If you’re in California, it couldn’t be easier to hop over the border to Tijuana for a taste of all things Mexican. Situated around 20 miles from San Diego, this multicultural city is edged by the Pacific Ocean and boasts lively bars, modern cultural centres and plenty of history.
It’s a fun city to enjoy a weekend getaway in Mexico, with all the colour (and sun) on offer here. It can be tricky to find a good place to stay though, which is why we’ve created this list of awesome hostels in Tijuana.
Whether you’re stauing for a couple of days or a couple of weeks, you’re bound to find something to suit you and your budget. Let’s see what’s on offer…
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Tijuana
- Overall Best Hostel in Tijuana – Paris Hostel and Hotel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Tijuana – Central Tijuana Homestay
- Best Party Hostel in Tijuana – Stylish King Size Room
- Top Hostel with a Private Room in Tijuana – Central Private Room
- Best Hostel for Couples in Tijuana – Modern Central Home
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Tijuana – Private Room with Desk
The Best Hostels in Tijuana
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Overall Best Hostel in Tijuana – Paris Hostel and Hotel
- $$
- Patio
- Free breakfast
- Air conditioning
Paris? Not quite. This is Tijuana. Names aside though, this place is definitely our top pick for hostels in Tijuana. The hostel is clean and colourful throughout. The dorms boast chunky bunks and large windows, letting in plenty of natural light.
Away from the rooms, Paris Hostel and Hotel easily keeps visitors entertained thanks to its rooftop patio. Here you’ll find games, music, and even an exercise area – all with views of the surrounding city to soak up.
Best Cheap Hostel in Tijuana – Central Tijuana Homestay
- $
- Private bathroom
- Air conditioning
- Free Wi-Fi
Offering fantastic value for money, this homestay provides clean and safe accommodation for travelers visiting Mexico on a budget. The room comes with its own full en-suite bathroom, as well as a mini-fridge, a coffee maker, microwave and toaster. Plus your own smart TV!
Guests staying here can also relax in the communal garden. The owners will make you feel comfortable and be on hand to help out with tips about the city. What’s not to like?
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View on Osprey View on REIBest Party Hostel in Tijuana – Stylish King Size Room
- $$$
- Outdoor terrace
- Kitchen
- Netflix
If you want to enjoy the nightlife of Tijuana, this is a great place to stay. The apartment is situated in the heart of the city, with a load of bars and other nightlife spots on the doorstep.
The house itself is super cool, spacious, and modern. You’ll feel like you’ve bagged the best homestay here, and the room itself is the perfect place to get a good night’s sleep. There’s also a terrace for when you want to catch some rays.
Best Hostel with a Private Room in Tijuana – Central Private Room
- $$
- Outdoor terrace
- Kitchen
- Dedicated workspace
Fancy your own space on your trip to Tijuana? This comfortable, spacious private room is for you. The friendly hosts are there to help you out if you need anything and can provide tips on the best things to do in Tijuana. Don’t worry though – this place is big on privacy. As well as having your own entrance, you’ll even have your own private patio here too!
Location-wise, it’s great – there are coffee shops, restaurants, and bars within easy walking distance.
Best Hostel for Couples in Tijuana – Modern Central Home
- $
- Garden
- Laundry facilities
- CCTV
You’ll find this place in a quiet local neighbourhood that feels safe and relaxed, but is just five minutes from cinemas, restaurants and parks. The room itself is situated in a private family home – it’s modern and stylishly decorated, and comes with its own bathroom.
One of the best things about this place is the garden space, which has tables and chairs for socialising with your hosts, or just kicking back on a sunny afternoon. It’s also affordable and offers great value for money for couples staying in Mexico.
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Tijuana – Private Room with Desk
- $$$
- Free parking
- Communal kitchen
- Lock on bedroom door
This guesthouse is a top place for digital nomads visiting Tijuana. It provides a comfortable, relaxing environment to get some work done. Rooms here are spacious, contemporary, and come complete with a workspace.
In terms of facilities, there’s a kitchen where you can cook yourself up some meals, as well as a patio to relax in. Overall, it’s clean, quiet, and is well-kept throughout.
Top Hostel for Solo Travellers in Tijuana – Clean and Stylish Home
- $$
- Communal kitchen
- Lock on bedroom door
- Free street parking
This top Airbnb in Tijuana may not be a hostel, but it’s ideal for solo travellers. That’s partly down to the location – it’s close to numerous restaurants, shops and other sights of the city. It’s an all-around awesome location.
Staying here also means you get to sleep in your own private bedroom in a safe area of Tijuana. The hosts here can help with any problems or queries, and will make you feel right at home in this clean and comfortable accommodation.
Clean and Stylish Home is one of our favourites in Tijuana but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
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What to Pack for your Trip to Tijuana
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from us, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straight forward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art we have perfected over many years.
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Travel Safety Tips for Tijuana
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They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Tijuana
There are plenty of hostels and guesthouses in Tijuana that make traveling on a budget very possible indeed. From your private room in a family home all the way to hostels with a rooftop patio, there’s something for everyone.
If you’re still unsure where to stay, we highly recommend Paris Hostel and Hotel. It’s affordable and has everything you need, ideal for anyone looking to discover this vibrant city.
Whether you opt for this gem or go for something else, we want to know about it – let us know where you stay in the comments below!
Travelling around Mexico? Check out the hostels in Sayulita too!
Do you own or run a kick ass hostel? Want to be featured in this list? Get in touch at [email protected]
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
