Tijuana/Zona Rio
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It is dominated by the Paseo de los Héroes, a wide, divided and usually very busy street. The major intersections of the Paseo de los Héroes are circuses, each with a large statue of a hero. Lesser heroes appear as busts along the grassy center of the avenue.
As circular intersections are almost unheard of in the US, the Zona Rio has a distinctly foreign look to the American eye, despite the fact that it is only a mile or so from the border. That you seldom see tourists in this zone adds to the sense of being truly abroad.
A visit to the Zona Río presents a sharp, mostly favorable, contrast to the touristy Zona Centro. Knowing Spanish will be very helpful here, but non-Spanish speakers need not be deterred.
Destinations include the Mercado Hidalgo, a large open farmer's market, the Plaza Río, a popular shopping mall, and countless restaurants, many of them with excellent reputations.
Get in
One can walk to the Zona Rio from the border in about 30 minutes without passing through any bad neighborhoods. However, it is not obvious how to do this without experience or a good map. A cab or Uber ride should not cost more than US$3.
See
Exhibits at the Tijuana Cultural Center at the intersection of the Paseo de los Héroes and Avenida Independencia.
Buy
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Plaza Rio
address: Blvd. Paseo de los Heroes 95One of the largest malls in Baja California. It has a variety of department stores, shops, restaurants and movie theaters. Mercado HidalgoA farmers market selling a variety of produce and crafts.
Eat
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phone: +52 664 634 2493address: Misión de San Javier 10643
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phone: +52 664 686 2633address: Blvd. Salinas 10556-8 Colonia AviacionRegarded by many as the best pizzeria in town.
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phone: +52 664 686 6258address: Blvd Salinas 3600, Col. Aviacion
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Cien Años
phone: +52 664 634-3039address: Jose Maria de Velazco 2351, Zona Urbana RioOpen for lunch and dinner. Very famous. Supposedly every recipe on the menu is over 100 years old (hence the name "Cien Años", one hundred years). Some recipes supposedly date back to Aztec times. Menu includes a number of items such as corn fungus, and bone marrow soup. Gringo-friendly but Spanish is useful. Restaurant is small, with beautiful decor, and a relaxing atmosphere. Prices range from moderate to expensive. -
La Diferencia
phone: +52 664 634-7078address: Blvd. Sánchez Taboada No.10521, Zona Río, AviacionOffers Mexican dishes and great tamarindo margaritas. Moderately expensive by Tijuana standards but well worth it. -
phone: +52 664 973-6868address: Paseo de los Heroes 4449, Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana
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Italianissimo
address: Blvd. Agua Caliente No. 10556-9AR, Centro. Com. RocasaServes dishes from all regions of Italy. Moderate to expensive. -
phone: +52 664 686-6442address: Escuadrón 201 3151, AviacionOwned by the same founder of the other Italian restaurant chain in Tijuana, Giuseppi's, this Tuscany-style mansion/restaurant has excellent food and atmosphere, aimed at both middle and high class customers. It's also a favorite because of its unique menu which blends both Baja and Mediterranean flavors in its food and wine selection. It is in the so-called restaurant district on Blvd. Sanchez Taboada, right besides La Espadaña, T.G.I. Fridays, La Diferencia and Cheripan. There are two other Saverios in the city; both are smaller café-style ones.
Sleep
Budget
The "accommodations" in the "budget" category are migrant houses or hostels operated by NGOs, religious organizations and other charities that are more geared towards meeting the spiritual and physical needs (including feeding & providing shelter) of the migrants from poorer regions of Mexico and Central America working in Tijuana or continuing north to the U.S. (or had been repatriated from the U.S.) than as a "hostel" for the backpacking tourist. Many are located in Colonia Postal north of Rio Tijuana, from Zona Rio. The neighborhood is a shabbier mixed use neighborhood between residential and light industrial use. The 'Ejercito de Salvacion' is located further in Libertad closer to the border and east of the San Ysidro crossing point. Some may let in a backpacker, ask:-
Ejercito de Salvacion (Salvation Army)
phone: +52 664 6832694address: Aquiles Serdán #11585, Libertad -
phone: +52 664 6825180address: Calle Galileao 239, Col PostalCalle Galileo 239, Col. Postal,
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phone: +52 664 6830575address: Calle Galileo 2305, Col. Postal
Mid-range
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phone: +52 664 621-2611address: Blvd. Insurgentes #1000-14, Fracc. Los AlamosThey offer comfortable, clean and functional rooms equipped with general amenities. Staff offers attentive, friendly service. The restaurant serves traditional international breakfast. WiFi connectivity is available.
Splurge
Most of the hotels in Zona Rio are in the "Splurge" category and are usually the Mexican and international chain brands. There are a number of hotels lined up along Blvd Aguascaliente north of the country club as well as along Paseo de la Reforma surrounding the Plaza Rio Mall.-
phone: +52 664 633-4000address: Paseo de los Héroes 9902, Zona Urbana Rio
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phone: +52 664 681-7000address: Blvd Aguacaliente #4558, Col AviacionThe Grand Hotel Tijuana is one of the most prominent feature in Tijuana's skyline, having 2 33-story twin towers. It features several bars and restaurants, and an in-house shopping mall. Adjacent to the hotel is the Club Campestre de Tijuana, Tijuana's oldest and most prestigious country club, which features an 18-hole golf course in very good shape designed by Allister McKenzie, who also designed Augusta National Golf Club (site of the Masters professional championship).
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phone: +52 664 633-3900address: Paseo de los Heroes 10902, Zona RioHotel Lucerna Tijuana is another very safe and clean hotel in the Zona Rio with a great pool, and service. It also has a very upscale bar, restaurant, and lounge area. Guards 24/7 and valet parking.
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phone: +52 664 622-6600address: Blvrd Aguacliente #11553, Col. AviacionThe Marriott took over the Hotel Emporio in 2016.