General Reports

[Goyo61]

If that was your worst mistake consider yourself blessed! In terms of risk I still think it's safer to Taxi than to walk anywhere so you had the right idea. The other thing is to talk money before you get in the car. Your the one with the power in this negotiation. The driver of course just wants to get you in the car as fast as possible but talk to the driver for a moment and engage all your perceptions to make the best decision. I have a bigger boob thing I did by dropping my wallet at Azul's. The nice guy told me at the next table over but could have been a very painful experience.

So was down in zona on a Friday and not exactly a newbie, but still not a pro monger. I'm surprised I made this noob mistake and I just wanted to tell this as a warning story for others. I knew I should have ignored those guys shouting taxi and speak to a person in an actual taxi. But this guy was standing close to one and I thought he was legit and then he took me to an unmarked taxi car. He drove me to the zona and I gave him 5 bucks, but refused to let me out because he wanted 10. I got extremely mad because of the obvious price gouging. I told him 10 dollars is a lot even for a uber ride in the US, especially for a drive that only took 3-5 minutes. Eventually he let me out. Don't make this noob mistake of mine. I should have known better.

[Dcrist0527]

I agree that not negotiating beforehand and just handing over $50 mn may lead to some issues. I'm guessing, and this is purely a guess, that Mr. Ent is physically imposing. Taxistas are not likely to confront some dude that's a chiseled 6'4" 240 lbs. I personally hate taxistas and haven't taken a taxi since Uber began it's rollout down here.

I, too, agree. It definitely leads to potential conflict. But that is what I do. I know, as a gringo, if I ask, I'll get the gringo price. So I just get in and hand over what I think it is worth. I definitely do not over pay. I am a bigger dude. Not tall, just big. I look more muscular when in fact I'm just fat. LOL So that plays in my favor. But I think, most important, is to act like you know the cost. I don't ask questions. I assume and don't really allow negotiation.

I will sometimes tip 20 pesos if he's a good conversation.

[Mr Enternational]

Taxi Libre operated on meters before, but now operate on a sort of "distance" formula. The problem is that the locals know roughly how much a taxi ride from Point A to Point be should be, and pay accordingly.

Thanks for this explanation. I will be down later this month and after I pay my 50 pesos I will ask the drivers why many Americans pay or say you are supposed to pay $5. I want to see what they have to say about it.

[Phordphan]

I'vs tried paying with 50 pesos before but they wouldn't accept it. I should try being more forceful, since this is a bad trait of mine being kinda meek. It was not a real taxi bec no meter. Again, I had a brain fart and for some reason I was so pissed that he tried to rip me off at $10 I had to give him a piece of my mind instead of just getting out. I'll try doing 50 pesos again. I've made this post before. I tried an experiment on how low I can get a taxi back to the border and the lowest I got it down was $4. The scammers just make the exp in Tijuana kinda annoying.

None of the "real" taxis have meters any longer. The Taxi Libra USED to have meters, years ago. But with peso inflation and the rising cost of fuel, they all stopped using them.

The Yellow taxis operate on a "zone" system. All trips within a particular zone are the same price. Going from one zone to another is (supposedly) a fixed price. Sometimes you'll see signboards of rates posted near Yellow taxi stands.

Taxi Libre operated on meters before, but now operate on a sort of "distance" formula. The problem is that the locals know roughly how much a taxi ride from Point A to Point be should be, and pay accordingly. Usually they will ask, the driver will give a price, they will either agree or negotiate or walk to the next cab.

Now back when I used to take cabs from the border, I knew the price from the border to Plaza Rio, or to Centro, was 50 pesos. So, I always had pesos available. One always sits in the front seat unless you're with somebody else. They take you, you hand them the money, you get out. An alternative is to verify first. Then get into the front seat. Note that maybe 70 pesos would be OK now, just because gas is so freaking high and the 50 peso price is quite old.

A good alternative is to call an Uber. I never use taxis anymore. If I'm not driving, it's an Uber except for VERY rare occasions.

[Mr Enternational]

I'vs tried paying with 50 pesos before but they wouldn't accept it. I should try being more forceful, since this is a bad trait of mine being kinda meek.

No idea then brother. I get in the taxi. Before I would say la linea, but these days I say Ped East (I like going to the old one better). If going the other way I just say Hong Kong (not that I am going there, but after 30 years I still can not remember the names of those streets to tell him otherwise.) He starts driving. If I don't already have my 50 pesos separated I do it during the drive. When we get to where I am going I hand him the 50 pesos and say gracias amigo and get out.

They have never said anything else to me other than talking about the traffic or saying they would take a different route because of it. They have never asked for more money or anything when I get out. They just drive off. I am 5'9" 250.

A buddy of mine is the one that taught me it was 50 pesos because I would always just walk before that, no matter what time it was. He was like I am not about to do all that walking. Let's take a taxi. It is only 50 pesos.

[Jackie888]

I've taken taxis twice in the last 5 years and both times I am pretty sure I got ripped off. Nowadays I completely ignore the Taxi Barkers especially the ones camped outside the Clubs. I don't even bother saying no. Just walk on by.

[ChinaMan360]

That is weird considering you were already overpaying. Maybe he thought that he should really try to juice you since you were juicing yourself. So unlike you are thinking, the noob mistake was actually giving him $5!

