Updated for 2019
Albercas el Vergel is open and waiting for you to explore, slip, and fly. Their main attraction – the Slip N Fly features six seconds of sheer terror sliding down a 100′ long, 42′ high slide on before you are ejected off a ramp at the bottom. Not for the faint of heart, but don’t worry. There’s an ambulance parked under the slide just in case
What’s else is there to do? You can chow down on really cheap and really good Mexican food. Refresh on the well priced (and strong) adult drinks, which you might need to get your courage up for the Slip N Fly, or try their other dozen or so water slides like Medusa. This Tijuana water park is about a mile from the Otay Mesa crossing or short taxi ride from the main Tijuana border.
Even if you’re not planning to go to a water park in Tijuana, you don’t want to miss our video of Ed failing on the Slip and Fly. Heck, even play it with the sound on and listen for the audible groan as he launches into the air. You’ll be glad you did. And if you do make it to El Vergel, it just might be the best 150 pesos ($10) of fun you’ll ever have.
Turista Libre Tours to Albercas el Vergel
Our first excursion to Albercas El Vergel was part of a Turista Libre tour. We love their trips and the sheer joy exuding from its owner, Derrik Chinn. He puts on fabulous tours that are free from all the obvious cliches. Throughout the years he has persuaded me to eat crickets for Day of the Dead and enter the ring on a night of lucha libre. I had no idea what I was getting into on the Slip N Fly.
We could see the Turista Libre crew gathering in the San Ysidro plaza. They were all caucasian twenty-somethings, but what really set them apart was that they were carrying towels. We were in the right place. I hardly gave a second thought to signing the waiver. I mean, it isn’t fun unless you have to sign a waiver right?
Guns Out, Fun’s Out: Time for Tijuana Water Park
Before we knew it, we were at El Vergel – Tijuana’s premier water park. If you believe the website, it’s Southern California’s biggest and most exciting water park. I don’t know about the size, but I can’t deny the excitement.
Before we entered the park, Derrik gave us the safety speech. It went something like – these slides are old and re-assembled here (something about Ikea furniture never being the same after a move) so use your best judgment with safety and drinking. He added – Mexican laws will not allow you to sue so really be responsible for yourself. Then he closed with be safe and have fun. With that, we were set free in Tijuana’s water world.
Albercas el Vergel Overview
There were many decent water slides and some downright scary ones. Our first two rides were Medusa and Crazy Roller. Medusa is a modified burlap bag ride that has water added. You get going fast enough to catch air on the first hump.The Crazy Roller was straight out of the TV show Wipeout. It’s that rolling wheel you see people try and cross with a few safety items missing. They didn’t have the extra cushions to bounce of off, and the water was only like 2’ deep. I drew some blood on that one. Two rides in, two minor injuries.
We watched people swing of the Tarzan swing and fly over their friends into the pool. There were numerous stories of people needing stitches after getting banged up in tube slides. Like most urban legends they are caveated with “my friend saw somebody” or “I heard this happened.”
I found the slides fun, but Jenn banged her head on her first run. Jenn really likes waterslides with a tube between her and the slide. There was one tube ride at the park, but no tubes were available. Jenn didn’t ride much, but she thoroughly enjoyed the scene and her day. (pro tip, go early to rent a tube)
Riding the Slip N Fly
Slip and Fly, Slip N Fly, Slip and cry. Fly and Die. I heard them all that day. After two minor injuries on the first two rides, my buddy, Tyler, and I decided we should do the big attraction before we got too hurt. Smart right?
The lines throughout the park were all minimal. We never waited more than 10 minutes for anything. That means I was on top of the Slip and Fly before my half-life of fear kicked in. Good thing too, because it was terrifying.
The ride operator spoke good enough English to explain you want to lean back when you launch into the air, so you land nicely. It turns out I suck at that. I kept trying, but it wasn’t pretty. I could hear the crowd’s audible groans as I was sailing through the air.
At the top of the slide, I visualized my form. I could see myself flying through the air like an acrobat. As I was hitting the water, I was only thinking one thing. I need to start swimming, no matter what, so the lifeguard will not jump in after me!! To my credit – four rides and no rescues. A weaker man would have been hauled out. A smarter man might not have taken four trips.
