General Reports

[Phordphan]

I've watched hundreds of hours of videos of guys walking around Thailand. Tijuana, is not Thailand. You need to hide your passport so when you get robbed, you can quickly hand over your phone and wallet without hesitation, one second hesitation could be the end of your life. Nothing should be in the wallet that is needed other then some of your money to send the robbers home happy. And don't walk around filming anything in the streets. If robbing people was legal in Chicago, with the crime they already have, that's what Tijuana is like. Getting robbed, is essentially just your donation to the lower income folks. Don't get mad, don't fight back, don't argue, be the victim happily. You can't win. IF you fight back, you won't be safe on the streets any longer. Just spread the money out and have a hidden pocket sewn into your pants for the passport. After a while, the chaos on the streets with everyone trying to "get" you becomes a lot of fun, like a adventure, maybe more fun than the woman.

Give. It. A. Fucking. Rest!! Don't get me started. Just take your ultra-paranoid fever dreams and peddle them on a different board.

[Phordphan]

After spending years in Asia and the Middle East, I'm finally going to Tijuana for the first time this coming September. I'll probably be there for three or four days total. To lead me on my journey, I've started to RTFF. Tijuana has a LOT of information to sort through, but I'm trying to learn as much as I can before I go. In addition to, "don't be a asshole and always treat the ladies nicely", what three things (positive or negative) would you recommend I do or not do? Money is not an issue but I'd like to keep my mongering to around $ per pop so I can maximize the variety.

My very best piece of advice, besides RTFF, is to absolutely ignore the postings of the two main disseminators of misinformation and general crap on this board. One thinks he's a Star Wars hero and Tijuana expert but never leaves HK, and the other, with whom you now have direct experience, posts nothing but wild, imaginary fever dreams. I was going to post a long diatribe about his latest belch, but often they whine to the mods and then I get a ration of shit.

You can spend as much or as little as you wish. With the price inflation at HK you may be hard pressed to keep expenditures under $, but there are far more venues in Tijuana besides HK and your money will go farther. By expenditures I mean the cost of your drinks, the cost of her drinks, the room, her tarifa, etc.

Don't get shitfaced drunk and walk around, don't spend too much time wandering the streets, keep you head on a swivel, get a passport card. Do these and you will be fine. The rateros are there, but they are not beating and killing tourists in broad daylight if you don't hand over every-fucking-thing you own in a split second. Regardless of what some "experts" who watch hundreds of hours of Thailand videos tells you.

[MongerHunger]

I've watched hundreds of hours of videos of guys walking around Thailand. Tijuana, is not Thailand. You need to hide your passport so when you get robbed, you can quickly hand over your phone and wallet without hesitation, one second hesitation could be the end of your life. Nothing should be in the wallet that is needed other then some of your money to send the robbers home happy. And don't walk around filming anything in the streets. If robbing people was legal in Chicago, with the crime they already have, that's what Tijuana is like. Getting robbed, is essentially just your donation to the lower income folks. Don't get mad, don't fight back, don't argue, be the victim happily. You can't win. IF you fight back, you won't be safe on the streets any longer. Just spread the money out and have a hidden pocket sewn into your pants for the passport. After a while, the chaos on the streets with everyone trying to "get" you becomes a lot of fun, like a adventure, maybe more fun than the woman.

What a way to scare the shit out of somebody on their first experience in Tijuana. I think that your advice was a little extreme.

[MongerHunger]

After spending years in Asia and the Middle East, I'm finally going to Tijuana for the first time this coming September. I'll probably be there for three or four days total. To lead me on my journey, I've started to RTFF. Tijuana has a LOT of information to sort through, but I'm trying to learn as much as I can before I go. In addition to, "don't be a asshole and always treat the ladies nicely", what three things (positive or negative) would you recommend I do or not do? Money is not an issue but I'd like to keep my mongering to around $ per pop so I can maximize the variety.

So you are willing to pay a HK bar girl $ ($100) per pop?

[Taipan68]

After spending years in Asia and the Middle East, I'm finally going to Tijuana for the first time this coming September. I'll probably be there for three or four days total. To lead me on my journey, I've started to RTFF. Tijuana has a LOT of information to sort through, but I'm trying to learn as much as I can before I go. In addition to, "don't be a asshole and always treat the ladies nicely", what three things (positive or negative) would you recommend I do or not do? Money is not an issue but I'd like to keep my mongering to around $ per pop so I can maximize the variety.

[Jim0129]

Ever since my first year of mongering in Tijuana (back in 2004) I have always answered "Spending some time with the chicas" as to why I visited Mexico.

About half the male CBP will briefly joke with me and give follow-up comments like: "Did you get well serviced?" But the other half of male CBP appear stoic when I give that answer. The stoic half generally make no follow-up questions or comments. This is after about 100 border crossings during the past 14 years.

I have only run into about 4 or 5 female CBP agents at the border when I return to the United States. I give them the same "Spending some time with the chicas" answer. Not one of the female CBP agents has ever joked with me or even given a follow-up question. Every one of the female CBP simply scowled at me, and then quickly moved me along. The reason I have stayed with the same reply all these years is because of the lack of follow-up. My comment pretty much stops any further grilling and gets me on my way quickly.

The honest truth will always set you free, it may not be well seen but it's not illegal, so what?

[Baxter Slade]

How much is the pass and do you really need to get one!

It costs around 500 pesos. And no you don't need it. But if you go a lot its worth it. You can walk right in. You don't wait in line or have to stop to fill out the paperwork.

