General Reports

[Phordphan]

Lots to dive through here. First, I don't doubt your experiences. Second, you are so right. Everyone's experience is bound to be different. We do a disservice by painting every interaction with that broad brush.

I'd argue two points. One, Tijuana police actually do not have "latitude" As common as the morditas are, they actually could get in trouble for it. And that coincides with my second point. And by no means am I pointing fingers here. So you've mentioned getting in trouble while carrying a knife, carrying a vape, driving after bar hopping and driving without a tag. Again, not judging you and I know I've put myself at a similar risk a time or two. But my point is, when you (or I) do things of questionable legality, it's hard to say the cops are the only one to blame. In fact, compare the impact of a DUI in the states vs an $80 mordita.

My point: Of course many Tijuana police are too creative and a loose with "the rules". But if I'm 100% in the right, the chances of me getting screwed over are minimal. If not, well, yes, I'm now at their mercy. Does it absolutely suck that the rules are far less clear in Mexico? Yes. But it is the playground we choose.

Yes, all peoples' experiences are different. My point, however, is that virtually all shakedowns (as opposed to legit stops) are variations on a common theme. Not only mine, but my wife's when she was a teenager, to every friend I know who had been shaken down. You get pulled over. The cop wants ID. Then you get a ton of the old "You in a heap o' trouble, boy" garbage. The entire reason behind a stop is to intimidate the mark into coughing up money. The more the intimidation, the greater the payoff.

The cops KNOW that few gringos understand the legal system. The cops KNOW that most gringos are terrified of the Mexican legal system (due in no small part to the media), and they do nothing to mitigate that fear. The cops KNOW that few gringos have the time to hassle with the cops. So, they use that knowledge to extort money. Therefore, the traffic stops follow a pattern. You're in trouble. You need to come to the station with me. OMG the fine for this crime is really steep. Man, you may be tied up for hours or days if you have to go see the judge. Every step in the "standard" shakedown is intended to intimidate the "mark" and increase the payout.

It's all a big game. One that sucks Zonkey balls, but still a game. Take for instance when you're on a tour in a SEA country. Often as part of the tour your dragged into some establishment that offers food / beverage. Then the bill is staggering. If you don't know how the game is played you get screwed. If you do, you know that it's just a "fuck the foreigner" game and you negotiate accordingly. When you go to a car dealership you can pay what they ask and get screwed Or, you play the game. All sales follow essentially the same template. Play with numbers, try for confusion, lowball here, highball there, switch off between manager, F&I, and on and on. If you know how the game is played you play it and come out on the other side with a good deal. The cop shakedowns are no different. Let's squeeze the gringo until he squeals. If he doesn't squeal we'll move on. It's as simple as that.

[LuvMexicanas]

Occasionally, you run into the stubborn cop who sticks to his guns in terms of amount. I got pulled over for speeding which I was. It was a legit stop. He wouldn't back down from mil pesos and kept threatening to take me to the station instead of simply taking $20 bucks. I said fine let's go and ended up paying 500 pesos. He had a sad look on his face because he wasn't getting a nickel of it in his pocket. Sure 500 pesos is more than $20 bucks but who cares because I still saved 500 over his ridiculous mil pesos hardline stance and it was deeply satisfying to see him not get a fuckin dime. Sure I wasted 30 minutes but it was time well spent sticking it to the fat fuck. All he had to do was take the $20 and we both would have won but he didn't get to be a cop because he aced the Mexican equivalent of the SAT.

[Phordphan]

I have been shaken down for DUI 4 times, that I can recall, in the past 10 years in la zona (just to keep a reasonable time frame). In 2012, I made a right-hand turn from Calle Coahuila into Ninos Heroes with the intent of parking a Pepe's. A cop pulled me over, claiming I had not stopped long enough before making the right-hand turn (which of course was BS). He also decided to do the breathalyzer card trick and he decided I was drunk (I was not). I got out of that one with the equivalent of around $20-30 US.

In 2014, I was driving down Calle Coahuila and got pulled over for no tags (someone had stolen mine and I didn't realize it). The cop did the card trick and after I nearly blew the print off the card, finally decided he could not detect any alcohol on my breath. He let me go without further incident. For the record, he was not the least bit concerned or sympathetic that my tags had been stolen.

