Zona Río Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Zona Río
Neighborhood of Tijuana
Zona Urbana Río Tijuana Tijuana River Urban Zone
View of Río Zone
Zona Río Location in Tijuana Centro
Country	Mexico
State	Baja California
Municipality (municipio)	Tijuana
Borough (delegación)	Centro

Zona Río (which means "River Zone" in English) is a very important and modern part of Tijuana, Mexico. It's like the main business and shopping center of the city.

This area is located in the northern part of Tijuana. It's only about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the U.S.-Mexico border. It's also about 9 miles (14 km) from downtown San Diego in the United States. Zona Río is part of the Centro borough, which is the central area of Tijuana. The older downtown part of Tijuana, called Zona Centro, is right next to Zona Río on its west side.

Zona Río is where many big companies have their main offices. You'll find lots of banks, health services, and the city's biggest shopping mall, Plaza Río Tijuana, here. Most of Tijuana's larger hotels and fancy restaurants are also in Zona Río. They are mostly found along its three main streets: Paseo de los Héroes, Avenida Padre Kino, and Boulevard General Rodolfo Sánchez Taboada.

Even though Zona Río is smaller than the main business areas in other Mexican cities like Monterrey or Guadalajara, it has some impressive skyscrapers. Because these tall buildings are spread out, they really stand out. The tallest ones are the 28-story twin towers. These towers are home to Plaza Aguacaliente and the Grand Hotel Tijuana. Locals often call them Las Torres, which means "The Towers."

Why is it Called River Zone?
Main Streets to Explore
Cool Places to Visit
Tall Buildings and Skyscrapers
Images for kids
See also

Why is it Called River Zone?

Rio Zone in 2005

The name "Zona Río" literally means "River Zone" in English. This name comes from the Tijuana River, which runs through this area. The river is usually quite dry. Many bridges cross the river, helping cars and people travel between the west and east sides of Zona Río.

Main Streets to Explore

Paseo de los Héroes: The Heroes' Walk

One of the most important streets in all of Tijuana is Paseo de los Héroes. This name means "Road of the Heroes." Along this street, you'll find many of the main banks, shops, and tourist spots in Zona Río and the whole city. Big banks like BBVA-Bancomer and Banamex have their offices here. You'll also find shopping centers like Plaza Río Tijuana, which is the biggest mall in the city.

The Tijuana Cultural Center, a major cultural spot, is also on Paseo de los Héroes. Two new skyscrapers on this street are used only by hospitals. Many of the city's best hotels are also located here.

Paseo de los Héroes is also famous for its many statues and monuments. These include the Monumento a la Raza (Monument to the Race), and statues of important figures like Abraham Lincoln, Ignacio Zaragoza, Cuauhtémoc, and Lázaro Cárdenas. These statues are why the street is called the "Road of the Heroes."

Tijuana CowParade 2008: Art on the Street

In June 2008, Tijuana hosted the CowParade. This was an event where many painted cow sculptures were displayed around the city. Along with Avenida Revolución, Paseo de los Héroes had many of these colorful cows. You could see them in popular spots like the Monumento a la Raza and the Tijuana Cultural Center.

The Miss Tijuana cow near the Monumento a la Raza
View of Cacho cow, in front of the Monumento a la Raza
View of El chico de la banca cow, at Tijuana Cultural Center
Mina y contamina cow
View of Sueñame cow, in front of the Monumento a la Raza
View of Vacalero cow

Boulevard Sánchez Taboada: A Food Lover's Paradise

Unlike Paseo de los Héroes, this street is mainly important within Zona Río itself.

Boulevard Sánchez Taboada is known as the main food street in Zona Río. It offers the widest variety of food in the whole city! You can find restaurants serving food from places like Thailand, Mongolia, Greece, Brazil, and Israel. Of course, there are also popular Italian, Spanish, French, Argentinian, Chinese, and American restaurants. Plus, you'll find lots of Japanese sushi. If you're looking for Mexican food, you can find common tacos, seafood from Baja California, and antojitos (traditional Mexican snacks) almost everywhere on this street.

Boulevard Agua Caliente: Sports and Tall Buildings

This is another very important and large street in Tijuana, similar to Paseo de los Héroes. Both streets cross almost the entire city. Before Tijuana's new airport opened in 1958, the city's old airport was located along what is now Boulevard Agua Caliente.

This street is also a major spot for food, tourism, and shopping. Boulevard Agua Caliente combines features of both Paseo de los Héroes and Boulevard Sánchez Taboada. What makes it special is that it's home to sports arenas and stadiums.

You'll find the Agua Caliente Hippodrome and Racetrack here. The Municipal Auditorium of Tijuana, where both of Tijuana's basketball teams play, is also on this street. Plus, there's the Estadio Casas GeoCaliente Stadium, which is the home of the city's soccer team.

The tallest buildings in Tijuana, Las Torres (officially Plaza Agua Caliente & Grand Hotel Tijuana), are located here. You'll also find other important buildings and public hospitals along this boulevard.

Paseo del Centenario: Government and Hospitals

Paseo del Centenario, which means "Centennial Avenue," is another important street in Zona Río. The Municipal Palace of Tijuana, which is like the city hall, is located here. You'll also find the State Government Center of Tijuana.

The New City Residential complex is on this street, along with the Tijuana General Hospital and many other notable buildings.

Cool Places to Visit

Estadio Caliente

Municipal Palace of Tijuana (City Hall)
Tijuana Cultural Center (CECUT)
Agua Caliente Casino and Hotel National Heritage Site (an old, historic building)
Estadio Caliente and Caliente Hippodrome (for sports and horse racing)
Plaza Río Shopping Mall (the biggest mall in the city)

Tall Buildings and Skyscrapers

Zona Río is home to many impressive tall buildings, including:

Las Torres (Plaza Agua Caliente & Grand Hotel Tijuana) - The tallest twin towers.
Green View Tower
ING Comercial America Building
Centro Médico Excel
Hospital Angeles Tijuana
Torre Platino
Centura Tower
Camino Real Hotel
New City Residential
Edificio GILT
Centro de Control y Mando de Tijuana
Edificio Ventura
Torre Bellavista
Torre MOL
VIA Corporativo
Hospital General de Tijuana
Torre Zentrum
FRISA Building
Wadiah Building
Rodeo Building