNN, Extra Crispy and OZY, amongst other publications. Everything Mexico is my niche, but I also dabble in spewing my unsolicited opinions about teabags and pork pies. Find more of my work at northernlauren.com.