In 2015, I was driving down Calle Fernando Sanchez Ayala and again got nabbed for the "illegal right-hand turn" bullshit that is a favorite of some crooked cops. This time, I called my "fixer friend" while the cop was on the scene and he convinced the cop that he should find his mordita elsewhere.

In 2016, I pulled out of the parking lot across from the alley onto Calle Constitucion and was immediately stopped. I was with a local masero at the time (we had been bar hopping on his night off). There were 2 cops and one started working on him and one on me. The masero who was with me is native Mexican for at least 56 generations back and has been a masero there for at least 15 years I've known him and is pretty well connected. We argued with the cops until we were both blue in the face and the thick neck would not accept anything less than $80. It was near or after midnight and too late to call my "fixer friend". After we pulled away (it's instructive to note that while you're drunk enough to merit a mordita, you're never too drunk to continue to drive after the shakedown), he said, "Those cops were sitting there just waiting for you to pull out of that parking lot. It was a sting operation all the way". Not long after that, I stopped driving down there entirely (just tired of the BS).

For the record, they don't give a shit if you pay in pesos, dollars or bitcoin as long as you pay.

It's great that you are chummy with Tijuana cops and they always give you the same treatment but to paint all shakedowns with the same broad brush is a disservice to people who come here looking for credible information. My original post was in reply to a new member who was asking about driving in Tijuana. Tijuana cops have latitude to do anything they damn well please. They are like independent contractors who make most of their money in morditas. I live here. I daresay I've driven more miles in Baja than the rest of the posters on this board combined (who do not live here). I know what I'm talking about.

Hey, at least you didn't say that you pulled a Sindicatura card from you wallet, frightening the poor cops to death.

OK. If you want to get into a dick measuring contest, I'll play along.

I got stopped a few years ago in Mexicali for an "illegal" left turn. I don't recall a "breathalyzer" test but memory is fuzzy. Same nonsense, although the cops were lower key than the Tijuana cops. In the end, mordita of 200 pesos.

A couple years later we exited La Cueva. Cop was hiding waiting for somebody to exit the bar and get into a car. Got pulled over a block or two away. Same shit. Breathalyzer, threats about bad things happening because I was lying to the cops, had been drinking, and so forth. Long story short, cop says to meet him around the corner where it's dark, accepts 200 pesos and gives me instructions on how to bypass the alcoholimetro on Agua Caliente.

A couple years after that I was returning downtown from an Espinoza Paz concert. Got jacked on that left turn flyover where the SENTRI lane splits to the right and the left lane takes you back to Centro. Was accused of violating a no left turn sign (that doesn't exist). Same shit. Making fun of my name, exiting the car, frisking, searching trunk, breathalyzer, etc. , etc. I finally got fed up and looked him in the eye and asked if there was some sort of fine. Could see the wheels turning, then he looked disgustedly at me and said the fine is to get out of here. Net damage - $0 pesos. Not one centavo.

Latest stop was just before Christmas. Exited Motel Tijuana, flashlight in the eyes, pulled over, Officer Hardon comes on strong. I did have beer on my breath but was not DUI. Got the standard ration of it being illegal to drink and drive, threatened with a visit to the cop shop, exited the car, frisked, parked in the back of the patrol car while he searched every inch of my car, said the "fine" would be, I forget, $100 or $500 or some number he pulled out of his ass. When he found absolutely nothing, and I absolutely, positively HAD to be somewhere else shortly, I gave him 500 pesos. He asked for another $20 (he knew how much money I had because he had counted it all in my presence during the frisk). I said no. Afterwards he did the nonsense handshake and told me to chew some gum.

OK. Now that I've established my bona fides, let me state for the noobs who may be reading that if you run around with a wallet full of Jacksons and Benjamins you look like a gringo or a pocho. One needs to carry local currency, use it, think in it, etc. Much better to part with 200 mxn than $20, or 500 mxn instead of $100.

