The 2025 Tianguis Turístico (Tourism Tianguis) has arrived in Baja California, opening an exciting gateway for travelers from around the world to discover everything this vibrant state has to offer. From breathtaking landscapes to an unforgettable culinary and cultural scene, Baja California is full of surprises. And among its treasures is Tijuana, the world’s most visited border city.
Tijuana is a city shaped by migration and brimming with cultural diversity. Its renowned cuisine and booming craft beer scene attract visitors from far and wide.
A Brief History of Tijuana
Tijuana’s origins trace back to 1829, when the governor of the Californias, José María Echeandía, granted Don Santiago Argüello a vast 10,000 hectare estate known as Rancho Tía Juana. Over the following decades, the land title was reaffirmed, and the ranch’s name eventually became synonymous with the city itself.
Following the loss of Alta California, Tijuana’s location at the new international boundary profoundly influenced its growth.
The city’s official founding date is July 11, 1889, when Argüello’s descendants reached an agreement to urbanize the area.
Today, Tijuana is home to the busiest land border crossing in the world, receiving over 19 million tourists each year—more than 50,000 people daily. A standout feature is the CBX, the first binational pedestrian bridge in the world. It connects Tijuana International Airport directly to San Diego, California, and facilitates over 10,000 crossings per day.
Historic Downtown
Avenida Revolución
Known as the heart of Tijuana, Avenida Revolución is a living symbol of the city’s heritage and its continuous reinvention. Lined with restaurants, bars, museums, and casinos, “La Revu” has been partly transformed into a pedestrian corridor, full of local flavor, arts, and culture. A new carousel, open daily from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., adds a magical touch for kids.
Nightlife on Avenida Revolución
Avenida Revolución offers a wide variety of cantinas and bars, with music genres and styles to suit every taste. One of the most iconic venues is Black Box, known for its legendary rock nights and live performances from local, national, and international bands.
Another standout is Las Pulgas, widely considered the city’s best dance spot. Since opening in 1988, it has hosted a steady lineup of live music groups playing salsa, cumbia, banda, norteña, and pop, promising great nights on the dance floor.
Passageways
The pasajes or passageways along Avenida Revolución began nearly a century ago as curiosity shops and jewelry stores. Over time, they’ve evolved into artistic hubs and cultural attractions for both locals and visitors.
Among the most famous are Pasaje Revolución, Pasaje México, and Pasaje Rodríguez, all corridors filled with artisan shops, cafés, and art galleries that create a dynamic, inviting atmosphere for all ages.
Antiguo Palacio Jai Alai
Located on Hermenegildo Galeana Street, the Antiguo Palacio Jai Alai was built in 1947 and originally served as the venue for thrilling frontón tournaments. Today, this iconic building has been transformed into a modern venue known as El Foro, hosting musical and cultural events throughout the year.
Paseo de la Fama
Right outside El Foro is the Paseo de la Fama, where more than 200 notable figures from the art, science, technology, sports, business, and academic fields have been honored with a star bearing their name.
Tijuana’s Cultural Richness
Tijuana Cultural Center
The Centro Cultural Tijuana (CECUT) is a true city landmark, easily recognizable from afar thanks to its unique architecture. Inside, it offers a wide range of artistic expressions, including exhibitions, live performances, immersive IMAX screenings, a film archive, an aquarium, and a rich calendar of cultural events across its various spaces. It also houses two museums, one focused on border history and the other on contemporary art.
- Californias Museum: Inside CECUT, the Museo de las Californias offers an insightful journey through the region’s history. Featuring over 1,000 pieces that highlight both local and national milestones, the museum provides a thorough exploration of Baja California’s cultural and historical heritage.
- El Cubo Museum: Museo El Cubo is dedicated to contemporary art, offering a striking contrast to the main structure of CECUT. This space invites visitors to experience the cutting edge of art through its temporary exhibitions, which feature works from both national and international artists.
Taco Museum
The Museo del Taco provides an entertaining and immersive experience. This themed space invites you to discover nine interactive rooms, each dedicated to an essential taco ingredient. Here, you can swing on a rubber onion, slide down a taco, and capture some great photos.
No visit is complete without tasting the delicious tacos on offer, with options like suadero, rich beef birria, classic carne asada, and flavorful adobada.
Wax Museum
Founded in 1993, the Museo de Cera displays over 80 figures of iconic personalities from Mexico’s history, literature, film, and art. Featured figures include Pedro Infante, Lola Beltrán, Luis Miguel, Cantinflas, Cuauhtémoc, Moctezuma, Venustiano Carranza, Porfirio Díaz, and Emiliano Zapata.
As the second museum of its kind in Latin America, it offers a fun experience for visitors of all ages, taking them on a fascinating journey through Mexico’s past and present.
Mexican Wrestling Museum
The Museo de la Lucha Libre Mexicana (Mullme) is the first museum in Mexico dedicated to honoring professional wrestling. Opened on April 2017, the museum features an extensive collection of over 6,900 pieces.
