The Best Cheap Hotels in Tijuana, Mexico

Dalí Suites sits a short walk from the Plaza de Toros and Tijuana’s seafront promenade. The simple, neutral rooms have sizable beds and pretty mosaic-tiled bathrooms; some have kitchens for keeping costs down. The grounds are full of flourishing flowers and dotted with deck chairs, creating a nice space to relax after walking the boardwalk and beachfront Friendship Park.

One Tijuana Otay is a bright, contemporary hotel with white, blue and turquoise hues flowing throughout. It lies in the Otay Mall, where you’ll find a movie theater and a Sears outlet. Rooms are bright and functional, with everything you need and nothing you don’t. Start your day by tucking into the on-the-casa continental breakfast before strolling around the bustling Alameda area.

Cucumber-cool Alou Boutique Hotel makes for a very stylish yet budget-friendly stay in downtown Tijuana. Most rooms have feature walls, covered in geometric paper, hung with plants or accented with blonde-wood murals; bathrooms feature honeycomb-shaped tiling. Start your day with freshly ground beans at the hotel’s Coffee Bar 10 before heading out to the Plaza Rio Shopping Center for some retail therapy.

Caesars Hotel sits on the iconic Avenida Revolución, the first paved road in Tijuana, and today the vibrant hub of the city. The shout-from-the-rooftops claim to fame is that this is the birthplace of the Caesar salad, created way back in the 1920s by Caesar Cardini, the chef and owner of Caesar’s Restaurant at the time. While the rooms might be simple, they’re comfy, and you’ll certainly get bang for your buck at this place, given its gastronomic pedigree and location right in the heart of Tijuana.

Sleep Inn Tijuana lies in downtown Tijuana near major attractions like the Macroplaza outdoor mall area and the interactive sci-fi playground, El Trompo Museum. The hotel has a glossy, contemporary design, and the spacious rooms feature plush wooden furnishings and elegant linens to ensure a comfy stay. The hearty continental breakfast included in the room rate further shaves down costs.

Gamma by Fiesta Inn Tijuana lies in the bustling Otay Industrial Zone just a few minutes from the Plaza Otay mall. The large, modern rooms feature balconies with views over the city. There’s a hot tub, sauna and outdoor pool, so you can kick back and enjoy a relaxed stay. Make the most of the buffet-style breakfast offering breads, cereals and fruits. For an evening drink, head to the Lobby Bar to sample Baja California’s famed wines.

The stylish Nook Hotel sits in the heart of Tijuana’s city center. There’s a refreshing retro feel to the place with its on-point, pastel-hued design and reception-based record player on display, all fused with contemporary furnishings. Just two blocks away, you’ll find some of the freshest, zestiest ceviche and seafood at Cevicheria La Mas Nais.

Hotel Hacienda del Río is a bright yellow residence positioned in the financial center of Tijuana, making it a good spot for digital nomads and business travelers passing through who don’t want to max out the company expenses. There are 130 rooms, all decorated in a contemporary, colorful style. In between meetings, do laps in the outdoor pool or linger in one of the loungers to wind down, Mexico-style.