CON general director Sarabella Nieto
editorial deparment Julian Qui
editorial design
EVO STUDIO Frida Sofia Zepeda V. evo.agenciacreativa@gmail.com
sales director Flor Cervantes
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tijuana is a journey trending hotspots
contributing editor Chris Sánchez
colaborators Rudy López Issa Rodriguez
office
Plaza comercial Revolución suite 213 Ave. Revolución between 3rd and 4th street downtown, Tijuana, Baja California C.P. 22000
contact information Phone: +52 (664) 632 4166 Email: info@tijuanavisitor.com Webpage: www.tijuanavisitor.com Follow us: tijuanavisitor
english edition Tijuana Visitor publication is produced and distributed by Sarabella Nieto. Partially or total reproduction of the contents of this publication in any medium without the consent of its editors is prohibited. The information, opinions, views and comments expressed by contributors to this publication does not necessarily reflect the views of Tijuana Visitor. We are not responsible for the offers and other advertising content and advertising included in Tijuana Visitor.
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tijuana is healthy dr tj - dr baja
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tijuana welcome’s the walking dead
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tijuana is beer conquering borders
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tijuana is gourmet urban eats and ocean delights
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tijuana is fresh
TENT what’s happening around the city
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tijuana is fresh guadalupe reyes marathon
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tijuana is safe service numbers
TIJUANA is a journey SOTANO SUIZO
TRENDING HOTSPOTS Chris Sánchez There’s a 127 year journey to be told and many to be made in this city, with hotspots spread all over, you are sure to make your own. You can get a head start on Revolution Ave., the most famous street in TJ where you can find Zebra painted Donkeys (take a pic, no selfies), 3 for 1 tacos, high-end eateries, craft beer, tequila to fill an Olympic size pool, leather jackets, urban kitchen gardens, local brand clothing, “Margaritaville” music, hotels, concerts, food & drink festivals… need I say more?
LA SEXTA
Photo: SOTANO SUIZO FACEBOOK
If you want to go straight to the craft beer drinking, head to “Plaza Fiesta” also known by “Plaza del Zapato” where there are easily over 30 bars, 95% of them serving baja craft beer, this is craft beer heaven, for all you craft beer lovers. Check out “El Sotano” for food and their own beer brand too; Sotano has been operating for over 30+ years and man... those Viking size hot-dogs are ridiculous! A must have. You can pretty much spend your day here checking out all the bars and shops in the Plaza.
Photo: WWW.TIJUANAADVENTURE.COM Revolution Ave. crosses with 6th avenue, locally known as “La Sexta”, from a Shot Factory (with hundreds of shot options) to a Mezcaleria where you must order Mezcal flights and return late night to their back section “La Mija” where live DJ’s have hosted celebrities thanks to its well-known choice of Tec-House/Hip-House music, these only being 2 of around 45 bars along Sixth avenue in a 3 block radius.
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LA MEZCALERA
Photo: WWW.discoverbajacalifornia.COM
TIJUANA VISITOR
TIJUANA is a journey If you want to go a little high-end, head out to “Paseo Chapultepec”, there are high end Baja Med and Seafood restaurants, kid friendly restaurants, a nightclub and more. On that same street locally known as “La Recta” and its surroundings, you can find more restaurant and nightlife options. Casinos are a common scene in the area, spread out strategically in the city, there is always one at hand. The “Hipodromo” casino hosts a variety of betting games and dog races for your entertainment.
PASEO CHAPULTEPEC Photo: Natalia Zatarain
Let’s not forget “Playas de Tijuana”, hosting a beach boardwalk, café’s, restaurants and bars, you can enjoy the tranquility of the ocean accompanied by the view. The borderline is right on the beach, you can get up close to the borderline of US/Mexico, neat to see, much to think about too, but that’s another story.
