☀️🌊🏖️🍉🌞
Snowtea Book Club

El buzón de las impuras

Francisca Solar's novel about the 1863 Church of La Compañía fire and the mailbox that kept its faithful's secrets. The session date is set.

Thursday, August 27 · 7:00 PM · Snowtea UABC

🏞️ Parks & Attractions in Mexicali

Parks, tourist attractions, sports and recreation for the whole family - More than 17 public spaces

Free or Symbolic Access
MORE THAN
17 SPACES
FREE
ACCESS
FOR THE
WHOLE FAMILY
GUADALUPE
CANYON 🆕
BOSQUE &
ZOO
CHINESE
CHEF
Safe and well-maintained spaces for the whole family

Explore by Category

Parks & Attractions in Mexicali

View of Bosque y Zoológico de la Ciudad in Mexicali - Park

Bosque y Zoológico de la Ciudad

Mexicali's "Central Park" since 1964

Mexicali's most beloved park, opened in 1964. Known as the "Central Park of the desert", it combines safari zoo, aquatic area, museums and nature.

Calle Alvarado s/n, Col. Nueva Esperanza
Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00, Sat-Sun 9:00-18:00
Drive-through safari with 25+ species
No general admission - Safari $130-180, Aquatic area $63 MXN
Full family day, animal safari, aquatic fun
View Complete Park Guide
View of Vicente Guerrero Park in Mexicali - Park
FREE

Vicente Guerrero Park

Mexicali's recreational heart since 1950

Historic park with 75+ years of tradition. Former official venue of Fiestas del Sol (1976-2000s). Recently renovated with dog area (2024) and Orange Point for women's safety.

Blvd. Adolfo López Mateos y Alfonso Esquer Sandez S/N, Col. Industrial
Mon-Sun 7:00-20:00 (every day)
Professional go-karts and 2024 innovations
FREE admission - Only $10 parking
Mexicali family tradition, go-karts, cultural events
View Complete Park Guide
View of Eco Parque Laguna México in Mexicali - Park
FREE

Eco Parque Laguna México

Mexicali's largest green lung since 2023

Baja California's first ecological park with 42+ hectares of restored lagoon system. State Government RESPIRA project with 420,000+ registered visitors. Centro Verde, pet-friendly area and future aquatic games.

Fraccionamiento Lago del Sol, Calzadas Manuel Gómez Morín y Paseo Lago del Sol
Tue-Sun 6:00-20:00 (5:00-18:00 summer), closed Mondays
42+ hectares - Colorado River lagoon system
COMPLETELY FREE admission + free parking (190 vehicles)
Restored nature, bird watching, environmental education, sustainability
View Complete Park Guide
View of Parque Todos Somos Mexicali in Mexicali - Park
FREE

Parque Todos Somos Mexicali

Citizen-built green lung since 2020

Community park of 3.5+ hectares in eastern Mexicali, transformed by organized civil society from a plot used as an illegal dumping ground into a green lung. Operated by the civil association Todos Somos Mexicali A.C. under a 10-year municipal concession, with combined investment of 22.4 million pesos from the private sector, civil society and government.

Calle Novena, between Mayakhan and Misión San Diego, Residencial Mayakhan
Mon-Sun 5:00-23:00 (every day)
3.5+ hectares with 1,354+ plants installed
FREE admission - Free parking (160 vehicles)
Morning and evening exercise, pet-friendly family walks, environmental volunteering, social events
View Complete Park Guide
View of Ciudad Deportiva in Mexicali - Space

Ciudad Deportiva

Comprehensive Public Sports Center - INDEBC

Sports complex managed by INDEBC with facilities for more than 20 sports disciplines. Olympic pool, inclusive programs and classes for the whole family.

Calzada Aviación s/n, Col. Cuauhtémoc
Mon-Fri 6:00-20:00, Aquatic Center Mon-Sat 8:00-20:00
Olympic pool and 20+ sports disciplines
From $50 MXN free swimming, classes $600-840/month
Family swimming, sports training, inclusive programs
View Complete Sports Center Guide

CREA Sports Unit

Rehabilitated 2025

Reopened in 2025 after complete rehabilitation

Calle Salina Cruz #2050, Col. Guajardo
6:00-23:00 every day
Covered semi-Olympic pool
$10 MXN recovery fee
Swimming, athletics, night training
View on Google Maps

Juventud 2000 Sports Unit

Community and Family Sports

Focus on family coexistence and community sports

Prolongación Blvd. Anáhuac (northeast area)
Daily, morning to afternoon
Outdoor Olympic pool
~$15 MXN general admission
Families, outdoor swimming, multiple sports
View on Google Maps
View of La Chinesca in Mexicali - Space

La Chinesca

First Magic Neighborhood in BC - Chinatown since 1918

Mexico's oldest Chinatown with over 100 years of history. Underground tunnels, museums, artistic murals and the best Chinese-Mexican cuisine in the country. Named First Magic Neighborhood in Baja California in August 2023.

