Crime, Safety, and the Police

[Scudrucker]

Bobster65 you are overthinking this thing. You are not running the gauntlet. I am from nowhere Canada and nobody stands out as a gringo more than me.

Thousands of gringos pass back and forth everyday. There will be a few vendors past the border but that's it. You are in a flow of people in an ordinary day. So go with the flow to a cab if that's what you want. If you are nervous meet someone from the board to show you the ropes. He has already volunteered.

Lastly I will say that my first few trips I stayed the first night at the Tiquan. Great hotel with a great included breakfast but you are a cab ride away from the action. When you stay in the zone, you can take a break and go upstairs, have a nap, eat or whatever but I have also woke up at 4-5 am go downstairs and full on partying. When you are on vacation, no limits or restrictions on when it is time for action. Azuls has good and fast room service.

Basic safety rules like any large city.

-no flash.

-no cash.

Pay attention to surroundings.

That being said, Mexican people can be the kindest and most genuine of all places I have travelled.

Sr.

[PurpleD]

I would say to go. Don't let fear keep you away. If you watch the TV show homeland, going into Tijuana alone, especially by foot, is like a episode when the CIA agents are walking around middle eastern cities. They have to zig zag on the streets, they are followed by spies, they have others that are trying to kidnap them, it's quite a adrenaline rush. If Hong Kong was 900 feet north, it would be in San Diego and wouldn't be as exciting. You just need to know one mistake, and you might be getting choked to death. In front of dozens of people watching. Practically nobody goes to jail in Mexico for violence robbery or murder. The statistics show 99% murders nobody goes to jail. It's like that movie, the purge. But every day of the year. With that being said, if you just take a taxi, just go to Hong Kong, and don't argue with any drunks in the bar, then 99.99% of the time you will be safe. The problem is one mistake like walking on the side of Hong Kong, that's where I got mugged, seen another guy got dropped by another dude, seen naked guy get tazed by the policia. As a gringo you will stand out, even before you get into Mexico you will stand out on the trolley, once south of gaslamp. Once over the border you may not see another gringo till inside Hong Kong.

Really? 99% of murderes don't got to jail? Show me the proof! You're full of crap and probably never have boots on the ground. I try not to comment to much on here cause most of the time it's people like you spewing lies but dude you need to stop with all this false info. It's downright insulting.

To Bobster 65.

You'll be fine. Just use common sense and be aware of your surroundings.

[Jackie888]

I was planning to go Tuesday afternoon and stay through the night. I suppose I could go on Wednesday instead if the is better. Tuesday is better on my schedule but I can make it Wednesday if you feel that it will make a difference.

Most chicas take Sunday-Monday off. Others take Monday-Tuesday off.

So Sun-Monday-Tuesday tend to be the slowest days. It is not as noticeable in HK, but it is definitely noticeable in the other clubs. It noticeably picks up on Wednesday.

On the other hand, you can get a deep discount on a HK room on Monday and Tuesday with their VIP card. So if you are not on a tight budget, I would move my visit to Wednesday. Or even Thursday when the real fun begins.

[Jackie888]

Captain Solo,

Appreciate your guidance and help. I am shit scared for some reason and have already cancelled my plans twice. This has been a bucket list thing for me. I avoid Detroit / Baltimore / Los Angeles downtown as much as I can. In fact always.

I will reach out to Alberto Quinto as suggested by you and others in the group. My plan is the following.

-Cross the border early in day like 11:00 am or noon.

- Stay at Cascadas for the night. I am now thinking of possibly coming back in the early evening and avoiding the night there unless you veterans tell me that being at HK in the night is a must do.

- Stick to the hotel and the club. No wandering around..

The reason most of us suggest to stay put and not wander around is that you will soon realize that Tijuana is pretty tame. So you will have the urge to walk around and get lost in the wrong neighborhood. Security in HK is the best of all the clubs and is better than most clubs stateside. There is a police station a block from HK. Their real job is to protect tourists.

The danger you will face at Cascadas is the sounds of the chicas' heels waking you up early in the morning when you are trying to sleep. Other dangers include bad coffee as Mexicans are not as knowledgeable about espresso drinks. Another danger is over dosing on Viagra because you went nuts on the affordable $2 viagra. Another is the deep potholes on the sidewalk. Also if you get shitface drunk, a cop will more likely search and release you, but you will find $20 missing hours later when you pull out your wallet. The last danger is that when you get back to the states, you will notice that the women stateside are overweight, kind of masculine, and demanding as hell.