Among the treasures on display are legendary wrestler masks, capes, colorful posters, specialized magazines, animated figures, seats, collectible keychains, photographs, commemorative statues, original trophies, and more.
El Trompo Interactive Museum
El Trompo provides an engaging space for children to learn through play. With a focus on science and technology, the museum invites young visitors to explore. Its rooms and exhibits allow children and teens to perform scientific experiments, discover technological progress, and spark their creativity through dynamic activities.
Feel the Thrill of Sports
Tijuana welcomes sports fans with vibrant venues and unforgettable matches. At Auditorio Zonkeys, basketball lovers can cheer alongside the team and feel the intensity of the game from the stands.
Soccer enthusiasts won’t want to miss a match at Estadio Caliente, home of the Xolos. This modern, vibrant stadium is the perfect place to enjoy the passion and celebration of the Liga MX.
And for baseball fans, Estadio Chevron brings the heat with the Toros de Tijuana. Enjoy a lively, family-friendly atmosphere and witness spectacular plays under the Baja California sun.
Discover the Home of Craft Beer
Tijuana is considered the craft beer capital of Latin America. With over 200 unique labels, this border city serves up an impressive variety of styles and flavors.
Among the standouts is Lúdica, named the best small brewery in Mexico in 2019. Known for its bold and unconventional offerings, Lúdica creates brews that blend beer and wine in unexpected ways.
Cervecería Insurgente, founded in 2013, is another local favorite. Its reputation extends far beyond the region, with award-winning beers recognized both nationally and internationally.
And don’t miss Border Psycho Brewery, known for seven signature styles: Imperial Psycho Ale, Porter, English Brown Ale, Brutal Imperial Stout, La Belga Psicópata, Cream Ale, and La Perversa.
World Class Cuisine
Tijuana’s cuisine has become one of its biggest draws, offering a remarkable range of flavors, styles, and dishes you won’t find anywhere else. Many travelers even come to this border city just for the food alone.
The city is also the birthplace of Baja Med cuisine, a concept from Chef Miguel Ángel Guerrero that combines local ingredients with Mediterranean techniques and Asian influences. This culinary style highlights the region’s products, such as lobster, tuna, lamb, olive oil, and wine. The first recommendation in this guide is to visit his restaurant La Querencia and fall in love with its unique flavor.
But because gastronomy is at the heart of Tijuana, we’re sharing three more spots that are sure to win you over.
Hotel Caesars
They say if you visit Tijuana and don’t try the Caesar salad, it’s as if you never came. The famous dish was born here, created more than 100 years ago at Caesar’s Restaurant, then owned by César Cardini and his brother, Italian immigrants living in Tijuana.
It may look simple at first glance, but its flavor is truly unique. The visit is not only gastronomic but historical, as the original furniture, photos, and menus are still on display inside the Hotel Caesars.
Tacos El Franc
Tijuana is known for its delicious tacos—birria, adobada, or carne asada. But among the many options, Tacos El Franc stands out.
Considered “a classic” by the Michelin Guide presenter in Mexico, this place has won over food critics and made it into TasteAtlas’s list of the best tacos in the world.
Carmelita Molino y Cocina
Carmelita Molino y Cocina is the only restaurant in Tijuana to receive a Bib Gourmand recognition from the Michelin Guide. Under Chef José Figueroa, it pays tribute to traditional Mexican cooking.
What began as a food truck in 2014 has grown into a well-established restaurant. Here, corn is the star ingredient, featured in everything from chilaquiles to tamales stuffed with grilled beef rib.
A New Home for Thousands of Americans
Tijuana has emerged as a popular choice for U.S. citizens seeking a new place to live. In recent years, more Americans have crossed the border drawn by the city’s affordability and proximity to California.
The short distance from cities like San Diego allows many to maintain jobs or family connections while benefiting from a lower cost of living. For many, that means upgrading to more spacious, comfortable homes than they could afford back in the U.S.
From sleek condos with ocean views to family homes in quiet neighborhoods, Tijuana’s real estate market offers a broad range of possibilities.
Mexico’s Leading Destination for Medical Tourism
Tijuana has become a global point of reference in medical tourism, particularly for patients from the U.S. seeking quality healthcare at affordable prices.
The border city offers a wide range of specialties, including dentistry, plastic surgery, bariatric procedures, orthopedics, and cardiology. What sets Tijuana apart is the combination of highly trained and certified medical professionals with state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology.
Patients who choose Tijuana for their medical procedures benefit from substantial savings compared to costs in their home countries, without sacrificing the quality of care. The city’s proximity to the U.S. border also makes travel easier and allows loved ones to accompany patients during their recovery.
Discover Tijuana
Tijuana is built on countless stories that cross the border back and forth. The city has it all: internationally renowned cuisine, exciting sports, diverse artistic expressions, and unlimited fun for all ages.
Its strategic location and high-quality services also make it an ideal destination for medical tourism. So come experience life on the border—visit Tijuana!
Want to explore the wonders of Playas de Rosarito? Check out: Discover Rosarito, the Perfect Vacation Spot in Baja California.
