General Reports

[Captain Solo]

When dealing with chicas in bars or on streets, if you use dollars, the girls would quote even figures, $100 (1800 pesos) in HK and $40 (700 pesos) on street.

It's better to use pesos with chicas, because they are used to give locals guys lower rates in pesos, like 1,000 pesos (about $55) in HK or 400 pesos ($24).

HK has been using 17:1 rate a few years; thus premium beer $5 or 85 pesos; ficha $9 or 150 pesos, no real advantage using either currency. It's cheaper to tip $1 as it's only 18 pesos and easier to get change than the 20-peso note.

[SwFun4]

HK and the hotel uses the exchange rate of 17 to 1. So if you buy pesos at one of the exchange place or ATMs and get 17.50 to 1, then yes, it will be better to use pesos.

At that rate for ever $100 that is 50 P more, or $2. 94 part of which gets lost if you convert back and even more gets lost if there are any ATM service charges involved.

You can save money, or stretch your money with pesos instead of dollars. But it is really difficult with an exchange rate advantage of only 0.50 P over the club rate.

[Baxter Slade]

It was bound to happen one of these times. After carpooling with an amigo almost every other Saturday for years. We hit the off ramp in San Ysidro and I get a terrible sinking feeling in my stomach. Ohhh shit I left my passport in my car back in O. See. Driving 2 hours back for it is simply out of the equation.

Before we even park the car my mind has come up with 3 options.

Plan A: If my amigo would be kind enough to let me use his 180 day pass to enter Mexico. He could just fill out a 7 day or get a new 180 since the ones we have been using have expired a while ago. Hopefully only a minor inconvience for my amigo. Probably a good plan since we have been entering at ped west. Anyone who asks to see the pass sees the 180 on the paperwork and waves us through. Maybe once in 50 crossings they wanted to see a passport along with the FMM.

Plan be: I remember PDSuave telling me an amiga was coming down today. So I gave her a quick call to see if she was currently in Tijuana or when she was coming. She said she would be coming to the border in about 45 minutes and I could hitch a ride across with her. Seeing as how you are not asked for a passport when entering by car another great option. Of course at some point I will have to start worrying about crossing back to the USA With not only no passport, but no ID period not even a library card or even a Ralphs card.

Plan see; I sure did not want plan see. Going to IHOP and nursing some pancakes for a couple hours and walking around the outlet mall for 5 hours Until my amigo returns.

So went with plan A (what could go wrong). Well it did not take long and I had a major problem. As I start my walk towards the turnstyle into Mexico there is a barrier sit up and I'm being directed into the USA Building. This has NEVER happened before in all the times entering at Ped West. So now I'm face to face with the federal money sniffing dog who is on duty looking for people who might be funneling $10,000. 00 out of the USA. And he is very interested in what is in my front pockets. So now I'm sent over to a couple agents to be searched. First question can we see your passport sir. Ohhh shit. Well the last thing I want them to find is my amigos FMM and without me having any ID I'm thinking I have a big problem. I start digging around in my pockets as if to look for my ID. Before I can show him my passport he is on to the next question. " How much money are you carrying?" My Tijuana money is always well organized so I pull out a pile of 5's and 10's out of the left and 37 ones out of the right pocket. As soon as he sees the 1's the light bulb goes on. He gets a big smile and asks "Those are for the ladies?" I say yep he winks says have fun and sends me on my way. As his female partner looks at him with admiration as if to say my partner knows what goes on south of the border.

The next step was pretty easy. There are some Mexicans stopped in the Mexican entry lane being asked for proof of citizenship. I flash my 180 and I'm waved by them and I have made it Viva Mexico. I do feel bad that I have delayed my amigo, but he shows up to meet me after about 20 minutes with a new 180 day pass.

As far as the trip itself nothing to exciting. The usual hanging in bars drinking beers and trying to break the record of getting the DJ's to play Sweet Child O Mine. Only made it to 3. But a fun day in Tijuana. I was a little concerend if I should take it easy on the drinking due to the situation. I mean is it a good idea to be drunk as I'm grilled in secondary while trying to make it back through customs with no ID. Also need to worry about a Tijuana cop stopping me, having an ID on you in Mexico is the law.

Well there was a little worriying for nothing about re entering the USA. I stepped up to the agent confessed to being an idiota and forgetting my ID. I did not get the usual questions, where are you headed and are you bringing anything back. Instead 2 simple questions name and birthdate. And boom I was sent through faster than my amigo who did have his passport card.

