Where to Stay in Tijuana – 4 TOP Areas with Hotels

Looking for a holiday destination where you can enjoy a vibrant nightlife, do plenty of shopping, eat delicious food, and relax on the beach? Well, Tijuana, in Baja California in Mexico, is the ideal match for you! Once you’re convinced this is THE spot for your next trip, it’s time to start considering where to stay in Tijuana. 

A few years ago, I visited Tijuana and had an amazing time there! In this post, I’ll share my experience with you and tell you all about the 4 best neighborhoods in Tijuana. Plus, I’ll provide my handpicked recommendations for top-rated hotels in each neighborhood for any budget. 

The best place to stay in Tijuana is Centro, i.e., the city center; this is where you’ll find the most popular bars and clubs, as well as the city’s main cultural and historical attractions. 

Whether you decide to stay in Centro or one of the other 3 Tijuana neighborhoods, you need to hurry up and book your hotel. The best and safest hotels in Tijuana sell out super quickly, and you don’t want to miss a chance for a comfortable stay at the best rates. 

Let’s dive in! 

NOTE: The city’s name is pronounced ‘Tee-wa-na,’ not ‘Tee-a-wa-na.’

Quick Picks for Your Stay

If you want to book now, here’s a list of the best hotels in Tijuana, Mexico, all situated in Tijuana Centro:

Here’s a map of the 4 Tijuana neighborhoods I will be talking about in this post so you can visualize them better:

1. Tijuana Centro – where to stay for the first time

If this is your first time in the city, you’ll want to stay in Centro, the lively city center of Tijuana. This part of the city hosts most cultural, historical, and nightlife attractions. This is also Tijuana’s financial district, attracting different types of tourists and offering many accommodation options.

The first thing to know about Tijuana is that it’s a border city! The city of Tijuana borders the US state of California to the North, and it’s just a 30-min drive away from San Diego! Crossing the border from the US into Mexico is relatively fast and easy, and the best way to do it is by car or by walking – there are even pedestrian bridges! 

FUN FACT: Young people flock to Tijuana because Mexico’s legal drinking age is 18 – while in the US, the legal age is 21. Yes, people come here to drink alcohol legally! 

The Tijuana city center is a blend of bars, restaurants (cantinas), shopping centers, museums, art galleries, casinos, and theaters featuring the best cultural festivals in the city! This means you can pass from deep diving into Tijuana culture to dancing the night away in the many clubs in the snap of your fingers! 

The heart of the Centro district can be found in the famous Avenida Revolucion (map) – Revolution Avenue or Revolution Street – where, back in time, during the prohibition era, Americans would come to purchase alcohol legally.

NOTE: Directly North of Centro and South of the US border, you’ll find Zona Norte. The area is home to vibrant street art, the Tijuana Arch (map), and countless bars and clubs. However, this is also the city’s red-light district and not as safe as the neighborhoods I recommend here. If you do decide to visit, don’t go alone and stay alert at all times. 

Tijuana city center is the best area to stay in Tijuana for first-time visitors – it’s walkable, but it’s also very well connected to other areas of the city. Even though you can walk in any of the tourist areas in Tijuana, definitely avoid walking at night. You can use local taxis and Uber to get around – they’re safe and inexpensive. PRO TIP: Always choose a white taxi over a yellow one! The yellow taxis operate on a fixed-fare system, and the white ones operate on a meter, meaning they can give a better (and fairer) price. Taxi scams are the most common tourist scams in Tijuana, so be extra careful when choosing one.

Other accommodation options in Tijuana Centro

Things to do in Tijuana Centro

• Gaze at the architecture of Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (map)
• Buy authentic Mexican souvenirs at El Popo Market (map)
• Relax or have a walk at the green Teniente Guerrero’s Park (map)
• Learn about Tijuana’s history at the History Museum Tijuana
• Recognize the 100 wax celebrities at the Wax Museum
• Attend an event at the Jai Alai Palace Forum
• Attend some football matches at the Caliente Stadium (map)

2. Zona Rio – the most upscale area in Tijuana

The Zona Rio district, literally ‘Tijuana River,’ is the city’s modern business district, where all the region’s commercial and financial businesses are located. Situated directly East of Centro, this is one of the best places in Tijuana to indulge in luxury, and it’s also one of the top safe places to stay in Tijuana. 

This neighborhood lies literally only 5 minutes by car from the US border: just to give you an idea, you can be in San Diego in 25 minutes! Perfect if you feel like extending your beach holiday and want to change the setting.

Being a financial area, here you will find the city’s most luxurious hotels and upscale restaurants offering delicious cuisines worldwide. If food is one of the main reasons you’re going to Tijuana, check out The Boulevard General Rodolfo Sanchez Taboada (map), one of the city’s main gastronomical hubs!

And if you want to try something more local, there’s the farmer’s market Mercado Hidalgo (map), where you can try the popular Cenadurias (Mexican cafes), fresh fruits, and vegetables.

But in Rio there’s more than business and food. The district hosts the main Tijuana Cultural Center, as well as many shopping centers and stores (I counted more than 120!) selling literally ANY kind of product.

Being one of the main tourist points in the city, Río Tijuana offers a wide range of hotels (many with a river view). If you think this is the right area for you, try to book them as soon as you can… you could find some great deals!

