There have been numerous travel alerts and advisories for Mexico issued recently, but that’s not stopping anyone from venturing south of the border for some fun in the sun this summer.
A lot of travelers miss out on Mexico’s magic by staying in the most curated pockets for a sense of safety and comfort— you know, Cancun, Los Cabos, and the likes…
But let me tell you, as someone who’s been to those 2 powerhouses, as well as Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City, it’s always the country’s lesser-known areas that leave me with the best memories.
By “lesser known”, that can also equate to “misunderstood”. That’s definitely the case for one of Mexico’s most underrated beach cities.
This massive metropolis tends to be more known for pharmacy runs, legendary nightlife, and the lore of dark underbellies, but I’ve been over 100 times and never come home with a scratch or tale to tell beyond PG-rated shenanigans.
If you haven’t guessed by now, yes, we’re talking about Tijuana, an iconic city often misrepresented as a no-go zone, but really it’s one of Mexico’s biggest surprise destinations.
Yes, Tijuana Is A Beach City
Look, I get it. As a San Diegan who loves hitting up the beach whenever I’m not slingin’ articles for you folks, comparing Tijuana apples to apples with San Diego wouldn’t feel right — except for the fact that Tijuana boasts the same splendid year-round weather as much of America is melting in heatwaves.
But let’s remember there’s a very controversial “wall” in between, which, right, wrong, or indifferent, does signify how different these 2 cities really are.
Like much of Cabo, it’s not advised to take a dip in the waters here, but it’s not the powerful swells that will sweep you away; it’s the lack of infrastructure resulting in bacteria-filled waters not suitable for swimming.
Just ask Imperial Beach, America’s southernmost beach town across said ‘wall’…
Just as millions don’t mind visiting Cabo without being able to enjoy the spectacular blue waters, the same can be said in Tijuana, just for different reasons — and no, there’s no 5-star luxury resorts overlooking the eyesore of the border either.
Call me crazy, but I love visiting Tijuana’s coast, known simply as “the Playas” most commonly.
It’s a whole vibe there with coconut vendors, buzzing bars, phenomenal seafood, beachside massages (no, not those kind), and even a thriving expat community.
Though if you do prefer swimmable waters, the paradisal town of Rosarito feels far more prepped for vacationers with beachfront resorts and a downtown area that feels like a microcosm of Cabo.
Just check local reports for water conditions before jumping in.
Tijuana’s Ever-Changing Skyline: New Hotels On The Horizon
As I said, I’ve been going to Tijuana for years and it seems every other time I visit a crane becomes part of the cityscape as a new high-rise is being constructed.
This time around, it’s not just foreign investors pouring boatloads of cash into condos.
There are some exciting name-brand hotels that will surely draw in more American visitors if they could just get over the hurdle that Tijuana is safe for tourists.
I’m not a crime expert, but a deep dive into local reports almost always involves gang-on-gang crime rarely affecting tourists, even ones like me that live 15 minutes away.
The most notable hotel on the horizon is a 22-story Westin set to tower over the corner of Bulevar Agua Caliente.
Despite being a border town, Tijuana is actually quite luxurious, especially away from the dilapidated structures that immediately greet you upon entering Mexico.
Parts of the Plaza Rio district feel like Mexico City’s Polanco with fancy cars whizzing by, cozy wine bars, Brazilian steakhouses, and artisan taco stands.
So, it’s not terribly surprising that more hotels are popping up to enhance the city’s appeal with name brands we know and love.
Downtown is being revitalized too. It still needs some work, but the most popular region of the city is taking a huge step this fall by opening a chic Hotel Indigo in the heart of the action of downtown, mere steps away from Mercado Hidalgo.
It’s slated to open November 1, 2025.
There are also numerous new boutique hotels scattered along Revolucion, sandwiched in between bars, restaurants, and trinket shops with pesky vendors urging you to “buy things you don’t need”.
Arrive Hungry, Leave Happy: Tijuana Is The Mecca For Cheap Eats!
I kid you not, there’s always a new restaurant to try in TJ. That’s reason numero uno why I cross the border in the first place.
Rarely will you scoff at the bill when it arrives. No matter if it’s Tijuana-style hot dogs at corner street vendors, hole-in-the-wall taco stands like renowned Taco Alley, or sipping $1 Coronas at El Toro, options are plentiful.
Circling back to “The Playas”, if you’re a seafood lover like me, indulging in oysters and fresh ceviche is a must from an endless array of oceanside eateries.
You might question the sanitary conditions of slurping raw oysters in a border town, but remember, you can slurp ‘em while looking over right where they came from.
There are also classics that are a must for every first-timer, such as Caesar’s, whose claim to fame is the original Caesar salad, and I promise you it’s like nothing you’ve ever had before.
Even for a carnivore like me, I could order round after round of their tableside-prepped salad.
Tijuana Now Has 2 Nonstop Flights From The U.S.
If you prefer to skip San Diego and fly straight in, travelers can now fly nonstop on American Airlines from Phoenix or take Volaris from Las Vegas.
Though if you did want to cross into San Diego, make sure to take advantage of one of the world’s most unique loopholes, the Cross Border Xpress.
Think of it as a no-nonsense fast pass to avoid Tijuana’s notorious long border wait times.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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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.
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