The Tijuana Water Park Scene
El Vergel was built in 1964 by a Tijuana native, Lucio Salazar Gonzalez as a place where families gathered. It is the same way today. You could bring your own food and grill there or eat some really fantastic, local street food. Hint, the Cubano tortas with carne asada, chorizo, ham, and eggs are some of the best in the city.
You can’t bring in your own beer, but it’s available for under 1.50 a can as well as yummy and generous pina colada, fresh coconuts and frappes. There was a DJ spinning with a decent sound system creating an all-around festive atmosphere. You might come for the rides, but you’ll stay for the party.
The American theme parks business model seems to bring people in once a year and extract as much money as possible from them. El Vergel was true to its roots as a family gathering place. They wanted local families to come all throughout the summer and just hang out. Its pricing structure and vibe definitely supported that. We enjoyed hanging out with our new friends from the tour between rides, eating tortas, sharing beers and life stories in Senor Gonzalez’s park.
Limping Back From El Vergel
I pulled my hamstring on the Slip N Fly. I think it was from flailing in the air and not the landing. Another guy in our group had a little too much, too fast and he was going to hate life in the morning. Everybody had their battle scars, but they were all smiling and laughing. The mood was loose and happy. The bus rocked, and the water guns blazed back to the border. The consensus from the crowd is that they would all go again (and our buddy needed to drink a lot of water).
Stay in Tijuana for Dinner
Dinner in Tijuana is too good and too cheap to pass up. Besides, we wanted to let the borderline die down a little. We asked Derrik for a recommendation in TJ and he suggested Caesar’s. During prohibition, TJ was a hopping place as Californians flocked south to enjoy their liquor. Many restaurants and attractions sprung up along Avenida Revolution to capitalize on this market. The most famous of the bunch is Caesar’s.
Caesar Cardini was Italian as his name implies, opened the restaurant and created its signature salad. Yes, that Caesar salad. His namesake restaurant continues in Tijuana to this day making their signature dressing tableside. ( Caesar’s for their version of the original Caesar salad recipe).
Wrapping Up Our Trip to Albercas el Vergel
People are often surprised that we were willing to cross the border to Mexico, especially Tijuana. Isn’t Tijuana pretty sketchy? Is it even safe they asked? Our answer, we talk up Turista Libre and the general movement towards gentrification in Tijuana. We believe Tijuana is growing while keeping its authentic south of the border vibe. We even put together a short guide to touring Tijuana if you’re interested.
We pondered these thoughts again from our sidewalk table at Caesars. We watched locals heading out to enjoy their Saturday night, teens dangling out of limos while celebrating their Quinceaneras, and children peddling their bikes along the sidewalks. We realized then that the best part of the day was just taking in and enjoying this not so distant and foreign land.
As soon as we crossed that border, things were different. It is in these differences that you can truly find yourself. We got to see a section of Mexico made for Mexicans. If you Google Mexican Waterparks, you’ll see big dollar offerings along the Mexican Riviera. They may look cool but seem to lack authenticity.
Tijuana is what it is. It’s a relatively affluent, metropolis where people live, work and play. If you get a chance to go to Tijuana, remember that it isn’t synthesized like many mainstream vacation destinations. You’ll see a real city and real people enjoying life. Isn’t that the difference between being a traveler or merely a tourist?
2019 Albercas El Vergel Prices and Hours
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Wow! I would have never thought about a water-first focused trip to Tijuana, that’s pretty fun! I would be more the observer type rather than doing the water park thing. I’d sip plenty of margaritas and wait for that Ceasar salad!
The margaritas were cheap and strong and the food was so much better than the offerings in the states. There were a lot of people watching the carnage.
The margaritas were cheap and strong and the food was so much better than the offerings in the states. There were a lot of people watching the carnage.
Looks like a lot of fun. When I was younger I would have loved the slide, today I could see myself drinking a beer at the park and watching everyone else fly through the air.
There are other slide options too but plenty of people were watching the show. The beer is pretty good too. It turns out Tijuana has an amazing craft beer industry going on but that’s a story for another day.
There are other slide options too but plenty of people were watching the show. The beer is pretty good too. It turns out Tijuana has an amazing craft beer industry going on but that’s a story for another day.
Hahah so awesome, this reminds me of a playground for kids! Sounds like a great way to spend the day.
