Streetwalker Reports

[Sunset Strip]

El Tijuanense,

As for the street scene there are lots of girls still out there. And the going rate is still US $15-$20 in general. Paying in pesos is usually advised as the most prices are quoted in a 10 to 1 ratio (you probably know this but it is for newbies). When the US dollar goes over 10 you actually save quite a bit by paying in pesos. I use the extra money to eat while down there considering the extra pesos a free meal!

Thursday-sunday are still busier than the other days but slower than in the past. Some of us now only go down during the day and find the number of girls prior to 5pm to be getting better. ON THursday and Friday, you will find the day selection to be similar (though somewhat smaller) than the night time selection.
TJ

[Tijuana Brass]

How is the Street scene Thursday thru Sunday? Are their alot of mongers ? Did it drop 50%? Are the chicas desperate for custumers? Has the US economy hit the chicas earnings?

The peso was today 13.24 peso. Does that mean everything in Tijuana went up ?

The Mexican economy hit the chicas.- sometime ago, not the US economy.

The exchange rate for pesos is now more favorable to US dollar holders than in the past several years. It now takes about 12 or 13 pesos (depending on when and where you change money) to buy one dollar. In the last few years it took fewer pesos, usually between 10 and 11 to buy one dollar. That means that Mexico is CHEAPER for dollar holders, not more expensive. Your US dollar now has more buying power, it buys more pesos.

The normal precautions regarding personal safety apply as they always have. Rather than repeat those here, perhaps reading the forum's Crime and Safety thread will better apprise you.

The most important factor in your personal safety is you. That C&S forum is the best place to get informed and learn what you can do for yourself.

Don't let the stories you hear scare you away. Your dollar is worth more and there are fewer crossing the border, but if you know what to do, when, and where, you will have a great time.

Suerte.

[Sunset Strip]

I do not go down on the weekends as usually there are too many tourists for my taste. The border wait can be very long (up to 2 hours on Sundays) so I avoid the weekends. Thursday are a good day to do down. And Friday nights are good as the selection is good and the wait at the border is not long after 7pm, in general.

The chicas do seem a bit more desperate for money right now.

TJ

[El Tijuanense]

How is the Street scene Thursday thru Sunday? Are their alot of mongers ? Did it drop 50%? Are the chicas desperate for custumers? Has the US economy hit the chicas earnings?

The peso was today 13.24 peso. Does that mean everything in Tijuana went up ?

[Sunset Strip]

Hit TJ today about 11am. The alley had its usual girls but few customers. I went with Alizada who stands at the north end of Constitution (i think this is the street). I paid 200 pesos and 50 pesos for the room.

At times the girls on that corner will give you problems in the room, even Alizade and act funny if you take a long time. Not today. I think they need money

TJ

[Sgt Perv]

Thank you for saying it in a better way.

I did mean 10:1(mxn to US) as use for advantage.

When they ask $3 I say 30 pesos anywhere in Mexico.

I did not realize the deeper you go in country the rates change. Good to know for future.

Thanks

[Sgt Perv]

I absolutely did not mean to offend you.

This is Mexico why would any place not accept Pesos ?

A $3 beer 1 year ago is still a $3 beer today.

That $3 beer cost 30 peso to everyone a year ago.

It cost the same today 30 pesos.

The difference is what you pay with.

By using US currency they are making more money.

By using Pesos you are spending less.

[Sunset Strip]

I think you have missed the point here.

I was asked if I have ever used pesos in a bar because 1.) people know I always use pesos and 2.) people know that when I post here I am usually talking about the streets.

I am not sure what your 10 to 1 stuff means.

I always use pesos anyway.

I only mentioned you because the question asked about pesos in bars and you were the only one who had said anything about pesos and bars, EVEN though this is the street thread!

My point is that I am not an newbie who has no knowledge of pesos but one who posts on this thread because I know the TJ street scence and this IS the street thread.

I have no knowledge of the bars but do not need advice about what the locals are doing.

Thanks for your input, but I know the street scene quite well. I would only need your advice on the issue of the bars and using pesos there.
TJ

Do you really think the locals are paying more in the zona because of conversion rate change?

600 peso is 600 pesos.

Use 10:1 because to them, it is not worth arguing and having you not buy.

Using pesos also gives them a perception of experience about you.

Any pesos left over just bring them back next time or cash in either Mexico Bank(best), exchange or US exchange.

[Tijuana Brass]

Do you really think the locals are paying more in the zona because of conversion rate change?

600 peso is 600 pesos.

Use 10:1 because to them, it is not worth arguing and having you not buy.

Using pesos also gives them a perception of experience about you.

Any pesos left over just bring them back next time or cash in either Mexico Bank(best), exchange or US exchange.

Salute Sarg,

I think the cross border monger should not use the 10: 1 ratio. The rate now is 20 to 30% better, depending. The ladies know the rate (and it is not the one posted inside Adelitas). A 10: 1 ratio right now, with rates much better, is a propina. I would use that to my advantage.

The following generally holds true:

The casa de cambio rates on either side of the border are generally very close. For safety reasons you may wish to change dollars to pesos on the US side.

The rate gets less favorable after the end of business hours, as those remaining open give a less favorable rate as there is less of a market.

