General Reports

[Marrent]

Guys do you have any info about the Grand Hotel in the Business district? Is there anything interesting there? A couple of people have mentioned that there are pretty hot chicks roaming the bar there.

[Hermano1]

Whoever said that is full of sh*t. You can walk from the border to the zona during all daylight hours. It's actually safer than people think at night, but it can be a bit creepy. Walking to Viva Mex at 10pm is fine. Just don't be drunk and keep your wits about you.

Good to know Phordphan.

I don't smoke / drink / drugs. Even then, what should I do, if the cops for whatever reason detain. I have read about the posts that says do not offer any bribe or give them bribe if they ask, too.

If I refuse to pay what happens next.

How does the process work, just to be aware of.

[Leo Ryder]

Hey GF, not sure if you've tried this but go to google maps and find you location and get the GPS coordination and post it here and your FB. So any mongers interested (me as well) can just plug it into our phones and just go there. If we take a taxi, we can always show the drivers where it is on our phones. Good example is my GPS coordination I used for Otay Mesa border crossing I posted.

Often times, the google map does not give the correct location in Tijuana. Last time I got lost trying to find Guitarrfreak's shop holding a google map print out based on the address posted on https://www.facebook.com/artederelajaciontj. I think this is also because Tijuana does not really have any addresses. Each street has a couple of different names such as Articulo 123 also known as Primera, something like that, extremely confusing. In fact I tried 3 times to find Plaza Del Sol and got it the 3rd time only after I asked a someone for direction. If you try to find Plaza Del Sol in Tijuana on google map, it will give you a totally different location. I would suggest that Guitarrefreak draw a map with his great engineering skills and posted here. The shop is not far from the Zona, at all. I can find it easily now, but if you want me to tell you the direction, I still can't.

Ciao!

[SBeach25]

Thanks FJ. I welcome any forums to please go and give me your honest opinion!

The place is in a building called "Plaza Del Sol" (most taxi's know, but in case they don't, it is on calle 3ra, in between ninos heroes and constitucion) , the 3rd floor is a gym, my store is on the 2nd floor.

https://www.facebook.com/artederelajaciontj

This is the facebook place.

For forum members wanting to pay a visit, PM me prior to your visit, I will let my manager know to work extra time in.

Hey GF, not sure if you've tried this but go to google maps and find you location and get the GPS coordination and post it here and your FB. So any mongers interested (me as well) can just plug it into our phones and just go there. If we take a taxi, we can always show the drivers where it is on our phones. Good example is my GPS coordination I used for Otay Mesa border crossing I posted.

[Phordphan]

Also we can't ignore the possibility that you wear a tin foil hat, LOL.

Maybe 4 years ago, or so, I was in line at Suvarnabhumi Airport, returning to LAX. The line was long and just crawling. Even the Premium Economy line. They were giving everybody the 3rd degree, checking and double checking passports, etc. Farm more than normal.

When I finally got to the counter I asked what was going on. The ticket agent said they had received a request from Homeland No-Security to be extra vigilant because there was some unspecified terrorist threats or some other bullshit. There were even extra pat-downs at the gate.

So, don't tell me that when the bozos in DC ask, other countries don't listen.

The Tijuana cops jack up more foreigners. Because of this, the odds of finding some dork holding goes up. It's a win-win for Tijuana's finest. They can show Big Sis (or whoever-the-fuck runs that insane asylum now) that they're doing as they're told, PLUS they can shake down drug-carrying gringos. The gravy is that nobody gives a shit if some idiot, who is stupid enough to carry drugs in a foreign country, has to make an involuntary donation to the Tijuana Widows and Orphans fund.

[Guitarrefreak]

Guitarrefreak, Maybe I can give your place a try in a few weeks next visit to Tijuana

How exactly would I find your place? Is it far from the Zona? Whats the name of the business? Will most Taxi drivers know of it if I ask them to take me there?

Thanks

Thanks FJ. I welcome any forums to please go and give me your honest opinion!

The place is in a building called "Plaza Del Sol" (most taxi's know, but in case they don't, it is on calle 3ra, in between ninos heroes and constitucion) , the 3rd floor is a gym, my store is on the 2nd floor.

https://www.facebook.com/artederelajaciontj

This is the facebook place.

For forum members wanting to pay a visit, PM me prior to your visit, I will let my manager know to work extra time in.

[Reinaldo]

Also we can't ignore the possibility that you wear a tin foil hat, LOL.

Also, you can't ignore the possibility that Uncle Obama is behind some of this. The nimrods at the State Dept. May have asked Mexico to "crack down" on gringo drug users, for all we know.

[FlapJacK]

My store in plaza del sol charges 25 for 45 mins + 10 mins free = 55 mins.

Its on the 2nd floor, the 3rd floor is a gym.

If any of you guys plan to go, PM me a day in advance, I will let my store manager know and give you guys extra time.

No feliz terminar so don't ask.

Guitarrefreak, Maybe I can give your place a try in a few weeks next visit to Tijuana

How exactly would I find your place? Is it far from the Zona? Whats the name of the business? Will most Taxi drivers know of it if I ask them to take me there?

