General Reports

[LABorn]

Does anyone know if they are still making pedestrians pay the $30 for the FFMvisa at PedEast? Is there a way to circumvent besides driving over?

Last 2 times I went. The guy just wrote some things off my passport card and then handed it back.

I think the $30 FMM hustle is over.

[Garth719]

Does anyone know if they are still making pedestrians pay the $30 for the FFMvisa at PedEast? Is there a way to circumvent besides driving over?

I walked across yesterday at pedwest and I handed the dude my FFM receipt I printed offline with my passport and he looked like he could care less about the fmm. He asked where is my registration? I said I filled everything out online and printed the conformation. He got annoyed and said I need the registration filled out. I said ok, well do you have a registration form here that I can fill out? He did, and so I filled it out, but apparently I'm only allowed to stay seven days. Although, I doubt I'll get deported if I stay longer.

[Monger652]

I just checked Uber and it is $78 right now from SAN to HK. Cheaper option would be taxi or trolley to San Ysidro metro station and walk across border, but may be hassled for the $30 FMM.

Does anyone know if they are still making pedestrians pay the $30 for the FFMvisa at PedEast? Is there a way to circumvent besides driving over?

[MmaufcFan]

I will be travelling to San Diego next month and looking for a uber or taxi service between San Diego Airport and Tijuana, Mexico.

Thanks for any information.

Take the 992 bus from the airport too America Plaza and get on the blue line down to the border. It will cost $2. 50 for bus and $2. 50 for trolly, takes about an hour total.

[Quagmire1974]

I will be travelling to San Diego next month and looking for a uber or taxi service between San Diego Airport and Tijuana, Mexico.

Thanks for any information.

When you return from Tijuana, please contribute a trip report. Since 2012, you've asked nothing but questions about Tijuana, Panama, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic and haven't written a single trip report about those locations. Not trying to troll or insult you. It's just that ISG members like you who ask many questions, but who then don't write trip reports, are frequently ignored in this forum.

Good luck mongering in Tijuana. We look forward to reading your trip reports. Be a "maker" and not just a "taker."

[Dg8787]

I just checked Uber and it is $78 right now from SAN to HK. Cheaper option would be taxi or trolley to San Ysidro metro station and walk across border, but may be hassled for the $30 FMM.

You might be wasting your time. Not sure if this guy ever goes anywhere.

[Gregyyr]

I think a lady was trying to explain that they either dance or get timeout for hour. Not sure if true, but maybe others have more insight. Depending on my mood, I usually just approach the lady that catches my eye and ask if it is ok to sit and if friendly, then buy them a drink. Usually other ladies scatter, but some stick around, maybe they hope I buy them a drink as well? It is your money and up to you on how you want to party. I have toddler Spanish skills, so if you are fluent, then sure it is easier approach. Either way, what junior wants, junior usually gets.

Dang. Can't argue with the technique. If my Spanish was a little better I could try that way of breaking into a group of them but I have to give you credit for the smooth approach!

[Member #4730]

I will be travelling to San Diego next month and looking for a uber or taxi service between San Diego Airport and Tijuana, Mexico.

Thanks for any information.

I just checked Uber and it is $78 right now from SAN to HK. Cheaper option would be taxi or trolley to San Ysidro metro station and walk across border, but may be hassled for the $30 FMM.

[WombatEd2]

I will be travelling to San Diego next month and looking for a uber or taxi service between San Diego Airport and Tijuana, Mexico.

Thanks for any information.

I don't think you're going to find a ride from SAN airport to Tijuana's "Zona Norte" red-light district. But if you're walking into Mexico, the San Diego trolley takes you right to the "linea vieja" pedestrian crossing (aka "ped-east" Once you cross, you can grab one of the zillions of taxis to "La Zona Norte". Follow the crowd, negotiate price first, and reject anything over $5.

[Member #4730]

So if the hot chica's in Chavelas are in mandatory time out. Not sure why? I saw a few hot girls I would bang just chilling on couches looking anti-social. Are they there filling a drink quota? Or just on T / O for window dressing? So the strategy would be as you stated. Cruise by interrupt their bore fest convo with colleagues. Insist to buy them a drink even though they might not be smiling and try to develop rapport without the typical HK time pressure. This seems like a good strategy if the girl is game to chill and chat hence step away from her phone or girlfriend. Obviously if convo goes well arrange a later meeting. Is this worth the time and effort on my next mission?