Generally there are one or two "best rate" casa de cambios, usually in the town center/commercial district, not necessarily immediately at the border.

The best time to change money in Mexico is during the day in the commercial district or on the US side.

If you plan to travel into the interior of Baja past Tijuana, then you do better changing money at the border. The same market rules apply in places like San Felipe or Cabo, where the rate is much less favorable.

What your ATM gives you (and charges) is known only to you, but if done during the day in a safe manner will often be the best rate.

I never change dollars or pesos with a "street vendor".- even the Mexican 20 and 50 peso notes are now made out of thin plastic. Why? Counterfeiting of Mexican currency. (Who knew? ) And your 100 USD note is scrutinized as there are several "Supernotes" floating around Mexico. Some casa de cambios even display examples of counterfeit currency in their windows. Anyone on the street can easily change a legitimate bill at a legitimate CdC if he really needs to.

Police may view hand to hand exchanges on the street as a reason to investigate, as other activities may be suspected.

This is Mexico. And the above is either from personal knowledge and from my friend who works for the state in Baja.

I hope occasional visitors find this helpful.

[Sgt Perv]

Wait, alley girls or club girls? Either way, 1000 pesos would mean almost $100 american bucks. You confused me. Or are you talking about 1000 pesos for an alley girl to do an all nighter?

I usually have to thank them and ask them to leave.

I usually take them out of zona to a club or something to eat her choice before room.
One even got upset and thought I was mad at her.

I was not mad, just tired and I do not go to sleep with one in my room.

I tend to sleep very little and when I do go to sleep I am out cold for a couple hours.
I am talking Alley chica during the week not weekend.

Good deal for me because the club chicas are about $72 if I used US total for 45 min. and the Alley chicas cost about $ 100 -$150 US for hours of play. Bonus I used Pecos(MXN) so a little cheaper, not much.

Club chicas have quoted prices from $600- $1000 US. for the nicer ones.

Never even thought about giving them a counter offer.

[Efjayel]

I have tried the club chicas ( quote was near $1000 US) but I know for sure the alley girls will jump at 100 pesos-150 pesos.

I had a brain fart sorry I meant 1000-1500 pesos for alley girls.

Wait, alley girls or club girls? Either way, 1000 pesos would mean almost $100 american bucks. You confused me. Or are you talking about 1000 pesos for an alley girl to do an all nighter?

[Sgt Perv]

Nope, I never paid in pesos in the bar. But I am sure you can get away with it as long as you let them know up front the way Sgt perv. seems to do.

Just counter with pesos when they quote in dollars.

I will try it when I am down there on Thursday.

TJ

Do you really think the locals are paying more in the zona because of conversion rate change?

600 peso is 600 pesos.

Use 10:1 because to them, it is not worth arguing and having you not buy.

Using pesos also gives them a perception of experience about you.

Any pesos left over just bring them back next time or cash in either Mexico Bank(best), exchange or US exchange.

[Sgt Perv]

I have tried the club chicas ( quote was near $1000 US) but I know for sure the alley girls will jump at 100 pesos-150 pesos.

I had a brain fart sorry I meant 1000-1500 pesos for alley girls.

[Sgt Perv]

A couple years ago I came out of CC (standing in front of "their" hotel)one afternoon looking at money (pesos).

Yes , I know that is stupid to do it on the streets but I was not solo.

A man who was coming across the street from that store/pharmacy, saw me and asked if he could exchange his $20 US for pesos with me.

I told him to let me look at his bill. I looked it over and it looked real ( I was looking for a con job). So I hand him 200 pesos with one hand while holding the $20 US dollar in the open with the other hand (still waiting for some type of switch or hustle).
The man (shady looking guy) looks at the 200 pesos I hand him and asks/states that it is worth more like 220 pesos (which it was at the time but, at the time and drinks in me I was mentally locked into the 10:1 conversion for my simplicity).
As soon as I motion to give his $20 US back, he quickly takes off back over to the pharmacy/store to his buddies.

Now I am really looking at that US 20 and keeping track of him cause I thought I got conned somehow.

The bill was fine so there is something with them exchanging currency.

I have seen what some stores/resturants use for conversion in TJ and it was always below what the banks would give me ( banks 11 and stores 10).

So I guess the guy was happy with the 200 pesos but was trying for 220 pesos. He for sure did not want the US $20.

I guess for some it is easier to just take peso without the hassle of conversion.
They are happy and I am happy. WIN/WIN situation.

The coins and bills do take some getting use to but worth it to me.

I just checked and as of today's conversion your $200 US is 2642.10 mxn and 642 mxn (pesos) is $48.61 US.

My tight butt loves it!

http://www.ac-markets.com/forex-reso...converter.aspx

[Sunset Strip]

I was there last weekend. The girl I was with quoted prices in dollars. I've never had any girl say prices in pesos. It's always been dollars. You can tell them you want to pay them in pesos. With the peso being really low, you might be able to save money. I've never tried that though.

Tj Fan, have you ever tried paying a bar girl in pesos? If so, what where their prices?

Nope, I never paid in pesos in the bar. But I am sure you can get away with it as long as you let them know up front the way Sgt perv. seems to do.

Just counter with pesos when they quote in dollars.

I will try it when I am down there on Thursday.


TJ