Again, for the noobs, for the cops its a numbers game. They stop people. A certain number will be guilty and pay a bribe. A certain number will be scared to death and pay a bribe. A certain number will resist paying. They are not going to waste a ton of time on the resisters. If you are guilty of something you may need to bribe your way out of it. If you are not, they know you aren't, and it's your duty to resist your way out of it, or to significantly reduce the damage via negotiation. Just because a cop says the "fine" is $100, does NOT mean that you have absolutely no say in the matter. Unless you really are DUI, or you really do have something you're not supposed to have.

Now I have a couple questions for you. Since you live there, why didn't you call 078 that time you weren't able to "phone a friend?" If all else fails, at least there is an official record of a US Citizen getting jacked up at a certain location on a certain date at a certain time. Somebody's bound to look into it.

Since you are familiar with the system, when the cop wouldn't back down from $80, and you couldn't / wouldn't call 078, why didn't you call his bluff and offer to accompany him to see the judge? The judges are there 24 x7, right?

I will not drive in the Zona Norte at night. Far too many liquored-up gringos and pochos coming out of clubs and hopping into their cars. CA plates on Coahuila are probably like ringing the dinner bell to these guys. So, I drive all over the joint, night and day, but there are, indeed, certain areas to avoid. I also do my very best not to drive if we're going anywhere there will be alcohol.

Lastly, again just for any newbies who may still be reading, offering advice to carry a knife or vape in Tijuana just to give the cops something to confiscate instead of your money is insane advice. Any decent knife is going to cost more than the standard 200 peso mordida (no local pays $80 for a BS traffic stop unless there is far more going on than meets the eye). Having any sort of contraband on your person is just giving the cops more reasons to screw with you. It's true that the cops do not have to abide by "probable cause" rules as they do in the states. If they want to search you they can. Don't give them anything to find, and keep your money in your hand at all times.

[Dcrist0527]

Lots to dive through here. First, I don't doubt your experiences. Second, you are so right. Everyone's experience is bound to be different. We do a disservice by painting every interaction with that broad brush.

I'd argue two points. One, Tijuana police actually do not have "latitude" As common as the morditas are, they actually could get in trouble for it. And that coincides with my second point. And by no means am I pointing fingers here. So you've mentioned getting in trouble while carrying a knife, carrying a vape, driving after bar hopping and driving without a tag. Again, not judging you and I know I've put myself at a similar risk a time or two. But my point is, when you (or I) do things of questionable legality, it's hard to say the cops are the only one to blame. In fact, compare the impact of a DUI in the states vs an $80 mordita.

My point: Of course many Tijuana police are too creative and a loose with "the rules". But if I'm 100% in the right, the chances of me getting screwed over are minimal. If not, well, yes, I'm now at their mercy. Does it absolutely suck that the rules are far less clear in Mexico? Yes. But it is the playground we choose.

I have been shaken down for DUI 4 times, that I can recall, in the past 10 years in la zona (just to keep a reasonable time frame). In 2012, I made a right-hand turn from Calle Coahuila into Ninos Heroes with the intent of parking a Pepe's. A cop pulled me over, claiming I had not stopped long enough before making the right-hand turn (which of course was BS). He also decided to do the breathalyzer card trick and he decided I was drunk (I was not). I got out of that one with the equivalent of around $20-30 US.

In 2014, I was driving down Calle Coahuila and got pulled over for no tags (someone had stolen mine and I didn't realize it). The cop did the card trick and after I nearly blew the print off the card, finally decided he could not detect any alcohol on my breath. He let me go without further incident. For the record, he was not the least bit concerned or sympathetic that my tags had been stolen.

In 2015, I was driving down Calle Fernando Sanchez Ayala and again got nabbed for the "illegal right-hand turn" bullshit that is a favorite of some crooked cops. This time, I called my "fixer friend" while the cop was on the scene and he convinced the cop that he should find his mordita elsewhere..

