General Reports

[ChinaMan360]

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.

[Spartan94]

Question. How hard to is cross the Tijuana border (immigration) back to the US side? Do I need a passport, or just a driver license? What should I be expecting? It's been a very long time since I crossed that border so I am not sure what to expect. Thanks.

Not hard. This question has been answered already in prior posts. You need / should have a passport to enter Mexico and to return to the US. Some have posted you can use your drivers license but you will get asked more questions and / or get sent to secondary but US Customs will eventually let you through if you are a US citizen.

Have fun and report back.

Spartan.

[Mr Enternational]

Question. How hard to is cross the Tijuana border (immigration) back to the US side? Do I need a passport, or just a driver license? What should I be expecting? It's been a very long time since I crossed that border so I am not sure what to expect. Thanks.

What do you mean how hard? It is not hard to cross any border. You simply hand the immigration agent your documents. There is no test or anything. Yes you need a passport or passport card.

[Mr Enternational]

But you will be amazed how little Americans you see in Tijuana considering its next to USA. You will find more Americans in Thailand probably.

Shit There are more Americans on my block alone here in Thailand than he is going to find in Tijuana. The overwhelming majority which will be seen inside of Hong Kong.

The ZN is a sewer, but that's where the gringo-centric bars are. Think of a hotel in the middle of Patpong. That would be a rough equivalent, but on a much smaller scale.

Perfect description!

[JrSian]

Question. How hard to is cross the Tijuana border (immigration) back to the US side? Do I need a passport, or just a driver license? What should I be expecting? It's been a very long time since I crossed that border so I am not sure what to expect. Thanks.

[ClamSlammer]

I will be visiting Tijuana next month on my first ever trip to Mexico. I fly into LAX in LOS Angeles and I am looking for tips on transport and accommodation. From my research it seems that LAX to LA Union Station by Flyaway Bus and the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to San Diego seems like the best idea.

I won't be renting a car as I am not familiar with driving a LHD on the opposite style to my country. Could I rent a Taxi or Uber in the San Diego Amtrak station to drive me over the border to my accommodation in Tijuana. What would be the best option, a hotel or airbnb? I will be there during Christmas and my plan is hopefully have local girl spend time with me. I have travelled extensively to Asia, Europe, the Mid East and South America so have a good bit of travel experience but this is a new entry in my logbook. I would like recommendations on what zona area's would be a good neighbourhood to stay in where us Gringo's typically go. What sort of prices are typical there also?

If I were you I'd Uber to the nearest trolley stop from the SD Amtrak station then take the Blue Line trolley to the border. A trolley ticket is $2. 50 I believe. If you feel more comfortable, take an Uber which costs about $15 if you use the Uber Pool service. If you want your own personal dedicated Uber cost is around $29. Do NOT take a taxi. Anyone who recommends a taxi is utterly clueless. Why pay $70 for a ride in an old broken down car with a rude driver when you can pay $15-$29 in a much more comfortable vehicle with a polite driver?

There are good neighborhoods in Tijuana that gringos frequent. Some clueless posters may think that gringo mongers only stick to the bad neighborhoods, which is totally not true. It is true that Zona Norte is in the gutter, but there are neighborhoods close by that are considered by Tijuana standards as affluent. Zona Rio is a $3 Uber ride away and there are many nice hotels available to choose from. You can also choose to stay in Zona Centro (downtown) which is walkable to the Zona. Some consider Ticuan to be the nicest hotel in Tijuana which is 9 short blocks away from the Zona. There is also hotel Caesar which is about 6 blocks to the Zona. Other nicer neighborhoods are Playas and Chapultepec which are about $5 Uber rides away. Chapultepec has several upper scale hotel options including Grand Hotel, Hyatt Place, Marriott, etc. I would say that prices will range from $50-$100 per night.

[John Clayton]

... The ZN is a sewer...

Bit unfair, really.

[Phordphan]

I will be visiting Tijuana next month on my first ever trip to Mexico. I fly into LAX in LOS Angeles and I am looking for tips on transport and accommodation. From my research it seems that LAX to LA Union Station by Flyaway Bus and the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to San Diego seems like the best idea.

I won't be renting a car as I am not familiar with driving a LHD on the opposite style to my country. Could I rent a Taxi or Uber in the San Diego Amtrak station to drive me over the border to my accommodation in Tijuana. What would be the best option, a hotel or airbnb? I will be there during Christmas and my plan is hopefully have local girl spend time with me. I have travelled extensively to Asia, Europe, the Mid East and South America so have a good bit of travel experience but this is a new entry in my logbook. I would like recommendations on what zona area's would be a good neighbourhood to stay in where us Gringo's typically go. What sort of prices are typical there also?

If you don't have much luggage, the Blue Line trolley is a better way to get from Amtrak to San Ysidro. If you have a lot of luggage, then a taxi / Uber is a better choice.

AirBnB is a bit cheaper. Many are located in Playas, which is nice and near the beach. But far away from the hookers and a taxi / Uber will be required. Not too many AirBnB in the downtown area, but there are a few. Hotel Ticuan may be a better bet if you need to stay downtown, aka Centro.

