The capital city of Mexicali has so much to offer the discerning traveler. Sitting in the beautiful state of Baja California, it boasts some of the finest desert landscapes and is incredibly rich in arts and culture, with state-of-the-art museums and grand cathedrals. If you’re the type of traveler who likes to indulge in heart-pumping action, this is the place to be! Head down to some of Mexicali’s winding rivers or lose yourself among dunes in the desert, an experience that certainly cannot be replicated elsewhere. Don’t hold back any longer, and scroll down to find out the best things to do in Mexicali, Mexico.
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1. Take the family to Sol Del Niño Museo
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
A state-of-the-art museum and an iconic landmark in arts and culture in Mexicali, this attraction is certainly a must-see for tourists. With plenty of family-friendly exhibits offering a wide range of interactive activities, this museum is great for travelers with little ones in tow. It even boasts an IMAX theatre, so do stop by to wow the whole family with an up-close and personal movie theatre experience.
Sol del Nino Museum
Address: Alfonso Esquer Sandez S/N, Zona Industrial, 21010 Mexicali, B.C., Mexico
Website: Sol del Nino Museum
Opening hours: Sat & Sun: 11am - 4pm (closed on Mon - Fri)
2. Dive into history at the Institute for Cultural Research Museum
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
For guests who intend to deep-dive into the rich cultural history of Mexicali, this is the perfect attraction for you! Dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of local history, this museum is a wonderful stop on your journey to learn more about Mexicali. With exhibitions ranging from prehistoric times to in-depth glimpses into Mexicali’s cultural anthropology, your trip here will certainly be expansive and educational.
Institute for Cultural Research Museum, UABC
Address: Avenida Reforma y Calle “L” S/N, Nueva, 21100 Mexicali, B.C., Mexico
Website: Institute for Cultural Research Museum. UABC
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 9am - 6pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 4pm (closed on Mon)
3. Discover Guadalupe Canyon Oasis
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The Guadalupe Canyon Oasis is the perfect place for you and your travel companions to get up close and personal with nature. At Guadalupe Canyon Oasis, you will have the opportunity to book a private hot tub, set up camp, have a barbecue, enjoy a campfire, or simply explore the area and see the indigenous caves and paintings. This will be a delightful spot for the whole family or nature-loving couples and groups!
Guadalupe Canyon Oasis
Address: Carretera Federal No. 2, Mexicali-Tijuana Km. 28, Mexicali, B.C., Mexico
Website: Guadalupe Canyon Oasis
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
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4. Enjoy water sports on the Hardy River
The only navigable river in Mexicali, the Hardy River is the perfect destination for nature lovers and thrillseekers alike. Visitors can indulge in a wide variety of water sports, from kayaking to water skiing. If watersports are not your thing, there’s plenty of free space to take a bicycle, a motorcycle, or even an ATV out for a spin!
Team up with Adixion Tour, a company that can take care of all your needs for your adventure on the Hardy River.
Adixion Tour
Address: C. Rio Presidio, Roma, 21250 Mexicali, B.C., Mexico
Website: Adixion Tour
Opening hours: Mon- Fri: 10am - 6pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
5. Pay a visit to the Catedral Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
This white-walled cathedral was first constructed in the 1940s, boasting lovely architecture in Mexicali. Since then, the Catedral Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe has remained a center of worship and a cultural icon for the people of Mexicali. Certainly a must-see for lovers of culture and architecture, this cathedral is also a great place for you and your travel companion to experience a traditional mass in Spanish.
Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Address: Calle José María Morelos 192, Primera, 21100 Mexicali, B.C., Mexico
6. Try your luck at Arenia Casino
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
For guests who are feeling lucky on their trip to Mexicali, do stop by Arenia Casino. You can court Lady Luck and go for the slot machines and roulette tables, or play it safer and play a round of bingo. Indulge in a delicious meal while you’re here, and take in some live music. If you’re not one for cards or slots, you can still enjoy a live screening of sporting events and place a bet if you like your odds.
Do note that guests under the age of 18 are not permitted to enter.
Arenia Casino
Address: Calzada Justo Sierra, Cuauhtémoc Sur, 21200 Mexicali, B.C., Mexico
Website: Arenia Casino
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
7. Catch a show at State Center for the Arts (CEART)
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Home to local and international acts, the State Center for the Arts in Mexicali is a great place to immerse yourself in some of Mexicali’s finest displays of arts and culture. A great place to catch a concert, it also offers plenty of shows and exhibitions for guests of all ages. If you’re lucky, you can even catch a unique concert under the stars!
State Center for the Arts (CEART)
Address: Calzada de los Presidentes & Calle Ciudad Victoria s/n, Zona Rio Nuevo, 21120 Mexicali, B.C., Mexico
Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)
8. Take photos of the historic Compuerta Sharp
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Compuerta Sharp is an iconic spot in Mexicali, a simple but meaningful attraction to check out if you and your companions want to get up close and personal with a historic gate. With its unique, brightly colored walls and stunning murals, Compuerta Sharp is a great location to snap Instagram-worthy photos while surrounded by rich culture.
Compuerta Sharp
Address: Poblado Compuertas, Zona Sin Asignación de Nombre de Colonia, 21220 Mexicali, B.C., Mexico
9. Delve into local art at Art Passage
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
An expansive public space featuring beautiful murals by local Mexicali artists, Art Passage is an awesome place to visit to delve into local art. With giant walls covered in art, it is popular among amateur and professional photographers. If you’re looking to sharpen your photography skills, stop by Art Passage with a friend to shoot some stunning portraits, or fly solo and shoot away at your breathtaking surroundings.
Note that Art Passage is closed from the months of December through to January.
Art Passage
Address: Pasaje Celaya s/n, en el Centro Cívico Mexicali, Baja California
10. Brave the sands of Algodones Dunes
Stretching from South California all the way to Mexicali, the Algodones Dunes is popular among adventure-loving tourists looking to indulge in sandboarding and other extreme sports. A large area of the dunes is open for vehicles, allowing guests to rent motorcycles, ATVs, and assorted four-wheel drives to soar across the dunes.
There’s also a peaceful side of the dunes where you can only walk or ride horses. Seek a tour group that suits your needs and head out for a unique adventure in the desert.
Algodones Dunes
Address: Sonoran Desert, Imperial County, California, United States
Have a blast in sunny Mexicali
Home to amazing arts and culture, natural beauty, and exciting activities to get your heart pumping, Mexicali is certainly a place you’d want to visit on your next vacation. Whether your idea of a fun vacation is spending it exploring the galleries of the state-of-the-art museums or riding down dunes on an ATV, you’re sure to find something that satisfies your wanderlust in this sun-drenched paradise.
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