[Babe Magnet]

I beg to differ. I have had the cops do that "breathalyzer test" you describe. I think they have all done it. Yes, if they smell alcohol they will most certainly try to give you shit and intimidate you and try to convince you that any drinking driving is illegal. (Just for anybody reading, the law in Tijuana is. 08% = DUI and I'll post a link to the law if anybody wants it). But the "standard" mordita of $80 is way out of line, unless you're truly drunk. Back near Christmas I got pulled over and I did have beer on my breath. Long story short they guy got 500 pesos, the largest mordita ever, because I absolutely positively had to be someplace and had no time to dick around with him. The other time was 200 pesos. NEVER pay morditas in dollars. In fact I almost never have dollars on my when in Tijuana.

I have been shaken down for DUI 4 times, that I can recall, in the past 10 years in la zona (just to keep a reasonable time frame). In 2012, I made a right-hand turn from Calle Coahuila into Ninos Heroes with the intent of parking a Pepe's. A cop pulled me over, claiming I had not stopped long enough before making the right-hand turn (which of course was BS). He also decided to do the breathalyzer card trick and he decided I was drunk (I was not). I got out of that one with the equivalent of around $20-30 US.

In 2014, I was driving down Calle Coahuila and got pulled over for no tags (someone had stolen mine and I didn't realize it). The cop did the card trick and after I nearly blew the print off the card, finally decided he could not detect any alcohol on my breath. He let me go without further incident. For the record, he was not the least bit concerned or sympathetic that my tags had been stolen.

In 2015, I was driving down Calle Fernando Sanchez Ayala and again got nabbed for the "illegal right-hand turn" bullshit that is a favorite of some crooked cops. This time, I called my "fixer friend" while the cop was on the scene and he convinced the cop that he should find his mordita elsewhere.

In 2016, I pulled out of the parking lot across from the alley onto Calle Constitucion and was immediately stopped. I was with a local masero at the time (we had been bar hopping on his night off). There were 2 cops and one started working on him and one on me. The masero who was with me is native Mexican for at least 56 generations back and has been a masero there for at least 15 years I've known him and is pretty well connected. We argued with the cops until we were both blue in the face and the thick neck would not accept anything less than $80. It was near or after midnight and too late to call my "fixer friend". After we pulled away (it's instructive to note that while you're drunk enough to merit a mordita, you're never too drunk to continue to drive after the shakedown), he said, "Those cops were sitting there just waiting for you to pull out of that parking lot. It was a sting operation all the way". Not long after that, I stopped driving down there entirely (just tired of the BS).

For the record, they don't give a shit if you pay in pesos, dollars or bitcoin as long as you pay.

I will say that all of my traffic stops have been "uniform. " They all followed the same basic template. You can tell immediately if this is a shakedown stop or a legit traffic infraction. They always ask for license, sometimes registration. The next words out of his mouth are the giveaway, as well as actions. If they try to peek and see how much money you might have in your wallet, you know. If he starts to grill your companion to see if you two know each other, you know. (If she's a hooker they'll lay some shit on you about prostitution being illegal outside of a bar, or some shit). Then they'll have you step out of the car. Then they'll frisk you. Then they'll look in the trunk. Then they'll tell you how much trouble you're in. Then they'll threaten to take you in, or make you follow them to the courthouse. Every stop is a variation on this same theme. If you're riding dirty they just have that much more ammo to use against you.

It's great that you are chummy with Tijuana cops and they always give you the same treatment but to paint all shakedowns with the same broad brush is a disservice to people who come here looking for credible information. My original post was in reply to a new member who was asking about driving in Tijuana. Tijuana cops have latitude to do anything they damn well please. They are like independent contractors who make most of their money in morditas. I live here. I daresay I've driven more miles in Baja than the rest of the posters on this board combined (who do not live here). I know what I'm talking about.

[MongerHunger]

The popular taco stand on the corner of Niños Heroes and Coahuila is not call the HK taco stand. If you look at the yellow receipt that they give after you pay for your tacos it has Danny's stamped on it.

[SpeedToys]

Also, I saw a couple of escort sites on here, does anyone have any favorites recently?

I see goodgirls, and Mishas, and are all the girls on mileroticos real / legit?

If there was only a way to read back and know everything you're looking for.

In detail.

Certain bunches of threads come up every 3 mo of so. Which should be a minimum of personal research in the forums.