Most of the times I prefer to walk so I can reminisce the days of old going down when I was in the Navy. But the times that I do take a taxi I have done the exact same as you (gone by way of the yelling guy), but handed the guy 50 pesos ($2.60) when I got out and have never heard anything about it. Once I was even getting in the wrong taxi and the shouting guy said that taxi does not go to where you are going and he took me to the right one.

Next time just hand the guy 50 pesos (not $5!) and get out like you know what you are doing.

*Maybe it is because I pay in pesos they figure they are not dealing with someone who does not know better. Save those dollars for the other side of the border or the inside of those clubs.

I'vs tried paying with 50 pesos before but they wouldn't accept it. I should try being more forceful, since this is a bad trait of mine being kinda meek. It was not a real taxi bec no meter. Again, I had a brain fart and for some reason I was so pissed that he tried to rip me off at $10 I had to give him a piece of my mind instead of just getting out. I'll try doing 50 pesos again. I've made this post before. I tried an experiment on how low I can get a taxi back to the border and the lowest I got it down was $4. The scammers just make the exp in Tijuana kinda annoying.

[ClamSlammer]

Bad advice, you're courting conflict if you think you can just hand them 50 pesos without agreeing on that upfront.

Better advice, offer 50 pesos before getting in (most will say no, but maybe you'll find one); better yet, take Uber for 40 pesos; or just walk but only during daytime.

I agree that not negotiating beforehand and just handing over $50 mn may lead to some issues. I'm guessing, and this is purely a guess, that Mr. Ent is physically imposing. Taxistas are not likely to confront some dude that's a chiseled 6'4" 240 lbs. I personally hate taxistas and haven't taken a taxi since Uber began it's rollout down here.

[Dogers69]

Bad advice, you're courting conflict if you think you can just hand them 50 pesos without agreeing on that upfront.

Better advice, offer 50 pesos before getting in (most will say no, but maybe you'll find one); better yet, take Uber for 40 pesos; or just walk but only during daytime.

I'm surprised more people don't take the 60 cent bus. It makes the walk shorter. And you can get off about 400 feet from revolution street. Then check out the bars and normal people LOL. Especially if you flew here just for Tijuana. It's good to see a more normal part of Tijuana as well.

[OrganicAlo]

Thanksgiving, being an American holiday, really doesn't have much of an effect in Tijuana. Sure, many families prepare a feast for those who live locally. But it is not a travel holiday and doesn't affect work schedules. It's basically a normal day with maybe a little fancier meal. You will see an influx of talent though after Thanksgiving. Chicas start appearing out of nowhere hoping to make money for Christmas travel and presents.

Cool, I wish I could make a trip down in December, but this trip will be the last one of the year for me.

It's the day before that lingerie event, hoping some of the ladies will be dressed up the night before.

[Dave1027]

I just wanted to know. If I can get US dollars at ATM in Tijuana, Mexico.

[SenorTJ]

That is weird considering you were already overpaying. Maybe he thought that he should really try to juice you since you were juicing yourself. So unlike you are thinking, the noob mistake was actually giving him $5!

Next time just hand the guy 50 pesos (not $5!) and get out like you know what you are doing.

*Maybe it is because I pay in pesos they figure they are not dealing with someone who does not know better. Save those dollars for the other side of the border or the inside of those clubs.

Bad advice, you're courting conflict if you think you can just hand them 50 pesos without agreeing on that upfront.

Better advice, offer 50 pesos before getting in (most will say no, but maybe you'll find one); better yet, take Uber for 40 pesos; or just walk but only during daytime.

[ClamSlammer]

What about the week or 2 before Thanksgiving? I have a trip planned for Tuesday the 19th this month.

Thanksgiving, being an American holiday, really doesn't have much of an effect in Tijuana. Sure, many families prepare a feast for those who live locally. But it is not a travel holiday and doesn't affect work schedules. It's basically a normal day with maybe a little fancier meal. You will see an influx of talent though after Thanksgiving. Chicas start appearing out of nowhere hoping to make money for Christmas travel and presents.

[Mr Enternational]

So was down in zona on a Friday and not exactly a newbie, but still not a pro monger. I'm surprised I made this noob mistake and I just wanted to tell this as a warning story for others. I knew I should have ignored those guys shouting taxi and speak to a person in an actual taxi. But this guy was standing close to one and I thought he was legit and then he took me to an unmarked taxi car. He drove me to the zona and I gave him 5 bucks, but refused to let me out because he wanted 10. I got extremely mad because of the obvious price gouging. I told him 10 dollars is a lot even for a uber ride in the US, especially for a drive that only took 3-5 minutes. Eventually he let me out. Don't make this noob mistake of mine. I should have known better.

That is weird considering you were already overpaying. Maybe he thought that he should really try to juice you since you were juicing yourself. So unlike you are thinking, the noob mistake was actually giving him $5!

Most of the times I prefer to walk so I can reminisce the days of old going down when I was in the Navy. But the times that I do take a taxi I have done the exact same as you (gone by way of the yelling guy), but handed the guy 50 pesos ($2.60) when I got out and have never heard anything about it. Once I was even getting in the wrong taxi and the shouting guy said that taxi does not go to where you are going and he took me to the right one.

Next time just hand the guy 50 pesos (not $5!) and get out like you know what you are doing.

*Maybe it is because I pay in pesos they figure they are not dealing with someone who does not know better. Save those dollars for the other side of the border or the inside of those clubs.

[OrganicAlo]

The last ten or so days of December has the smallest quantity of actively working chicas as compared to other times of the year.

What about the week or 2 before Thanksgiving? I have a trip planned for Tuesday the 19th this month.