General Reports

[Apache]

Similar situation, had a Navy guy run into my car's bumper while it was parked at McDonalds. Navy dude came into McDonalds instead of driving off and asked if anyone owned a car that looked like mine since he hit it. Since he was a Navy guy with class, I told him not to report it to his insurance and that he could pay for the bumper repairs at a nearby body shop but they wanted $1000 plus parts. I thought that was too much, so I had him follow me to a VW shop and buy the replacement taillights and other parts for about $70 and told him I would pay for the body work myself in Tijuana. In Tijuana, sure enough, a body shop on Ocampo street realigned the bumper with a car jack and chains, put Bondo on the damaged places and replaced the tail lights, 500 pesos or around $25 for 2 hours body work. .Unbelievable price and done quick. Still needs a paint job but that is for another day in Tijuana! Anyone know if Earl Scheib style paint jobs are available in Tijuana for $99 and what shops?

El Indio Body Shop on Alliende in the Colonia Independencia. You'll never go anywhere else.

[HectorSanchez]

I recently returned from a week trip at Tijuana.

I will be traveling again and staying there as well at the same time you will be.

It will be great to have a beer and I can show you around.

Please become a member so that people can message you privately.

You will enjoy Tijuana and won't regret going down there.

Heading down for the first time at beginning of April I believe and it seems like the easiest way to get to Tijuana from Ca is through San Diego. The flights round trip from northern ca are over $600 to Tijuana but just half that to San Diego.

Anyways, is it true the worst day to come back across the border to the USA Is Sunday? I'm not looking forward to the 4+ hour lines to get back but it's way cheaper than flying into Tijuana I guess.

[Captain Solo]

There are a couple paint shops on Calle 3 as you cross the Tijuana river into El Centro. The street is being torn up right now but you should be able to get quotes and bargain with a few of them. Cadillac is probably the most expensive, not sure if it's any better. Oddly the shops away from Calle 3 all want high prices, about the same as the US.

I had a front bumper, the hood and a rear quarter panel sanded down, scratches and gouges filled in, painted with primer then a couple coats of paint for 1,000 pesos (about $70 then). I had to give the guy 500 pesos to buy paint and drive him to the paint shop nearby for matching. It was a good match job. Waited 2 weeks for the paint to harden and brought the car back for him to rub and polish. The paint match was good, workmanship was pretty good, not much different from the shops I used in So Cal. The paint is shiny metallic. Nobody could tell the car was repainted.

It has been about 3 years. Paint has not fainted or peeled off. If it does I would bring it back and have the guy repaint it same day for 500 pesos.

Similar situation, had a Navy guy run into my car's bumper while it was parked at McDonalds. Navy dude came into McDonalds instead of driving off and asked if anyone owned a car that looked like mine since he hit it. Since he was a Navy guy with class, I told him not to report it to his insurance and that he could pay for the bumper repairs at a nearby body shop but they wanted $1000 plus parts. I thought that was too much, so I had him follow me to a VW shop and buy the replacement taillights and other parts for about $70 and told him I would pay for the body work myself in Tijuana. In Tijuana, sure enough, a body shop on Ocampo street realigned the bumper with a car jack and chains, put Bondo on the damaged places and replaced the tail lights, 500 pesos or around $25 for 2 hours body work. .Unbelievable price and done quick. Still needs a paint job but that is for another day in Tijuana! Anyone know if Earl Scheib style paint jobs are available in Tijuana for $99 and what shops?

[JuliusSeizure]

Personally I like to do it the other way around. I like to start out at Cascadas being in the heart of the jungle. Getting very little if any sleep the first day or 2 and then checking into Ticuan to catch up on sleep and much needed rest. The other advantage is if you should find a favorite in the bars and form some sort of connection it is nice to plan a meet up outside the zona and take her back to your nice comfortable room at the Ticuan for the night.

However I do understand you wanting to take advantage of the disounted room that the HK VIP card allows you. And that should be taken into consideration.

I recently returned from 6 days down there and I was pretty burnt out. But Im an old man. I vowed never to return again.But now its a week later and I cant wait for a return trip.

Thanks for the info. That makes sense about using Ticuan to catch up on sleep. It would be great to have a connection with a girl at HK, then bring her up to my room instead of renting one of those downstairs rooms.

I did something similar to this my first time but I did it the other way around. If this is my first time I will just stick with Cascadas. Same suggestion for escorts as I have been there too, they are not reliable so don't waste your time.

I think the way you plan to do it is to save some money but you have to consider the cost when you need to use room in Cascadas during weekend if you are planning to have multiple visits a day.

Sucks to hear about the escort thing, there are so many websites and listings on CL, plus the individual listings. I think I might just get a room at both places at the same time during my stay and cut the trip short by a day. Maybe use Ticuan to sleep and use the room at Cascadas for everything else! But I'm determined to have experienced at least each (Escort / HK girl / SW) so for the escort thing I think I'll setup a few at different times of a certain day and hope for the best.

[WindAngel]

Thanks for all the info about border crossing, I will definitely fly into SD and take the bus / cross by foot. Just a few more questions to get your opinions on your stay down there!

