Tecate

Travel Guide

Mexico showing desert views and landscape views
Mexico featuring landscape views and desert views
Tecate featuring a park
Tecate
Tecate which includes a sunset and outdoor art

Nestled into the Sierra de Juarez, this picturesque town has fantastic ranch resorts, wellness spas and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, as well as an acclaimed brewery.

Nestled into the Sierra de Juarez, this picturesque town has fantastic ranch resorts, wellness spas and plenty of outdoors appeal, as well as an acclaimed brewery.

Explore the atmospheric streets and mountain landscapes of Tecate, a small city in Baja California and seat of the municipality of the same name. More than just a border town, Tecate has a laid-back ambiance, regional cuisine and beautiful mountain surroundings. Its pure mountain springs have traditionally been used in curative spas, fertile pastures and the creation of local beers and wines. Spend some time exploring the city center or use the city as a stepping-stone for your adventures in the surrounding wilderness.

Wander around the city’s streets and take in the atmosphere ofMiguel Hidalgo ParkOpens in a new window, the central shopping plaza. Within easy walking distance is the city’s oldest church, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Tecate City Hall. Discover a wide selection of cafés, restaurants and bars serving regional cuisine. Enjoy typical Baja Med meals, complemented by sweet breads and wine. Enjoy an icy cold Tecate beer, or make your way to the Tecate Brewery to find out where the much-loved ale is brewed. Go on a brewery tour and enjoy tastings with your informative guide. On the outskirts of town and in the valleys of Guadalupe, you’ll find a range of scenic wineries and vineyards.

If you want to relax, take advantage of Tecate’s range of wellness spas and luxury treatments. Revitalize your senses with the region’s healing mountain-spring water at ranch retreats such as Rancho La Puerta.

The city’s mountain landscape has several preserves and national parks that protect the pristine scenery. Travel into the past when you see ancient cave paintings in the Zona Arqueológica El Vallecito. Explore the Guadalupe Canyon to experience natural hot springs, hiking trails and ancient petroglyphs. The Cuchumá Mountain is a sacred place for the indigenous Kumiai people and the perfect destination for a sunrise hike. Visit Rancho Tecate and enjoy family-friendly activities, such as zip-lining tours and exploring the landscapes on horseback.

Tecate is easy to reach from Tijuana, San Diego and Mexicali, all of which are less than 2-hours’ drive away. Public buses connect Tijuana to Tecate daily. For beautiful mountain scenery, relaxation and regional delights, don’t miss a visit to Tecate.

Where to stay in Tecate

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El Descanso

Though El Descanso might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Miguel Hidalgo Park and Tecate Border.

El Descanso
Hotel Hacienda Santana

Hotel Hacienda Santana

3 out of 5
Carretera Tecate Ensenada, Km.3.781 Colonia Maclovio Herrera, Tecate, BC
The price is ¥11,980 per night from Oct 12 to Oct 13
¥11,980
per night
Oct 12 - Oct 13
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Tecate. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (839 reviews)
Thank you staff for a great stay.
"I have stayed here before although this time a paid a little more than usual but I have to say it was well worth the extra money. I dont know if it was because it was a last minute booking through Hotels.com and all that they had available but it was worth the VIP status that we received from hotel ..."

Reviewed on Oct 6, 2025

Hotel Hacienda Santana
Estancia Inn

Estancia Inn

3.5 out of 5
Blvd, Benito Juarez 1450, Colonia Encanto Sur, Tecate, BC
The price is ¥14,393 per night from Oct 12 to Oct 13
¥14,393
per night
Oct 12 - Oct 13
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Tecate. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (392 reviews)
"The staff was friendly, check in was simple, many nice food options within walking distance."

Reviewed on Oct 3, 2025

Estancia Inn
Santuario Diegueño

Santuario Diegueño

4 out of 5
Rio Yaqui 798 Col. Esteban Cantú, Tecate, BC
The price is ¥18,860 per night from Oct 13 to Oct 14
¥18,860
per night
Oct 13 - Oct 14
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Tecate. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (777 reviews)
"Nice big up to date modern room the only down fall is they were short on towels on Monday restaurant food & coffe was delicious kinda pricey staff is really good"

Reviewed on Oct 5, 2025

Santuario Diegueño
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Extended Suites Tijuana Macroplaza

Extended Suites Tijuana Macroplaza

3 out of 5
Av. Paseo del Río #6662, Río Tijuana 3a. Etapa La Mesa, Tijuana, BC
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Tijuana. Enjoy free parking, a 24-hour fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,572 reviews)
"Clean location. Good parking and close to lots of food options"

Reviewed on Oct 3, 2025

Extended Suites Tijuana Macroplaza
Best Location Airport & Embassy Access

Best Location Airport & Embassy Access

2 out of 5
I. T. R. Los Mochis 2213, 2213, Tijuana, BC
Stay at this apartment in Tijuana. Enjoy free WiFi and free parking. Popular attractions Macroplaza Insurgentes and Estadio Caliente are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Sin duda me volvería a hospedar ahí , un lugar limpio , muy cómodas las camas , tiene todo lo necesario y el auto queda seguro por qué cuenta con cochera propia . Lo recomiendo 👌"

Reviewed on Mar 28, 2025

Best Location Airport & Embassy Access
New 2bed/ 2ba across from Caliente/ Xoloizcuintles Stadium & Casino

New 2bed/ 2ba across from Caliente/ Xoloizcuintles Stadium & Casino

Hipodromo
Book a stay at this golf vacation home in Tijuana. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Estadio Caliente and Macroplaza Insurgentes ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (14 reviews)
"Loved the apartment and how flexible our host was the view from the room is also amazing"

Reviewed on Apr 24, 2025

New 2bed/ 2ba across from Caliente/ Xoloizcuintles Stadium & Casino
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Tecate

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
15
5 - Excellent 41%
4 - Good
16
4 - Good 43%
3 - Okay
5
3 - Okay 14%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Nice town. Not as hectic as Tijuana, calm & beautiful.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

If your going to visit it is a very nice place for the day the town awesome  to walk around

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

We were just passing through but Tecate makes me a bit uncomfortable but the hotel was very secure.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Nice border town!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Cute cozy town

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

though it was inevitable, sorry to see the quaint little town be turning into another TJ or Mexicali.

Cities near Tecate