5 Best Things To Do With One Day in Tijuana Mexico
Intro
I was born in, raised in, and resided in the United States my whole life but had never been to Mexico. The city of Tijuana is not a super large city by Mexico or the U.S. standards but it is a decent size border city in Northern Mexico. Visitors have the option of flying into the Tijuana airport, driving into Mexico or leaving their car in a parking lot in the city of San Diego and walking across the pedestrian bridge to the Baja California border town.
I had been living in Southern California for almost a year when I ventured to Mexico on a whim after a dentist appointment one day. I tend to not be a planner and knew I would rather explore than stay at home, so I did a quick google search on flights into Tijuana International Airport and tourist areas in the city. It was just under a three hour drive from my home in Los Angeles so I decided to make the drive down while gazing off into the pacific ocean. When I made it to the international border to enter into Mexico I was a little confused as I was not made to stop my vehicle like when I had driven into Canada and several countries in Europe. On the way back into America on the U.S.-Mexico Border, I did have to stop and speak to border patrol for a few minutes. It seems to be easier for U.S. citizens with passports to drive through, only speaking to the agent for less than a minute. There was a long wait getting up to the border though, which was painful.
Once I made it through to on my way into Mexico, I realized I did not know if there were any special driving rules. So I just made sure to drive slow, not go through any red traffic lights, to stay on the right side of the road and not do anything silly while passing local law enforcement. I didn't have a hotel reservation when I went down, but I had worked for hotels for many years and figured the Marriott in Tijuana would not be fully booked during their rainy season. When I checked in I asked the hotel if they recommended me getting a local guide and they said their staff would be happy to make suggestions in the local area. After putting my stuff in the room and going down to the hotel bar, I asked what the bartender thought were some of the best places in the area. It took him a few minutes to get over the fact that I drove down from Los Angeles on a whim by myself and with no plan. Once we got over that shock, he recommended I see Las Playas de Tijuana or Rosarito for the best beaches in the area and the cultural center in the downtown Tijuana area. The casino and dog track down the road was also recommended. I am not a huge gambler and don't love dog tracks but it was super close to the hotel. They told me I would even be able to walk there in less than 10 minutes, but also that there was ride share and public transportation. I asked several different employees if they thought it would be safe for me to walk alone. I try not to judge a place on assumptions, but a lot of what you hear about Tijuana is its illegal drugs, gang violence and violent crime. Assumptions a lot times also have negative impacts on a city. I had nothing but a pleasant experience in Tijuana. From the hotel and activities I experienced to the drive and border crossing.
What you hear a lot from American tourists going down to Mexico is wanting to get the best food. A lot of cities you visit, it is all about the fine dining. But in Tijuana you are more likely to experience the culture and best cuisine over a carne asada taco at the local food trucks as you are the fanciest of restaurants. Rosarito beach is probably one of the most popular tourist destination in that area and you are able to get direct access to the beach and restaurants in the area, even without staying at a beach front hotel.
The Marriott Tijuana was the perfect place for me to stay for its central location in Tijuana. Even though Tijuana isn't one of the most major cities in Mexico, like Mexico City, Acapulco, Cabo, and Tulum, it still has a lot to offer for a quick visit. With such a short trip, I didn't need to convert any U.S. dollars as I just used my credit card to pay for the hotel, parking, and food. Years ago I stopped using my debit card for anything other than a bank visit to avoid any potential mishaps. This was easy enough to stick to while in Tijuana and I alerted my credit card prior to arrival that I would be in Mexico for the evening so my card would not be declined.
5 Best Things To Do With a Day in Tijuana:
Conclusion
With my travel to and bit of research on Tijuana, I have compiled the five best things to do with a day in Tijuana. Keep in mind there is so much more the city has to offer, but if you are like me and like to fit in quick trips or hop from city to city, this is your guide! And when you're in town, don't forget to get some authentic Mexican food. Whether you know of a place, Yelp the best options or are an Anthony Bourdain fan and mirror his every culinary move.
Next on the Blog…
If you are anything like me and would love to explore Mexico more in-depth, check out Aya Mana’s blog on Merida, Mexico.
Also, for more on Central and South America, check out my post on Colombia and Panama.