Callejón Reforma No. 306, Col. Primera, Historic Downtown
Tours: Fri-Sun (See schedule on page)
Historic basement tours + 350 Chinese restaurants
Tours from $200 MXN (~$12 USD), Museums from $25 MXN
History, Chinese culture, gastronomy, photography, cultural tourism
View Complete Details
View of Chinese Chef Monument in Mexicali - Space
FREE

Chinese Chef Monument

New Iconic Mexicali Sculpture - Inaugurated 2025

Impressive 23-meter tall sculpture honoring the culinary heritage of the Chinese community in Mexicali. Located at the entrance to La Chinesca, it represents the Chinese-Mexican gastronomic fusion that defines the city. Designed with high-resistance materials for a 100-year lifespan.

Blvd. Adolfo López Mateos corner Av. Juárez, Historic Downtown
Open 24/7 - Illuminated at night
23 meters tall - Free photo spot
FREE access - Public space
Photography, cultural tourism, meeting point, start of La Chinesca tour
View Monument Guide
View of Plaza de Toros Calafia in Mexicali - Space

Plaza de Toros Calafia

The colossus of Centro Cívico - Bullring since 1975

Mexicali’s iconic bullring, opened in 1975, with an approximate capacity of 11,000 spectators. Its circular concrete silhouette with large arches is a symbol of the Centro Cívico. Bullfights are no longer held: today it works as a venue for concerts, boxing and cultural events. Its ring has hosted Vicente Fernández, Alejandro Fernández and Shakira.

Centro Cívico, Mexicali, B.C.
By event (check with the promoter)
Half a century of history + concerts and events
Varies by event
Concerts, events, photography, tourism, Mexicali history
View Complete Details
View of Central State Public Library in Mexicali - Space
FREE

Central State Public Library

The largest public library in BC - 50 years (1976-2026)

The largest public library in Baja California, with 50 years of history. Iconic 12,000 m² two-level building designed by architect Enrique del Moral in 1976. Eleven specialized rooms, free cultural programming every day and inclusive services that are a national benchmark (CIDEVI and Mexican Sign Language).

Av. Álvaro Obregón #1300, corner of Calle E and Julián Carrillo, Col. Nueva
Mon-Fri 8:00-20:00, Sat 9:00-14:00 (closed Sundays)
50 years + 11 specialized rooms + Daily free workshops
Completely FREE admission
Research, study, family reading, free workshops, Mexican Sign Language
View Complete Library Guide

Municipal Libraries Network

15+ Community Libraries

FREE

IMACUM municipal network with libraries in neighborhoods and valley

Distributed throughout the city
Generally Mon-Fri daytime hours
Decentralized access
Free access
Community reading, school homework, digital access
View of Cerro El Ciempiés in Mexicali - Trail

Cerro El Ciempiés

Mexicali's Most Popular Desert Trail

Officially certified 5.3km circular route, the most popular trail for hiking and trail running in Mexicali

Free Tecate-Rumorosa Highway, in front of Cerro del Centinela
Mon-Sun 5:30-19:30 (cool season), 5:30-7:00 (summer)
5.3km circular route with panoramic views
$50-100 MXN (entrance and parking)
Hiking, trail running, desert adventure, photography
View Complete Guide
View of Cerro El Centinela in Mexicali - Trail

Cerro El Centinela

Iconic ascent with 360° views

Round trip route (~8.5 km, 600–700 m positive). Demanding, recommended for intermediate/advanced levels.

Mexicali–Tijuana Highway (free to Tecate), Ecoparque del Centinela
Very early (5:30–11:00 ideal in cool season)
Challenging, rocky and exposed terrain
$50–100 MXN (entrance/parking, according to reviews)
Demanding hiking, sunrise/sunset photography
View Complete Guide
View of Valley of the Giants in Mexicali - Trail

Valley of the Giants

Home of the world's tallest cacti

Natural reserve with over 1,200 centuries-old cardón cacti (Pachycereus pringlei). These giants reach up to 65 feet tall, weigh 25 tons, and live over 300 years. Located in the Sonoran Desert, 2.5 hrs from Mexicali.

