General Reports

[Sgt Perv]

It all refers to the USD. You are either selling your USD or you are buying USD. When you sell your USD to get Mxn the ratio is smaller. When you turn in your pesos (buy) to get USD ,you get the larger ratio. When converting back to USD from MXN you lose a small percent of money.

Example : Buy- 12.78 Sell- 12.58

You take 100 USD and convert (sell) to MXN you get 1258 pesos MXN

Now you take 1258 MXN and convert (buy) USD you get back 98.44 USD for a total lose of $1.56 USD per $100 USD

Regardless of this, since your buying power is greater with pesos, it is still better to get and use pesos. Again this goes past just the basic math. Paying for a taxi with 50 pesos instead of $5 USD one time almost makes up the difference right there. After all is said and done, you will be ahead by using MXN.

[Efjayel]

Actually you need one if you are in Mexico for more than72 hours or you travel out of the border zone.
I never worried about it in the past because they could not know when I crossed but now with the passports they will know.

Wait, so they check your passport now when entering Mexico and keep track of your length of stay?

[Sgt Perv]

I may go with an escort service if I decide to go that route.

I know where Hotel Nelson is. Right next to El Arco right? So I can store my stuff there and it will be reasonably safe?

That is an option I have yet to explore (escorts).

Yes at the Arco and safe like most Hotels. Would not trust the zona hotels.

If you want to spurge with an escort, get a better hotel for that night. Spoil yourself a little. LOL

I have heard of people talking about some nice hotels even by US standards but I have never been to them. I always feel strange getting a nice hotel just to sleep only in.

[Sound7]

Day pass for day trip gives options to and from the border. A deal.

I just found out the Taxi from San airport to the border is wow $60 one way. I will stay with the trolley.

[Sgt Perv]

I was going to mention those Sound 7 , for those who want more comfort. This is why I suggest a thread for hotel.

[Sound7]

The TJ hotel makes a copy of your identifcation and records the stay duration.

Would you stay all 14 days in the same hotel? Copy of my identification has worked for me on extended stay.

I've read online that time periods of over 72 hours needs a tourist visa and I've seen 7 days. At this point I am confused.

Yes I believe you are correct when you say there is an exemption if you go south down the coastline to a certain distance..

Custom declaration point by pressing the red light.

At the border I remember passing a little immigration office with a guy checking bags on a fold up table in front. I assume this would be the office to go to. Hopefully I can just do everything there.

Immigration buildiong is to the right before the declaration lights. Never been in.

Luck you, 14 days in TJ

[Sound7]

In line with Days Inn price structure on TJ side, Hotel Tucon for $50 or 650 and Hotel Pubelo Amaigo Special $69 (Su-Th).

Hotel Pubelo Amigo is a short walk from the border from the USA return side. Luxor and Ley store are in the Plaza Pubelo Amigo. At least Four Star in rating.

Hotel Ticuan - Four Star Self-Rated
$ 50 USD or 650 pesos for a room. It is located eight blocks south of the "Tijuana Arch." Turn right into Calle 8va #8 and it is opposite the police station.
Has smoking and non-smoking rooms. Well decorated and the rooms are spacious.

Currently construction expansion on the NW side of the building. The street side make be noisy from all the arrest - family and friends pleading the case for release in public.

There are several Days Inn, Motel Six types of hotels on various of the trolley stops. If you walk past the trolleys & Jack-In-The-Box in San Ysidro, and stay to the right there is a Days Inn (if not same type), just about a block. I have only stayed there for my first trip, and I think it was about $69.00 for the night. The good part is you don't have to get on the trolley to get to it, the bad news is you have to go through immigration to get back at night. If you walk out of that hotel, and turn right, about a half a block on the right is a B of A Versatel.