Plenty of adults were playing too. The age range of the park was pretty dang broad. It was fun for all ages and certainly a great way to spend the day.
Plenty of adults were playing too. The age range of the park was pretty dang broad. It was fun for all ages and certainly a great way to spend the day.
Ed’s Slip and Fly on the video looks (and sounds) painful. The water park looks outrageously fun for the young crowd; I can see my kids really enjoying this (as I watch from the sidelines).
We watched a family from the OC send their seven year old down the slip and fly. She smacked hard and came out with tears in her eyes. They comforted her and she mustered her courage and went again. That was some pretty cool parenting. (1) day trip to Mexico and (2) letting your kid face fear. Not everyday you get to see that.
We watched a family from the OC send their seven year old down the slip and fly. She smacked hard and came out with tears in her eyes. They comforted her and she mustered her courage and went again. That was some pretty cool parenting. (1) day trip to Mexico and (2) letting your kid face fear. Not everyday you get to see that.
I live in San Diego and have been across the border IN A LONG TIME. I had no idea there was a water park there! But honestly, what got me even more excited is your street art photo — I’m all about exploring street art. Is there a lot of great murals?
There are a lot of great murals. What’s more, there is even a Turista Libre tour to see the murals. The next one is May 20th. The site says “Get an up-close dose of the borderland’s sprawling urban canvas with one of its star street artists, Buho Villamil, who will join us for a lap of his murals around the city, followed by a pop-up exhibit of his recent works at his studio in downtown Tijuana.”
There are a lot of great murals. What’s more, there is even a Turista Libre tour to see the murals. The next one is May 20th. The site says “Get an up-close dose of the borderland’s sprawling urban canvas with one of its star street artists, Buho Villamil, who will join us for a lap of his murals around the city, followed by a pop-up exhibit of his recent works at his studio in downtown Tijuana.”
It looks like it’s something fun for 20 somethings to do! Love the shots of people flying through the air. How long did it take to recover from the hamstring injury?
Two weeks or so for the hamstring injury. The online videos of flapping in midair still haunt me.
Two weeks or so for the hamstring injury. The online videos of flapping in midair still haunt me.
Ha ha, this is great. I would be far too scared to go on these slides though. damn, they are high! Hope you have recovered since. 🙂
It didn’t take too long to recover, but dang I am thinking I am too old for this nonsense. Growing old sucks but it beats the alternative.
It didn’t take too long to recover, but dang I am thinking I am too old for this nonsense. Growing old sucks but it beats the alternative.
Hahahaa.. “Then Mexican laws will not allow you to sue so really be responsible for yourself”. That makes it sounds insane! I am always amazed by how relaxed things are in other countries compared to the USA. Old, rickety, reassembled slides? Sure, have fun, don’t get too drunk 😉
I never get too drunk… for something.
I never get too drunk… for something…. 🙂
So happy to read about your experience in Tijuana. I’ve been on several of Touriste Libre tours but not to the water park. Derrik Chinn is a national treasure for all his work in cross-cultural relations. He knows his stuff and is so much fun!
Which country is he a treasure for? I am willing to believe both. Can’t speak highly enough of Derrik and Turista Libre.
Omg, the videos had me rolling! I think I’d try the slide at least once. It’s good that the lines go by fast because I’d probably change my mind if I waited too long!
Best not to wait too long before doing something really crazy. I have a story about my half life of courage. Like radioactive decay, my courage decreases exponentially. One day I was waiting on the edge of the Grand Canyon to rappel off into a cave. Long story short. I waited too long. It was only a 100′ rope on top of a 2000′ cliff but still scary stuff.
Well why not! Hilarious video.
The things we do for our followers 😉
I had no clue there was an awesome water park just across the border. A reason for crossing more than the partying in TJ. Will have to take a look next time I’m down visiting San Diego for this or one of the other tours.
There are a lot of reasons to visit TJ besides partying. The have the largest art museum in Northern Mexico, great foodie stops, copious amounts of craft breweries, street art, sculptures, a wine road and much much more. It’s really more than zebra painted donkeys.
The half build slide that emptied into the parking lot was a sign to make sure you take care of yourself.
Slip and slid is the best! Water guns are a close second. Sounds like a ton of fun…if not injurious.