CASINO CALIENTE
Photo: www.mararquitectos.com.mx
These hotspots offer more than just a meal and a drink, they will all come together to form an experience out of your journey into Tijuana, one surely not to forget and to stimulate the Tijuana Visitor in you. We invite you to our City and our culture, not far from each other, there is much to learn from each other. Photo: david reyes
DIRECTIONS Paseo Chapultepec: Blvd. Agua Caliente, Fracc. Neidhart
PLAYAS DE TIJUANA (MALECON)
Casino Caliente: Blvd. Agua Caliente, Col. Hipódromo Playas de Tijuana (Malecón): Av. del Pacífico, Playas de Tijuana Sotano Suizo: Plaza Fiesta, Paseo de los Héroes, Zona Río La Sexta & La Mezcalera: 6th Street, between, Av. Revolución and Madero, Downtown
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TIJUANA is HEALTHY
“ Hospitals have a special dedicated lane when crossing by land to the US through that San Ysidro Land Port of Entry, that helps alleviate the long border wait times when going back to the US.”
Things to consider if you are thinking about getting treatments in Mexico: Talk to your health advisor and find out if you are covered in Mexico or have the option to modify your current plan. Check local insurance providers and ask about coverage costs for plan in Mexico. Medicare does not cover you in Mexico. Medicare will cover you on cruise ships if they are within 6 hours of a U.S. port and the onboard physical treated you and determined you required emergency hospitalization. Medicare will cover you if you had a medical emergency while traveling in the U.S. and the nearest hospital were in Mexico.
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TIJUANA VISITOR
Dr. TJ - Dr. Baja Chris Sánchez Tijuana has been a solution to many Americans that live near the border and for many that don’t, and have a difficult time getting low-cost or affordable health care services in the US. With premiums at 50 to 60 percent less than a traditional US health plans, and savings of up to 75% when paying out of pocket, well... you do the math. Current estimates put American retirees well over 1 million present in Mexico. The medical service lane was created in 2007 by the Economic Development Council of Tijuana (CDT) in order to promote medical tourism in the city, by making border crossing more accessible for patients. This program is known as Cruce de Servicios Médicos in spanish or Medical Service Lane in english. Tijuana doctors, hospitals, and clinics who have registered programs can provide their patients with a pass which grants them access to the medical service lane when presented, along with identification when returning to the U.S. This access reduces patient border waiting time, making the crossing time around 30 minutes or less. The program is not meant to be used as a handicap lane, but it provides quick access to medical emergency services from Tijuana to San Diego.
TIJUANA is hEALTHY Explore Playas
Joel Millman
Photo: Chris sanchez
A native San Diegan I met with Joel Millman at Luwak Café in Playas de Tijuana, where Elena the barista suggested the House Coffee from the state of Chiapas, famous for their coffee beans. Joel, a semi-retired native San Diegan who has been residing in Playas for the last 2 years, recently began to work part-time with a local hospital by picking up Americans from the San Diego Airport and driving them across the border to their hospital and back.
Joel also offers American tourist a chance to “Explore Playas” (the name Joel has given to his invitation) and get the curiosity out of the way by joining him in his car and taking a Tijuana Tour from a native San Diegan anywhere from 4 hours and on. He likes to keep his guests from 2 to no more than 4 for a unique personal experience to see Tijuana with your own eyes in a comfortable setting, I will be riding along with Joel on a “Explore Playas” tour and will have a full report in our next edition. For now, here are a few tips on hospitals that currently accept American Insurance plans (call first to verify if your plan covers you in these hospitals) and a map of the Medical Express lane in case you ever find yourself getting treatment, teeth whitened, or any medical service that provides you with a medical pass to go back into the US, this pass expires after 48 hours of being issued, so take your time, stay a night over if you have a chance and enjoy some of the many amenities Tijuana’s and head back home with a smile.
Contact information Joel Millman “Explore Playas” alfaracer72@gmail.com.
Hospitals that accept U.S. insurance in Tijuana Hospital Ángeles www.hospitalangelestijuana.com.mx/ingles
Sekure Healthcare www.mysekure.com/eng/index.php
Excel Medical Center www.hospitalexcel.com or call to free from the U.S. by dialing 01-800-211-0609
SIMNSA www.simnsa.com or call to free from the U.S. by dialing 01-800-800-1491
Oasis of Hope Hospital in Playas de Tijuana 1-888-500-HOPE when dialing from the U.S. www.oasisofhope.com
Hospital México www.hospitalmexico.org or call to free from the U.S by dialing 01152 (664) 683 63 63
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TIJUANA visitor June 17th 2016, I am walking down Revolution Avenue on a quiet afternoon, no one in sight down the 11 block avenue, but cars that have crashed and burned, shop glass fronts shattered, human remains… it’s like the apocalypse is here… but behind the apocalyptic scene there are cameras, cameramen, director seats and an anxious staff to (literally) get rolling. This time it was “Fear the Walking Dead” putting Tijuana on the Map of one of the latest Zombie trends on screen, Revolution Avenue and Playas de Tijuana were victims of “Fear The Walking Dead”, from Zombies crawling down the famous avenue and others coming out of the ocean on to the beach crossing from Tijuana to San Diego.