I would say that you may want to look into staying on the Mexico side. There are several Ave. Revo hotels are quiet, clean, AC, TV's, and less than $30.00 (350 pesos) for the night, which are very similar to Days Inn type. These are not dumps. They are currently running specials since tourism is down. The benefit is not having to go to la linea, and it is a $ 3.00 cab ride from the Zona. Most often I walk, and it is about 15 minutes. If you stay on the Mexico side you can also go back for a nap, shower, whatever with no hassle. Not only do you save time, but you don't have to pay the $5.00 each way for a cab from/to the border & zona..

Try TJ COSTCO snack bar, food is better than COSTCO Southern California.

I would be interested in trying any of someone elses recommendations, especially food, whether street or restaurants.

[Artisttyp]

It is the distance of greater than 75 miles from the border or is it the length of stay now?

In the past just for distance of 75 miles or greater from the border required a tourist card.

I've read online that time periods of over 72 hours needs a tourist visa and I've seen 7 days. At this point I am confused.

Yes I believe you are correct when you say there is an exemption if you go south down the coastline to a certain distance.

At the border I remember passing a little immigration office with a guy checking bags on a fold up table in front. I assume this would be the office to go to. Hopefully I can just do everything there.

I am thinking of staying south of the border for 2 weeks that is why I am asking about it. An average TJ monger would not have to bother.

[Sound7]

It is the distance of greater than 75 miles from the border or is it the length of stay now?

In the past just for distance of 75 miles or greater from the border required a tourist card.

Has anyone gotten a tourist card( for stays longer than 7 days) as you walk across to mexico ? I read you have to fill out a form bring it to a bank pay the fee then get it stamped back at the border.

Does anyone have experience with this first hand ?

Thanks

[Daytonamonger]

I believe this is my 25th post. Hopefully I'll gain senior status now but if not I'm willing to earn my wings with more trip reports. I didn't go back to the zona but went to las vegas again. Stayed at Imperial Palace center strip for 27 bucks and all in all after winnings the trip only cost me 1 dollar to take.

Anyway instead of imparting wisdom on this post I'd like to ask some questions.

#1. Understanding Casa De Cambios.

Obviously ATM's offer the best exchange rates and it's wise to use an ATM to get pesos. But what if I've gotten too many pesos leftover after a trip and I'm not coming back to the zona anytime soon. How do I ensure I get the best exchange rate?

Obviously Compra is Buy. But does this mean that YOU buy THEIR pesos for 12.58 or do THEY buy YOUR pesos for 12.58

Venta is sell. But do they SELL pesos to you at 12.78 or do you sell your pesos to them at 12.78?

Common sense would probably say that the lower price is the one they pay you am I right?

#2. Hotels in Tijuana.

I stayed at the Fiesta Inn at the zona Rio on my second trip to tijuana and I enjoyed the hotel it was clean, comfortable, safe, had free internet access, and was a great place to stay. Obviously some of the hotels on la revo appear to be frightening dives. I saw the hotel nelson I believe was offering 350 pesos a night. You could get a room at the alaska with the other ratero's for 200 pesos a night. Where do you guys like to stay and WHY do you like staying there?

I'd like something close (within walking distance) to the zona, safe, CLEAN, with at least some creature comforts (Air Conditioning, Hot and Cold water, My own toilet in the room) and I guess hotel nelson might be able to fit this bill.

And #3. Food and Drinks and entertainment on la revo.

What are some of the good places to eat and drink on la revo. Which bars have the most college hotties? I know Las Pulgas is a good place to meet mexican chicas. But what about white girls?

Well. Hopefully I can continue to contribute more to the board when I take my next trip next week. Till then. Everyone stay safe out there.

Daytona

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[Sound7]

Hotel Nelson $25 special, when posted.

Nelson has a great location, if you can avoid the rateros it's an easy walk to ZN. BUT, it is a dump. The bar on the ground floor is a good, dark watering hole and a good place to chill. The outside restaurant isn't bad. The rooms are extremely old, the floors creak, the elevator is probably OK but feels kinda dicey. They used to demand 50/night, and more on the weekends. I think they dropped their prices a bit, but I haven't stayed there in quite a while.

