General Reports

[Rosco2]

Thank you Phordphan. My passport card arrived yesterday, so I'll remember not to pack any Hawaiian-like shirts just in case. I'll also try not to walk nervously, like The Cane implied, but that will be the hardest part for me. The druggy muggers probably look for slightly nervous behaviors to clue them into who might be carrying cash. I imagine even carrying 20 or $40 is enough bait for muggers to want to strike, but some of those zombies are probably trying to detect bigger fish. They know tourists sometimes carry money belts around their wastes, thighs, or arms, and that may be why Tijuana muggers sometimes remove their victims' pants and shoes, probably looking for money belts worn on the waste or thigh, and money in the socks. I'll try not to have bulky pockets. Maybe I'll wear my worn-out jeans with holes, and a dull, fading shirt with holes. The stoner look probably pays. Man, I don't like walking around in stroll areas. Much prefer wearing a suit of armor, also known as a car, but the Tijuana stroll doesn't seem conducive to cars.

[Phordphan]

Wow, thanks so much Phordphan for your incredibly important report from December 30,2012. I've re-read your report many times in the past couple months. Do you have any idea why those 2 loser muggers targeted you? Just random bad luck, or maybe something else, like attire, or maybe they saw you going arriba the day before as you stepped outside the club to the hotel's staircase, or something else? We can't help but thank you for this incredibly educational report.

Thanks again

At the time the area was experiencing a wave of choke-out robberies. A respected member of another board was choked and robbed, IIRC, on Articulo 123 around the same time. There was a Youtube video, again IIRC, of some poor bastard who got the business near the entrance of Bar Taurino.

Most of it was random bad luck, I think. As far as targeting, perhaps because I'm a gringo, greying hair, walking alone. Attire was a baggy Hawaiian-style shirt (for lack of a better term), and jeans. Not local attire, but hardly something that would draw attention. IIRC, I hadn't been to the zona in a while, so I don't think they were targeting me from a previous visit.

I haven't heard of anything like this happening in a long time. But, to this day I look behind me frequently when walking in the Zona. If I hear steps I'll look around, or step aside with my back to the wall, or something. At the time the recommendation was to walk in the street, although I've not done that. Again, I haven't heard of this happening for quite a while.

[Rosco2]

When the cop shop closed down a couple of years ago, the crime went way up. There were choke-outs in broad daylight. I was attacked at high noon on Constitucion. Luckily I was able to fight the guy off and I didn't lose anything but a shirt button. However, a lot of guys weren't so lucky. It got bad enough that the cops reopened the shop.

The zona is a good place to find trouble if you go looking for it, but it may also find you. It's also a good place to get fucked up, in a bad way, if you aren't careful.

It was at noon, a short ways south of the callejon, west side of the street. I was going to look for a SG I'd had before. I heard running footsteps behind me. I didn't think much of it, but it somehow alerted me a split second before this arm came around my neck. I turned quickly, dropping to the ground and threw the guy off balance and he never got the choke hold applied. I was struggling to get up when his partner ran up. I got loose, got up and was ready to beat the shit out of him or die trying. I was as pissed off as I'd ever been. They both took off running like Carl Lewis...

Wow, thanks so much Phordphan for your incredibly important report from December 30,2012. I've re-read your report many times in the past couple months. Do you have any idea why those 2 loser muggers targeted you? Just random bad luck, or maybe something else, like attire, or maybe they saw you going arriba the day before as you stepped outside the club to the hotel's staircase, or something else? We can't help but thank you for this incredibly educational report.

Thanks again

[Leo Ryder]

I'm finally returning to wonderful Tijuana. The last time, mother nature and Murphy's law conspired to deny my escapades. I am taking matters into my own hands this time around and will not be denied. It's been 4 years since my last trip. Way too long. Maybe people who read this will make a journey over to TB and help to restore it to it's glory. There is a window of opportunity here. If enough of us start showing up, we can still find smokin deals and have chicas bonitas for company. Once the popularity returns, so will the gouging. Just a thought. If you see a fat white dude, that's me. Later.

You mean "TJ" instead of "TB"?

[BigTwins]

I'm finally returning to wonderful Tijuana. The last time, mother nature and Murphy's law conspired to deny my escapades. I am taking matters into my own hands this time around and will not be denied. It's been 4 years since my last trip. Way too long. Maybe people who read this will make a journey over to TB and help to restore it to it's glory. There is a window of opportunity here. If enough of us start showing up, we can still find smokin deals and have chicas bonitas for company. Once the popularity returns, so will the gouging. Just a thought. If you see a fat white dude, that's me. Later.

[FlapJacK]

I should be there on the 23rd as well.

Got an outing booked. Will be there the 23rd. If you are out there and want to grab a drink let me know.

2 Weeks seems like forever!

[SlickVick]

Got an outing booked. Will be there the 23rd. If you are out there and want to grab a drink let me know.

