General Reports

[TomJackin]

Assuming you mean the open air building on the corner. Not, one of the stands on the street, right?

The taco stand next to the open air building. Look for the crowd!

[Ath Trainer]

Walk the opposite way past Hong Kong. On that corner is the taco stand that everybody goes to.

Assuming you mean the open air building on the corner. Not, one of the stands on the street, right?

[TomJackin]

Walk the opposite way past Hong Kong. On that corner is the taco stand that everybody goes to.

Agree! The best el pastor tacos in el mundo!

[Bbond]

Thanks. Mr. Bond. I rent a lot of cars for business but never from Budget. Good information.

I have rented from them to visit Cuidad Juarez, I always, along with the Mexican insurance, get the LDW, which pays for any and all damage, up to and including, theft of the vehicle.

[DominicanMike]

You can, but you may got stopped at border but most likely let in, Hassled on the way back. So a friend and I decided to head to Tijuana for first time, him with his expired passport, state ID and birth certificate me just my state ID and birth certificate, we were initially going to drive across and head into Mexico in a rental car with Mexican insurance purchases thru (fox rental car 60 usd daily which was including 31$ Mexican insurance you must have Mexican Insurance while driving in Mexico) we went to agency and were given hell for not reserving days before so decided to drive to otay border, we had nothing to declare so just parked and crossed via the bridge and took a cab Into downtown Tijuana, on the way back walked to gate showed ID got sent to right side and was thru in 15-20 minutes after showing documentation, it depends on who you get when crossing back, just state a simple honest activity you did while in Tijuana and your knowledge of your hometown and basic American questions, speak proper English and realize that they have been dealing with hundreds of people so some appreciation in your tone for them letting you back home goes a long way.

You could have saved a lot of typing to have just said you can't drive a rented car from USA to Mexico. No, I was not aware of that, but I was going to ask first when I make my reservation today not just do it.

And going to Tijuana without a passport is not a big deal, done it so many times. Like I said, even the lady at the US passport agency told me the same thing. I don't mind a little hassle.

No, I have tried La Mansion yet, I've tried emailing all these places but they never email back and trying to call today. Otay Hotel email doesn't even work, bounces back.

[Captain Solo]

The taco stand on Coahula & Ninos now also owns the restaurant next to it. The same guys alternate doing the cooking at both. They sell the same taco Al Pastor with pork grilled on the spindle for 18 pesos.

The restaurant also sells other cuts of beef, like grilled brisket and offals with all sorts of condiments, grilled green onion, Serrano pepper etc. And a few tables to sit down. They make a special tacos with 2 large soft taco shells grilled with cheese and any sorts of meat you want inside, like a 10-inch double pizza for 45 pesos.

I had them fill it with grilled beef and pork, it was a lot tastier and juicier than the normal Al Pastor. It was a big and delicious meat pizza, I could only ate half and was full. Gave the untouched half to HKs chubby valet parking guy. Don't remember what they call it, may be "Paloma," but just ask the cook for tacos con quesos and he would bring out the large soft tacos shells.

That restaurant has some of the freshest and tastiest food anywhere. You can hang out next to the chefs and tell them how well to cook the meat.

Walk the opposite way past Hong Kong. On that corner is the taco stand that everybody goes to.

[Member #4450]

"Either he's stupid or he's lying." https://travel.state.gov/content/pas...orts/FAQs.html

"Since August 2007, the USA Has been issuing only e-passports. An electronic passport has a small integrated circuit (or "chip") embedded in the back cover and has a new look with additional anti-fraud and security features."

"Can I request my passport to be issued without a chip? No."

For Newbie this is The correct way to use this forum: "Either he doesn't know or He wasn't informed" Next time try it.
I made a mistake Mr smart, mine has that chip I just didn't noticed it ASSHOLE! No need to call me stupid!

[Mr Enternational]

After my session at HK, I go to my favorite taco stand, in the corner by Chicago. Doesn't look the same. No scwarma. Very few condiments. Need a new taco stand that's clean and good?

Walk the opposite way past Hong Kong. On that corner is the taco stand that everybody goes to.

[Ath Trainer]

So, I crossed the border last night. Now I know the new routine. I get to immigration. Show the guard my passport and form from last night. He immediately asks where I'm going. I say dinner. He looks at my form, and says its good for 7 days. Says next time, just walk through with the Mexicans.

After my session at HK, I go to my favorite taco stand, in the corner by Chicago. Doesn't look the same. No scwarma. Very few condiments. Need a new taco stand that's clean and good?

[Phordphan]

Budget.

According to information on Budget.com:

Taking a rental car into Mexico is permitted by United States residents only if you purchase Mexican Automobile Liability Insurance at the USA Rental location. You cannot purchase this insurance in Mexico. This insurance is available only at specific locations in Texas, Arizona and California.

Thanks. Mr. Bond. I rent a lot of cars for business but never from Budget. Good information.