I think a lady was trying to explain that they either dance or get timeout for hour. Not sure if true, but maybe others have more insight. Depending on my mood, I usually just approach the lady that catches my eye and ask if it is ok to sit and if friendly, then buy them a drink. Usually other ladies scatter, but some stick around, maybe they hope I buy them a drink as well? It is your money and up to you on how you want to party. I have toddler Spanish skills, so if you are fluent, then sure it is easier approach. Either way, what junior wants, junior usually gets.

[SportMongr]

I don't think they particularly enjoy their Chavelas mandatory timeout, but guess they have to make the most of passing their time. I've just walked around and if anything was worth pursuing, then just ask if it is ok to buy them a drink and chat. Cell phones have actually made it easier to hook up in and out of the clubs. Just have to weed through the ones that aren't compatible to your tastes and enjoy the ride with the ones that do and what a ride it is. 😋

So if the hot chica's in Chavelas are in mandatory time out. Not sure why? I saw a few hot girls I would bang just chilling on couches looking anti-social. Are they there filling a drink quota? Or just on T / O for window dressing? So the strategy would be as you stated. Cruise by interrupt their bore fest convo with colleagues. Insist to buy them a drink even though they might not be smiling and try to develop rapport without the typical HK time pressure. This seems like a good strategy if the girl is game to chill and chat hence step away from her phone or girlfriend. Obviously if convo goes well arrange a later meeting. Is this worth the time and effort on my next mission?

[SportMongr]

What's funny is that while waiting in the Sentri lanes driving back Saturday night, I look up and see a huge Adelitas electronic billboard advertising. It was so bright, I think half of Tijuana can see it. Got to give it to the Mexicans. They are pretty honest about sex and don't sit on a white pillar preaching religion against it.

It wasn't too long ago I would see tV commercials for HK or Adelita's. Forget which one on Fox sports west while watching a Clipper game. I would think a huge percentage of the traffic into Tijuana is in / out for the p4 p scene. Very small small number of people for turtle lotion, steroids, ambien, and street food / craft beer etc.

[LuvMexicanas]

Or walk -- takes less than 15 minutes, maybe it's 3/4 of a mile.

Yep and stop at Charly's as you're walking down Constitucion for a couple tripas tacos, which are delish as long as you're into intestines like me.

[John Clayton]

... Just taxi from Ticuan to HK, its $5 and they are always right out front. With Uber you might save a dollar or you might not as pricing changes and you will have to wait.

Or walk -- takes less than 15 minutes, maybe it's 3/4 of a mile.

[KC Questor]

Is Ticuan much nicer than Cascadas? Am planning 5 nights probably a Mon-Fri to avoid the mobs on weekends. Is it practical to take a gal from HK or other Zone bars to Ticuan. I haven't mapped it out yet but assume a bit far to walk so Uber? I don't need the hot tub but would probably get one of the larger rooms at Ticuan. But not sure how practical that is or maybe I should have rooms at both hotels for a couple of the nights?

Ticuan is nicer than Cascadas but the zona girls won't go there unless you negotiate for after their shift is over (or before they head to work the next day. Cascadas is OK, but non-zona girls mostly won't go there at all. If you want variety, get a room at one and then move to the other. Or get two rooms -- especially on a Mon or Tues, Casacadas discount is worth having a room. The full night is as cheap as a 30 minute room.

I was going to post a separate question but: I don't want to have lots of cash on me but don't want to have to go back to US to refill from an ATM. I have read of an ATM near HK that gives $US but the location was a bit vague. ATMs usually don't have the high fees or mark-up on exchange rate vs banks, hotels etc.

ATMs at banks or large shopping centers are fine, but check your bank to make sure there is no large fee. If the ATM asks, you do NOT want them to do the conversion for you unless your bank charges a very high foreign transaction fee -- the rate will suck. Decline and let your own bank do the conversion. I avoid the ATMs in the zona.