[TomJackin]

Is there a savings when paying for hotel in pesos?

HK and the hotel uses the exchange rate of 17 to 1. So if you buy pesos at one of the exchange place or ATMs and get 17.50 to 1, then yes, it will be better to use pesos.

[ScatManDoo]

Is there a savings when paying for hotel in pesos?

Yes.

At Cascades they currently use the same 17 to 1 exchange rate as HK. As since the real exchange rate is more like 17.8 to 1, you often can buy pesos for a cheaper price than they value them at Cascades.

Additionally Cascades accepts deposit on items when you check-in at a rate of 100 pesos or ten dollars (things like TV remotes, in room safe keys, for some master suites they have remote controls for in room air conditioners).

Not only is it less money to leave that series of deposits using pesos, but on two occasions when I was checking out they returned my deposits using more valuable dollars. I think I was just lucky on those two occasions because on other visits they seemed to know if I paid my deposits using pesos or dollars.

[GoodSense3]

Did you try parking across from the new san ysidro border crossing? Jack-in-box is near old border crossing.

Made a Tijuana stop on Sunday afternoon. The current parking situation is bad. The large UEFA lot that was $7 Sunday through Wednesday is gone. I Parked in a small lot (Premium Parking) across the street from Jack in the Box. 24 hours I believe was $20. Or you can opt for 12 hours for $15. You pay through a machine. I think this is the best place to park. The other lots are farther away and the same price or more money. Not thrilled parking costs have gone up.

Two smoking hot (most likely Hong Kong) girls were walking back to their cars a few yards away opposite direction. Had to be in the 19-23 age appeared friendly. One had the typical rolling luggage bag. In normal situations you look and let it walk by. The thought crossed my mind to chat them up and get some quick details. They made quick eye contact and I assume understood my mission. It just did not register quickly enough for me to approach them but I had a brief second and missed my entry.

Interested to hear if anyone (frequent fliers) have had experiences quick chatting these ladies on their way back to the states. Most likely they are not interested in doing business in the states. But I assume at the very least they would give me details of their zona working hours / location. I should have hawked after them the worst that could have happened was brief monger humiliation or perhaps a trailing boyfriend ready to pound my face in for propositioning his friends.

As usual Hong Kong had a handful of very hot ladies. But mostly most were in the middle range. All types were going up and down the stairways and If you hesitated to select the young fresh talent she was quickly snatched up. I guess I hesitate too much so I did all of my damage on the street where the ladies stand still.

Advice for people staying at Cascada Hotel. Make sure all the amenities work. The older rooms are falling apart although they seem ok at first glance. Seems odd but flush the toilet multiple times. You may get 1 or 2 flushes before the toilet just stops working. Not sure how much more you have to pay for the new rooms but they may be worth it. As I was checking out early morning two guys rolled up and threw down for the penthouse room. I think it was $700 per night not sure how many nights they were staying but 1 guy had a gun safe roller suitcase. He must have had all his toys, handcuffs, and of course pesos in it. You would have never picked these 2 guys out of Hong Kong for the night they were about to enjoy. These guys understand the better the room the better the service. Thinking back I have always received special treatment when my room was above the norm.

[GoodSense3]

Is there a savings when paying for hotel in pesos?

Made a Tijuana stop on Sunday afternoon. The current parking situation is bad. The large UEFA lot that was $7 Sunday through Wednesday is gone. I Parked in a small lot (Premium Parking) across the street from Jack in the Box. 24 hours I believe was $20. Or you can opt for 12 hours for $15. You pay through a machine. I think this is the best place to park. The other lots are farther away and the same price or more money. Not thrilled parking costs have gone up.

Two smoking hot (most likely Hong Kong) girls were walking back to their cars a few yards away opposite direction. Had to be in the 19-23 age appeared friendly. One had the typical rolling luggage bag. In normal situations you look and let it walk by. The thought crossed my mind to chat them up and get some quick details. They made quick eye contact and I assume understood my mission. It just did not register quickly enough for me to approach them but I had a brief second and missed my entry.

Interested to hear if anyone (frequent fliers) have had experiences quick chatting these ladies on their way back to the states. Most likely they are not interested in doing business in the states. But I assume at the very least they would give me details of their zona working hours / location. I should have hawked after them the worst that could have happened was brief monger humiliation or perhaps a trailing boyfriend ready to pound my face in for propositioning his friends.