Federal Highway 5, Km 14, Rancho Punta Estrella, San Felipe
Daily 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
1,200+ centuries-old cardón - World's tallest cacti
$200 MXN per vehicle (~$10-12 USD) - Cash only
Ecotourism, photography, hiking, camping, nature observation
View Complete Guide
View of La Rumorosa in Mexicali - Trail
FREE

La Rumorosa

The mountain pass, El Vallecito and the sierra overlooks

Town and mountain pass in the Sierra de Juárez, one hour from Mexicali. Famous for its winding scenic road, the El Vallecito rock paintings (around 3,000 years old, with El Diablito and its solstice phenomenon), the Campo Alaska museum and the Sierra Juárez wind farm.

Federal Highway 2D Tecate-Mexicali, Sierra de Juárez (municipality of Tecate, ~73 km from Mexicali)
Open all day. El Vallecito: Wednesday to Sunday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Ancient rock paintings + scenic overlooks + wind farm - The classic day trip from Mexicali
La Rumorosa: free. El Vallecito (INAH): ~$70 MXN (free on Sundays for Mexicans & residents)
Day trip, cultural & archaeology tourism, photography, road trip
View Complete Guide
View of Guadalupe Canyon in Mexicali - Trail

Guadalupe Canyon

Desert Hot Springs Oasis

Natural hot springs paradise in the Sierra de Juárez mountains. 15 private campsites with mineral hot water pools (95-125°F), natural waterfalls, ancestral Cucapá petroglyphs, and Mexico's clearest starry skies. Sacred site with over 180 years of family stewardship.

Sierra de Juárez, Federal Highway 2 Km 28, Laguna Salada turnoff (~50 miles from Mexicali)
Check-in 2:00 PM, Check-out 12:00 PM - Season Oct-Mar (avoid summer)
15 campsites with private thermal pool + Waterfalls + No cell signal
$1,500 MXN per car (5 people) + $200 MXN extra person (~$75-100 USD)
Romantic getaway, family camping, total disconnection, natural wellness, night photography
View Complete Guide

📋 Practical Information for Your Visit

Best Times

🌅 MORNINGS (8:00-12:00)

Less heat, quieter, ideal for exercise

🌆 AFTERNOONS (16:00-20:00)

More activities, family atmosphere

🗓️ WEEKENDS

More programming, special events

For Families with Children

🧒 Safe games in all parks

🚻 Public restrooms available

🌳 Shaded areas and rest spaces

🎯 Age-appropriate activities differentiated

📚 Special educational programs

🆓 Many free places

Transportation and Access

🚌 Public transport: Routes to main parks

🚗 Parking: Available at large centers

🚶‍♀️ Walking: Interconnected spaces

Accessibility: Adapted facilities

💡 Tips to Make the Most of Public Spaces

✅ RECOMMENDATIONS:

  • • Visit early for better weather
  • • Bring sunscreen and water
  • • Check event programming
  • • Respect the facilities

🎒 WHAT TO BRING:

  • • Small change for admissions
  • • Reusable water bottle
  • • Sunscreen
  • • ID for discounts

🌟 OPPORTUNITIES:

  • • Join groups and clubs
  • • Participate in public events
  • • Take advantage of free workshops
  • • Explore educational programs

🏛️ Municipal Programs in Public Spaces

INDE - Municipal Sports

🏊‍♀️ AQUATIC PROGRAMS

  • • Swimming classes for all ages
  • • Water aerobics
  • • Lifeguard training
  • • Aquatic therapies

🏃‍♂️ PHYSICAL ACTIVATION

  • • Aerobics classes in parks
  • • Group walks
  • • Neighborhood tournaments
  • • Sports schools

IMACUM - Municipal Culture

🎨 ARTISTIC WORKSHOPS

  • • Courses by academic periods
  • • All artistic disciplines
  • • Programs for all ages
  • • Affordable cost

🎭 CULTURAL EVENTS

  • • Monthly exhibitions
  • • Community theater
  • • Annual festivals
  • • Open presentations

📞 Information and Contact

Mexicali City Hall

📞 Switchboard: (686) 558-1000

🌐 Portal: mexicali.gob.mx

📧 atencion@mexicali.gob.mx

🕐 Mon-Fri 8:00-15:00

IMACUM (Culture)

📞 Casa de Cultura: (686) 552-96-30

📞 General: (686) 552-8400

📧 cultura@mexicali.gob.mx

🎭 Cultural events and workshops

INDE (Sports)

📞 General: (686) 566-1116

🌐 indebc.gob.mx

🏃‍♂️ Sports programs

🏊‍♀️ Classes and training

🎯 Plan Your Perfect Visit

1

Choose Activity

What do you want to do?

2

Filter Places

By area and features

3

Check Schedules

And updated costs

4

Enjoy!

The public spaces