| Tijuana’s claim to fame, of
being the world’s most visited city, is backed by the fact that it receives over 20
million visitors each year. The city’s proximity with San Diego makes it an important
town of call for visitors from the US. Home to the sport 'Jai Alai', it has many spacious
courts for enthusiasts. |
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The local sights to see in this city
are the Cultural Center designed and built by Pedro Ramirez Vasquez - architect of
Mexico City's famous Museum of Anthropology. It houses Space Centre where
extra-large screen science oriented films are exhibited.
On Avenida Ocampo is a mural
called Mexitlan. It is a scaled-down depiction of principal
archaeological, architectural and colonial structures throughout Mexico set on a map
covering over 150,000 square feet. Painted on the roof of a parking lot, it is a sort of a
crane-neck quick walk-through tour of Mexico.
In the Museum Of Mexican Identities the historical, archaeological and
anthropological exhibits depict lives of certain Mexican ethnic groups. The Tijuana
Wax Museum has a collection of wax figures includes Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and
other Mexican and American movie stars plus Mexican historical personae.
Jai Alai, which is quite
popular here is a very distinctive sport which requires its own special equipment. A
player uses a cesta to catch and throw the 'pelota'. The cesta is a wicker basket made
from reeds found exclusively in the Pyrenees Mountain on a frame that is made of
steam-bent Chestnut. It is hand-woven specifically for each individual player. The pelota
is the hardest ball of any sport, roughly 3/4 the size of a baseball and harder than a
rock. The core consists of Brazilian virgin de pola rubber, layered with nylon and
hand-stitched with two goat skin covers. Jai alai is played on a special court called a
'cancha'. The court has three walls that are made out of granite because it is the only
material that can withstand the impact of the pelota. The rules are similar to that of
tennis or racquetball.
The Tijuana International Airport is
located 5 miles east of downtown. It caters to both domestic and international flights.
There are car rentals booths inside the terminal, so you can rent a car if you need to, if
you haven’t booked one already before arrival. Taxis and buses are available outside.
There are daily buses to Tijuana from San Diego. You can drive in from the US too, but you
must purchase Mexican automobile insurance prior to crossing the border. The United States
border is just 20 miles downtown of San Diego. An interesting and cost effective
alternative to reach Tijuana is the San Diego trolley which is a 45 minute trip.
The hotels in Tijuana cost between $75 and $220. They offer a wide range
of recreational facilities beginning from swimming pool and jacuzzi, golf and tennis to
the best restaurants and shopping malls.
Dining opportunities in Tijuana is varied: Italian pasta, Argentinean
grilled meat and empanadas, Mexican enchiladas, chiles rellenos, fajitas and egg dishes
and Spanish tapas and several sizzling seafood selections.
Discos with different beats : salsa, cumbia, rock keep the night alive in the city. The
best however is the live, indoor rodeo Santa Fe. It calls for an all-night of Norteño
dancing with disco lights in a wild Wild West scene. And if your mind desires and your
body allows, you can go Bullfighting (Corridas de Toros), Sport Fishing, Greyhound Racing
(Hipódromo Caliente), Jai Alai the Fastest game in the world!, and Rodeo (Charreada).
December through March is the time to take tours for Whale Watching (Alistamiento de
Ballenas).
At the Avenida Revolución one
can buy blankets, baskets, pottery, hand-carved trinkets and toys. The Tijuana treasure is
however Mercado Hidalgo where locals buy and sell their specialty items and
produces. An awesome variety of chillies, spices and Mexican candies, including unusual
seasonal specialties made of Aztec grains, plus an intriguing collection of Mexican
cooking utensils from hand-carved hot chocolate whips to tortilla shapers and griddles are
on sale here.
For detailed country information, see Mexico. |
