What's the best time to visit Tijuana?
The best time to visit Tijuana is in the spring, when mild and sunny weather makes exploring comfortable, with temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s Fahrenheit. This season offers clear skies, perfect for strolling around the city center or the Boardwalk at Playas de Tijuana, though it might be too chilly for swimming.
Whether you just want a quick taste of Mexico or need a starting point for the ultimate trip through Baja California, Tijuana is a great city to visit.
Located right on the US-Mexico border, walking distance from San Diego, Tijuana is a popular destination for quick trips to Mexico for burritos, nightlife, and more affordable medical care.
Visitors that stay longer will get to explore a rich culinary tradition (including the birthplace of Caesar salad) and an arts scene that is helping the once-maligned city change its reputation.
Whether you are staying for a few days or just a quick trip, you want to make sure you are planning your trip properly. Here is your quick guide to the best time to visit Tijuana.
Overall Best Time to Visit Tijuana
Tijuana, Mexico – November 5, 2017: Avenida Revolucion street scene and Arch/cmsphoto/Shutterstock
The best time of year to visit Tijuana is during the spring, when the weather is mild and sunny. No matter what time of year you visit, the best time to go to the city is during a weekday morning.
Weather is one of the main factors when deciding when to go to Tijuana, or anywhere in the world. Unlike many other Mexican cities, Tijuana is blessed with mostly mild weather all year round, with few extreme weather events such as the hurricanes that pummel the coast.
The best weather is during the spring, when temperatures are not too hot for exploring. Temperatures hover around the high 60s or low 70s on the Fahrenheit scale, rarely dropping much lower even at night.
The chance of rain also declines around March and continues to go down throughout spring. Most spring months you have a 90% chance of seeing clear, sunny skies. This weather combination is ideal for walking around Tijuana center.
You can also head to Playas de Tijuana, the neighborhood on the outskirts of the city proper and right by the beach. There, you can stroll along the Boardwalk and take in the view of the ocean (and the jarring view of the ocean border fence). It may be too cold for swimming, but it is warm enough to work on your tan.
An even more important factor than the weather when visiting Tijuana is the border line. The vast majority of visitors to Tijuana come by crossing the land border with the United States just a few miles away.
However, this border, the San Ysidro border crossing, is one of the busiest in the world. Many people live on one side and work or visit family on the other, meaning lines to cross are very long.
No matter what time of year you visit, the most important factor when planning the timing of your trip is minimizing your wait time at the border. Luckily, there are a few ways you can do so.
According to the Los Angeles Times, a widely read newspaper in southern California, US citizens can cut down their border wait time by crossing with a passport card or other RFID-compatible document. This allows you to use the expedited Ready Lane.
If you’re just going to Tijuana as a day trip, time your trip properly. Visit during a weekday when there are far fewer crowds than on the weekend. Time your trip to be between 8 AM and 3 PM.
The morning is the least busy time to cross into Mexico, while by the late afternoon, crowds tend to lessen going back. US Border Patrol has a site where you can check real-time waits to see what’s in store for you.
Cheapest Time to Visit Tijuana
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The cheapest time to visit Tijuana is during the winter, when many hotels and other amenities offer discounts. If you are staying overnight in Tijuana, winter is one of the best seasons to do so.
Many hotels have their lowest rates during the winter, since that is also when they have the least demand. You can sometimes get savings of 20-30% off of your nightly booking.
Winter is also the most affordable time to visit for visitors that are not just crossing over from the U.S. border. If you are flying into Tijuana, the least expensive flights into northern Mexico tend to be in February and March.
Monday is usually the most affordable day to fly into Tijuana Airport. Visitors in the winter won’t really have to bundle up. Temperatures are usually in the mid 50s to low 60s.
You may have to wear an extra layer while walking along the Boardwalk due to the breeze from the ocean, but you won’t be cold by any means. Just don’t forget an umbrella, because winter is the rainiest season.
Least Busy Time to Visit Tijuana
October 6, 2020: View of city street in Tijuana Mexico with billboards and buildings/Manuela Durson/Shutterstock
The least busy time to visit Tijuana is in the winter and fall, but you can expect crowds at pretty much any time. Thanks to its close proximity to the US border, Tijuana gets a lot of visitors all year round.
However, these visitors increase during spring, especially around spring break, and in the summer. For a less frantic visit, come later in the year during fall and winter.
In the winter, Tijuana’s slightly cooler temperatures put off many visitors, who head further south into Mexico to escape the winter weather. However, the brave visitor can check out many of the city’s famous sights and bars with fewer lines.
Visit in December to see the city all decked out for Christmas. Fall also receives far fewer visitors than summer and spring, which is confusing because this season is home to some of Tijuana’s best events.
Visit in October for Entijuanarte, a festival dedicated to contemporary art and music at the Tijuana Cultural Center. Meanwhile, foodies should head to Baja Culinary Fest, which celebrates local ingredients and top Mexican chefs.
Worst Time to Visit Tijuana
TIJUANA, BAJA CALIFORNIA/MEXICO – JUNE 20, 2018: People shop and walk below colorful hanging flags at Plaza Santa Cecilia, a historic Mexican square in the heart of the city/Sherry V Smith/Shutterstock
The worst time to visit Tijuana is during the summer, when the weather can get hot, and the crowds are almost certainly unbearable. Tijuana’s weather is milder than most Mexican cities. Baja California has a mild, arid climate, and summer temperatures usually hover in the mid-80s.
However, the city has suffered heat waves where temperatures can reach the 90s. You may think that this is perfect weather for hitting the beach, but you should do that outside of Tijuana—the ocean near the city is quite polluted.
The worst part about visiting during the summer is the crowds. Summer is the most popular season to visit, so expect throngs of people through the city and for the most popular nightclubs to be packed.
The lines at the border get unbearable in July and August, especially if you are sitting in your car in the hot sun for hours. However, summer is Tijuana’s busiest time in terms of cultural events.
There are plenty of outdoor music festivals, such as the Tijuana Jazz & Blues Festival (usually held in June). Plus, staying for an overnight festival is the perfect way to beat the day tripper crowd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tijuana, Mexico/ 05-16-2019 Tijuana Mexico border/Magraphy/Shutterstock
These questions can help you pick the best time to visit Tijuana:
What are the coldest months in Tijuana Mexico?
The coldest months in Tijuana are December, January, and February, but even then, the temperatures rarely dip below 50 degrees.
Is it safe to travel to Tijuana right now?
You will need to take considerable safety precautions to visit Tijuana, but most tourists are just fine. Check the news to see if there’s been a crime flare-up before visiting.
Is it worth visiting Tijuana from San Diego?
Tijuana is very close to San Diego so worth adding on a day trip to quickly experience visiting Mexico. The biggest hassle will be the border crossing.
Does Tijuana have good weather?
Tijuana has an arid, Mediterranean-like climate, which means that it has warm temperatures all year round and little rain.
What month has the best weather in Mexico?
April has the best weather in all of Mexico, with mild temperatures in the north and little rain in the tropical south.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Tijuana?
The best time of year to visit Tijuana is the spring, which has great weather and some cultural events. For a quick day trip, visit during a weekday and cross the border early to avoid lines.