I'm curious to see what Tijuana is like during weekdays and also weekends. Is 4 days down there too much time to spend? I'm in my early 30's and can probably get like 4-5 pops a day. But I was thinking do Saturday / Sunday at Ticuan and Monday / Tuesday at Cascadas to take advantage of VIP card / discount rooms. I guess I'm not your average monger, I only do this once a year so I try to make sure the trip is worth it.

Also one last thing, not too many people talk about the massage parlors here. I've seen vids on youtube where it look like they bring out a line of women and you can choose who you want, what services etc. Are they worth it compared to taking a girl upstairs at cascades or escorts?

As far as escorts, I've read a lot of people have greater success using back page or CL so I want to try that and also a few escort companies. I'll probably have to invest in a Cell phone and get Whatsapp for easier coordinating. Again, any info is greatly appreciated and I will report back on my trip next month.

I did something similar to this my first time but I did it the other way around. If this is my first time I will just stick with Cascadas. Same suggestion for escorts as I have been there too, they are not reliable so don't waste your time.

I think the way you plan to do it is to save some money but you have to consider the cost when you need to use room in Cascadas during weekend if you are planning to have multiple visits a day.

[Baxter Slade]

Thanks for all the info about border crossing, I will definitely fly into SD and take the bus / cross by foot. Just a few more questions to get your opinions on your stay down there!



I'm curious to see what Tijuana is like during weekdays and also weekends. Is 4 days down there too much time to spend? I'm in my early 30's and can probably get like 4-5 pops a day. But I was thinking do Saturday / Sunday at Ticuan and Monday / Tuesday at Cascadas to take advantage of VIP card / discount rooms. I guess I'm not your average monger, I only do this once a year so I try to make sure the trip is worth it.

Also one last thing, not too many people talk about the massage parlors here. I've seen vids on youtube where it look like they bring out a line of women and you can choose who you want, what services etc. Are they worth it compared to taking a girl upstairs at cascades or escorts?

As far as escorts, I've read a lot of people have greater success using back page or CL so I want to try that and also a few escort companies. I'll probably have to invest in a Cell phone and get Whatsapp for easier coordinating. Again, any info is greatly appreciated and I will report back on my trip next month.

Personally I like to do it the other way around. I like to start out at Cascadas being in the heart of the jungle. Getting very little if any sleep the first day or 2 and then checking into Ticuan to catch up on sleep and much needed rest. The other advantage is if you should find a favorite in the bars and form some sort of connection it is nice to plan a meet up outside the zona and take her back to your nice comfortable room at the Ticuan for the night.

However I do understand you wanting to take advantage of the disounted room that the HK VIP card allows you. And that should be taken into consideration.

I recently returned from 6 days down there and I was pretty burnt out. But Im an old man. I vowed never to return again.But now its a week later and I cant wait for a return trip.

[Travv]

Similar situation, had a Navy guy run into my car's bumper while it was parked at McDonalds. Navy dude came into McDonalds instead of driving off and asked if anyone owned a car that looked like mine since he hit it. Since he was a Navy guy with class, I told him not to report it to his insurance and that he could pay for the bumper repairs at a nearby body shop but they wanted $1000 plus parts. I thought that was too much, so I had him follow me to a VW shop and buy the replacement taillights and other parts for about $70 and told him I would pay for the body work myself in Tijuana. In Tijuana, sure enough, a body shop on Ocampo street realigned the bumper with a car jack and chains, put Bondo on the damaged places and replaced the tail lights, 500 pesos or around $25 for 2 hours body work. .Unbelievable price and done quick. Still needs a paint job but that is for another day in Tijuana! Anyone know if Earl Scheib style paint jobs are available in Tijuana for $99 and what shops?

US repair guys did something wrong with my car, the exhaust was leaking, making noise. A local repair shop quoted $900 to fix the problem. Could not find other shops that would diagnose and fix the problem. Was in La Zona for fun, decided to stay overnight and have Tijuana shops look at it in the morning.

Calles 3, O Campo and Negrete have lots of repairs shops, but the roads are being torn up. Most shops were not accessible. Finally found REX on Aquacaliente, corner Quintana Roo, about 3 block South of Costco, a large and professional shop specializing in muffler and radiator. Mechanic Eduardo speaks English like Gringos. This shop also does oil change and light maintenance, supposedly the best in Tijuana. They said exhaust manifold was cracked, needed removed and welded, 3 hours 1,500 pesos (about $80)...

[JuliusSeizure]

Thanks for all the info about border crossing, I will definitely fly into SD and take the bus / cross by foot. Just a few more questions to get your opinions on your stay down there!

I'm curious to see what Tijuana is like during weekdays and also weekends. Is 4 days down there too much time to spend? I'm in my early 30's and can probably get like 4-5 pops a day. But I was thinking do Saturday / Sunday at Ticuan and Monday / Tuesday at Cascadas to take advantage of VIP card / discount rooms. I guess I'm not your average monger, I only do this once a year so I try to make sure the trip is worth it.

