General Reports

[CarnifeXXX]

Last time I crossed into Tijuana thru Otay Mesa port back around December Mexican officials had started checking passports.

Spartan.

They were checking everyone 100%? I still might try to cross with them, but man that sucks if they can't go.

[Baxter Slade]

You're probably right. $1500 is a good chunk of change. Not that it is my life savings, but what worries me about that amount is the policia. If they stop me, that $20 "fine" will be much higher. Not that I would pay it but I lose the "I don't have it" argument.

Some good news, the police shakedowns seemed to have devoloped a pattern, where they are more likely to occur as you are leaving town rather than arriving. So get the bulk of your money to your room safe. And only carry what you are planning on spending.

I have not quite figured that one out. A smart cop should assume you will be carrying more money on your way into Tijuana. But it might have something to do with a tourist leaving town would be less likely to report the shakedown.

[Dcrist0527]

Man,

I hadn't thought of that! My question was around getting it into the safe at the hotel, hence the concern with CBP. That's why I stated "walking into Mexico". Yes, walking around Tijuana with $1500 cash is a crazy idea. Glad it wasn't my idea.

Here's a crazy idea. Why not just carry $300-$400 and leave rest in safe? Just a thought.

[Zman429]

You're probably right. $1500 is a good chunk of change. Not that it is my life savings, but what worries me about that amount is the policia. If they stop me, that $20 "fine" will be much higher. Not that I would pay it but I lose the "I don't have it" argument. And just as aggravating is being stopped by CBP dogs, especially with at least $100 in ones. LOL.

The accounts are a pain and I don't want to open anything. I was really just looking for experiences with preloaded debit cards. For other reasons, I will be crossing the border at least three times, unfortunately. But I'll probably just carry cash.

Here's a crazy idea. Why not just carry $300-$400 and leave rest in safe? Just a thought.

[Spartan94]

Hello all,

I'll be heading into Tijuana over the weekend and a couple of my friends want to go with me. Both of them do not have current passport. We will be entering by foot. I know the San Ysidro crossing does check for passports when going into Mexico, but as I recall Otay Mesa does not. Is it still true that the Otay Mesa pedestrian crossing does not check for passports? And for getting back in, a valid DL and birth certificate is still good enough for entry back into the US?

Last time I crossed into Tijuana thru Otay Mesa port back around December Mexican officials had started checking passports.

Spartan.

[Hargow20]

Things typically slow down from December to mid Jan. Although in recent years the action has slowed down much less as compared 5-10 / years ago.

When is the Low season in Tijuana? Is it just short ones of the holidays or do they have a long term low season? Any info about this would be great, do you like the low season?

[Dcrist0527]

You're probably right. $1500 is a good chunk of change. Not that it is my life savings, but what worries me about that amount is the policia. If they stop me, that $20 "fine" will be much higher. Not that I would pay it but I lose the "I don't have it" argument. And just as aggravating is being stopped by CBP dogs, especially with at least $100 in ones. LOL.

The accounts are a pain and I don't want to open anything. I was really just looking for experiences with preloaded debit cards. For other reasons, I will be crossing the border at least three times, unfortunately. But I'll probably just carry cash.

You're overthinking it. $1,500 isn't all that much. At the end of the day, just some travel money. Place it in the bottom of your backback, cross the border, hop into a cab. When your check into a hotel. Lock the cash in a room safe, and carry just enough with you for the day.

Opening up special bank accounts and going back and forth the US sounds like way too much hassle. You will probably be creating more problems than you'd be solving.

[John Clayton]

...? And for getting back in, a valid DL and birth certificate is still good enough for entry back into the US?

That's what they say; although it may have to be the original birth certificate (like Obama provided). Yeah, and don't look Latino!

[VegasGambler9]

When is the Low season in Tijuana? Is it just short ones of the holidays or do they have a long term low season? Any info about this would be great, do you like the low season?

