Top 10 Best Things To Do in Tijuana Mexico in 2021
Tijuana, the border city located just south of California, has become the ideal destination for many Americans and tourists coming from far away. Moreover, many San Diego residents moved to Tijuana as the cost of living is a lot cheaper. Many people talk about Tijuana for its magnificent beaches and delicious food, but what are the best activities you can do while being over there? You’ll find that out with the following top 10 below.
Why should You visit Tijuana?
It is true that a few years ago, Tijuana didn’t have the best of reputations. That being said, with a new cultural renaissance mainly driven by huge government investment, and of course, the real estate market that attracted many Americans to leave their expensive lifestyle, the city has found a new life. Just for that reason alone, it is worth visiting and seeing it for yourself.
Is Tijuana a safe city to visit?
If you had asked that question a few years ago, the answer would have been no, it’s not safe. Tijuana was quite dangerous at the time, with a total of 2,100 murders officially recorded in the year 2019 alone.
All of this violence was primarily due to the turf wars happening between the different drug cartels trying to seize the very lucrative cocaine smuggling corridor at the borders.
However, things have changed for the better, as the city is a lot safer now and very touristic. Of course, you always have to be careful no matter where you are, but the following tourist areas are heavily policed and safe to visit and walk around:
- Zona Centro
- Zona Norte
- Zona Rio
- Playas de Tijuana
So as long as you don’t adventure too far from these main locations, everything should be just fine during your visit to Tijuana City.
Top 10 List of the Best Things to do in Tijuana, Mexico
This beautiful Mexican city is full of history, and it is really the best time to visit it as the cartel violence from the past is almost all gone. The main tourist areas are full of artisan shops, boutiques, cafés, delicious restaurants, and activities! Here are the best attractions you can find in Tijuana in 2021:
Playas de Tijuana
Let’s start our list with the most obvious attraction, the beach of Tijuana is pure natural beauty, especially during the sunset. Not too far away from the beach, you can find a lot of streets merchants. Those will sell you mangos with chile and lemon. You can also eat fresh oysters while you relax to the sound of the waves.
Horse Riding
If you like feeling like an adventurer, then hop on a horse in this horse riding excursion among the hills that surrounds the city of Tijuana. From there, you will be able to enjoy the incredible view of the ocean and the city’s rooftops.
Sleep Under the Stars in a Bubble
If there is one magical activity you must try at least once in your lifetime is sleeping under the stars in a comfortable bubble! That’s right, the Campera Hotel Bubble offers a nice room rental in Tijuana where the room looks like a giant bubble. Basically, you can see the sky when you go to bed, and there is nothing else quite like it.
Artisan Craft Shops
If you want a taste of the Tijuana culture and shop for locally crafted art pieces, then you definitely have to visit the street of La Revu, also called Avenida Revolucion. The colors, the ambiance, and the shops are all unique and fun to explore.
Adventure through the Los Arenales Dunes
For adrenaline junkies and fans of adventures and speed, the Dunes of Los Arenales are a fun day for sure. Just rent an ATV and ride during the whole afternoon across the dunes near Rosarito, located a few kilometers away from Tijuana.
Visit the Tijuana Cultural Center
To learn about the history of Baja California, the Tijuana Cultural Center is the best place to visit. Inside, you have a museum with an IMAX dome, as well as live performances all year long.
Visit the Interactive El Trompo Science Museum
This Science museum has 4 interactive rooms, on top of presenting a huge collection of 108 pieces. And that’s not all, the science center also has a computer programming center, conference rooms, books, and robotic presentations.
Shopping at the El Popo Market
Are you a lover of local markets and local foods? Then the gigantic El Popo Market is the best place for you! You can find literally everything you want in this market, from fresh cheese to herbs and souvenirs. If you’re there, don’t miss the spicy food with their dried chilies and spicy sauce.
Eat at the Restaurant that Created the Caesar Salad
Simply called the Caesar Restaurant, this one is claimed to have invented the famous dish, the Caesar Salad. The salad was first made in 1923 by an Italian immigrant, Cesare Cardini, who opened a salad joint in an alley. It didn’t take long for the delicious salad to become famous across the city, and since then the restaurant is still up and running.
Visit Plaza Santa Cecilia
And finally, during the day you can visit the Plaza Santa Cecilia, which represents the very heart and soul of Tijuana city. The plaza is full of mariachi and old buildings. Over your head, you will notice the flags by hundreds coloring the sky. As a little exploring adventure, the Santa Cecilia Plaza can’t be missed.
In Conclusion
And that concludes our complete guide on the best things to do in the city of Tijuana. As we said before, you shouldn’t be afraid of visiting this amazing Mexican city, despite everything people have been saying in the past. The city really found a new life and is more open than ever to people who want to experience something new. The prices, overall, are cheap, the food is amazing, the scenery on the playa with a mango juice is just perfect, so Tijuana should absolutely be on everybody’s travel list.