Also one last thing, not too many people talk about the massage parlors here. I've seen vids on youtube where it look like they bring out a line of women and you can choose who you want, what services etc. Are they worth it compared to taking a girl upstairs at cascades or escorts?

As far as escorts, I've read a lot of people have greater success using back page or CL so I want to try that and also a few escort companies. I'll probably have to invest in a Cell phone and get Whatsapp for easier coordinating. Again, any info is greatly appreciated and I will report back on my trip next month.

[Hargow20]

Ranchero was always helpful on the other forum. I heard he older so who knows what happened to him.

Ranchero1 r.i.p.



Friend or foe?

[Hargow20]

5 minutes is the longest time I have had to wait crossing back into the US via Pedwest. The ironic thing is that the pedestrian Visa line into Tijuana is always longer. A few weeks ago I had wait close to a hour waiting for them to fill out the Visa forms.

Yes Sunday is probably the worst day for crossing back to the USA However 4 hour lones seem to be a thing of the past. I have not had to wait more than 30 minutes sonce there is now the option to exit using Pedwest.

[Reinaldo]

Other than the fact that he passed there hasn't been any more info. Any one heard more about the circumstances of his death?

Ranchero1 r.i.p.



Friend or foe?

[Baxter Slade]

Heading down for the first time at beginning of April I believe and it seems like the easiest way to get to Tijuana from Ca is through San Diego. The flights round trip from northern ca are over $600 to Tijuana but just half that to San Diego.

Anyways, is it true the worst day to come back across the border to the USA Is Sunday? I'm not looking forward to the 4+ hour lines to get back but it's way cheaper than flying into Tijuana I guess.

Yes Sunday is probably the worst day for crossing back to the USA However 4 hour lones seem to be a thing of the past. I have not had to wait more than 30 minutes sonce there is now the option to exit using Pedwest.

[Captain Solo]

There is a CBP web site showing historical wait times on different days at different time.

For pedestrians, the longest wait time to cross back to the US is likely Sunday then Saturday afternoon 4 to 8 PM, when visitors try to get home for dinner. I drove past Ped East Saturday at about 4 PM and did not see a line of waiting pedestrians. They probably prefer Ped West to cross back into the parking lots of the shopping mall. If you cross back on Ped East late at night on weekends, my wingmen only had to walk and wait 10 to 15 minutes.

BTW there were a few visitors, families with children, on the Freedom path Saturday afternoon near the Wax Museum, the Artists' Village and the foot bridge over Tijuana river to Ped West. A few taco shops and trinket carts were open on the path. When Ped West opens into Mexico, it should bring more visitors over due to the short walk and convenience of nearby free parking at the mall.

Heading down for the first time at beginning of April I believe and it seems like the easiest way to get to Tijuana from Ca is through San Diego. The flights round trip from northern ca are over $600 to Tijuana but just half that to San Diego.

Anyways, is it true the worst day to come back across the border to the USA Is Sunday? I'm not looking forward to the 4+ hour lines to get back but it's way cheaper than flying into Tijuana I guess.

[Captain Solo]

[Deleted by Admin] US repair guys did something wrong with my car, the exhaust was leaking, making noise. A local repair shop quoted $900 to fix the problem. Could not find other shops that would diagnose and fix the problem. Was in La Zona for fun, decided to stay overnight and have Tijuana shops look at it in the morning.

Calles 3, O Campo and Negrete have lots of repairs shops, but the roads are being torn up. Most shops were not accessible. Finally found REX on Aquacaliente, corner Quintana Roo, about 3 block South of Costco, a large and professional shop specializing in muffler and radiator. Mechanic Eduardo speaks English like Gringos. This shop also does oil change and light maintenance, supposedly the best in Tijuana. They said exhaust manifold was cracked, needed removed and welded, 3 hours 1,500 pesos (about $80).

They had a dozen US cars waiting for mufflers and catalytic converters, so I left the car and went to lunch. Came back Eduardo took me under the car to look at the repairs. He did not have to remove the exhaust manifold, just welded the cracks in place, costing only 1,200 pesos ($65). He threw in an Aluminum alloy exhaust manifold gasket that would have costed me $70 at the dealer. So the repair was free, saving lots of time, money and hassles fucking around with stupid, greedy repair shops in the US. One mother fucking Mexican shop had the balls to quote $200 just to remove 2 bolts and assemble that AL gasket in place, if I bring the part. It's an easy job but I don't have the curved tools and don't want to get under the cars on supports. I am pissing mad at these [Deleted by Admin] in the US.

If you have issues with your car, drive it down to Tijuana and leave it with the known good mechanics, and spend the time and money savings on pretty chicas. I collected contacts of a few supposed good, honest mechanics in Tijuana. So PM me if needed.

[Hargow20]

If you go to Tijuana in the evening crossing is fairly easy. But the lines are much longer during the day.

Heading down for the first time at beginning of April I believe and it seems like the easiest way to get to Tijuana from Ca is through San Diego. The flights round trip from northern ca are over $600 to Tijuana but just half that to San Diego.

Anyways, is it true the worst day to come back across the border to the USA Is Sunday? I'm not looking forward to the 4+ hour lines to get back but it's way cheaper than flying into Tijuana I guess.