Photo: www.aristeguinoticias.com David Erickson told AMC Latin America that “Diversity is present in the depths of the series. We are fortunate to have a cast and a multifaceted production team” the team was reportedly composed of American and Mexican staff across the board. It is rumored that the 3rd season of FTWD will also be recorded in Baja California, this was reported by Baja Studios director Kurt Honold Morales during an interview. Tijuana has been known to capture attention from all over the world through its food , manufacturing, entertainment industries, and now film has been recently been added to the list, thanks to Baja Studios, just south of Tijuana, where worldwide renown films like Titanic and Little Boy have been produced.
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TIJUANA VISITOR
Photo: www.aristeguinoticias.com
Tijuana
the wa
TIJUANA visitor
Tijuana is bound to become a Vogue City and investors from all over the world are realizing this. Hollywood is turning it’s head more and more, down south in search of diversity in people, artists, culture, landscape, fresh ideas and stories that have not been put on the big screen. With all these projects, Tijuana gives more and more reasons to stay, visit or play, it is next in line with important and alluring metropolitan cities like Guadalajara and Mexico City. Another important factor (and possibly one of the main reasons) in all this is (like everything in the world) money, business and… money, Tijuana is a strong arm in the maquiladora sector and has been a host for manufacturing facilities for decades; From cars to medical equipment, each day it adds another capability to its list. Tijuana is a direct competitor to China, not only offering affordable labor, but a much more efficient Quality Control supervision right next door.
Photo: fear the walking dead
welcome’s
walking dead
CHRIS SáNCHEZ
So if you are thinking of a new venture in business, outsourcing, or simply just curious on what’s on the other side of the border, the city of Tijuana is one that will give you plenty to pick your brain on.
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TIJUANA is BEER
CONQUERING BORDERS Rudy Lopez Brand Ambassador for BCB Tasting Room and Cerveceria 5y10 Tijuana and its sister cities in northern Baja – Mexicali and Ensenada – have quickly established this region as the capital of the booming craft beer scene in Mexico. At the 2016 edition of Cerveza Mexico in early November, northern Baja breweries took home over one fourth of all the medals awarded, including 9 Gold Medals and awards for Large Brewery of the Year (Urbana – Mexicali) and Best of Show (Wendlant’s Flanders Red Ale – Ensenada). Tijuana, however, stands alone as the place where you can enjoy the largest variety of craft beer in Mexico. There are three main places to visit to enjoy the best of Baja Beer, all are within 5-10 minutes of the border.
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TIJUANA VISITOR
TIJUANA is BEER Photo: www.matingas.com
DOWNTOWN & avenida revolución
T DO YOU KNOW WHA is ? GUADALUPE REYES Guadalupe-Reyes is a Mexican Urban slang term for 21 days of non-stop drinking !!!! - yes, you read that right, and it’s right across the border -
Downtown Tijuana and Avenida Revolución have been experiencing a rebirth as of late, no longer the tourist trap of the ‘80s. Here you can find breweries Norte, Mamut, Azteca, tasting rooms Comuna and Teorema/Ludica, eateries featuring craft beer such as La Justina, El Sultán, and Cine Tonalá. Take the time to walk the area around Avenida Revolución and Calle Sexta, you will find even more establishments that are beginning to feature craft beer with a new focus on gastronomy, mixology, less tequila shots and stale beer.
