Where to stay

Tijuana's diverse nightlife is one of its main draws, as is its delicious cuisine. Booking a hotel near the banks of Rio Tijuana will put you in easy reach of some of the city's trendiest restaurants and Plaza Fiesta, the unofficial home of the city's growing craft beer scene. Full-fledged beer fans may prefer to stay in Tecate, a small city northeast of Tijuana best known for brewing the famous lager of the same name. Downtown Tijuana, also known as Centro, is also a great option for booking a room, with delicious local fare available on a maze of streets lined with rustic taquerias, traditional cafés, and international chain restaurants.

When deciding where to stay within walking distance of Tijuana's top attractions, Avenida Revolución in Centro is a great choice. It's the busy main street in the city's historic Old Town and teems with cultural hotspots such as El Foro, a former palace turned concert venue. Visitors more interested in Tijuana's creative side should consider booking accommodations near Tijuana's artistic Pasaje Rodríguez, an atmospheric alley with galleries, murals, bookshops, and boutiques to browse. To learn more about the history and culture of the Baja California Peninsula, stay near the Tijuana Cultural Center in Zona Rio, just east of the downtown area.

Tijuana's coastal position unsurprisingly gives it glorious stretches of golden sand ideal for a balmy beach getaway. Make a hotel reservation along Playas de Tijuana for a fun and friendly atmosphere only a short distance from the city center. Farther south is Rosarito, a quieter beach resort that was once a favorite vacation spot of Hollywood stars including Orson Welles and Marilyn Monroe. Book a room along the promenade and get ready to swim or perhaps even dive at Rosarito's artificial reef made from a sunken Mexican Navy patrol ship. A little farther down the coast is Puerto Nuevo, a seaside village famous for its delicious lobster and pleasant accommodations with uninterrupted sea views.