[ScottHall]

Maybe wear a baseball cap kind of low so your face isn't easily recognizable, just blend in and walk with a purpose. It takes like 2 minutes to walk to the taxis. Plenty of women, families and Americans are walking so you can blend in for that short time. The ride to HK is like 6 minutes. If you can stomach that then you get to the girls and beer and the fun begins.

[Bobster65]

To Bobster65.

You sound scared, but don't have to be. Tijuana is not less safe than downtown LOS Angeles, San Francisco or New York, and far safer than downtown Baltimore and Detroit.

I am always concerned about my own safety. I traveled all over Mexico and other dangerous, war-torn parts of the world and had no problems just by maintaining a few precautions. The most violent and scariest places are Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paolo, Recife of Brazil and many places in Africa and Asia. Tijuana is murder capital only among drug dealers. You should be safe going back and forth across the border during day and night time if you walk with a bunch of other people..

Captain Solo,

Appreciate your guidance and help. I am shit scared for some reason and have already cancelled my plans twice. This has been a bucket list thing for me. I avoid Detroit / Baltimore / Los Angeles downtown as much as I can. In fact always.

I will reach out to Alberto Quinto as suggested by you and others in the group. My plan is the following.

-Cross the border early in day like 11:00 am or noon.

- Stay at Cascadas for the night. I am now thinking of possibly coming back in the early evening and avoiding the night there unless you veterans tell me that being at HK in the night is a must do.

- Stick to the hotel and the club. No wandering around.

- cross the border in early evening or next morning around 10:00 am.

- keep the game plan simple and just stick to the club and hotel and travel during day only.

Anything else I need to watch out for.

Once again thanks to all the other wonderful folks on this board for your guidance.

[RikyMichaels7]

I see you you do not recommend taking the limo or the HK shuttle. I was hoping that would be more secure as it is from the club and not some unknown taxi driver. I was leaning towards taking the lino but now that might not be sensible. I was concerned about going in some unknown taxi.

I was planning to go there only in day time. I can go even earlier like noon or 01:00 pm. My plan was to stay in the club and check in the hotel overnight. Enjoy the club and then next day in morning say like 10:00 am head back to the border. I was going to restrict all travelling only to daylight hours.

I really want to do this trip as it is in my bucket list but am just getting scared by some of the stuff I was reading. I was going to bring only a backpack. Arrive in early afternoon hang in HK and say overnight in hotel. No night time travel.

I am still scared and concerned for some reason.

Bobster,

There is absolutely nothing to be scared and concerned about regarding taking the limo or a taxi to HK. I have taken a taxi to La Coahuila for 20 years with absolutely no problems. Screw the limo. Just take a Taxi Libre and you will be fine. Stay in a hotel outside the zona like Ticuan or La Villa Zaragoza. The latter is cheap and gringo friendly. Just watch your surrounding area when walking in the zona and you will be fine.

The taxi will say Taxi Libre and will cost 5.00 to HK. Staying at the hotels I mentioned will allow you to get away from all the zona noise and relax. Especially after drinking and having fun at the bars.

[Long Don Silva]

If take the limo, everyone knows you got money. What if the limo driver says to wait, now your standing near it with dozens people looking at you. Or the police pull limo over for your money. Take can, tell him you are going to Azul to eat with friends who are in Hong Kong. Tell him you are not staying overnight in Mexico. Bring backpack not suitcase. Two nights in zona Norte is dangerous because you will get curious of side streets and start wandering. Stay in San Diego a few nights it's beautiful. If San Diego had woman living here like east coast or even LOS Angeles it would be great place to live.

I was about to ask you to please stop. But as I read your post a second time, I actually found it to be really funny.

[Bobster65]

If you just take the limo or cab straight to the club and straight back you should be fine. If you're worried then stay inside the club. Don't wander off anywhere. It's OK to bar hop but walk with a purpose. Night time can be intimidating, maybe do your traveling when it's light out.

The plan is to take the limo / cab straight to the club and back. Stay at the hotel and stick to the club and hotel without wandering out. I don't know but I am just shit scared for some strange reason. If I stick to the club and take limo / cab back and forth during day hours will it be okay?

[Bobster65]

You can take either a taxi to HK and back for $5, or the HK limo for $1 if you know where they are parked. VIP cards are bought in person. They will ask for your driver's license. Monday's suck. Monday afternoon is worst. Sure you want to go Monday afternoon? Consider Wednesday instead.

