General Reports

[KC Questor]

It would be so nice if there were more to do in Tijuana during your "downtime" Such as a movie theater, shopping mall, gym to workout or even an arcade.

If only this modern city of two million people had a movie theater or shopping mall. Imagine, if they only had a gym or even an arcade!

I swear, some people think Tijuana is nothing but strip clubs and donkey shows.

[KC Questor]

This is the reason why I don't book a place to stay in Tijuana and just head back to my hotel across the border in chula vista. The headache of waiting in line for 2 hrs and seeing so many Mexicans shortcut you and having to argue with each one isn't worth it.

I don't understand this post. If you stay in Tijuana you don't have to keep crossing the border twice a day. Just stay in Tijuana and avoid the headache. How does crossing back to Chula Vista every day save you any time?

[Mr Enternational]

Thanks. I don't know if you have to fly within the US but in case you do, any issues with TSA? You know like dirty looks, winks, etc.

They see vibrators all day everyday the same as a doctor sees dicks and pussies all day everyday. It is just like a sailor seeing water.

[Jim0129]

I disagree. First, service and product quality are two different things. The quality thing can be debated later.

Anybody who thinks businesses the world over deliberately abuse their clientele have never run their own business. All owners know that without customers you have no business. Now that being said, it seems that loads of tourist clientele tend to bring out the worst in employees and if you don't have strong management the practices will continue. But that's beside the point and to say all Tijuana businesses are like the gringo-centric ones is a gross generalization itself.

Now far too many Americans travel abroad and expect everything to be the same as it is back home. It's not, and never will be. One must always take into account cultural differences. Mexico is Mexico and the sooner visiting gringos start to adapt to Mexican ways the sooner they begin to have better experiences overall.

I go all over Tijuana. Shops, restaurants large and small, bars, whatever. I have found far more good service than bad. And the bad service tends to be from companies who deal with either gringos or tons of "one-time" clientele. Such as taxis or gas stations, although I've never been mistreated at a gas station, it's just that all the locals say to keep an eye on them because they may not give you as much gas as they charge you for. Some irritations are things like supermarkets, who never bring out enough checkers. It's not deliberate bad service or them not giving a shit, it's a cultural thing. Mexicans aren't as obsessed with time as Americans. What's an extra 5 minutes in line?

The major exception the world over tends to be taxis. Why an industry like that attracts the worst employees is something of a mystery. But if one learns the culture one can avoid a lot of the ripoffs. And yes, Uber has been a Godsend for both travelers and locals alike.

I agree with the overall message of your post, talking about supermarkets, a clear example are Walmart and Costco, both american companies that have a presence here in Mexico (I'm Mexican BTW), the waiting times in Mexico are longer en these stores compared to the US, even though they are the same companies, remember that corporations will cut costs and remove services to the point just above the tolerance of the customers, and like you said, the tolerance in Mexico for waiting in line at a supermarket its higher than in the US, that allows the companies to reduce their cashiers.

About the taxis, I have never had good taxi service in any country that I've visited, except Japan, usually people who are just bad workers in general or have a criminal background end up as taxi drivers in most countries, that's why UBER was such a hit, it isn't the incredible good service that UBER gives, it's the really bad service that taxies give all over the world.

[JabberWock]

I bring a vibrator every time. Have it in my backpack and run it through scanners without any issue.

Thanks. I don't know if you have to fly within the US but in case you do, any issues with TSA? You know like dirty looks, winks, etc.

[Captain Solo]

Sunday got down to Tijuana about noon.

PedWest pedestrian line, 4 across, filled the bridge over El Chaparral border crossing.

Did not see the pedestrian line on PedEast, but the line of returning cars backed up into downtown Tijuana.

On the way back at 6 PM, the pedestrian line, Ready and Regular car lanes were backed up to the park. 6 SENTRI lanes were open. It took us only 5 minutes to cross.

[ChinaMan360]

Tried to return by foot Sat. 9 am. El chaparral line all the way to taco stands. Walked to trolley border, line way out to streets, and worst part wasnt moving at all because theirs underground economy of medical passes being sold for 10 bucks person to cut line. Ever 20 seconds you watch another person cutting line with medical pass salesman. I walked back to el chaperal, they can't use medical pass here but every 20 seconds people walk pass with either sentri, or just to cut the line at some point. Mexicans are very laid back in USA cutting line would end in fights no matter what ethnicity you are it's just not permitted. But Mexicans don't even look upset by it. Anyway this is 3 hour wait today.

This is the reason why I don't book a place to stay in Tijuana and just head back to my hotel across the border in chula vista. The headache of waiting in line for 2 hrs and seeing so many Mexicans shortcut you and having to argue with each one isn't worth it.