[Daytonamonger]

Seems like you have the street scene figured out for the most part. What really looks good is that you recognize where you can improve. We all have our own style.

25 posts and you will have your senior "super powers". Hopefully that will include pm rights.

Maybe you can try a TLN when you can stay longer in Oct. after you get tired of roaming the zona or want a change of pace. Man , that jet lag has got have an effect the first day (your body is ahead 3-4 hour difference).

Osanhopps, you are welcome! Be smart and gather all the info you can before you go and do not be afraid to ask questions. We all owe helping others out if we can on this forum.

Yeah the jet lag REALLY sucks. It makes me not have a good time. Especialy since I only stay 1 nite in chula vista. I hope to spend more time there when I'm not getting dental work done. 3 visits for 1 crown seems a bit much but apparently this is a good thing as it shows they're working extensively on my smile.

I would like to try a todo la noche but not with a paradita, I would love a bar girl like isabella mi favorita but she says she doesn't do TLN's. I may go with an escort service if I decide to go that route.

I know where Hotel Nelson is. Right next to El Arco right? So I can store my stuff there and it will be reasonably safe?

[Phordphan]

What Hotel on Ave Revo do you like to use? Not a bad rate at all.

There are several up and down Revu, but the "biggest" three would be Nelson, Espana and Caesar.

Nelson has a great location, if you can avoid the rateros it's an easy walk to ZN. BUT, it is a dump. The bar on the ground floor is a good, dark watering hole and a good place to chill. The outside restaurant isn't bad. The rooms are extremely old, the floors creak, the elevator is probably OK but feels kinda dicey. They used to demand 50/night, and more on the weekends. I think they dropped their prices a bit, but I haven't stayed there in quite a while.

Espana and Caesar are almost across the street from each other. I think the map shows them. I can't recall, but they're between 4th and 5th?? The places are similar. I think the E is a bit cheaper. 300p per night, weekdays, 350p? on weekends, 100p key deposit. They have A/C, smallish beds, clean. If I check in with a girl they want her first name, no more. I've never tried bringing one in unregistered. The lady at the desk has a bit of an attitude.

Caesar is about the same as Espana. I think they're a few pesos more. I think they were both remodeled at about the same time. At one time you could get a cheaper room with just a fan, but I think all the rooms have AC now.

You used to have to ask for a room at the back (especially in Espana) if you intended to sleep before 3:00am, but those days are long gone.

[Sgt Perv]

Has anyone gotten a tourist card (for stays longer than 7 days) as you walk across to mexico? I read you have to fill out a form bring it to a bank pay the fee then get it stamped back at the border.

Does anyone have experience with this first hand?

Thanks

Actually you need one if you are in Mexico for more than72 hours or you travel out of the border zone. http://studenttravel.about.com/od/me...exico_visa.htm.
I never worried about it in the past because they could not know when I crossed but now with the passports they will know. One go thing it is good for up to 180 days of completing trip so you can get it prior to your trip.

I guess if I was in Tijuana I could just cross back over every second or third day and reset the clock.

[Sgt Perv]

I have always liked Hotel Nelson because of the location plus the bar and cafe they have in the hotel. I can dip back and forth from the zona (1/2 block) for more cash,bathroom or a break. Safe there because my freinds and I have never had the slightest of trouble there. Always leave my key at the front desk when I am out and about.

Does Nelson allow to take girls with you to the room?

I get by with 1 chica during day and 1 TLN. Was told once by the manager that it was a "family hotel". He never told me no and I never tried to bring a string of girls in during the "family hours". It was just the old guy suit manager(once) who said anything and nobody else. In his defense I was drunk at the time he said something so maybe that is what he meant. He did say the room rate was for two people so TLN is no problem.

To me, it is not worth walking back and forth with SG for 20 min. so I do rent the other rooms. Walking at chica pace it is a 15-20 min round trip and the extra they want is more than a room. For TLN it is a great location.