Tijuana Things to Do Tips by lmkluque Top 5 Page for this destination

Beyond the Poverty Mariachis Review

You must come to Tijuana in a festive mood. Go with the flow. Walking along Avenida Revolution you'll hear the happy sounds of Mariachis liven up the area. They even play a song just for you if you 'feed the kitty.' Usually they are quite talented.

Also you must have your picture taken, wearing a big sombrero and sitting on a cart pulled by a ZEBRA? (Donkey painted black and white.)
Just have a good time.

Address: Avenida Revolucion

Pre-Columbian Style Sculptures

Obscured by the hectic tourist activity along Avenida Revolucion these marvelous pre-Columbian-style sculptures stand at various spots throughout the Avenue and seemed to be mostly ignored

I can't say that they are historically accurate, nor that they should be, just that they are a sign of the pride and the sense of an ancient past Mexican's share. While in Tijauna take a good look at these works of art and enjoy the offering.

It is possible to buy small copies of pre-Columbian statuary in some of the Curio shops, but you might have to look carefully. I've bought them at the "Sombrero Arcade" on Avenida Revolucion between Calles 3 & 4 (This archade is almost the full block, between Revolucion and Madero.) downstairs.

Address: Spaced along Avenida Revolucion

Jai Alai Palace Jai Alai Palace Review

Historically Tijuana has grown by offering U.S. citizens that which they couldn't get at home.

Agua Caliente Racetrack opened in 1916 just a year after the U.S. outlawed horse racing. Later Prohibition was instituted and the Agua Caliente Casino opened, complete with an underground tunnel connecting it to the race track.

The dirt road from Los Angeles to Tijuana, which was part of the Camino Real, became the solution for those folks who wanted to gamble and have a drink.

In 1947 the Jai Alai court was opened and looking at the Moorish style building now, it is easy to see that by this time in Tijuana's development, there was a clientele to impress and money to carry it out with.

Looking around the city, other interesting architecture can be seen. Some of it is surprising, but not usually noticed or appreciated.

Address: Avenida Revolucion between Calle 7 & 8

A Pleasant Resting Place

This small park comes into view as you decend the west end of the bridge from Plaza Viva Tijuana. The lower three block section of Articulo 123 / Calle 1, from Avenida Negrete toward Avenida Revolucion has been transformed into a pedestrian street. Along both sides are many curio stalls, food carts and a few restaruant / bars. El Arco, the huge Arch of Tijuana marks the end of the pedestrian section of First Street at Avenida Revolucion.

Museo Cera de Tijuana Wax Museum Review

Wax Museum of Tijuana

Open Daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Entrance: $15 pesos (About 1 US dollar)

The only Wax Museum in Mexico. There are 90 wax figures of the world of history, entertainment and of course, the traditional house of the horror. This museum seems not to be a raving success, but it is a way of getting out of the hot sun on a summer's day and the price is affordable. It is located in the middle of a tourist section so extra effort is not needed to find it.

The building is actually new, made to look older and not really in keeping with it's surroundings. However, the eclectic collection inside might be fun and interesting to you, especially the Mexican Heros that aren't seen in other wax museums.

Address: Calle 1 #8281

Directions: At the corner of Calle 1 (Calle Articulo 123) and Avenida Madero in the Pedestrian section

Phone: (664) 688 24 78

Website: http://www.cecut.gob.mx/sis/museos/cera.php

Plaza Viva Tijuana!

Plaza Viva Tijuana is relatively new and though there is an order to the structures, it doesn't have the historical presence found on Avenida Revolucion.

It is a short walk from the border gate to this Plaza and you will have the opportunity to pass by the famous yellow taxi stand. This is the first shopping area after crossing the border and among the offerings you'll find Restaurants, Bars, Pharmacies, Liquor Stores, Curio Shops, Restrooms, Baja California State Tourism (Info Booth) and the Oficinas de Migracion. (Mexican Immigration Offices.)

Around the Plaza square are three restaurant / bars with terrace or patio seating as well as other businesses the tourist might be interested in.

At the end of Plaza Viva Tijuana going west begins the ramp to a walking bridge which spans the Tijuana River Canal. It is usually dry except after heavy rains. Along the ramp and the bridge are many local sellers offering their wares. One of the most interesting, I thought, were a couple of young ladies braiding hair. Their prices were much less than charged in salons and they did a pretty good job of it.

Address: Via de La Juventud Oriente #8800

Phone: 82 82 90

Playas de Tijuana

Playas is the word for Beaches in Spanish. If you are not a surfer nor a Bull Fight aficionado you may not even have heard of Playas de Tijuana.

However, at the beach in Tijuana there are a couple of things to see, besides sand and Pacific Ocean. The Bull Ring and the Border Park right on the border of Mexico and the USA. It is a popular place during the summer and over the years has evolved. Still, Rosarito Beach seems more active and more popular, this is still a fun beach too.

Centro Cultural Tijuana Cultural Center Review

This is an interesting cultural center which also houses an OMNIMAX theater, a walk-through museum of Mexican history and exibits of the various regions of Mexico. There is also a concert hall, courtyard, a nice cafe and a bookshop.

Centro Cultural Tijuana is not exactly on the touristic path, however I strongly recommend a visit to this museum and events venue because it is an active learning center as well as a history museum that is presented in an interesting and easy to understand motif. Check their website before your visit to see if there are any special events taking place that may intice you and enrich your visit.

It is the walk through museum that I especially like. It differs from other museums in that the progression of the path-way begins with a scaled version of the ancient Aztec temples including the surrounding city and ends with the cultural variety of various Mexican regions. There are verified historical artifacts to see, plaques to read that explain the event or timeline and it tells a story from beginning to end, which is always satisfying. In between, the story of European conquest is told and the melding of cultures comes into view.

Address: Paseo de los Héroes No. 9350, Zona Rio

Directions: On the corner of Paseo de los Heroes and Avenida Independencia in Zona Urban Rio.

Other Contact: Email: opina@cecut.gob.mx

Phone: 01 (664) 687-9600

Website: http://www.cecut.gob.mx/

Avenida Revolucion Shopping Review

Revolucion is the main shopping street in Tijuana. There are fixed price stores selling clothes, perfumes, shoes, whatever you want and there are the usual curio shops selling typical Mexican crafted goods.

Some of the best buys are Leather; jackets, purses, hats and so on. Turquoise is pretty cheap and Silver jewelery which comes from Taxco is sold at very reasonable prices.

Avenida Revolucion in downtown TJ and Zona Rio to the east of downtown are the two main tourist shopping areas, but if you want to see a bit of the local areas, you need only walk a block on either side of Revolution you will find many interesting stores. Also, the Mercado Hidalgo is a true Mexican market and the prices are "localized."

The Tijuana Arch! Tijuana Arch Review

You must see the Tijuana Arch, not necessarily because it is a "must see," rather, because it is so tall that it can be seen all over the city. I know next to nothing about this arch and am not into steel structures--I didn't even go up the Eiffel Tower in Paris!

However, this is a great landmark for touists, on two levels. First, if lost, the Arch could be used as a guide-line for finding one's way. Second, there is a huge screen in the center of the Arch one could watch while sitting on a near by bench waiting for friends and family who want to continue shopping.

Address: Calle 1 and Avenida Revolucion