The Zona Rio is a fashionable middle class Tijuana neighborhood known for its shopping, night clubs, and restaurants.

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.

Centro Cultural Tijuana

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

You 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.

  • 🌍 Tijuana Cultural Center (Centro Cultural Tijuana), Paseo de los Héroes 9350. (updated Jul 2021)
  • 🌍 The Trompo Interactive Museum (Museo Interactivo el Trompo), Av de los Insurgentes s/n. (updated Jul 2021)
  • 🌍 Morelos Park. Zoo and park. (updated Jul 2021)

Do

  • 🌍 Masaje Milagroso Spa (Masaje Milagroso), Blvd Salinas 10755, int-4 Colonia Aviacion, Tijuana 22014 (Located on Blvd Salinas side of Plaza Conquistador, Parking in the plaza), ☏ +52 664 535 3558, . 9AM-10PM. t Masaje Milagroso Spa, we offer a wide variety of massage styles designed to meet your individual needs and preferences. Our professional therapists are trained to provide the most relaxing and therapeutic massage experience. Some of our popular massage styles include Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Thai Massage, Shiatsu Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Sports Massage, Reflexology Massage, Lomi Lomi Hawaiian Massage, Prenatal Massage, and Aromatherapy Massage. Each style caters to different needs, from deep relaxation to relieving muscle tension and overall well-being.

    The best part is that we've simplified our pricing structure so that all our massage styles come at the same cost, meaning you can choose the one you like without worrying about the price. The cost only varies based on the duration you choose, giving you flexibility to tailor your massage experience to your schedule. Additionally, we offer add-on options to enhance your massage, such as Dead Sea Salt Exfoliation and premium spa products. Our products are of the highest quality and are paraben-free, ensuring the best care for your skin and overall well-being.

    At Masaje Milagroso Spa, we also offer a full range of additional spa services to complement your massage experience. You can indulge in rejuvenating facial treatments, relaxing sauna sessions, and specific massages such as post-surgery or lymphatic massage. We also provide reduction treatments and body masks for those looking to enhance their appearance and well-being.

    Our variety of massage options, transparent pricing structure, and additional spa services make Masaje Milagroso Spa your ideal destination for relaxation and well-being. We invite you to explore all our offerings and experience the difference of receiving a massage in an environment dedicated to your comfort and satisfaction.     500MXN. (updated Oct 2023)
  • 🌍 Masaje Milagroso Spa (Masaje Milagroso), Blvd Salinas 10755, int-4 Colonia Aviacion, Tijuana 22014 (Located on Blvd Salinas side of Plaza Conquistador, Parking in the plaza), ☏ +52 664 535 3558, . 9AM-10PM. Masaje Milagroso Spa offers a wide variety of massage styles designed to meet your individual needs and preferences. Masaje Milagroso Spa's professional therapists are trained to provide the most relaxing and therapeutic massage experience. Enjoy a simplified pricing structure so that all our massage styles have the same cost and pricing only differs by the amount of time selected for the massage. This ensures you can choose the style you really need without worrying about the price. Massage Enhancement services are offered, such as Dead Sea salt exfoliation, saunas, cold rooms, jacuzzi and much more. Open 7 days a week Monday to Sunday. 500MXN. (updated Oct 2023)
  • 🌍 Masaje Milagroso Spa, Blvd Salinas 10755, int-4 Colonia Aviacion, Tijuana 22014 (Located on Blvd Salinas side of Plaza Conquistador, Parking in the plaza), ☏ +52 664 535 3558, . 9AM-10PM. Masaje Milagroso Spa offers a wide variety of massage styles designed to meet your individual needs and preferences. Masaje Milagroso Spa's professional therapists are trained to provide the most relaxing and therapeutic massage experience. Enjoy a simplified pricing structure so that all our massage styles have the same cost and pricing only differs by the amount of time selected for the massage. This ensures you can choose the style you really need without worrying about the price. Massage Enhancement services are offered, such as Dead Sea salt exfoliation, saunas, cold rooms, jacuzzi and much more. Open 7 days a week Monday to Sunday. MXN. (updated Oct 2023)
  • 🌍 Masaje Milagroso Spa, Blvd Salinas 10755, int-4 Colonia Aviacion, Tijuana 22014 (Located on Blvd Salinas side of Plaza Conquistador, Parking in the plaza), ☏ +52 664 535 3558, . 9AM-10PM. Masaje Milagroso Spa offers a wide variety of massage styles designed to meet your individual needs and preferences. Masaje Milagroso Spa's professional therapists are trained to provide the most relaxing and therapeutic massage experience. Enjoy a simplified pricing structure so that all our massage styles have the same cost and pricing only differs by the amount of time selected for the massage. This ensures you can choose the style you really need without worrying about the price. Massage Enhancement services are offered, such as Dead Sea salt exfoliation, saunas, cold rooms, jacuzzi and much more. Open 7 days a week Monday to Sunday. MXN. (updated Oct 2023)

