Have you ever let travel advisories or negative headlines deter you? If so, chances are you’re missing out on some of Mexico’s top cultural destinations in favor of Cancun and other curated beach havens.
As the holiday season commences, it’s fair to say Mexico often finds itself on the ‘naughty list’, but doesn’t everyone deserve a second chance?
The U.S. may have seized global headlines during a polarizing election year, but Mexico’s political climate has changed as well.
With a new President committed to bettering citizens’ quality of life and renewed focus on crime, some of Mexico’s “dangerous” cities have been thrown back into the spotlight as travel destinations.
This is especially true for Tijuana, the most visited border city in the world, yet ironically overlooked as a vacation spot.
Factoring in a newly-elected mayor dedicated to revamping the city, which has already seen a gritty downtown district blossom with new attractions, it’s time to discover Baja’s only metropolis as your next getaway brimming with ritzy hotels, cheap mouthwatering eats, and buzzing beaches.
A Revolution On “Revolución“
This might be an exaggeration, but it’s reasonable to suggest 99% of tourists will venture to Tijuana’s downtown district, which is widely considered “Revolución”, a bustling boulevard of taco stands, nightclubs, and souvenir shops dishing out free tequila shots to lure you to “buy something you don’t need”.
I’ve been visiting Tijuana since 2013. In fact, it was my first passport stamp. It’s incredible to see how much it’s changed. From once requiring a police escort to strolling freely past midnight just last week, it’s come a long way.
Tijuana certainly goes through spurts of violence; there’s no doubt about it. What’s misunderstood is tourists are rarely affected as Revolución is entirely safe, as well as the upscale region of the city, Plaza Rio, and the always abuzz Playas, many expats’ preferred abode.
Downtown has grown from empty pandemic streets to endless eats, hidden alleyways full of surprising delights, lively mariachi performances, and new artisan shops and selfie-worthy murals.
Not to mention a new Taco Museum! Taco ’bout a good time!
Of course, there’s still a fair share of souvenir trinkets and pharmacies, but Revolución has few storefronts unclaimed, stretching from the unmissable St. Louis-esque arch to the road’s end.
My personal favorite stomping grounds along Revolución are:
- Serenity Massage ($20 specials for 60-minute massages on Tuesday and Friday)
- El Torito (great rooftops views and piping hot molcajetes)
- La Justina (downtown’s best cocktail selection)
The Playas & Rosarito: Tijuana’s Buzzing Beaches
Full disclosure: Tijuana’s beaches are not for swimming, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy every other aspect of Northern Baja’s picture-perfect shores.
‘The Playas’ of Tijuana is a buzzing beach district lined with indescribably delicious seafood restaurants, oceanfront coconut vendors, and more authentic vibes than Revolución.
With year-round sunny weather, it’s both idyllic in one sense and action-packed in another. You can find super cheap vacation rentals overlooking the Pacific or easily reach the Playas while staying elsewhere as both Uber and DiDi are viable transit options all around the region, including to Rosarito, a stunningly beautiful beach town under 40 minutes away.
Rosarito packs a punch in its own right, from popular beachfront bars like the very popular Papas & Beer (where I was scammed) to more casual eateries that treat you right, such as Viaje Cocina del Mundo.
The main strip is a microcosm of Cabo, pulsing with neon-lit bars, hawkers offering tequila shots, and a festive atmosphere that instantly puts you in vacation mode.
Better yet, Rosarito has a nice selection of upscale beach hotels that feel more in tune with a true beach vacation versus visiting Tijuana’s ‘Playas’ for a fun day out.
The historic Rosarito Beach Hotel & Spa couldn’t be in a better location.
Tijuana’s Affordable Luxury And Cheap Eats
Tijuana won’t break the bank across the board – cheap eats, luxe stays, and even hosting 2 budget airlines at their more-than-convenient airport. (Plus, American flies here now too!)
Even if your only Tijuana experience is chalked up to viewing the scenic hills and cityscape from San Diego, it’s impossible to ignore the ever-changing skyline of new condos and hotels.
Quartz Hotel is a great option for an affordable stay without sacrificing luxury. Plus, it’s home to The Park, a trendy food hall with some of the best selections of Baja-style cuisine you could ask for.
My personal favorite, however, is a classic. Circling back to Revolución is a Tijuana staple – Hotel Caesar’s, often priced under $100.
You couldn’t ask for a better location. Plus, their restaurant, renowned for creating the Caesar Salad, is insanely delicious and reasonably priced for a gourmet meal.
Speaking of classics, no trip to Tijuana is complete without a visit to ‘Taco Alley.’. Here, a trio of street vendors whip up a variety of tacos from carne asada to suadero for about $1.50 a piece until 3AM.
But my favorite new discovery of Tijuana is the city’s variety of speakeasies. I just discovered Alcatraz, designed ,as you guessed it, America’s most notorious prison, serving $1 beers at the main restaurant bar and specialty cocktails if you can figure out the password.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.