General Reports

[BrotherMouzone]

Or simply get a passport card.

Even better, didn't think about that LOL. And I guess in my previous response I got getting my passport vs. Getting my FMM form stamped mixed up. In looking at my passport just now, it's only been stamped on like 2 of my previous 5 visits I think. If they stamp anything they usually just stamp the FMM paper that I print out after filling out online. Have no clue about why they sometimes do and sometimes don't stamp the passports but I'd assume that stamping the passport is proper procedure. Never personally had any issues with them stamping my passport book (don't have a wife or significant other who'd look at my passport) but yeah, if it's that much of an issue for some people, it would seem the easiest solution would be to get the passport card as you just pointed out.

[Beeoch]

Hi all,

Is there anytime when you are less or more likely to get a passport stamped? The 2 times I have gone to Tijuana in the last month I went at about 4:30 pm on a Saturday both time no stamp by Mexico or US. Am I just getting lucky?

W.

[Artisttyp]

I'm single so I personally have never cared about my passport getting stamped LOL. "Stamping" is proper procedure on their part and is what makes your FMM valid in case Mexican policia or other Mexican authorities need to verify it (though even corrupt Tijuana policia never check it to my knowledge). But in theory you could be viewed as being in Mexico illegally if you don't have a stamped FMM (though as far as I know they won't ever arrest / throw you in jail for it in tourist Baja California areas like Tijuana).

If you really hate getting your passport stamped, a few posts below Dogers 69 has I think what might be your best option. Just say you forgot your passport. They'll almost certainly take you to the back room where you'll have to pay the $20 or $30 bribe but that'll get you in without having to have your passport stamped.

Or simply get a passport card.

[Dogers69]

Did not know the going rate for taxis went up to $7?

Precovid days (pre March 2020) I used to walk from the border to HK only in the afternoon and if there were others that were walking (big guys) or take the taxi for $5.

This year (2022) I tried the colectivo (small bus that accommodates approx. 12 people) waiting left of the turnstile. For only 10 peso. You can get dropped off at Carrillo Puerto (3rd) and Constitution which is about 3 block walk to Ibiza.

Tijuana is getting hit with triple whammy. #1 inflation, #2 skyrocketing population increase, Tijuana 2nd biggest Mexico city now, #3 asylum. Seakers, everyone at my hotel was in Tijuana to move to USA on Saturday. Germans, Russians etc. Uber wanted 8 dollars from the border to revoulcion street Friday afternoon. The 10 peso bus line was an hour long or more, gave up took the Hong Kong limo tipped a few dollars. In the future the limo will become more important as all transportation prices increase.

[WonderWhy]

I'm single so I personally have never cared about my passport getting stamped LOL. "Stamping" is proper procedure on their part and is what makes your FMM valid in case Mexican policia or other Mexican authorities need to verify it (though even corrupt Tijuana policia never check it to my knowledge). But in theory you could be viewed as being in Mexico illegally if you don't have a stamped FMM (though as far as I know they won't ever arrest / throw you in jail for it in tourist Baja California areas like Tijuana).

If you really hate getting your passport stamped, a few posts below Dogers 69 has I think what might be your best option. Just say you forgot your passport. They'll almost certainly take you to the back room where you'll have to pay the $20 or $30 bribe but that'll get you in without having to have your passport stamped.

Get a passport card. Just show it. Never stamped.

[Edk750]

I prepared my FMM form online and went across the border last Sunday around 4 pm. No request for any fee nor the person in front of me. I just don't like them stamping my passport. Is there any way I can Not get my passport stamped?

If you have a passport card, there's nothing to stamp My shitty memory tells me that I paid extra for it when I renewed my passport many moon ago, but I really appreciate using it when crossing the border, which I have done a few times.

[BrotherMouzone]

I prepared my FMM form online and went across the border last Sunday around 4 pm. No request for any fee nor the person in front of me. I just don't like them stamping my passport. Is there any way I can Not get my passport stamped?

I'm single so I personally have never cared about my passport getting stamped LOL. "Stamping" is proper procedure on their part and is what makes your FMM valid in case Mexican policia or other Mexican authorities need to verify it (though even corrupt Tijuana policia never check it to my knowledge). But in theory you could be viewed as being in Mexico illegally if you don't have a stamped FMM (though as far as I know they won't ever arrest / throw you in jail for it in tourist Baja California areas like Tijuana).

If you really hate getting your passport stamped, a few posts below Dogers 69 has I think what might be your best option. Just say you forgot your passport. They'll almost certainly take you to the back room where you'll have to pay the $20 or $30 bribe but that'll get you in without having to have your passport stamped.

[EagleRoamer]

Hi all,

As promised I did trip #2 on 10/29 and I was more adventurous. I walked the alley many times, went into the smaller bars in the alley, which was a complete waste of my time. Did not go into HK at all this trip as there was a line of guys at the door all evening. Did have dinner at Azul, seafood pasta which was excellent and inexpensive.