[SenorTJ]

Tried to return by foot Sat. 9 am. El chaparral line all the way to taco stands. Walked to trolley border, line way out to streets, and worst part wasnt moving at all because theirs underground economy of medical passes being sold for 10 bucks person to cut line. Ever 20 seconds you watch another person cutting line with medical pass salesman. I walked back to el chaperal, they can't use medical pass here but every 20 seconds people walk pass with either sentri, or just to cut the line at some point. Mexicans are very laid back in USA cutting line would end in fights no matter what ethnicity you are it's just not permitted. But Mexicans don't even look upset by it. Anyway this is 3 hour wait today.

The line back on a Saturday during the morning or afternoon is the absolute worst for those without Sentri. With holiday shoppers, it's much worse than normal.

The line cutting by Mexicans is awful. I also see it in traffic chokepoints around the border. But I've also seen old gringos do it, skipping the line, claiming they're old and frail, sometimes it works. I read that the new mayor cracked down on the medical pass scam, but apparently not.

The one and only time I did a 3-hour wait was a few years back, and then I went to the trouble of getting Sentri.

Looking forward to less congestion and traffic in January. In the meantime, I'll stick with weekday midday bombing runs.

[Goyo61]

Thanks Russlell. I was wondering how that worked as I was afraid going through customs ever time it could be a bit embarrassing.

G.

I bring a vibrator every time. Have it in my backpack and run it through scanners without any issue.

[Tigger69]

It would be so nice if there were more to do in Tijuana during your "downtime" Such as a movie theater, shopping mall, gym to workout or even an arcade.

Agreed, daytime boredom is a real problem; there's only so much are&are I can do before I start to get restless. I'm not an seasoned professional but have been down 5-6 times and starting to figure out a few options. Please share if you have any other ideas!

1. Gym; Tijuana Fitness is only a 5 minute walk from HK and is a decent spot (for Mexico). I think it was 300 MXN for a week pass.

2. Valparaiso Aguas Termales looks like a good thermal bath / massage place. Almost went but looks like you need an appointment for the massage days in advance.

3. Costco; I bought pharmaceuticals at the Tijuana Costco (mostly for the experience); it was weird being in a place so familiar yet so different.

4. San Diego; It's not as convenient but San Diego has Coronado beach (never been to Tijuana beaches), restaurants, Old Town San Diego, etc.

5. Albercas Water Park Vergel. Never been but probably a good summertime option.

6. Plaza Rio Tijuana. Shopping mall and movie theater, never been.

7. Caliente Casino. Never been, I prefer to "waste" my money on putas.

[Mr Russell]

I bring a vibrator every time. Have it in my backpack and run it through scanners without any issue.

Has anyone had trouble bringing toys across the border? You know vibrators, soft handcuffs, etc.

[Dogers69]

Tried to return by foot Sat. 9 am. El chaparral line all the way to taco stands. Walked to trolley border, line way out to streets, and worst part wasnt moving at all because theirs underground economy of medical passes being sold for 10 bucks person to cut line. Ever 20 seconds you watch another person cutting line with medical pass salesman. I walked back to el chaperal, they can't use medical pass here but every 20 seconds people walk pass with either sentri, or just to cut the line at some point. Mexicans are very laid back in USA cutting line would end in fights no matter what ethnicity you are it's just not permitted. But Mexicans don't even look upset by it. Anyway this is 3 hour wait today.

[Goyo61]

There are a lot of options Rainman.

Head over to Rio mall and go to a movie in MX. It's a neat experience.

There are a million taco places to check out. El Franc taco's for one.

Mercado Hildago is a great "not so little" market to check out. Food places and more.

Caesar's on Revolution is a must. Great history and very nice ambiance.

Tijuana History Museum (not the cultural museum). It's about 3 blocks from HK and good to walk through and check out the pic's. (take a chica with you to interpret as all context is in Spanish writing).

Dog Race park and casino. Very cool place to watch a few dog races. Bet a little money in bigger casino than typical smaller places around town.

Those are just a few but there are many more.

G.

It would be so nice if there were more to do in Tijuana during your "downtime" Such as a movie theater, shopping mall, gym to workout or even an arcade.

Had planned to spend a large chunk of Sunday afternoon watching NFL football at Azuls sports bar but $4 cans of coke chased me away by halftime of the early games.

[Goyo61]

I have a few images of nude chica's on my phone from past mongering and I was showing my mom some other pictures and for some reason. Up pops an image of one. Arg. I quickly swipe to get rid of it saying something jokingly about my Spanish interpreter. Only to have another image of another chica show up. Arrrrrrrg. My folks are not too judgmental and 80+ years old so it was kind of funny but I think I got busted.

G

[Rainman306]

It would be so nice if there were more to do in Tijuana during your "downtime" Such as a movie theater, shopping mall, gym to workout or even an arcade.

Had planned to spend a large chunk of Sunday afternoon watching NFL football at Azuls sports bar but $4 cans of coke chased me away by halftime of the early games.