Good luck with finding a girl to spend a few days with you. You'll need a fair amount of Spanish, for starters. The Tijuana P4 P scene isn't really set up for that sort of thing, although it is doable. But doable, generally speaking, by guys who visit frequently. Unless you have a prior relationship, getting some girl to spend a few days with you over Christmas is a big ask. An independent escort is about the only feasible option, IMO. Again, it's a big ask.

"Good neighborhoods to stay" and "where gringos typically go" are mutually exclusive. The sex tourist gringos stay downtown or the Zona Norte. The ZN is a sewer, but that's where the gringo-centric bars are. Think of a hotel in the middle of Patpong. That would be a rough equivalent, but on a much smaller scale. Decent neighborhoods, like Zona Rio or Colonia Cacho, are a bit removed from the Zona Norte. Nice hotels are available, like Hyatt, Lucerna or Real Inn, or similar. Prices will start around $100/ night for the times you wish to go. Again, taxi or Uber to the fleshpots of the Zona Norte will be required.

Feel free to ask questions.

[Dogers69]

I will be visiting Tijuana next month on my first ever trip to Mexico. I fly into LAX in LOS Angeles and I am looking for tips on transport and accommodation. From my research it seems that LAX to LA Union Station by Flyaway Bus and the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to San Diego seems like the best idea.

I won't be renting a car as I am not familiar with driving a LHD on the opposite style to my country. Could I rent a Taxi or Uber in the San Diego Amtrak station to drive me over the border to my accommodation in Tijuana. What would be the best option, a hotel or airbnb? I will be there during Christmas and my plan is hopefully have local girl spend time with me. I have travelled extensively to Asia, Europe, the Mid East and South America so have a good bit of travel experience but this is a new entry in my logbook. I would like recommendations on what zona area's would be a good neighbourhood to stay in where us Gringo's typically go. What sort of prices are typical there also?

Just stay in Hong kongs hotel first. You likely won't want another hotel unless your into outcall. There's no gringo area in Tijuana other than Hong Kong. Possibly an apartment complex or something. But you will be amazed how little Americans you see in Tijuana considering its next to USA. You will find more Americans in Thailand probably. Not counting Mexican Americans. Amtrak is a nice ride to San Diego. If you walk over border with suitcase better get in cab right away. Don't wander for uber. Never be on streets with suitcase. In Mexico don't bring anything that you will miss if stolen. Leave the macbook home. Leave the jewelry home. I would not do Airbnb. Could get a troubled building. It's a violent city. Stick to hotels.

[Lefeu]

...Could I rent a Taxi or Uber in the San Diego Amtrak station to drive me over the border to my accommodation in Tijuana. ...

Much better to take the trolley from San Diego to the border, much cheaper and convenient.

As to your other questions, please RTFF the forum. You will find all the answers you need. You are expected to put in some effort in this endeavor.

Enjoy your stay in SoCal & Tijuana.

[Winthorp]

I will be visiting Tijuana next month on my first ever trip to Mexico. I fly into LAX in LOS Angeles and I am looking for tips on transport and accommodation. From my research it seems that LAX to LA Union Station by Flyaway Bus and the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to San Diego seems like the best idea.

I won't be renting a car as I am not familiar with driving a LHD on the opposite style to my country. Could I rent a Taxi or Uber in the San Diego Amtrak station to drive me over the border to my accommodation in Tijuana. What would be the best option, a hotel or airbnb? I will be there during Christmas and my plan is hopefully have local girl spend time with me. I have travelled extensively to Asia, Europe, the Mid East and South America so have a good bit of travel experience but this is a new entry in my logbook. I would like recommendations on what zona area's would be a good neighbourhood to stay in where us Gringo's typically go. What sort of prices are typical there also?

[Captain Solo]

The race will start Sat 9 AM at the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center on the main blvd across from the flag pole.

Awards will be celebrated 10 AM Sunday at Torres Lucerna hotel also on the main blvd near the malecon.

There will be lots of people, lots of pretty girls and fun parties all over town that weekend. We would want to go to Ensenada Saturday morning, stay over night until Sunday to sample local lifestyles, party, have fun with lots of beautiful pros and non pros. We can rent a BnB and buy lots of fresh seafood in the fish market, have a great banquet and a fun party all night. Of course we will bring the steak from the Us to make sure we have quality meats.

PM me to plan this wonderful trip.

[MistryBoy]

There are about a million hotels. Nobody is going to know which has the best. Villa Dorada tends to suck. Via is ok in some rooms, not so good in others. Motel Tijuana is generally good, but the rooms are so-so. Memory is fuzzy but I think M-20 was fairly decent. La Mansion is a crapshoot. I've been to a bunch of others but I can't remember how good their wifi was. Essentially, none of the motels has really good WiFi in all the rooms.

Thank you very much for the information.

[Phordphan]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know which love motel has the best WFI connection?

There are about a million hotels. Nobody is going to know which has the best. Villa Dorada tends to suck. Via is ok in some rooms, not so good in others. Motel Tijuana is generally good, but the rooms are so-so. Memory is fuzzy but I think M-20 was fairly decent. La Mansion is a crapshoot. I've been to a bunch of others but I can't remember how good their wifi was. Essentially, none of the motels has really good wifi in all the rooms.

[MistryBoy]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know which love motel has the best WFI connection?