There seemed to be a 40% cost of living increase across the board, taxis wanted $7 instead of $5 got them down to $6. Girl as Adelita's opening bid was $140 instead of $100, but I got her down to $100 and received meh service from her.

Took a walk around Chicago at about 9 pm all the girls in costumes, looked like the Twitty Twister from Dawn to Dusk..

Did not know the going rate for taxis went up to $7?

Precovid days (pre March 2020) I used to walk from the border to HK only in the afternoon and if there were others that were walking (big guys) or take the taxi for $5.

This year (2022) I tried the colectivo (small bus that accommodates approx. 12 people) waiting left of the turnstile. For only 10 peso. You can get dropped off at Carrillo Puerto (3rd) and Constitution which is about 3 block walk to Ibiza.

[EagleRoamer]

It might depend on the times you're going through customs. Afternoons during the week I suspect it's much less likely they'd try to shake people down for the fee. Think their targets are moreso dudes who are crossing late at night / on weekends who clearly look like they're going to Tijuana to spend $$$ at the bars / clubs, thus would be much more likely to quickly pay the fee without too much resistance. With all that said, yes I had noticed my last couple of times visiting Tijuana this year that they look to be much less aggressive with the shakedowns.

I prepared my FMM form online and went across the border last Sunday around 4 pm. No request for any fee nor the person in front of me. I just don't like them stamping my passport. Is there any way I can Not get my passport stamped?

[Dogers69]

I walked across border into Mexico Wednesday afternoon.

Neither I nor the people ahead of me had to show any FMM form or pay fee.

The immigration lady quickly filled out what looks like the FMM form quickly and sent us through quickly. No fee.

Looks like the shakedown for the $30 FMM fee is done.

There is no $30 fee anymore just for Tijuana unless your gullible. I've walked through 10 times in October nobody tried to sell me it. 3 times they looked at passports and waived through as the line got long. The other 7 times they stamped the book. 2 of them I had pre filled form, once they had me fill it out, other times just stamp and go. You can not ask them to not stamp, if you do it will certainly cause them to stamp. If you don't want the wife seeing Mexico stamp just say you forgot your passport and pay the 20 dollar daily fee which is unofficial and likely goes to their pocket. Do not call it a bribe as you don't want to sit in prison.

[Jackie888]

Same experience with me the last couple of weeks. You no longer fill out the FMM cards. They fill it out. I have crossed into Tijuana at about 7 am, 4 pm, 8 pm, weekdays and weekends.

[BrotherMouzone]

I walked across border into Mexico Wednesday afternoon.

Neither I nor the people ahead of me had to show any FMM form or pay fee.

The immigration lady quickly filled out what looks like the FMM form quickly and sent us through quickly. No fee.

Looks like the shakedown for the $30 FMM fee is done.

It might depend on the times you're going through customs. Afternoons during the week I suspect it's much less likely they'd try to shake people down for the fee. Think their targets are moreso dudes who are crossing late at night / on weekends who clearly look like they're going to Tijuana to spend $$$ at the bars / clubs, thus would be much more likely to quickly pay the fee without too much resistance. With all that said, yes I had noticed my last couple of times visiting Tijuana this year that they look to be much less aggressive with the shakedowns.

[Rambo1969]

I walked across border into Mexico Wednesday afternoon.

Neither I nor the people ahead of me had to show any FMM form or pay fee.

The immigration lady quickly filled out what looks like the FMM form quickly and sent us through quickly. No fee.

Looks like the shakedown for the $30 FMM fee is done.

[Dogers69]

Met up with a bar girl in her bar, who kept telling me she loves me and I'm her boyfriend. I hadn't even been in Mexico while she was saying this, and 1 week ago told her I can't be anyone's boyfriend and in USA we don't tell anyone we love them till 6 months after dating. But then I went to her bar anyway cause that's what I do, I go to bars. I must bought 6 drinks for her. She wanted to come to my room after work. No $ was discussed I assumed it was free. Anyway really bad quick sex, I didn't have time to finish. In the morning no sex. She slept with clothes on. It was my 1st overnight with her. Truth is I wished it didn't happen I had Viagra in me and needed to finish and couldn't. These girls in these bars need to know, #1 all us guys in Zona have high srx drive, #2 we ain't the other guys who settle for once a week sex from the wife, #3 we gona asume if you tired after work, that you had srx already at least once that night, #4 you need to bang your man properly in Tijuana as dating bar girls or tinder girls in Tijuana, there's many opportunities, just the tinder girl opportunities is easily 100 x better than in San Diego.

[Dogers69]

Line is usually a lot smaller. Sometimes close to non-existent. At Las Chavelas next door. Very easy to walk in to HK through Las Chavelas since they're connected. That's what I usually do when I see a long line.

There's a back door to Hong Kong too. I've never waited in line more then 3 minutes. That side street to walk to the back, on the west side, has turned into crap. Don't go. Besides no more sidewalk like the whole area the tacos and vendors are moved elsewhere and there's no girls and I saw the national guard or army or something arresting someone. Better to walk on the east side.