Now tecnically if you stay more than 7 days it is required. But if you were going for 10 days and you tell them 6 days and don't pay for the 180 pass nobody is going to bust you.

[Asting]

How much is the pass and do you really need to get one!

The pass is 533 pesos for 6 months.

You need to get one if you come to Tijuana regularly to avoid the lines especially on weekends!

[Aviator400]

Hello everyone,

In about a month, maybe 2, it looks like I am going to be able to do one or two day trips into Tijuana every other month or so. While this sounds like very little, it is actually heads and above what I am used to and I am quite excited.

My issue: I will only be able to be in Tijuana from about 11 am to about 7:00 pm or 8:00 pm that same day. The day trip itself is is not a problem, I can fully enjoy myself in that amount of time. However, I need a place where I can stash a small day bag with a change of clothes, my supplies / pesos (I do not want to carry all of my pesos in my pocket), and where I can grab a quick shower before crossing back over the border. Getting a room at Cascadas seemed ideal, but then I realized that they have a 3:00 pm check in time at the earliest, which would leave me carrying my stuff around, money and all, for four hours.

Any suggestions?

I appreciate it. It would be very nice if I could get these visits down to a science and became kind of a regular!

IB.

Much depends on the day of the week, attitude of the clerk, and if you have a VIP card.

You can leave your bag at the hotel desk or the front desk of the club. (Typically I tip a few dollars for this.) I have never had anything taken.

Often weekdays they will let you check in early if they have a room available. I have checked in as early as 11:00 am. (Note that I was returning from a night in Ensenada with the HK girl I had taken with me. The clerk took a long look at the clock and a long look back at me, but he gave me the room).

And if you have a VIP card, technically you can stay late, but occasionally I have gotten grief when they reset the locks at 1:00 and asked to have my key recoded.

[ScatManDoo]

Why is it embarrassing to just tell the truth? Just say Hong Kong or Adelitas and they'll just laugh and let you through. If it's a woman she'll just grin or smirk, no big deal. They're not blind, they know why most of us are coming to their country. They'll only start hassling you if you give indecisive answers or act nervous. Nobody cares about your personal activities, they're just nameless people doing their job.

Ever since my first year of mongering in Tijuana (back in 2004) I have always answered "Spending some time with the chicas" as to why I visited Mexico.

About half the male CBP will briefly joke with me and give follow-up comments like: "Did you get well serviced?" But the other half of male CBP appear stoic when I give that answer. The stoic half generally make no follow-up questions or comments. This is after about 100 border crossings during the past 14 years.

I have only run into about 4 or 5 female CBP agents at the border when I return to the United States. I give them the same "Spending some time with the chicas" answer. Not one of the female CBP agents has ever joked with me or even given a follow-up question. Every one of the female CBP simply scowled at me, and then quickly moved me along. The reason I have stayed with the same reply all these years is because of the lack of follow-up. My comment pretty much stops any further grilling and gets me on my way quickly.

[DramaFree11]

Just tell them you went to the doctor. I go all the time and this is my standard answer.

A ticket bet on sporting events. And you have 60 days to cash the ticket. So while as some say it is not illegal to cross the border for pussy. I'm just answering the question with the truth, because I almost always am bringing a ticket back. Over the years I have noticed that this answer seems to always end further questions.

As far as most agents could care less about your visit. One of my funniest CBP moment came the time the dog that looks for people carrying large sums of money hit on my front pocket going into Mexico. The agents got really serious pulled me aside and started questioning me. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a big wad of 1's. The one agent started to laugh and responded we know where you are going with a wink and I was on my way.

[Bbond]

Why is it embarrassing to just tell the truth? Just say Hong Kong or Adelitas and they'll just laugh and let you through. If it's a woman she'll just grin or smirk, no big deal. They're not blind, they know why most of us are coming to their country. They'll only start hassling you if you give indecisive answers or act nervous. Nobody cares about your personal activities, they're just nameless people doing their job.

Have a family member retired from law enforcement, I can tell you it is not what you answer, it's how you answer, that triggers them.

[Baxter Slade]

I don't really gamble. What is a betting ticket and why are you bringing it back?

A ticket bet on sporting events. And you have 60 days to cash the ticket. So while as some say it is not illegal to cross the border for pussy. I'm just answering the question with the truth, because I almost always am bringing a ticket back. Over the years I have noticed that this answer seems to always end further questions.

As far as most agents could care less about your visit. One of my funniest CBP moment came the time the dog that looks for people carrying large sums of money hit on my front pocket going into Mexico. The agents got really serious pulled me aside and started questioning me. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a big wad of 1's. The one agent started to laugh and responded we know where you are going with a wink and I was on my way.

[CountryMan54]

Going in I'm never questioned due to the 180 day pass. Coming out always asked, are you bringing anything back. I always say a betting ticket from Caliente. I'm immeadiatly dismissed as a degenerate gambler and sent on my way with no further questions.

However if you forget to clean the lipstick marks off they will know what you were really up to.

How much is the pass and do you really need to get one!

[ScottHall]

Why is it embarrassing to just tell the truth? Just say Hong Kong or Adelitas and they'll just laugh and let you through. If it's a woman she'll just grin or smirk, no big deal. They're not blind, they know why most of us are coming to their country. They'll only start hassling you if you give indecisive answers or act nervous. Nobody cares about your personal activities, they're just nameless people doing their job.