Power outlets, 24-hour lights, and a latte in the last waiting room
This Starbucks sits in Terminal 1’s final waiting area (the “última sala de espera/ambulatorio”), after security, and stays open 24 hours, so it ends up functioning like TIJ’s unofficial overnight lounge. If you’re stuck with a delayed Volaris departure at 01:30, this is one of the few places where you can sit at a table with a coffee and stay awake under decent lighting.
Prices run higher than city branches in Tijuana; think Mexico City airport levels for a grande latte or frappé, plus typical surcharges on pastries and sandwiches. You still get the standard Starbucks lineup: espresso drinks, drip coffee, teas, bottled juices, and reheated paninis. It’s less about gourmet options and more about having predictable caffeine and something warm to eat at 03:00 when most other food outlets in the Main Terminal are dark.
Lines back up hard before early-morning departures and after CBX waves clear security, especially around the 05:00–07:00 bank and the evening push. Several regulars report 15–20 minute waits for drinks right after CBX screening, and the counter area clogs the flow toward the last gates. If you just want plain hot coffee, mobile-ordering isn’t reliably mentioned, so budget the time or grab whatever’s in the urn.
Seating is limited relative to demand, with only a small cluster of tables and chairs around the storefront, and power outlets become scarce once a few people plug in laptops. Frequent TIJ flyers say they walk straight here after security to claim an outlet and table, then hold it for an hour of email before boarding. Overnight travelers often stretch a single tall coffee across several hours to justify staying put.
Practical tip: clearing from CBX into the Main Terminal, stop at this Starbucks immediately if you care about a seat with an outlet; hit the restroom first and you may come back to standing room only.