Bienvenidos a Tijuana

Taking a Day trip to Tijuana when you visit San Diego

Let’s be honest – of all of the places in Mexico you dream of visiting, Tijuana will never make anyone’s ultimate bucket list. However, if you are in San Diego, you may want to take a day trip to this exciting city across the US/Mexico border. If you love tequila, tacos, and having a good time, and who doesn’t, then you will love Tijuana.

Getting to Tijuana from San Diego for a Day Trip:

If you are planning to take a Day Trip to Tijuana when you visit San Diego: The drive from San Diego to the Mexico border is less than 45 minutes, and Tijuana is just on the other side. This makes it an easy and convenient day trip destination from San Diego. If you are driving, the best (and most commonly done) thing is to park your car on the US side of the border and then cross on foot. This is a bustling border crossing, and being prepared will make it go smoothly and efficiently. Be sure to have your passport ready and all of your belongings easily accessible for inspection.

When you arrive, many cabs will be waiting to take you to your destination. Zona Centro, or the historic old downtown and Avenida Revolucion, is where you want to go. The main tourist area with all the shopping, markets, taquerias, and tequila brings tourists to Tijuana for a day trip from San Diego.

Money: What to bring on your Day Trip to Tijuana from San Diego:

The taxi fare won’t be too expensive. However, there is definitely a chance that the cab driver will try to get a bit extra fare. There are stories about taxis taking you to the wrong locations on purpose or taking a longer route to gather a bit of additional fare. Have a few extra pesos or USD on hand just in case this happens.

In fact, make sure you have a good amount of cash on hand and many smaller bills. This will come in handy when you are shopping. Many smaller vendors and taquerias do not take credit cards, so having some cash on hand is crucial for paying for your purchases. Also, if you plan on haggling, and I am no expert on this by any means, it is easier to do if you have smaller bills. It is hard to haggle when you flash a hundred-dollar bill for a $20 purchase. Also, do not flash around big bills for safety reasons.

Travel Tip: As tourism is a cornerstone of Tijuana’s economy, most vendors are equipped to take US dollars, so don’t worry if you do not have Pesos with you.

The Best Food to Enjoy When you take a day Trip To Tijuana from San Diego

Some of the best Mexican food I have ever had was in Tijuana. With so many excellent restaurants, taquerias, and taco stands around; you will surely get your fill of delicious Mexican food. The options might be overwhelming, but this means you can try the food at multiple locations. Go hungry, leave happy. The food is excellent, fresh, inexpensive, and plentiful, so indulge a little and enjoy.

Drinks:

Tequila is everywhere for purchase and immediate consumption at the local bars and cantinas. Whether you want to enjoy a fresh, handcrafted margarita on the bar’s patio, or if you plan on buying a bottle of Tequila to take back with you, there is plenty to choose from. In the last few years, Tijuana has experienced a bit of a craft-beer boom, with many breweries popping up around town. This will be worth stopping in for a drink as well. Just remember that you will have to declare your purchases when you cross back over the border, so know what you are legally allowed to bring back.

Travel Tip: The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18 years old, unlike 21 in the USA.

Shopping in Tijuana on your Day Trip:

Many tourists who visit Tijuana will want to purchase some locally made handicrafts, blankets, pottery, jewellery, and souvenirs. There is no shortage of places to buy these items in the many markets and shops on the side streets. Local craftspeople handcraft most of the blankets and serapes in Mexico, but some shops carry blankets made elsewhere. The jewellery can be lovely, but some fakery is going on.  Not all of the silver jewellery is real. There is plenty of beautiful pottery and ceramics to purchase in vibrant colours and elaborate designs that you may wish to purchase. Still, carrying some of the heavier items across the border might not be easy if you walked over.

Whatever you are interested in purchasing, haggling over the price is commonplace. Depending upon your level of comfort with haggling, have at it. My biggest suggestion is to be reasonable and respectful. Haggling is not my thing. Not only am I not very good at it, but I could never devalue the cost of someone else’s hard work and effort. I don’t feel right about doing it, especially in third-world countries, where these people rely on your tourism dollars. You can afford that extra peso or dollar, so be a nice person and pay the asking price. That is my traveller etiquette tip advice. Remember to bring small bills so you can purchase them with ease.

The Tijuana Zonkeys:

You will surely see several Zonkey carts parked on the roadside throughout the Zona Centro, with elaborate Mexican paraphernalia and scenery. They had become an iconic symbol of Tijuana and is a tradition dating back to the 1940s when cart owners began painting their Burros with Zebra stripes for more impressive photos. The owners charge tourists a small fee to pose for photos with the Zonkey cart for a typical Tijuana experience. As a first-time visitor, you may find this fascinating, and you will want to take your own photos of the Burro. However, before you do, remember this is a tourist attraction, and the owner is there to make money. The polite thing to do is to offer cash for any photos you take.

Art & Culture:

You may not think of Tijuana as arts & cultural destination, but there is a fair bit to explore when you are there. The CECUT (or the Tijuana Cultural Centre) is full of beautiful art and history. The Wax Museum of Tijuana is right in the Zona Centro’s heart, a cultural centre with art exhibits, a theatre, an IMAX cinema, and events. If you are into Mexican wrestling or Lucha Libre, you can plan your day trip to include a Mexican wrestling match. It is sure to be a lot of fun.

There is also a lot of street art in Tijuana, including colourful murals, vibrant graffiti art, and unique sculptures throughout the Zona Centro. These will make for some great Instagram posts.

Safety: How to Stay Safe on your Day Trip To Tijuana from Sann Diego:

You have surely heard about the crime in Mexico and the seedy underbelly of Tijuana in particular. While there is definitely a strong criminal element in Tijuana, the city relies heavily on tourism for its economy. Visitors from America and Canada are a welcome sight. There is no guarantee that you won’t be the victim of a crime. The numbers do not support many of the concerns people may have. Tourists are pretty safe in Tijuana, especially if you follow some simple safety tips when visiting:

• keep your appearances simple and modest
• do not draw attention to yourself as a target for pick-pockets or potential muggers
• be ever-vigilant for the potential for criminal activity
• keep personal belongings to a minimum when entering, and keep your wallet and passport secure at all times.
• do not get drunk, disorderly, or do drugs
• Stick to the main touristy areas of the city, where there is safety in numbers.

Travel Tip: Check out our article on  tips to Stay Safe on Vacation

A visit to Tijuana is a great day trip from San Diego. You will have a fun day doing some good shopping, enjoying excellent Mexican food, and sampling some local beverages all with very little expense.

Check out our other Short-Stay Travel Ideas.