You could have saved a lot of typing to have just said you can't drive a rented car from USA to Mexico. No, I was not aware of that, but I was going to ask first when I make my reservation today not just do it.

And going to Tijuana without a passport is not a big deal, done it so many times. Like I said, even the lady at the US passport agency told me the same thing. I don't mind a little hassle.

No, I have tried La Mansion yet, I've tried emailing all these places but they never email back and trying to call today. Otay Hotel email doesn't even work, bounces back.

Don't take your handle too seriously. I was just busting your balls. But, seriously, you can't cross on foot as San Ysidro anymore without a passport and very soon you won't be able to cross on foot at Otay either. Sure you can get away with it. You can get away with an amazing amount of shit in Tijuana. But we know the cops like to fuck with gringos for no reason. The question we have to ask ourselves is do we want to give them a reason? Only the individual can answer that.

Are you emailing in Spanish? Few emails are returned by anybody, in my experience, and even fewer in English.

[MaskedTurbator]

I am very surprised that your passport does NOT have a chip, being 8 months old. Mine is older. I went to SEA last November and my passport was issued March 2015 with chip.

https://travel.state.gov/content/pas...orts/FAQs.html

"Since August 2007, the USA Has been issuing only e-passports. An electronic passport has a small integrated circuit (or "chip") embedded in the back cover and has a new look with additional anti-fraud and security features."

"Can I request my passport to be issued without a chip? No."

[LifeIsABeach]

My passport is about 8 months old I don't have that chip. That chip should work same as the chip in a debit credit card if you don't have the chip they swipe it my guess is the chip must work with a scanner.

I am very surprised that your passport does NOT have a chip, being 8 months old. Mine is older. I went to SEA last November and my passport was issued March 2015 with chip. Passports without chips also work but they have 'bar codes' as when you fly, at the ticket counter they swipe your passport. Different technology.

[Member #4450]

The passport feels heavy too. On the front at the bottom is a small chip mark. I'll explain in my report (I should finish it at the weekend) what's changed. Thanks to Senator Dianne Feinstein for getting it done.

My passport is about 8 months old I don't have that chip. That chip should work same as the chip in a debit credit card if you don't have the chip they swipe it my guess is the chip must work with a scanner.

[WombatEd2]

If you enter Mexico by driving in a car, you will only need to talk to to a Mexican border official if you are unlucky and get a "random" red light instead of the green light when your car reaches the border crossing. Cars getting the red light might be one in 30 (or one in 130). I don't know for sure what your odds would be. But if you do get the red light, and consequently get directed into the areas where you get questioned and have your car searched- my guess would be that you have the same chance of getting through without valid passports as the people crossing into Mexico on foot.

Mexican customs are definitely looking for people who are bringing things into their country for which they can charge an import duty. I go at least once a week, and it's been months since I've seen anyone get the red light. But I see my friends getting pulled into secondary all the time, even though they got the green. I know this because I work with a volunteer group that caravans all sorts vehicles in all the time.

You are likely to be pulled into secondary if it looks like you have a lot of stuff in your car, or if they can't see into your car very well. Their favorite targets are vans, crossovers, and SUVs with tinted windows; likewise covered pickup trucks.

[TJSteve]

I have lived in Tijuana 11 years and I have determined that they are trained to ask certain questions at that hole in GA where they are trained.

1. What was the purpose for your trip to Mexico? Reply; I have a second home down by Rosarito. Never say you live there! From Penasco I say "Chicas and margaritas" They usually don't pursue that one.

2. Where are you going? Reply: Whatever your auto Reg shows.

3. How far is that? Or Where is that?, Etc. Reply: The truth. They know and are trying to see if you are nervous. I once had a guy question me thoroughly about Parowan, Ut like it was a mystery to him. When he let me go he told me he went to UT State! They know!

4. Where do you work? Reply (my usual) I work for Social Security and I don't even have to punch in: they just send me a check.

5 Is this your car? Reply: No, It's Wells Fargo Banks'.

You can always tell when you get a an FNG because they ask all of those questions and the line is slower than the ones on either side.

Going the other way I get a red light about 3 times a year. I once got it with a new LG 39 inch TV in the back seat. She said "That's Ok it's only a small one. Do you have any cigarettes or liquor. " Have never paid customs on anything.

Did you notice CBP agents were always asking, what you were doing in Mexico? Ever since the Patriot Act, law enforcement agents have been authorized to do a lot of things.

CBP agents are trained to ask leading questions hoping to trip up lies by people crossing borders. If you refuse to answer these questions, it may be grounds for CBP to send you to Secondary Inspection or detaining you for investigation. It's best to give them plausible but vague answers.

I usually say something vague, like " visiting some acquaintances. " If CBP and DHS need to investigate my Tijuana acquaintances, I can give them the names of a few bad-ass meseros in HK who deserved some education. The agents are welcomed to put a trace on my money trail, the few $ I gave to these meseros to feed their hungry families.