Avenida Revolucion, Tijuana

Favorite thing: On Revolucion between Calle 3 & 4, there is a Visitor's Information Center kiosk located front and center below this terrace. Bilingual representitives of the Tourist Bureau will answer questions and give useful advise. A selection of maps for such cities as Tijuana, Rosarito Beach and Ensenada are available and there is no charge.

The Information Center is open
Monday -Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Web address:

Tijuana Convention and Visitors Bureau

Fondest memory: The terrace of this building looked new and interesting. Maybe it was a reconstructed part of downtown, from a fire that burned a few years ago.

I took the elevator up to use the Ladies Room. Unfortunately this terrace section of the building had not been developed--or rented out yet. It was unadorned concrete with a few tables and chairs surrounding the elevator with a view to the street.

The public restrooms were at the back near the stairs. This section was more developed and quite pleasing to look at, however be warned that it will cost a quarter to enter the Ladies Room--probably the Mens room too. On the lower level in this back section there were several curio shops which seemed to carry a more modern inventory. One item I especially liked was the framed copies of Frieda. I thought I'd take a picture of them and make a VT shopping tip, giving name to that shop. Opps!

"No Camera!" A frantic voice yelled at me.

Obediently I lowered my camera, said, "Sorry," and continued on. So, no picture and no shop name.

Fondest memory: All of my fondest memories in Tijuana are of a delicious lunch or dinner with great friends and a relaxing good time. Of course, when I was younger, dancing was my favorite thing to do in TJ. I loved that Latin music and cumbia was my favorite dance.

I love to do shooters--shots of Tequila with salt and lime, but not too many at once. The best tequila to order--in my opinion is Jose Cuervo 1800--just ask for 'mil ocho cientos' and they'll know what to bring.

Wet the top area of your hand--between the thumb and pointer finger then sprinkle salt on it. With the same hand hold a wedge of lime. Now, drink the whole shot of tequila, lick the salt and bite on the lime, mmmmmm you must try it at least once.

Favorite thing: When shopping along Revolution, you need to keep in mind that the shopkeepers NEED to sell their items and you DO NOT NEED to buy them. If you remember this key fact, it gives you more bargaining power! Set a price in your head as to what you plan to pay, chop off some money and start to bargain from there. Don't show too much interest and be willing to walk. Most of the time, if you are close, but the shopkeeper will not budge, walking out will prompt them to come get you.

Favorite thing: My favorite thing about Tijuana was the chance to get a good deal. Maybe guys can't relate, but I think a lot of women consider finding quality merchandise at prices that would make your best friend jealous an art form. Avenida Revolucion is like a gameshow race for the best bargains. The truth is that Tijuana prices aren't really that amazing in general. There are some great prices here and there, but most of their products aren't that cheap. The fun is trying to get them to charge you as if you weren't a tourist. Whatever price they start with, offer them just below half. They'll balk and refuse and you'll give an "oh well" look and turn away. Then they say "wait" and offer you something about 25% off what they originally wanted to charge you. You can offer half or just over half, and they'll usually agree on the next price.

Favorite thing: Use your one-liter limit to take some of the local brew (tequila/mezcal) back!

Fondest memory: I miss nightclubbing there - People's Disco, Long Bar, etc... (Long Bar is closed now, though, and in place of that, Senor Frog's is the place to be!)

Favorite thing: Go to Revolucion Street, which is the main shopping street in Tijuana.

Fondest memory: There is all kinds of merchandise on sale here, and the rule of the game is to haggle. The merchants expect it, and I was buying things that I didn't even want just to haggle. It's all fun, start off with an offer of half of what the merchant quotes you. You can always walk away and they will either chase you down or you can go to another store a few feet away.

Favorite thing: SECRET SHOPPING -

Not all of the merchants vying for your money have a storefront on the sidewalk of Avenida Revolucion. There are a lot of mini-malls with a common entrance that lead back to a variety of booths with an amazing diversity of items for sale. The most unusual 'Secret Shopping' area is an underground market covering an entire city block. Marked only by an easy-to-miss sign advertising 'Hotel Lafayette', a cool and relaxed shopping experience unfolds for the adventuresome traveler who journeys down the strong wooden stairs to discover what waits below. Few tourists discover this area, which means the merchants are friendlier and more willing to bargain on price. Longing for a Mexican experience without the normal street-level hype? This is an excellent choice!

Favorite thing: If you're here to shop, drink and shake your stuff, you won't need to wander far off the few blocks of Avenida Revolución between 1st and about 8th streets. Here there's an uninterrupted stream of bars, dance clubs, malls, markets and souvenir stalls, and more or less permanent crowds.

Favorite thing: I think the main street was called Avenida Revolucion. If you stay around there, you'll find just about everything in the way of souvenirs, shops, restaurants, clubs.

Favorite thing: If you want a souvenir that's not too heavy to carry, look out for the guys selling huge, colourful artificial flowers. Actually, you don't have to look out for them, they're everywhere!