Thanks

[FlapJacK]

Of the 20+ years of going to Tijuana I have been frisked 3 or 4 times. Never has any of the Tijuana cops taken money from me or asked for bribe. The last time was several years ago while walking down the hill into the Zona. They were not rude with me. They simply searched me and let me be on my way.

The worst thing that ever happen to me was about 15-20 years ago while I was a little drunk and got pick pocketed by some chick on the street. I did not know what had happen until she was gone. Only $80. 00 lost. And lesson learned.

Do you think its time we start carrying the majority of our money in our shoes, so the cops don't steal from us. I think if you have 400 or 500 dollars on you, they will use that as an excuse to shake you down. If you only have beer money in pesos in your wallet, and 500 dollars in your shoe, they will think you are a broke american. When I was stopped, I didn't have much money on me, because I had a couple girls before the cops stopped me. I wonder what would have happened if I had a few cnotes in my wallet.

[SuperSteve]

When I was arrested I was going home about 6:00 AM Sunday morning to catch the Amtrak. I had a little over $ 400 USD on me. The two policia that stopped me found the money, and put it on the back of the car with the rest of my things. I offered to pay "bail" to them, but was told I had to go see "the judge". It seemed to me that the judge was the officer in charge of the jail at that time (he was dressed in a policia uniform). He also knew that I had the money. My fine for "being dis-respectful to a lady" was $ 1, 000 pesos, which I paid at the border as the two policia let me out with the rest of my money. This was over a year ago, so it may not be relevant now as we are talking about Tijuana, where anything can happen at any time.

Tijuana's finest phucked a lot of people out of money. I was going to Tijuana 2-3 times a month and spending at least $1, 000. 00 a month. While I still miss Tijuana, my bank account is loving it.

Health & happiness to all.

[Phordphan]

Do you think its time we start carrying the majority of our money in our shoes, so the cops don't steal from us. I think if you have 400 or 500 dollars on you, they will use that as an excuse to shake you down. If you only have beer money in pesos in your wallet, and 500 dollars in your shoe, they will think you are a broke american. When I was stopped, I didn't have much money on me, because I had a couple girls before the cops stopped me. I wonder what would have happened if I had a few cnotes in my wallet.

OK. Let's hold on here, everybody. It's not yet time to panic. When that time comes, I'll let everybody know.

There is a huge difference between being stopped and frisked and being shaken down for money.

The cops can stop anybody, anywhere, anytime. No probable cause needed. If you're going to hang out for any length of time in LZN it comes with the territory. The point is, with these stops lately, has any money been taken? So far, that doesn't seem to be the case.

Personally, I never carry wads of cash in Mexico, just wads of pesos. I take what I'm going to use and leave the remainder in the hotel safe. However, that's not the point. If you get stopped, take out your money and hold the cash in your hand. They're not going to beat the hell out of you and take it. If you're clean, great. If you're riding dirty, that's another kettle of fish.

Be polite. Don't give in to any bribe requests. Ask to see the judge if necessary. Tijuana has 24 hour judges. But I'm not sure it's come to that yet.

Also, you can't ignore the possibility that Uncle Obama is behind some of this. The nimrods at the State Dept. May have asked Mexico to "crack down" on gringo drug users, for all we know.

[SlickVick]

Was this recently? I keep reading reports of people getting stopped. It happened to me once years ago when I first started going to Tijuana.

Yeah I am not liking how often this seems to be happening lately. Many reports of tourist getting stopped. Hope I don't give a trip report stating the same soon.

[HelpRules]

Do you think its time we start carrying the majority of our money in our shoes, so the cops don't steal from us. I think if you have 400 or 500 dollars on you, they will use that as an excuse to shake you down. If you only have beer money in pesos in your wallet, and 500 dollars in your shoe, they will think you are a broke american. When I was stopped, I didn't have much money on me, because I had a couple girls before the cops stopped me. I wonder what would have happened if I had a few cnotes in my wallet.

[HelpRules]

Fairly recent. I have been going to Tijuana off and on for many years, and it never happened before. This was a first. I guess they used the excuse of me yapping to the cab driver through his window as a sign I was buying drugs. The worst part about this is America is doing the same thing with the stop and frisk in NY. One thing going to Tijuana has taught me is how precious our constitution is. We should not be afraid to go outside in America, because we might be frisked by the cops because we look a certain way. I can't believe bloomberg and Obama want to turn this country into a 3rd world toilet like Mexico. At least when the government is concerned. When I'm in Mexico I never dress nice, so I don't draw attention to myself from the criminals and the cops who are now one in the same. I guess if you're American, you can dress like a homeless person and they will still stop you. Everyone be careful. Don't look the cops in the eyes when you walk. Just pretend your looking at the shops.

[Artisttyp]

I was also stopped when I was trying to talk the cab driver down in price from the 100 dollars he quoted to 5 dollars LOL! They must have though I was trying to buy drugs and checked me. I was clean and they are scum. They didn't take any money from me. I guess that was god. They should just legalize drugs in Mexico, and they will have to find a new scam." Do you sleep with prostitutes?" That illegal in Tijuana. You pay me 50 dollar or go jail?

Was this recently? I keep reading reports of people getting stopped. It happened to me once years ago when I first started going to Tijuana.