The Best Pharmacies in Tijuana, Mexico

For over a hundred years, US citizens have been crossing into Tijuana to visit pharmacies and purchase discount medications. Nobody can deny that the United States health care system is in crisis. Many pharmaceutical products are significantly cheaper in Mexico than they are in the United States.

However, this also comes with risks. Quality can vary from one pharmacy to another, and counterfeit pills abound. Adderall and opiod based pain killers are not legally sold at pharmacies in Tijuana. Plus, there are strict rules on both sides of the border about crossing pharmaceutical products. Make sure to have a valid prescription from a US doctor

I recommend visiting reputable establishments with strict rules for quality control. Buying cheap pills from an unmarked farmacia on a back street recipe for disaster.

Costco Pharmacy

Yeah, well, they have a really good pharmacy with quality brand-name drugs at the best prices that I have seen. They don’t have the widest variety of medications and dosages, but this is the place to start looking for your prescription.

Keep in mind that Costco parking lots can be crazy. The Zona Río Costco is right across the border from the US, and even with the new parking structure has one of the craziest parking lots I have ever circled looking for a space.

There are two Costcos in Tijuana, and both are pretty easily accessible. The original Costco is located next to the San Ysidro border crossing on Paseo de los Heroes. The second Costco is off the Vía Rápida Poniente in the Los Santos neighborhood.

📍 Google Maps of the Tijuana Costco Locations

Gusher Farmacia

Gusher Farmacia has locations all over the Tijuana Metropolitan Area, but I love the Plaza Río location. I had an eye infection last year that required a doctor’s visit. The cream costs about USD$20 in Tijuana and more than 10 times that price in Chula Vista just across the border.

I noticed that originally the prices were higher than Costco but Gusher offers a discount card. In order to get the discount card, you have to bring in passport-sized photos, and they will make your card right there. The discount is significant on most medications.

Gusher Farmacias also comes with a health food restaurant with sandwiches and salads. They are simple but tasty. I see this as a more holistic approach to healthcare. Gusher is trying to remind people that nutrition is a key element of health. That holistic view of healthcare is one of the reasons that I have continued to shop at Gusher over the years.

📍 Google Maps of the Gusher Farmacia Locations

FAR+CIA LA MAS BARATA

There is a good chance that FAR+CIA LA MAS BARATA is the first Mexican pharmacy that you remember seeing in Tijuana. The bright red and yellow signage is memorable, and they are often located in major traffic circles.

One thing that I have noticed about FAR+CIA LA MAS BARATA is that they carry a lot of generic brands. When my mom comes with me to Mexico to buy her medications, she prefers to get the name-brand drugs. There is a little bit of a trade off. The cheapest drugs are generic, and the name-brand drugs are more expensive.

As the name would suggest, FAR+CIA LA MAS BARATA is a great place to look for less-expensive medications in Tijuana.

📍 Google Maps of the FAR+CIA LA MAS BARATA Locations

Farmacias del Ahorro

Farmacias del Ahorro are smaller pharmacies in Mexico that specialize in generic and lower-cost medications. They are a great place to start looking for inexpensive and commonly prescribed medicines.

I have used Farmacias del Ahorro in both Guadalajara and Tijuana, but they never carry every medicine that I was prescribed. When my kids were little, there were a lot of post-pandemic doctor’s visits and lots of medications. On many occasions, Farmacias del Ahorro has the best prices on one or two of my kids’ medications, but they never carry all of their medications. I would start with Farmacias del Ahorro, but would have to make a couple of pharmacy stops to get the entire list of prescribed medications.

Another difference between Farmacias del Ahorro and other pharmacies on this list is the size of the store. Farmacias del Ahorro is mostly a pharmacy. They don’t sell food and baked goods like a Farmacia Guadalajara. Most of the store is behind a counter, and you have to wait for a clerk to help you.

📍 Google Maps of the Farmacia del Ahorro Locations

Farmacia Guadalajara

This is my home pharmacy when I am in Guadalajara. There are three locations within walking distance of my house. I love this pharmacy. When the newest location opened a block away from my house, we got a number of excellent food vendors selling tacos, tamales, and corn on all corners of the parking lot. The logo is an interpretation of the Guadalajara Cathedral.

When I am in Tijuana, Farmacia Guadalajara is not my first choice. I think about Farmacia Guadalajara like people in the US think about a CVS. They have a pharmacy in the back, but they also have food, personal hygiene products, and household products. I spend more money here on sparkling water, soap, and batteries than I do on prescriptions. That being said, many locations are open 24 hours, and when your child is sick, you really appreciate that perk.

Final Thoughts on the Best Pharmacies in Tijuana

The people in San Diego are lucky to have Tijuana so close by. The price of medications in the United States is out of control. It blows the mind that the same medications can be found 20 miles away for a small fraction of what they cost in San Diego.

Make it a point to get a passport, get the note from your doctor, and try buying your medications in Tijuana. You can save a lot of money.

I highly recommend reading my other articles on safety in Tijuana and crossing the border. Those articles can save you a lot of time and headaches. And, while you are in Tijuana, get some tacos.