General Reports

[Artisttyp]

I like to snorkel and monger on vacations. Where are some places where I can do both? I live on the west coast USA.

Acapulco has snorkeling.

[Phordphan]

Am planning to go to Tijuana next Tuesday. Will drive rental across border. What is the hassle coming back to USA? My passport is in the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco being processed for visa there so I won't have my passport. What can I expect at the border coming back to USA? Thanks.

First, check your rental agreement to ensure you're permitted to bring the car into Mexico. You'll need Mexican insurance in any case. You can buy some at the border before entry.

You will not be checked for ID if you drive across. You *might* be stopped for inspection. The process varies. I've only had them look in the trunk and back seat. I had to open a sealed box once. But some report them asking for car registration and ID. Dunno.

Leaving and reentering the US is another issue. Unless you leave around 2 am you're going to be stuck in a hellacious line. The reentry lines lately have been stupendous. Think between 2 and 4 hours. Crossing at night at Otay Mesa will significantly reduce your wait.

Upon leaving the WILL ask for your passport. As you will not have one, they may or may not get tetchy. You'll want to have your drivers license, and a copy of your birth certificate would be an excellent addition. They may or may not send you to secondary. If so, they will probably question you, they will certainly go over the car looking for contraband. Anything can happen, but usually it's several minutes of poking around the car and a scold for not having a passport.

So, you decide whether it's worth it to drive over. OTOH, you will be asked for a passport if you walk over. They may solicit a bribe if you don't have one. YMMV. BTW, I drive across constantly, but I have SENTRI / GE.

[Phordphan]

I like to snorkel and monger on vacations. Where are some places where I can do both? I live on the west coast USA.

IMO there is no good snorkeling on the West Coast. But I'm a warm water aficionado. Good snorkeling requires clear water and a reef. Clear, warm, water with no reef is great for swimming but there's not a lot to see. Murkier water, like the Gulf of Thailand, has more nutrients, hence more fish, but they're harder to see and seem to be in greater than snorkeling depths.

Offhand, Cancun has some good snorkeling areas although the chicas can be a bit pricey. Indonesia has good spots. Parts of the Philippines are good. The DR has some spots. I've only been diving, not snorkeling, in Costa Rica, but I think there are some decent spots on the Mar Caribe side. All of the above have some sort of rental companionship for the single male traveler.

[Captain Solo]

If you have crossed the border before, CBP can quickly pull up your info on line. A few bros have crossed back recently with just driver licenses.

Car Ready lanes are very unpredictable, wait time vary greatly depending on what day and what time you cross back. Even after midnight weekdays, expect 1 to 2 hours wait.

[AmorPorFavor]

To give your question a serious answer, the snorkeling in that area isn't good. It's not just the water quality, it's also because there is nothing to see. If you dive, and like relatively cold water, and relatively poor visibility, and like kelp beds and such, there's lots to like off the coast. But if you're used to Thai water, well, there's no comparison. Pattaya snorkeling, while light years better than Tijuana, isn't very good, either, IMO, but I did enjoy the diving. If you're looking for snorkeling you'll need to go a lot farther south, and / or on the Gulf of Mexico side. Or, frankly, Hawaii, which probably has the best snorkeling on the planet.

I like to snorkel and monger on vacations. Where are some places where I can do both? I live on the west coast USA.

[RocksWithSalt]

Will drive rental across border.

Driving a US rental car into Mexico is very restrictive. Be sure you check with the car company you select. Additional insurance may be mandatory. Some companies will just say no. Some companies will do it for select corporate accounts.

[Jackie888]

Am planning to go to Tijuana next Tuesday. Will drive rental across border. What is the hassle coming back to USA? My passport is in the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco being processed for visa there so I won't have my passport. What can I expect at the border coming back to USA? Thanks.

They will hold you for a while and question why you don't have proof of citizenship. And probably run your background. And trace your whereabouts for the prior year.

[John Clayton]

...Will drive rental across border. ...My passport is in the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco being processed for visa there so I won't have my passport. ...

Pretty sure a passport or passport card is required when driving any vehicle into Mexico.

[D Cups]

Am planning to go to Tijuana next Tuesday. Will drive rental across border. What is the hassle coming back to USA? My passport is in the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco being processed for visa there so I won't have my passport. What can I expect at the border coming back to USA? Thanks.

[LuvMexicanas]

The rationale for this is not to spend to much on fischas all day long and to focus more on street girls & other activities during the day when it is safer to be out.

Generally, the top talent works at night.

Lastly, I've found that staying in a bar environment all day & night can put you in a trance like state where you'll start to make bad decisions.

I like days and night for variation. You're right, there are more hot chicas at night but there is an even higher ratio of dudes chasing them. There is something to be said about being one of just a handful of guys in a Zona bar on a Monday or Tuesday having the chicas pretty much to yourself. Have you ever taken a chica who is in the bar on an off day getting drunk back to your hotel? Your points aren't wrong but as you get more experienced you'll learn to let things unfold naturally as opposed to an itinerary or mechanical type approach.

[Rainman306]

What is the rationale for this?

The rationale for this is not to spend to much on fischas all day long and to focus more on street girls & other activities during the day when it is safer to be out.

Generally, the top talent works at night.

Lastly, I've found that staying in a bar environment all day & night can put you in a trance like state where you'll start to make bad decisions.

[LuvMexicanas]

I try to stay out of the bars during the day & wait until night to go.

What is the rationale for this?

[Phordphan]

Hi guys,

How is snorkeling in Tijuana? Actually I am in Pattaya and right here I rather do not get my head under water due to the water quality. So how is it in Tijuana?

Thanks.

To give your question a serious answer, the snorkeling in that area isn't good. It's not just the water quality, it's also because there is nothing to see. If you dive, and like relatively cold water, and relatively poor visibility, and like kelp beds and such, there's lots to like off the coast. But if you're used to Thai water, well, there's no comparison. Pattaya snorkeling, while light years better than Tijuana, isn't very good, either, IMO, but I did enjoy the diving. If you're looking for snorkeling you'll need to go a lot farther south, and / or on the Gulf of Mexico side. Or, frankly, Hawaii, which probably has the best snorkeling on the planet.

[Captain Solo]

Why do Tijuana's brown trout always float on surface?

[Rainman306]

In general, dollars are used in the big clubs (HK, Chicago, Adelita) and Pesos are used everywhere else. It is easier to acquire Pesos in the Zona than dollars -- money exchange, more atms with less fees.

I usually try to get my money in a mix of 50's, 20's and 10's with maybe about 50 $1's. You will want the 10's for the fischa drinks, less change coming back to get short changed. Carrying some 50's gives you wallet less bulk & helps with the Arriba rates -- start at 70 (a 50 & 20) then maybe go up to 90 (a 50 & 2 20's).

I'd recommend changing hotels to experience girls from each club without that added per visit usage room charge. You'll get much more time pet session that way also.

I try to stay out of the bars during the day & wait until night to go.