General Reports

[Hargow20]

Personally I find that it is better to pay for things in Pesos. If you pay in dollars the Mexicans will round up to the higher price. The other advantage is that the girls will accept a bit less if you pay in Peso's.

It's almost never worth paying in pesos in the Zona. Except street girls. They will usually give a much better deal in pesos. Sometimes as much as half (that is, she quotes $50 or 500 pesos, or $25). Also small purchases at the Oxxo or food carts are better with pesos.

But hotels, club drinks, and most bar girls? Fuck that. Pay in dollars and save some hassle. I've met a few bar girls who will accept lower amounts in pesos (She says $100 and you offer 1600 pesos and she agrees). Maybe she would have accepted $80, who knows? Most of the time, the girl's asking price will be the same in pesos or dollars. I've had a bar girl open the calculator on her phone and calculate how many pesos it would cost (this was when the exchange rate was like 17:1, it's much easier to calculate at 20:1).

Not to mention the amount you lose from making mistakes with tips and shit. With the $4 beer, whether you hand the guy a $5 or a $20, you know what you are getting back. With a 78 peso beer, you hand the guy a 200 p bill and you get back a 50 p note and a handful of coins. Lots of guys will take the bill and leave the coins, giving the scammer almost a $4 tip.

If you are totally comfortable with currency exchange and have no trouble manipulating strange money in a dark and noisy club, then go for it. But in my opinion it's not worth the hassle

[KC Questor]

I have two old DUI convictions over 10 years ago. I have a third arrest that was dismissed, also over 10 years old. Anyone have any info if I can get a SENTRI pass? Thanks for any information.

Just get global entry if you can.

Definitely get Global Entry instead of SENTRI. There is no reason any more for an American citizen to get SENTRI. Global entry has all the same features, a lot more interview locations, more available appointments, a lower fee, and it works for any foreign travel (not just Mexico).

[KC Questor]

Ah I see. In that case idk if that is even worth the trouble. At 2000 pesos, I'm saving like less than $4 as opposed to just paying $100 USD.

It's almost never worth paying in pesos in the Zona. Except street girls. They will usually give a much better deal in pesos. Sometimes as much as half (that is, she quotes $50 or 500 pesos, or $25). Also small purchases at the Oxxo or food carts are better with pesos.

But hotels, club drinks, and most bar girls? Fuck that. Pay in dollars and save some hassle. I've met a few bar girls who will accept lower amounts in pesos (She says $100 and you offer 1600 pesos and she agrees). Maybe she would have accepted $80, who knows? Most of the time, the girl's asking price will be the same in pesos or dollars. I've had a bar girl open the calculator on her phone and calculate how many pesos it would cost (this was when the exchange rate was like 17:1, it's much easier to calculate at 20:1).

Not to mention the amount you lose from making mistakes with tips and shit. With the $4 beer, whether you hand the guy a $5 or a $20, you know what you are getting back. With a 78 peso beer, you hand the guy a 200 p bill and you get back a 50 p note and a handful of coins. Lots of guys will take the bill and leave the coins, giving the scammer almost a $4 tip.

If you are totally comfortable with currency exchange and have no trouble manipulating strange money in a dark and noisy club, then go for it. But in my opinion it's not worth the hassle

[Captain Solo]

I feel bad for the bros who are denied SENTRI and have to put up with long waits at the border to return.

Criteria vary depending on changes of policies and admins. However, SENTRI costs about $50 for 5 years to apply, worth trying. If denied, keep writing to the ombudsman to appeal, potential asking your local congressperson for an endorsement, Dep of State may reconsider.

Recently a bro's GE was revoked but reinstated upon appeal. Another bro's GE was revoked due to unfavorable info found in his social backgrounds. Another bro applied, got approved, interviewed and the GE card within 2 weeks. Things seem to vary widely but with the huge bureaucracy in the Federal government you will usually get what you want if you persist.

[Sol12]

Hello everyone,

I have two old DUI convictions over 10 years ago. I have a third arrest that was dismissed, also over 10 years old. Anyone have any info if I can get a SENTRI pass? Thanks for any information.

Wasn't an issue with me but they might of changed the rules. I forget if they consider DUI a felony now. Mine wasn't. Now if you have any drug charges or issues you will be denied from others that I've known. I know another poster on hear talked about getting out of rehab and he's going to move to Tijuana and get Sentri. I don't think he will pass.

[Jackie888]

SENTRI only has a small background check fee at the beginning, it's worth the try. Just don't lie about your background history, even if it's been expunged off your record. It's my understanding that once you get provisional approval off that online part of the process, something has to go wrong in the rest of the process to get denied. When I did my interview, they seemed to be much more interested in whether I've ever violated any laws that had to do with immigration or bringing things across the border.

My in person interview was more of a finger printing pony show. Did not get any questionings at all. On the other hand, I was never incarcerated like some of you guys.