2 Weeks seems like forever!

[SlickVick]

I actually like amnesia. I do however find it hilarious that they trash the zona girls right before they offer me extras. LOL. It's for sure a typical american strip club but what I like is that the girls are not as hardcore at least in my experience.

Having said that it is pricey and not worth it if you are looking to get some action. If you just want to chill and throw some dollars around then it's actually a nice laid back place IMO.

[HorseTrader]

Has anybody been to Amnesia lately? Instead of a 8 oz ficha bottle of beer for the inflated price of $10, they now serve the ficha beers in a large shot glass. I would estimate it as a 3-4 oz pour. Still $10. LOL. If I didn't live so close I would boycott the joint.

I'm not an Amnesia fan but I would like to offer my opinion. The $10 is not for the drink, it is rental of the girl. The girls want money, not the drink. One of my HK favorites just nurses a glass of water while we chat and play. Some of the more popular girls are so drunk by the end of their shift they cannot function.

The real question is how much time they spend with you and the quality of that time.

[ClamSlammer]

Has anybody been to Amnesia lately? Instead of a 8 oz ficha bottle of beer for the inflated price of $10, they now serve the ficha beers in a large shot glass. I would estimate it as a 3-4 oz pour. Still $10. LOL. If I didn't live so close I would boycott the joint.

[The Cane]

Have any of you guys seen this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvurP3syinA

It's kind of old, but still interesting. This guy did a series of shows visiting red light districts all over the world. How one of us would love to have that gig! I like how he "acts" like he never goes all the way with the tutes, but you know damn well he's somewhere getting his scrotum sucked right now! LOLOLOL! I will resume with my Tijuana reports soon. I have about 4 more to go. Until then my friends!

[HorseTrader]

A little about me: I don't speak any Spanish. I usually take solo trips to Tijuana for the sole purpose of mongering, but sometimes come with friends for the "strip club" experience. I am not a bargain monger since I don't go too often, and when I go to HK / AB, I bring 250-350 bucks and hope to have some left at the end of the night. GFE is important to me, at least some aspects of it. I am quite reserved and have a hard time bargaining for services (bargaining on price is standard). I am quite cautious and try to make the trips as low-risk as possible.

Except for the part about not going too often, you just made an accurate description of me.

[SlickVick]

Fresh, if it is MILFs with BIG boobs you seek. Then AB is your goldmine my friend.

I do agree with Rippa, don't limit yourself. I love Tropical and the chicas there are not yet as into the routine as AB and HK girls. I know most guys hate fichas (I don't like them either) but since I speak spanish it helps me decide if I want to proceed or cut my losses. I lose $8 but save $52 by not going arriba.

[Baxter Slade]

I'm starting to think waiting untill Monday to cross back instead of a Sunday is not such a good idea after all. I had a slight dilema yesterday when crossing back, for the first time ever the ready lane was longer than the general line. I decided to stay in the ready lane, even though I thought it might be a bad idea due to there always being more lanes for the general line once you reach the agents. I did scope out some people in the general lane to keep an eye on to see who got there first. It was a game of leap frog one lane would surge ahead then the other would do the same. But in the end the general lane inched ahead and won, even though the wait was almost the same. One thing that has changed that makes it a little worse for the general lane, is now the people who are dumped off from the buses join the general line instead of being dumped into the handicap line. The time before I crossed on a Monday I went in the morning and I thought that's why I had such a delay. This time I got in line at 5:45. Pm And the wait was a solid 2 hours.

FRESH 23.

As far as the Ticuan goes I have used the in room safe there many times to keep cash in and never had a problem. When it comes to changing currency I have found you will get a better rate changing it in the USA rather than Tijuana. There are a bunch of Cambios located around the trolley station, in the area right before you cross. As far as what percentage to change that depends on what you want to use the pesos for in Tijuana. You don't have to worry about anyone not accepting dollars. For myself the only real advantage I have found in using pesos is when dealing with SG's while they will always start the negotiations at $20 they will almost always accept 200 pesos which comes out to about an instant $4 savings. You will have no problem finding a cab from The Zona to Ticuan at any hour. When dealing with taxi's I to would ask how much to get to where I'm going. But once you figure out the Gringo prices and the local prices it is best to tell him what you are willing to pay if he says no walk away and another cab will be coming by in seconds. The ride from the zona to Ticaun should be about $3 however if you ask the driver they will usually say $5.

PHORDPHAN.

Thanks for the information on Sotano Suizo I have tried to find that place a few different times. On a Tijuana restaurant map I have used in the past they show the location as being past the Holiday Inn in the area of 20 de Novembre. Now I have a real good idea of where it really is.

PIMPINIT.

I do want to apoligize for Sunday night but you know how it is, Bitches be drunk Bitches be crazy. Well at least the beer bandit didn't get you this time.

[Rippa]

Thank you all for your great advice!