WANNA KNOW MORE? CHECK OUT THE fresh section FOR MORE INFO - PAGE 18 -
PLAZA FIESTA & BCB TASTING ROOM Plaza del Zapato in the city’s Río Zone transforms into Plaza Fiesta at night and features the largest grouping of craft beer tasting rooms in the city. This is definitely the place for pub crawls and bar hopping featuring the following tasting rooms: Border Psycho, Bosiger, Donkey Punch, Fauna, Insurgente, Legion, Ludica, Madueno, Mamut, Paralelo 28, Puerco Salvaje, Puerto El Sauzal, Ramuri, Silenus, and Tres B. Most of these tasting rooms also feature guest taps, there are numerous other bars, eateries, and cafes that also cater to the craft beer crowd. Photo: bCB TASTING ROOM FACEBOOK Photo: www.tijuanatesorprende.com While Plaza Fiesta has the most individual tasting rooms, BCB Tasting Room off Aguacaliente Blvd near Paseo Chapultepec has without a doubt the most craft beer under one roof in all of Mexico. With 42 taps and over 300 bottled varieties, including all the great local and regional brews, award-winning favorites from the US and Mexico, and classic European styles, you are bound to find something here for everyone. BCB is also a good to place to find rare special release beers from around the world.
With this many choices for great craft beer Tijuana is bound to make you “hoppy”! TIJUANA VISITOR
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TIJUANA is Gastronomy
URBAN EATS &
OCEAN DELIGHTS Photo: el tinieblo mezcal room tijuana facebook
THE FOOD (Truck) Chris Sánchez Tijuana has once again become a Visitor attraction for those close, and not so close to the border who enjoy a good meal. As I understate a meal with the word “good” behind it, as dozens of restaurant names and Tijuana’s hole-in-thewall kitchens flash through my mind and taste buds, just as life flashes through one’s mind in a near death experience, but with a twist to it, a near heavenly experience. Nose tingles, mouth waters just a tad on the back sides of my tongue, just like when I remember the chili beef my grandmother used to make for me every time I visited. Yep, it’s that good. Here are 2 of my favorites for you to consider when in town: Tacos Aaron and La Corriente Cevicheria Nais.
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Self-proclaimed “Alta Cocina Urbana” (High Urban Kitchen) Tacos Aaron will be one of your favorite spots for any given day, especially if you had a few too many drinks the night before without proper hydration. These are typical Traditional Mexican dishes served on a Taco!! (because Mexico). Egg & Cactus taco topped with Chicharron (pork rinds) in Salsa Verde if you want to go light or just cut the BS (big suspense) and go for a Chicharron Verde Taco on a Crunchy Shell with Birria (Mexican Beef Stew), the combinations are up to you; chicken, fish, beef, pork, chile relleno (stuffed pepper), Spanish chorizo... The list goes on. The red onion with habanero salsa is a must, forget about squeezing your own limes and picking the seeds out of your taco (who wants to do that!), these guys do it for you in squeeze containers with fresh lime juice... Aaah!!! Seed Free!
Photo: La corriente cevicheria nais facebook They serve fresh made Hibiscus, Horchata, lemonade water, and sodas. 3 locations, Playas de Tijuana (in front of Calimax supermarket), Soler (outside Calimax) and on Las Americas Boulevard (side street of the Xolos Stadium). They cater, just no in the US (sorry, you will have to come to TJ for these).
the taco masters there call you “Güero” (goo-eh-ro) if you are white or a tanned mexican, don’t get offended, as a matter of fact, if a taco cart that doesn’t call you “Güero”, don’t trust the Salsas. TIJUANA VISITOR
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TIJUANA is Gastronomy
FROM THE BLUE
THE DRINKS
Order the Chicharron de Pulpo (slightly battered octopus rinds) as an appetizer to begin your experience, you can at this point order your taco.
THE SETTING
La Corriente Cevicheria Nais is a Tijuana Sweetspot, Seafood reigns in this place. Any (and I mean any) plate here will stimulate your senses, the first thing they will do is drop off chips on the table, and they come with 3 sidekicks, Chipotle, Avocado and Red Chili & Peanut Salsas, dip away.
There are 2 Raw Fish tostadas that are a must: Tostada Snapper & the off-menu “Pacifica” (raw tuna and scallops in Salsa Maggi juice), don’t leave without trying the Snapper Tostada, trust me on this one. The Levantamuertos (Dead Riser) soup, entrees and tacos, are all a safe bet.
You can get your favorite Mexican beer here, with Clamato or Cubano glass, Tequilas, Whiskies, you name it. The “SPECIALTY” is a Mezcal mixed drink infused with a variety of Chili Flame & Ice Cone Style Mezcal mixed with your choice of Coconut, Cucumber, Mango and more. By the way, Mezcal is known to have therapeutic values.