Other accommodation options in Zona Rio

Things to do in Zona Rio 

• Learn more about the region at Tijuana Cultural Center (CECUT)
• Go for a personalized wine valley tour in Guadalupe!
• Do some hiking in the scenic Cerro Colorado district (map)
• Wander around at Paseo De Los Heroes (map) and Boulevard Agua Caliente (map)
• Go crazy shopping at the big Plaza Rio Shopping Center (map)
• Sample local Baja craft brews in one of the bars around Plaza Fiesta (map)
• Try the typical Cenadurias (Mexican cafes) at the Hidalgo Market
• Sample different dishes from the many food trucks at Telefónica Gastro Park (map)

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3. Playas De Tijuana – for the best beach holiday in Tijuana

Playas De Tijuana (Tijuana Beach) is the Westernmost district in the city and stretches from the US border all the way down the coast. Located a 20 min drive West of Centro, this is THE place to stay if you’re all about sand and sun and fun watersports!

In fact, depending on the time of the year here, you can engage in either surfing, kayaking, or bodyboarding! However, Playas De Tijuana hosts many other ways of entertainment, from concerts to festivals, sporting events like boxing matches, and even bullfighting!

Yes, you heard it right: the most popular attraction in the area is the Plaza de Toros Monumental, a huge stadium commonly known as ‘Bullring By The Sea,’ where you can go watch the bullfighting shows.

Playas De Tijuana is the place to gaze at the best oceanfront views and taste delicious seafood, fish tacos, ceviche, and “Camarones Cucaracha” on the famous Malecón, i.e. the Tijuana Beach Promenade (map)!TIP: if you want to explore more of the city, and you don’t want to rent a car (it’s a possibility, but I wouldn’t recommend it), you can always rely on ride-shares and taxis. However, there’s also Calafias, a bus provider that operates in Tijuana. It has many buses and offers plenty of routes – you can get more info here. The buses are relatively safe for tourists but still less secure than taxis and Ubers.

Other accommodation options in Playas de Tijuana

Things to do in Playas de Tijuana

• Relax, swim, and splash at Tijuana Beach (map)
• Try one of the many water sports: surfing, kayaking, or bodyboarding 
• Check out the exhibitions of the arts & culture house
• Attend an event at Plaza de Toros Monumental
• Enjoy a stunning sunset at Los Arcos Playas de Tijuana (map)
• Grab a fish taco while you’re walking on the Malecon promenade

4. Rosarito – where to stay in Tijuana for nightlife

If you’re looking for the same laid-back vibe of Tijuana Beach but with more nightlife, Rosarito is the right area for you! Even though technically its own municipality, a half an hour’s drive South of Tijuana Centro, this is a super popular destination with tourists… and no wonder why!

Rosarito hosts so many stunning beaches – Rosarito Beach (map) and La Bardita Beach (map), to name just a few – where you can fully relax and enjoy the best sunsets while sipping a fresh cocktail. 

But if, like me, you’re not able to just lie down and do nothing, you’ll be happy to know that here you can engage in several water activities, from surfing to snorkeling or scuba diving!

But Rosarito is particularly loved for its fun nightlife, so get ready to have some real fun in the eclectic bars and clubs of the area… here they will keep you going until the early hours of the morning!

The area is home to many stunning beachfront and oceanview hotels where to enjoy full relaxation and fresh sea breeze; check them out:

Other accommodation options in Rosarito

Things to do in Rosarito

• Splash in the warm waters of Rosarito Beach and La Bardita Beach
• Surf the perfect wave in Muelle de Rosarito (map)
• Treat yourself to a delicious meal at El Nido Restaurante (map)
• Go hiking at Cerro Coronel (map) and enjoy panoramic views of the coast
• Visit Puerto Nuevo town (map), the foodie’s paradise
• Browse the local arts and crafts at the Local Artisan Market (map)
• Party the night away at Papas & Beer (map)

FAQs about where to stay in Tijuana, Mexico

📍 Which is the best place to stay in Tijuana, Baja California? 

The best area to stay in Tijuana is the Centro, where all the best attractions are concentrated. Here, you can find many accommodation options like the Hotel Boutique Lafayette Tijuana or Hotel Ticuán, both offering great value for money!

🏠 Where is the safest place in Tijuana?

🚦Is staying in Tijuana safe?

Yes, touristy areas like the City Center, Zona Río, and Playas de Tijuana or Rosarito are safe to walk around. However, you should always be aware of the city’s surroundings and avoid walking on the outskirts at night.

🧳What are the best hotels in Tijuana near the border?

The best hotels in Tijuana, Baja, California, near the US border are Hotel Real del Rio (in Zona Rio) and Hotel Ticuán (in the City Center), literally only 50 min drive away from the United States border. 

✈️ What are the best hotels in Tijuana near Tijuana Airport?

Final words on best places to stay in Tijuana

We’re at the end of this guide on where to stay in Tijuana! Hopefully, by now, you have a better idea of what area to choose and which hotel to book. 

But if you’re still weighing your options, these 2 are my favorite hotels in Tijuana Centro: 

Once you make a decision, hurry up and book your hotel. All the good ones are quick to sell out, and you don’t want to miss out on Tijuana – trust me! 

If you have any questions about Tijuana and the safe areas in the city or the best places to visit in Tijuana, drop me a comment below! I look forward to reading your questions and answering them!

Have an unforgettable holiday, 

Yulia

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