As usual Hong Kong had a handful of very hot ladies. But mostly most were in the middle range. All types were going up and down the stairways and If you hesitated to select the young fresh talent she was quickly snatched up. I guess I hesitate too much so I did all of my damage on the street where the ladies stand still.

Advice for people staying at Cascada Hotel. Make sure all the amenities work. The older rooms are falling apart although they seem ok at first glance. Seems odd but flush the toilet multiple times. You may get 1 or 2 flushes before the toilet just stops working. Not sure how much more you have to pay for the new rooms but they may be worth it. As I was checking out early morning two guys rolled up and threw down for the penthouse room. I think it was $700 per night not sure how many nights they were staying but 1 guy had a gun safe roller suitcase. He must have had all his toys, handcuffs, and of course pesos in it. You would have never picked these 2 guys out of Hong Kong for the night they were about to enjoy. These guys understand the better the room the better the service. Thinking back I have always received special treatment when my room was above the norm.

[Perro489]

Absolutely, although indirectly. The easiest way to buy it is to visit the small, but well-appointed, strip club in Terminal 4. All of the bathroom attendants have it, usually cheaper than the ones in the HK men's room.

Being an airport location, prices for beer and chicas are a bit high. I find it's best to have a couple, then avail yourself of the street girls just outside where you exit baggage claim.

Interesting, I'll make a note of terminal 4. I was just wondering because I am flying out of Tijuana late at night and was wondering if I could get a few fiagra before flying out.

[Perro489]

I don't recall seeing a pharmacy at the Tijuana airport.

There is one on the Far East side entrance of the airport, before you get to the windows with transportation buses.

[Phordphan]

Anyone know if they have fiagra at the Tijuana airport?

Absolutely, although indirectly. The easiest way to buy it is to visit the small, but well-appointed, strip club in Terminal 4. All of the bathroom attendants have it, usually cheaper than the ones in the HK men's room.

Being an airport location, prices for beer and chicas are a bit high. I find it's best to have a couple, then avail yourself of the street girls just outside where you exit baggage claim.

[Reinaldo]

I don't recall seeing a pharmacy at the Tijuana airport.

Anyone know if they have fiagra at the Tijuana airport?

[Long Don Silva]

Out on the street dealing with the girls, food vendors, or other merchants YMMV.

Actually, there's really no argument against using pesos on the street girls, who operate on a 10:1 exchange rate. It's pretty cut and dry that the savings with using pesos are quite substantial. There's no YMMV about that.

[OkieJoe]

Your experiences are clearly different from mine. Based on the above comments, I spent a few minutes with Google and found the following quote from AccessRx.com

"Cialis tends to take effect more quickly than other ED drugs, with onset of effectiveness within 30 minutes typically. The recommendation is to take Cialis 30 minutes prior to sexual activity, while with Viagra and Levitra, users are instructed to take the drug 60 minutes before sexual activity. Generally, the effects of Cialis last 24 to 36 hours after taking it. The fact that the effects are so long-lasting has been a major selling point for Cialis, which branded itself "the weekend pill. " Many men like that they can take Cialis Friday night, and still experience its effects Sunday morning. The extended duration of Cialis's effects allows for more spontaneity and less guesswork about when to take it."

I suspect your experiences are more typical. The above quote simply doesn't apply to me. They take longer to become effective but they also last longer.

I've never had stomach upset with either of those drugs, but the stuffy nose is very bad for me. I take with a minimum of 8 ounces of water, usually more.

I brought Kamatra gel in foil envelopes back from Thailand. For me I take a 1/2 dose of the contents and fold the rest in the envelope for next time. I only takes about 10-15 minutes to kick in, and seems to last into the next day. You might be able to order online.

[Perro489]

Anyone know if they have fiagra at the Tijuana airport?

[SwFun4]

From all my reading of the forums it seems that all transactions are in US dollars. 5 dollars taxi to HK. 1 dollar tips to every one. US dollars to go upstairs. 1 dollar to the taco man. Food at Azul is in dollars. What about other restaurants in the area?

I did 2 posts a week or so ago looking at dollar vs pesos based on the exchange rate at the time (it really hasn't moved much) for paying in the clubs based on prevailing average prices.

Long story short, in the clubs specifically, there is little or no savings paying pesos over dollars.

Out on the street dealing with the girls, food vendors, or other merchants YMMV.