My flight has been set up and I am set to arrive in San Diego on the morning of August 26 2014. If anyone is in town from the 26th to the 28th and wants to grab a a soda (I don't drink) I would more than welcome that. I figure I should be in Tijuana by lunch time, get settled into hotel, have lunch then head out to have some fun. For my first visit I am planning on keeping to the larger bars, so expect trip reports when I get back.

Hey 'Freshie', why limit yourself? Sure, see the biggies, AB and HK by all means, but I'd suggest you broaden your horizons; stop into the legendary Chicago, definitely spend a little time with the FOBs in the Tropical Bar, and cruise through Las Chevelas, Playboy, all of them you can get to. And don't miss strolling the Alley for eye-candy SGs if nothing else.

And round two of newbie questions. As far as my hotel goes, I have decided to stay in Tijuana. Now while staying in la Zona sounds awesome, I have also heard great things about Hotel Ticuan. Would it be fairly safe to get a taxi from La Zona to Hotel Ticuan in the early morning hours? I have also seen that some of the rooms at Cascadas and Rizo have safes and so do the ones at Ticuan, are those safe at all? I am taking just a backpack with two pairs of pants a couple of shirts and some socks and underwear so if those dissapear, oh well. What I am most worried about is my plane ticket home and money.

If you RTFF, you will see both the Cascadas and Ticuan have their merits. If you are only banging SGs and BGs, go with Cascadas, but you will be at ground zero, it can be noisy if you are a light sleeper, and many guys don't stay here for more than a couple of days at a time. Ticuan is very nice for the price, quieter, and gets you out of the Zone to 'decompress', which can be helpful. Also, if you are entertaining escorts, this is the place to do it. Most will NOT go to a hotel in the Zona. Yes, use your room safe, but only for extra $$ and MAYBE your passport, carrying a copy with you. I personally just carry the original, zipped up in my pocket. BTW, who has PLANE TICKETS anymore, man?

Back to hotel choices; when I have time, I like to break it up a bit and spend a night or two at each hotel, El Ticuan and in the Zone. Personal preference. If you do use the Ticuan, it's a safe and interesting short walk to and from the Zone during the day. A bit deserted at night, so I'd advise a quick, inexpensive cab ride. Cabs are readily available at any time, in the zone or at the Ticuan. Don't use the cabs that pull into the Ticuan driveway -- much cheaper to walk a few steps to the corner and pick up a cab in front of Las Pulgas.

Speaking of money do you guys recomend I exchange my money to pesos and go from there? I would start exchanging money at home as I live near the border and would probably exchange maybe half of what I am taking before I even leave.

I've found the best exchange rates are on the US side, but NOT always. Unless you are going to spend a lot of money in Tijuana, or are a real cheap Charlie, I personally don't think it's worth the hassle. US dollars are accepted everywhere, especially with the ladies. And remember, you always get screwed exchanging anything left when you return. So unless you visit Tijuana a lot, or can spend pesos readily back home, I wouldn't mess with it. Again, personal preference. But whatever you do, bring LOTS of singles!

I am fluent in Spanish and do travel into Mexico, so not too worried about communication. And I actually do have the habit of asking a cabbie how much to take me somewhere before I hop in.

Speaking Spanish with the locals, and especially the chicas, will open up a whole 'nuther world for you my Brother. At times I actually feel a bit sorry for the mono-lingual Punters who join us down there. Yeah, many of the damas can communicate in some English, but many cannot. To speak some Spanish with everyone just enriches your encounters by several orders of magnitude, and can even lead to some mind-blowing satisfaction, often difficult to impossible to find here in the Sex Prison that is America. Just MHO. Hell, Tijuana alone, and it's many features to savor, is enough reason for you non-Spanish speakers to take some lessons. The Putas will often reward you for that courtesy and a little extra effort on your part!

One last question for now, I am really into the busty MILF type, I should have no problems finding that right?

No, I'm sorry to say, Mexico, and especially 'La Frontera' is the land of little, itty-bitty-titties, didn't you hear? LOL. Walk into any bar, but especially AB or HK, and be prepared to have your ever-lovin' mind expanded when it comes to the definition of curvy MILFS. (are they all natural? Well, that's another matter) And you will see just about every other size and flavor of woman your heart could possibly desire.

Thanks for all your help guys!

Dude, I know it's easy to do, we've all been there, but just don't over analyze this too much. It sounds like you know Mexico, so like any large urban anywhere in the world, you know to keep your wits about you, but don't fail to have some FUN, too, and just go with the flow. Eat some great street tacos or venture out to many of the really nice restaurants you'll see written about on this thread. Hell, I really enjoy the chit chat and like to mess with the meseros a little, they often appreciate the banter.

OK, now just pay it forward by doing us all the favor of writing some INTERESTING Field Reports when you get back, will ya?!

Safe Travels,

-- Rippa.