Safety is not an issue if you go directly to and stay put at one of the big 3 clubs instead of wandering around. Police presence is very light on Monday's, so limit your curiosity.

I was planning to go Tuesday afternoon and stay through the night. I suppose I could go on Wednesday instead if the is better. Tuesday is better on my schedule but I can make it Wednesday if you feel that it will make a difference.

[Bobster65]

Due to heightened concerns about safety and security in Tijuana, the bros should rely on HK's resources, HK's VIP host and Cascada's concierge, Alberto Quinto.

He can arrange anything you need, including pick up and deliver to San Diego. Just give him a generous propina for his work.

He speaks English. Here's his business card with tel and email. The noobs and bros from out of state should contact him for anything they need.

Appreciate you passing over the contact info for Alberto Quinto. This is very helpful. I have been trying to get this info. So you recommend that we use his services as he is reliable and knows the lay of the land. Others had suggested going by taxi so as not to draw attention.

I would be very happy to work with Alberto if that is what the veterans in this group suggest. Alberto is connected with the Club and hotel? Safe to use his services?

[Ctytek]

Do not pay attention to anything this poster says. His posts are mostly noise.

Follow basic personal safety practices, as you'd do in any large city. You will be just fine.

I see you you do not recommend taking the limo or the HK shuttle. I was hoping that would be more secure as it is from the club and not some unknown taxi driver. I was leaning towards taking the lino but now that might not be sensible. I was concerned about going in some unknown taxi.

I was planning to go there only in day time. I can go even earlier like noon or 01:00 pm. My plan was to stay in the club and check in the hotel overnight. Enjoy the club and then next day in morning say like 10:00 am head back to the border. I was going to restrict all travelling only to daylight hours.

I really want to do this trip as it is in my bucket list but am just getting scared by some of the stuff I was reading. I was going to bring only a backpack. Arrive in early afternoon hang in HK and say overnight in hotel. No night time travel.

I am still scared and concerned for some reason.

[OneInTheDugOut]

I see you you do not recommend tering aking the limo or the HK shuttle. I was hoping that would be more secure as it is from the club and not some unknown taxi driver. I was leaning towards taking the lino but now that might not be sensible. I was concerned about going in some unknown taxi.

I was planning to go there only in day time. I can go even earlier like noon or 01:00 pm. My plan was to stay in the club and check in the hotel overnight. Enjoy the club and then next day in morning say like 10:00 am head back to the border. I was going to restrict all travelling only to daylight hours.

I really want to do this trip as it is in my bucket list but am just getting scared by some of the stuff I was reading. I was going to bring only a backpack. Arrive in early afternoon hang in HK and say overnight in hotel. No night time travel.

I am still scared and concerned for some reason.

This guy is trying to scare you. I've taken the limo 5 times, no issue. Plan on going March 13 and 14 and I will show you the ropes and get you there safe. Nothing to be scared of.

[Bobster65]

If take the limo, everyone knows you got money. What if the limo driver says to wait, now your standing near it with dozens people looking at you. Or the police pull limo over for your money. Take can, tell him you are going to Azul to eat with friends who are in Hong Kong. Tell him you are not staying overnight in Mexico. Bring backpack not suitcase. Two nights in zona Norte is dangerous because you will get curious of side streets and start wandering. Stay in San Diego a few nights it's beautiful. If San Diego had woman living here like east coast or even Los Angeles it would be great place to live.

I see you you do not recommend taking the limo or the HK shuttle. I was hoping that would be more secure as it is from the club and not some unknown taxi driver. I was leaning towards taking the lino but now that might not be sensible. I was concerned about going in some unknown taxi.

I was planning to go there only in day time. I can go even earlier like noon or 01:00 pm. My plan was to stay in the club and check in the hotel overnight. Enjoy the club and then next day in morning say like 10:00 am head back to the border. I was going to restrict all travelling only to daylight hours.

I really want to do this trip as it is in my bucket list but am just getting scared by some of the stuff I was reading. I was going to bring only a backpack. Arrive in early afternoon hang in HK and say overnight in hotel. No night time travel.

I am still scared and concerned for some reason.

[Captain Solo]

Due to heightened concerns about safety and security in Tijuana, the bros should rely on HK's resources, HK's VIP host and Cascada's concierge, Alberto Quinto.

He can arrange anything you need, including pick up and deliver to San Diego. Just give him a generous propina for his work.

He speaks English. Here's his business card with tel and email. The noobs and bros from outof state should contact him for anything they need.