[Jinxx]

Hey so what are some good bars in Tijuana to watch UFC or boxing with the club main areas being closed?

If it's a big ppv fight go to El Copeo on revolution. They might charge a cover but it's well worth it. I went there to watch a Terrence Crawford fight a while back. Zona bars don't usually show the ppv fights unless it's Canelo or some really big fight. I watched the Teofimo Lopez vs Lomanchenko fight at Chicago's. That was while the clubs were briefly opened only till midnight. I remember that night I got drunk with Eli who is super fun and loves to dance and shake her ass non stop.

[Cadillac31]

As earlier noted, need to use other sources.

I pulled a lot of good pussy on SA from 'out thatta way'.

Also, I saw a couple of escort sites on here, does anyone have any favorites recently?

I see goodgirls, and Mishas, and are all the girls on mileroticos real / legit?

[Turgid]

Variety is the Spice of Life. That's my style. I love all demographics!

I actually prefer some average strange to repeating with a hottie.

[Captain Solo]

Brother Mouzone.

Tropical has many Rizo rooms converted into small lounges, each with multiple LEDs and couches.

It's not too busy so you should be able to get a room with comfortable seating to watch fights.

[Phordphan]

In case anyone is interested, the mordita for DUI is $80. Or was the last time I received that particular shakedown. The "breathalyzer test" is the cop holds a business card below your mouth and says, "Blow," while he sniffs just inches above it. If he smells ANY alcohol on your breath, you're DUI.

Having said all that, the thing you have to realize about Tijuana is there is no consistency in anything. Nothing is uniform. If you get nabbed by a cop, what happens after that is entirely dependent on how crooked he is, what kind of day he's had, whether he got laid the night before, how much he hates Donald Trump, etc. There is no way to paint the experience of getting shaken down by Tijuana cops with a broad brush. So, what you've experienced, what I've experienced and what any of the other bros have experienced may be quite different.

I beg to differ. I have had the cops do that "breathalyzer test" you describe. I think they have all done it. Yes, if they smell alcohol they will most certainly try to give you shit and intimidate you and try to convince you that any drinking driving is illegal. (Just for anybody reading, the law in Tijuana is. 08% = DUI and I'll post a link to the law if anybody wants it). But the "standard" mordita of $80 is way out of line, unless you're truly drunk. Back near Christmas I got pulled over and I did have beer on my breath. Long story short they guy got 500 pesos, the largest mordita ever, because I absolutely positively had to be someplace and had no time to dick around with him. The other time was 200 pesos. NEVER pay morditas in dollars. In fact I almost never have dollars on my when in Tijuana.

I will say that all of my traffic stops have been "uniform. " They all followed the same basic template. You can tell immediately if this is a shakedown stop or a legit traffic infraction. They always ask for license, sometimes registration. The next words out of his mouth are the giveaway, as well as actions. If they try to peek and see how much money you might have in your wallet, you know. If he starts to grill your companion to see if you two know each other, you know. (If she's a hooker they'll lay some shit on you about prostitution being illegal outside of a bar, or some shit). Then they'll have you step out of the car. Then they'll frisk you. Then they'll look in the trunk. Then they'll tell you how much trouble you're in. Then they'll threaten to take you in, or make you follow them to the courthouse. Every stop is a variation on this same theme. If you're riding dirty they just have that much more ammo to use against you.

[Artisttyp]

Hey so what are some good bars in Tijuana to watch UFC or boxing with the club main areas being closed?

If all you really cared about was watching the event in a comfortable setting I'd say go to the Ticuan Hotel Bar. Very plush and cozy. They will put on most channels for you to watch.

[BrotherMouzone]

Hey so what are some good bars in Tijuana to watch UFC or boxing with the club main areas being closed?

[LuvMexicanas]

Variety is the Spice of Life. That's my style. I love all demographics!

Yep, doing the same thing over and over to paraphrase the first half of Einstein's famous quote is insanity. My diet ranges from bluefin sashimi to gas station hot dog. My taste in women has an equally wide range. Light, dark, tall, short, hairless, hairy, etc. It's all good.