Buy

  • 🌍 Plaza Rio, Blvd. Paseo de los Heroes 95. One of the largest malls in Baja California. It has a variety of department stores, shops, restaurants and movie theaters. 
  • 🌍 Mercado Hidalgo. A farmers' market selling a variety of produce and crafts. 

Eat

  • 🌍 Mision 19, Misión de San Javier 10643, ☏ +52 664 634 2493. 
  • 🌍 Hornero - Pizza a la Piedra, Blvd. Salinas 10556-8 Colonia Aviacion, ☏ +52 664 686 2633. Regarded by many as the best pizzeria in town. 
  • El Cafe Especial, Blvd Salinas 3600, Col. Aviacion, ☏ +52 664 686 6258. 
  • Cien Años, Jose Maria de Velazco 2351, Zona Urbana Rio (on a side street off Paseo de los Heroes), ☏ +52 664 634-3039. Su 08:00-20:00; M-F 08:00-23:00, Sa 08:00-00:00. Open 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. (updated Feb 2016)
  • La Diferencia, Blvd. Sánchez Taboada No.10521, Zona Río, Aviacion (between Blvd. Abelardo L. Rodríguez & Escuadrón 201), ☏ +52 664 634-7078. Su 07:30-18:00; M-Sa 07:30-22:30. Offers Mexican dishes and great tamarindo margaritas. Moderately expensive by Tijuana standards but well worth it. ~US$95 for 2 people, incl. margaritas, wine, appetizer, entree & dessert. (updated Feb 2016)
  • Villa Marina, Paseo de los Heroes 4449, Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana, ☏ +52 664 973-6868. (updated Feb 2016)
  • Italianissimo, Blvd. Agua Caliente No. 10556-9AR, Centro. Com. Rocasa. Serves dishes from all regions of Italy. Moderate to expensive. (updated Feb 2016)
  • Villa Saverios, Escuadrón 201 3151, Aviacion (Blvd Sanchez Tabaoda & Escuadron), ☏ +52 664 686-6442. Owned 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. US$5-20. (updated Feb 2016)

Drink

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:

Mid-range

  • 🌍 Hotel Astor, Blvd. Insurgentes #1000-14, Fracc. Los Alamos (Blvd Insurgentes (Hwy 2) & Alamos in the 3rd stage in Zona Rio (SE part of town)), ☏ +52 664 621-2611. They 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.

  • 🌍 Real Inn (formerly the pink Camino Real), Paseo de los Héroes 9902, Zona Urbana Rio (Paseo de los Heroes & Cuautehtemoc Nte (Hwy 1), next to the big Plaza Rio Mall), ☏ +52 664 633-4000, toll-free: +1-800-722-6466 (US). 
  • 🌍 Grand Hotel Tijuana, Blvd Aguacaliente #4558, Col Aviacion (Along Blvd Aguacaliente between Sonora & Aguacaliente, north of the expansive golf course.), ☏ +52 664 681-7000, toll-free: 01800 0266007 (MX), +1-866-472-6385 (US). The 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). 
  • 🌍 Hotel Lucerna, Paseo de los Heroes 10902, Zona Rio, ☏ +52 664 633-3900. Hotel 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. (updated Jan 2016)
  • 🌍 Marriott Tijuana (formerly Hotel Emporio), Blvrd Aguacliente #11553, Col. Aviacion (Blvd Aguacaliente and Salinas which connects to Paseo de los Heroes.), ☏ +52 664 622-6600. The Marriott took over the Hotel Emporio in 2016. 

Connect

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