[CarnifeXXX]

Hello all,

I'll be heading into Tijuana over the weekend and a couple of my friends want to go with me. Both of them do not have current passport. We will be entering by foot. I know the San Ysidro crossing does check for passports when going into Mexico, but as I recall Otay Mesa does not. Is it still true that the Otay Mesa pedestrian crossing does not check for passports? And for getting back in, a valid DL and birth certificate is still good enough for entry back into the US?

[HarveyCK]

The migrant crisis made the NYT. Anyone have an idea if the migrant caravan may impact ability to cross back into San Diego? Seems like CBP is maxed out on resources in terms of dealing with the situation. But a situation where they "close"border is pretty low probability right? Any insights?

[Ctytek]

You're overthinking it. $1,500 isn't all that much. At the end of the day, just some travel money. Place it in the bottom of your backback, cross the border, hop into a cab. When your check into a hotel. Lock the cash in a room safe, and carry just enough with you for the day.

Opening up special bank accounts and going back and forth the US sounds like way too much hassle. You will probably be creating more problems than you'd be solving.

So, I feel like I'll probably shoot holes in most of the answers, mainly because I can't find a good solution. First, some background. When I visit, I fly to SD, walk across, and enjoy life. This trip, I will be doing the same, spending the nights in Tijuana and most of the days, but I will be coming back into the US during the day a couple times. My concern:

I'll be in Tijuana 4-5 days. That means I'll be bringing roughly $1500 in cash. I have the cash on hand. But my problem: how can I safely enter Mexico with it without leaving any trace of my spending. I've done this several times without incident. But walking into Mexico with about 2 K is unnerving. There was also a time I was stopped by CBP and questioned about the cash. (Very minor questions but not a fun situation either.) Since I'm going back and forth a few times, I'd really like to leave some stateside. But taking out $500 withdrawals each day may cause unwanted issues for me. Opening another account with another bank or something like that just feels like a bad idea as I don't have a viable alternate address. I'm considering a pre-loaded debit card. That seems like a good option. I know I'll lose some in fees but feels relatively safe, assuming I find ATMs that work with the card in SD.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Reinaldo]

No reason to go all the way to 4th and Madero to catch a van back to the border. Many stop at the corner of 3rd and Constitucion. They usually say LINEA.

Yes the vans are located near 4th & Madero st. Not really sure which ones go to the border. One problem is that taxi van and bus routes are poorly documented in Tijuana.

[Dcrist0527]

So, I feel like I'll probably shoot holes in most of the answers, mainly because I can't find a good solution. First, some background. When I visit, I fly to SD, walk across, and enjoy life. This trip, I will be doing the same, spending the nights in Tijuana and most of the days, but I will be coming back into the US during the day a couple times. My concern:

I'll be in Tijuana 4-5 days. That means I'll be bringing roughly $1500 in cash. I have the cash on hand. But my problem: how can I safely enter Mexico with it without leaving any trace of my spending. I've done this several times without incident. But walking into Mexico with about 2 K is unnerving. There was also a time I was stopped by CBP and questioned about the cash. (Very minor questions but not a fun situation either.) Since I'm going back and forth a few times, I'd really like to leave some stateside. But taking out $500 withdrawals each day may cause unwanted issues for me. Opening another account with another bank or something like that just feels like a bad idea as I don't have a viable alternate address. I'm considering a pre-loaded debit card. That seems like a good option. I know I'll lose some in fees but feels relatively safe, assuming I find ATMs that work with the card in SD.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Dcrist0527]

The "shouldn't" was meant as. Ticuan is a place that is almost certainly entirely above board, I. E. No extras. So I "shouldn't" even ask. But if you somehow score when you shouldn't, that's an extra thrill. I'm trying to remember the girl's name. 10 out of 10 in my book. Hardly no English but I speak just enough Spanish to manage through the very basics. Going to try it on my visit in a few weeks.

Crazy. Even when I'm in a place where it's tolerated, I still like the extra thrill of "shouldn't".

What's the "shouldn't" part?