It’s summertime, which means that the blockbuster hits are rolling out in the movie theaters. Sometimes there’s nothing like enjoying the air conditioning of the movie theater while watching summer’s latest Hollywood flick. The only problem is the rising price of movie tickets these days.
But having a night at the movies doesn’t have to require taking out a second mortgage on the house if you go to the movies in Baja where ticket prices average about $3 per person. No, that’s not a typo. Regular movie tickets in Baja are about $2.50 a piece and 3-D movies cost a few cents over $3 a piece.
Cinépolis, the main chain of movie theaters in Mexico, has theaters in Tijuana, Rosarito, Tecate, Mexicali, Ensenada, La Paz and San José del Cabo. The theaters are just what you would find in the U.S. – large and clean, with a friendly staff and a full concessions stand. You can purchase tickets and choose your seats ahead of time online. The concessions stand is complete with crepes and freshly-popped popcorn that comes in different flavors (including enchilada flavor for the brave of heart!). If you’re running late to your movie and don’t have time to hit the concessions stand, there’s a mini-concessions cart set up inside each theater where you can order anything from the regular concessions stand and they’ll deliver it to you at your seat.
With the prices and service, you can’t go wrong with a night at the movies. Whether you’re looking for a cheap option for date night or an evening the whole family can enjoy together, it’s time to beat the heat, have a crepe and enjoy the show.
Movie Tips:
-Look for movies that have the word “sub” listed at the end of the title. This means that the movie will be in English with Spanish subtitles at the bottom (also a great way to practice your Spanish!).
-Purchase tickets and choose seats ahead of time at www.cinepolis.com.mx. They also have an app you can download for your smartphone.
-Movie release dates are different in Mexico than in the U.S. (we saw Spider-Man 3 in 3-D about two weeks before it hit theaters in the U.S.). You can’t always expect that everything playing in the U.S. will be playing in Mexico, and vice versa, so keep an open mind. Likewise, movie names don’t always translate directly from Spanish to English. You may need to look up the trailer online to tell which movie is which.
-There’s a VIP Cinépolis in Tijuana. Tickets are more expensive (around $10 each) but you can expect a leather reclining seat and waiters to serve you drinks and food during the movie.
-The motion picture rating system is different in Mexico than it is in the U.S., so parents may want to take note of the rating chart below:
AA: Understandable for children under 7 years.
A: For all age groups.
B: For adolescents 12 years and older.
B-15: Not recommended for children under 15.
C: For adults 18 and older.
D: Adult movies.