Tips & News

Mexico is a country of warm people, known for its hospitality, and Tijuana is particularly open and friendly to visitors because of its location as a border with the United States, southern California and the proximity to their sister city, San Diego.

In fact, San Diego and Tijuana share "the most transited border in the world," with people, culture and business flowing easily from one city to another daily. Tijuana is not only easy to visit, it´s a destination free of worries, far from political tensions and problems that many other vacation destination offers.

But Mexico still remains a foreign country, and any visit abroad will be easier if you know a little about your destination in advance. The weather, customs and laws, these are some of the most important things you should know when we visit.

What to wear

Tijuana warmly receives as much to business executives, as tourism in general, and therefore how to dress goes according to the purpose of the visit. The main thing is that you feel comfortable for the occasion. There are some restaurants and night clubs where entry is restricted in shorts, T-shirt, jeans or tennis. It is recommended that in summer season to come prepared with a sweater or light jacket and in winter with a jacket or coat.

Business Hours

Most businesses, shops and malls operate fron Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Tips

In Tijuana, as in many other places in the world it is usual to tip. In restaurants it is absolutely necessary and it is usual to tip 15%. Hotel bellboys the tip goes according to the number of pieces of luggage. In other cases it is up to the host. As for the taxi service a tip is not required unless they are giving you a tour or a special service.

Taxes

The value-added tax (VAT) on goods and services acquired in the city of Tijuana is 10% on the price of the product. Rates at hotels are adding a 2% transient occupancy. For companies or individuals that require billing, it is imperative a copy of the registration of federal taxpayers.

Monetary System

As in the rest of the country, the official currency in circulation is the Mexican peso. Currently the exchange parity between the peso and the U.S. dollar is floating, with approximately an average monthly change of 5%.

You can change dollars for pesos, or vice versa at any bank or exchange house in Tijuana. Besides, all the shops accept both currencies.

Credit Cards

Most shops accept credit cards both national and international such as Master Card, Visa, American Express, etc. and traveler's checks. Personal checks are not received in any stablishment.

Postal Service

The correspondence is usually sent by airmail, but there is also regular mail.

The schedule of the mail for the sale of post stamps is 8 to 19 hrs. Monday – Friday.

Special Services are attended Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 5:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, for sale of Collection stamps, 8: 00 am to 1:00 pm Monday-Friday only. Phone:(664) 634-16-55 and 634-16-88.

Migration Regulations

Migration Regulations For Mexican citizens who visit Tijuana, it may be attractive to cross the border into the United States, so we recommend bringing your international Mexican passport with your valid visa.

Those tourists who wish to travel beyond the boundary of the Port of Ensenada, or that their stay is greater than 72 Hrs. within the national territory, it will be necessary to pay a fee of $ 22 dollars per person. The format for this payment is obtained at any consulate or tourist office of the Mexican Government, in the office of migration in the Mexican border, as well as local and international airlines serving Mexico. For this procedure you are required a proof of citizenship and it applies only to foreign visitors.

Phones: (664) 682-4974 and 48.

Customs

Those who purchase products in the United States and wish to introduce them to national territory have the right to import daily, without paying taxes, goods for personal consumption, the equivalent of $ 50 dlls. This duty-free allowance may be accumulated for the father, mother and children. Residents of the border will be entitled to an exemption of up to $ 150 per person per day in basic consumer items as long as it is observed with an official ID that he/she is a resident of Baja California, from Tijuana to La Paz, or $ 400 per car with more than 3 adults.

The duty-free allowance mentioned above does not include alcoholic beverages, beer or tobacco.

Phone: (664) 624-2200

How to Dial

At present, Tijuana has a modern telephone system that allows the city to connect with the rest of the world in an agile and effective way.

Pay phones work with both Mexican and American coins. You can also use LADATEL phone cards, which are available at the airport, some shops and in the offices of Telefonos del Noroeste.

Automatic Long Distance (direct dial)

• U.S. to Tijuana: 01152 664 + seven-digit local number
• From Tijuana to the interior of Mexico: 01 + city area code +telephone number
• From Tijuana to the United States: 001 + city area code + local phone number
• From Tijuana to the rest of the world: 00 + + country's area code+ city area code + local phone number

Information Centers

Tijuana CVB Visitors Information Centers Locations