[Member #4730]

SENTRI only has a small background check fee at the beginning, it's worth the try. Just don't lie about your background history, even if it's been expunged off your record. It's my understanding that once you get provisional approval off that online part of the process, something has to go wrong in the rest of the process to get denied. When I did my interview, they seemed to be much more interested in whether I've ever violated any laws that had to do with immigration or bringing things across the border.

Just get global entry if you can. You can register first car free and up to 3 additional vehicles. Each additional vehicle costs $42. I don't have issues with background though so not sure if your situation would get denied.

[ClownDays]

Hello everyone,

I have two old DUI convictions over 10 years ago. I have a third arrest that was dismissed, also over 10 years old. Anyone have any info if I can get a SENTRI pass? Thanks for any information.

SENTRI only has a small background check fee at the beginning, it's worth the try. Just don't lie about your background history, even if it's been expunged off your record. It's my understanding that once you get provisional approval off that online part of the process, something has to go wrong in the rest of the process to get denied. When I did my interview, they seemed to be much more interested in whether I've ever violated any laws that had to do with immigration or bringing things across the border.

[Baxter Slade]

There have been many embarrassing moments when sharing time with the beautiful babes from Zona Norte and one reoccurring one that keeps happening is when I am buying them a drink and we are having a bit of trouble communicating, I use google translate of course and I hand my phone to the girl and she starts to type out what she is trying to say BUT. On the screen is also the previous texts I have had with other girls. The girls don't probably really care I am sure and expect it a bit but it's a bit embarrassing. I remember with one girl we were looking at the Mexico map a girl was showing me where she was from and she scrolled up on the map and noticed the marked spot in San Diego for where I live. She laughed a bit knowing gringo's like to keep their privacy a bit and she just identified where I lived so no more privacy for me!

G.

Good point. I had a Tijuana GF grab my phone one time and run into the bano. She was clever where did she find the dirt. ? She went into my google translate history. So remember to delete your translate history if you have a GF who might get into your phone. I learned the hard way.

[BigTwins]

Hello everyone,

I have two old DUI convictions over 10 years ago. I have a third arrest that was dismissed, also over 10 years old. Anyone have any info if I can get a SENTRI pass? Thanks for any information.

[Gregyyr]

There have been many embarrassing moments when sharing time with the beautiful babes from Zona Norte and one reoccurring one that keeps happening is when I am buying them a drink and we are having a bit of trouble communicating, I use google translate of course and I hand my phone to the girl and she starts to type out what she is trying to say BUT. On the screen is also the previous texts I have had with other girls. The girls don't probably really care I am sure and expect it a bit but it's a bit embarrassing. I remember with one girl we were looking at the Mexico map a girl was showing me where she was from and she scrolled up on the map and noticed the marked spot in San Diego for where I live. She laughed a bit knowing gringo's like to keep their privacy a bit and she just identified where I lived so no more privacy for me!

G.

[Phazze93]

So $100 USD is equivalent to 2,078 peso depending on exchange rate that day. I'm sure they would take 2 k peso.

Ah I see. In that case idk if that is even worth the trouble. At 2000 pesos, I'm saving like less than $4 as opposed to just paying $100 USD.

I guess over time it could add up if you frequent enough. But then again, you're not really getting the exchange rate you see on google so its likely even less.

[Member #4730]

Considering the exchange rate being in favor of USD. What is the going rate in pesos for girls?

I'm still a newbie in Tijuana, but unlike Asia -- my impression was that everything was being paid for via USD.

Didn't seem like pesos was used much.

Like if girls are not budging on $100 usd, what is the equivalent in pesos? Obviously not an exact exchange rate otherwise no benefit.

So $100 USD is equivalent to 2,078 peso depending on exchange rate that day. I'm sure they would take 2 k peso.

[Phazze93]

I too am not pleased with the price hikes.

BUT, the good news is exchange rate has moved in our favor so paying for many services have not gone up when paying with Pesos.

Example: paying for the girls is constant because their peso prices have gone up 20% but the exchange rate has gone up 10% - so the net price increase is 10% in pesos.

I pay for hotel Cascadas in pesos and the gals in pesos.

If the prices keep going up I am sure they will start loosing business. Example: I may reduce my frequency or length of hotel stays.

Considering the exchange rate being in favor of USD. What is the going rate in pesos for girls?

I'm still a newbie in Tijuana, but unlike Asia -- my impression was that everything was being paid for via USD.

Didn't seem like pesos was used much.

Like if girls are not budging on $100 usd, what is the equivalent in pesos? Obviously not an exact exchange rate otherwise no benefit.

[Cocr Brotheler]

https://www.nj.com/sports/2021/09/th...ain-sight.html

Lengthy report on the Adelita murder written up by an accomplished writer for the New Jersey Star-Ledger (largest newspaper in New Jersey). Was just published last week. Fascinating article. Towards the end there's a fairly big surprise on the nature of the murder that even I didn't know about (and I was in Tijuana literally the day after it happened and know a couple of girls who were friends with the victim). Made what was already a sad story even sadder. Also, dude who wrote the article met up with Luke Powell, who apparently showed him around the club and Zona Norte a bit.

Is a very good read. Thank you Sir.