Injurious is a word that doesn’t get used enough. Hello my good chap, how do you feel today….. I feel rather injurious governor and pecked too. Now give me that finger sandwich a melba toast.
Seriously though, it was fun and thanks for stopping by. In the skit above, this was, of course, glutton free finger sandwiches and melba toast.
I really regret not crossing the border when I visited San Diego last year, we just didn’t have enough time and I clearly didn’t plan that vacation very well. This is definitely going on my bucket list, just to say I went. it looked like you guys had an amazing time despite any age difference, fun is fun my friends. That placed looked crazy and probably well worth the sore muscles and bruised bones the next day.
Fun is fun. Truer words have not been spoken since more is more. Sounds like you need to come to San Diego again. When you come to town your should stop by and say hi.
Turista Libra seems like a cool touring company. What an experience at the Tijuana’s waterslides. You on the Slip and Fly was just all out crazy. I laughed so hard and cringed all at the same time. I would not have the guts to try that one out. I may have been on the side lines the whole time, but the experience of hanging out with real people is just what I like. Yes, traveling is about meeting real people in a real city. Thanks for sharing.
Turista Libre is pretty cool. The trick to doing something really stupid is don’t spend too much time thinking about it. The second trip is that their alcohol in the park is really cheap.
Haha, that video made me laugh. Seems like a fun water park. And love how they don’t try to squeeze as much Money as they can from one-time visitors, instead wanting families to come several times during the summer. If I am in Mexico I think I will check out this park. A few bruises just shows you’ve been having fun 🙂
It was a local hang out spot. You could even bring in your own food and barbecue right in the park. That’s probably why the kids could slip and fly so well… or at least that’s what I’m telling myself.
Ha ha – major belly-flop! Sounds like you had a great day though. And age is only a number – you’re only as young (or old) as you feel, despite the hamstring pull! Good post. Thanks for sharing!
I used to believe age was only a number but dang, things are hurting more. I want to see if my insurance will cover my age / ability dismorphia. I think I am 25. I feel 25 on the inside but my body doesn’t match my internal age. Every time I look into the mirror it causes distress and when I go running it’s even worse. I think I need insurance to pay for a personal trainer and dietitian so my outer self matches my inner self.
WOW! Seems like you had a great fun on the trip. Your pictures are so lively and your text is crisp too. I particularly liked your SLIP AND FLY activity. I would love to do that and would keep in mind how to do it the right way 🙂
Thank you. The Slip and Fly was the highlight of the park for sure and it definitely feels better doing it the right way. Actually, I don’t know but it looked like more fun 😉
I love water parks but can’t say I’ve been to one this intense before! Not sure I’d have the guts to go on the slip and fly… even reading about catching some air going down the water slide was giving me slight heart palpitations. Thanks for sharing about this – I had never heard about it before.
I had to go quickly. If I lingered too long at the top I would have chickened out and all the locals would have made fun of me. It was intense.
This is so cool. I saw your videos and was amused by this exciting sport. I am an outdoor enthusiast and love watching and participating in action packed sports. Thanks for sharing this. I didn’t know something so cool existed.
The food and drinks there are really fantastic and you’re in Mexico. You’ll find lots of fun things to do while the kids are playing in the water. You guys should try it out.
I visited Tijuana 10 years ago and I wasn’t thinking of going back. It was kinda sketchy from what I could remember. But this looks like a fun attraction to go with friends. I don’t mind take a road trip from San Diego for a short visit. Maybe we will do that next time 😉
10 years ago was the height of the drug cartel violence in Mexico. We were in Arizona, so our border city at the time was Nogales. In a year or so, it went from a colorful street scene where everybody was walking at all hours of the night to deserted streets with a few police trucks with mounted machine guns. In Tijuana, there was a particular area called Plaza Zapatos. This section of town, like the name implies, was a collection of shoe stores. They transformed into a nightclub area that promptly was overrun with gang violence and almost deserted. Now, 10 years later, the entire area is coming back. It’s called plaza fiesta and the home of a great craft beer scene with about 80 (no kidding) side by side tasting rooms. Just up the street is a gastropark with gourmet food trucks. What a difference a decade can make. From gansta to hipster (force the rhyme as say hipsta). If you haven’t been to TJ lately, it’s worth revisiting, especially if you take a tour that can lead you to all the best places.