Perfect for Family, first dates and for Friday and Saturday night pre-game or how they say here “precopeo”, in the back bar El Tinieblo Mezcal Room Tijuana. Hosts to local and foreign DJ’s for your ears pleasure, get there early, space is limited and the ambient is just right to enjoy the music and chat without screaming your tonsils out. They have a large space with tables and an exterior porch with additional seating, music is light & modern that anyone can enjoy without being annoyed, you might be surprised. Tip: if there is wait time and you’re too hungry to wait, you can order food from the bar too.
P.S. if you don’t know what chicharron is, put it on your bucket list and check it off quick before you croak.
Photo: tacos aaron soler facebook
TIJUANA VISITOR
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TIJUANA is FRESH “Magnificat”, Advent light
Girls + SomeOnes Wheels
where: “cecut”, Paseo de los Héroes, zona río information + 52 (664) 687-9636
where: “deja Vu”, Plaza Pueblo amigo, zona río information + SomeOnes
vintage market
“store opening” by VERDE AMOR
where: “la caja fuerte”, pasaje rodríguez information + Vendimia tj
where: “Pasaje Revolución”, zona centro information + Verde Amor
Sekta Core & Nana Pancha
xmas POSADA
where: “black box”, zona centro information + 52 (664) 638-7777
where: “Pasaje revolución”, zona centro information + Pasaje Revolución
Sinluna punk dance
xmas Recital
where: “cine tonalá”, Ave. revolución, zona centro information + cine tonalá tijuna
where: “cecut”, Paseo de los Héroes, zona río information + 52 (664) 687-9636
“XMAS Bazaar” BAJALTA
HEY IT’S TIJUANA XMAS EDITION
where: BLVD. Agua Caliente 1490, Calete information + Bajalta California
where: “Food Garden”, blvd. Sánchez Taboada information + Hey It’s Tijuana
Posdata in tijuana
“make it new” / transmedios projects worked
“Xmas is coming”/ xmas musical repertoire around the world
where: “Mous Tache bar”, zona centro information + Mous Tache
where: “Transmedios”, Av. Río Colorado information + www.transmedios.org
where: “cecut”, Paseo de los Héroes, zona río information + 52 (664) 687-9636
Photo: PLAZA FIESTA “paralelo 28”
Photo: sekta core
Photo: verde amor
december West side vs East side Party thursday 15th
where: “FRESCO BAR”, pLAZA FIESTA, zona río information + fresco
Northern Territory: portraits thursday 15th
where: “cine tonalá”, Ave. revolución, zona centro information + cine tonalá tijuna
“POSADA” at PLAZA FIESTA thursday 15th
where: “PLAZA FIESTA”, Paseo de los Héroes, zona río information + PLAZA FIESTA
Siddhartha friday 16th
where: “black box”, zona centro information + 52 (664) 638-7777
friday 16th
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TIJUANA VISITOR
friday 16th
saturday 17 th and sunday 18th
saturday 17th
saturday 17th
saturday 17th
saturday 17th
saturday 17th
saturday 17th
saturday 17th
sunday 18th
saturday 17th and sunday 18th
saturday 17th
TIJUANA is FRESH “Amélie FILM”, adaptation in Piano with Roberto Salomón sunday 18th
where: “praga café”, zona centro information + 52 (664) 685-77 93
“I have nothing to wear and I only have $5 dollars” xmas Edition saturday 17th
where: “Tras/Horizonte”, Río Colorado , zona río information + Solotengo100pesitos STORE
Photo: producciones urbanas
Photo: no tengo nada que ponerme y solo tengo 100 pesitos
JANUARY
“Grinch” the Musical
sonora dinamita international show
where: “I.M.S.S theater”, Blvd. Salinas information + 52 (664) 688-1080
where: “Club Paradise Tijuana”, Zona centro information + Club Paradise Tijuana
xmas BAAZAR
New Year’s eve at Casa Baloyàn
where: “pasaje rodríguez”, ZONA CENTRO information + 52 (664) 251-6775
where: “Casa Baloyán”, Blvd. Gustavo Salinas information + 52 (664) 622-5398
Darkwave & Experimental Night wednesday 28nd and thursday 29rd
Loves Ska fest New Year’s eve party AT COKOBONGO Tijuana saturday 21st saturday 31st
where: “Club Paradise Tijuana”, Zona centro information + The Epic Zentre
where: “COKOBONGO”, Ave. revolución, ZONA CENTRO information + Cokobongo tijuana
monday 19th
friday 22nd and saturday 23rd
friday 30th
saturday 31st
“5th Anniversary hike of Achacosos hiking”12 or 15 kms sunday 15th
where: “BAJAMAR”, Ocean Front Golf Resort information + 52 (664) 801-6559
where: “You Revolution bar”, zona centro information + Producciones Urbanas
Acquaviva” 3Hrs DJ SET rock fest Free & Abstract Effect New Year’s eve at grand hotel tijuana “John First Time in Tijuana friday 30th saturday 31st where: “bar aragón”, Zona Centro information + Efecto Libre & abstracto
where: “GRAND HOTEL TIJUANA”, zona río infortvmation + 52 (664) 681 7000
New Year’s eve party in “las rocas” NEW YEAR’s eve CELEBRATION DINNER Getaway to Rosarito at TrentaQuattro RESTAURANT friday 30th to monday 2nd of january
saturday 31st
where: “Las Rocas Resort & Spa Rosarito” information + www.lasrocasnye.com
where: Km. 34 1/2 Carretera Libre TJ-ENSENADA information + TrentaQuattro
saturday 28th
where: “International Centro de Espectáculos information + 52 (664) 688-1080 for your comfort you can search the places on google maps, CHOOSE FROM MANY TRANsPORTATION SERVICES AROUND THE CITY and enjoy the ride !
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+ TIJUANA VISITOR =
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21 DAYS OF NON-STOP DRINKING AND CELEBRATION
GUADALUPE REYES MARATHON Issa Rodriguez
Before we start our story we need to note that it’s not only the number of celebrations in the season that makes this a marathon but also the non-top drinking spree where both young and old are part of, an additional note is that originally drinking was not part of the tradition but.. You know it’s now an excuse to do so. Our starting date for the GuadalupeReyes marathon is on December 12th with the celebration in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe hence the “Guadalupe”. From December 16th to the 24th is posada season, which are holiday parties celebrated with either friends or family in which you would traditionally ask for “posada” (shelter) as Mary and Joseph once did, until you get to the host’s house and you’re allowed to come in and celebrate. Throughout the years this part of the tradition isn’t used as much as it once was. Now posadas are holiday parties in which you eat, drink and in some cases exchange gifts. There should be 9 of these posadas marked in your calendar so far. Now we get to the last posada on December 24th “Nochebuena” (Christmas eve). This should be the closing event for the posada season, since “Nochebuena” is the celebration of the arrival of Baby Jesus, and with every festivity comes eating and drinking. If everything went according to plan you should be hungover by the 25th and keep on drinking until New Year’s Eve. These couple of days are obvious drinking days and are still part of the marathon.
wendy torres
From january 1st to the 6th you should find any excuse you can to drink and keep on the marathon. We end with January 6th día de los Reyes Magos (Three Wise Men day), hence the Reyes part of the marathon. You end the marathon with a slice of Rosca (kings’ ring) and either some atole or hot chocolate.
¡Feliz Guadalupe Reyes marathon to you! And see you at the Finish Line!
NEED HELP?
TIJUANA
AT YOUR SERVICE SERVICE NUMBERS 911
EMERGENCIES
074
ROAD ASSISTANCE
078
TOURIST LINE
089
ANONYMOUS REPORT
040
DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE
TIJUANA is safe
tow trucks and tire shops Tire shop Agua Caliente +52 (664) 686 4724 Tire shop Jaramillo +52 (664) 686 0587 Tow trucks Roma +52 (664) 608-1692 Tow trucks Tijuana +52 (664) 689-0807
24 hours USA Consulate BUSSINESS HOURS: +52 (664) 977 2000 EMERGENCIES +52 (619) 692 2154 619 as in the San Diego area code, if you call this number from Mexico you must dial 001-619.
General hospital of tijuana +52 (664) 684-0922 TIJUANA VISITOR
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