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[Yujin]

I had to chuckle when I read this article because the same thing happened to me about 10 years ago = the gringo surcharge.

http://seattletimes.com/html/travel/...elwisexml.html

Beware the gas-station scam in Mexico.

A traveler ends up paying twice for a tank of gas in LOS Cabos, by credit card then cash when the card supposedly didn't work.

By Brian J. Cantwell Seattle Times travel writer.

Even guys who write about travel can get scammed.

On a recent trip to Mexico's Baja Peninsula, I'the managed to avoid filling my rental car's tank until the final day when I was about to return the car to the airport. I figured I was better off minimizing the number of times I handed over my credit card to gas stations or any business since credit-card fraud can be common in Mexico.

Good instinct, it turned out.

On Baja's Highway 1, approaching the exit for LOS Cabos International Airport, I pulled my Nissan rental car into a Pemex station, showed the attendant my card I'm always careful to do this before they start pumping and asked for a fill-up, por favor.

The first hint of trouble was when I noticed a tourist, outside his car at the next pump, having words with another attendant. It seemed his credit card wasn't going through.

I soon heard the same message from the smiling mountain-of-a-man in gray coveralls who had just filled my tank: They couldn't take my credit card.

"But I showed him my card before he pumped the gas," I complained to the fellow working the cash register, whose English was a little better than my halting Spanish.

Sorry. The bill was 455 pesos about $31 USA Surely I had cash?

Well, no. At the end of my trip, having just come from a small town with no bank or ATM, I'the exhausted my emergency reserve of Yankee dollars (which are often welcomed in Baja). And I'the deliberately spent all but a few of the Mexican pesos in my wallet. My next stop was the airport; why take pesos home?

No cash? Really, seor?

I presumed at this point that they were just doing their best to avoid credit fees on the transaction. Cash is king in Mexico.

But this was right by the airport. Payment by plastic was surely no novelty.

Mr. Coveralls gave a big grin and swiped my card one more time, then showed me a printout that (presumably) indicated it didn't go through. I offered him another card. Same result.

Several other employees clustered around. A woman who looked managerial came out from the attached convenience store to punch buttons on the outside register.

"Would you have five minutes to go to a nearby ATM and get cash?" my English-speaking friend finally asked.

It was tough to tell if I was being had or whether they were legitimately stymied by technology. I momentarily considered speeding away in self-righteous indignation, but that raised the specter of an angry chase and a Mexican jail.

Luckily, I'the given myself extra time before my flight's departure.

I nodded and started to get in my car. "Oh, and he'll come with you!" the English-speaker added, nodding toward Mr. Coveralls, who was climbing in the passenger seat. In a parting shot, he jokingly admonished me, "Don't kidnap him!

Who could actually be kidnapped in this situation? The guy with all the credit cards, who had a large stranger in a nice new car and was about to draw money from an ATM? Red flags. Maybe I should have just called a cop.

But sometimes you have to go with instinct. My gut said these guys weren't menacing. And my passenger's stumbling efforts to tell me, with a dopey grin, that he had lived in California "Fresno!" didn't add up to danger.

We smiled a lot at each other. I made small talk about Fresno. I got 500 pesos from a machine, we returned to the gas station and I was on my way.

A couple weeks later, I discovered a 455-peso charge on my credit-card statement. I'the paid twice for my gas, both by credit card and cash. I'm going through the hassle of disputing the credit-card charge through my bank.

Was it a scam? Probably. The time pressure on travelers who need to catch a plane encourages victims to resolve the situation expeditiously. An innocent mistake? Possibly. If the perpetrators had really wanted, they could have rung up an even bigger bill.

But next time, I'm keeping enough pesos in my wallet to pay cash when I fill the rental car. It's hard to know just how much you'll need. If I have pesos left over? I'll buy a T-shirt at the airport.

[C Jack Sparrow]

http://www.keezmovies.com/video/bust...lowjob-4868942

I think she is new, and seems to talk with an accent, can be a Mexicana, the art on the wall says Mexico or Colombia.

With that face and boy she can be a real star. Want to marry her and bring her to Europe!!

[BiaoBanwo]

As with all news make sure you can verify it and I would say a passport would insure you less hassle and quicker immigration time.

[Strike69]

Tijuana. No contest.

Tijuana followed by Monterrey outside these two cities is hard to find quality pussies and decent prices.

[Artisttyp]

I've been looking for a while at going to, Mexico, and can't seem to pinpoint the best spot. Where can a guy find the best options in value, selection, and accessibility, in Mexico. I've done a lot of reading on the this site, and others, and it's seems most of the activity in spread through the northern border towns and near Guadalajara. For those vets that have spent a lot of time there. What is the best pure mongering spot in, Mexico?

Tijuana. No contest.

[Mongerman69]

I've been looking for a while at going to, Mexico, and can't seem to pinpoint the best spot. Where can a guy find the best options in value, selection, and accessibility, in Mexico. I've done a lot of reading on the this site, and others, and it's seems most of the activity in spread through the northern border towns and near Guadalajara. For those vets that have spent a lot of time there. What is the best pure mongering spot in, Mexico?

[BH Bound]

Is obesity a huge problem in the big cities in Mexico? I'm thinking of hitting Mex. City and Guadalajara for a couple of months. Looking for pro and non-pro chicas, since I will have some time to invest in dating girls I meet while I am down there. I'm referring to girls in the 18-30 years old range. I have the option to go somewhere else, but have never hit Mexico, so I'm curious to explore.

Thanks in advance.

[Nibu Raphael]

Hi Guys,

I am down on funds again and need to see if the bank can give me a cash advance on my debit card from Bank of America. IN Colombia And DR I had it done but I could not get it I mean sorry DR No where would except in Santiago or Puerto Plata DR. IN Colombia and Peru all was cool. I need to find out if Mexico will accept on this. Any adavice on this guys?

OK Now on to a refund Copa never gave me back my 500 They won't respond to my e mails on the refund issue too when I call in to them they will then after telling me e mail them that refund paste I did that twice before when I did they never returned my cash too. Maybe I need to try to paste this once more other thing is maybe I can ask them to mail a family member the info somehow as one of my family members borrowed a credit card on their name or ask them to fax who did this. My trip that I cancelled was in Janurary. They said it was cancelled too. But no info for the refund at all.

This trip is in janurary only thing I can think is go to The Copa office IN Gaudalajara or Mexico city and ask. Was thinking Monterrey first but if Gdl gives me hard time I could then bus it to Mexico City and ask too.

My friend said just don't do it in USA at least in Latin America they can say its a traveler and give it back plus in USA Copa offices are only at airports. I'm thinking going to Gdl directly on plane from Tijuana to do this GDL don't help Mexico City would be the main office if that don't work I'm fucked or go up to Monterrey then try to fight this in USA calling them up more patience at home then I would need to go to Ohare Airport other choice would be continue on a big trip for a few months and ask Copa in Central America then again I might be screwed after Janurary.

If any ideas guys then PM Me or post back here.

Pss and yeh big info I need on the cash info advance un. Less someone can send me a Christmas cash gift then I might be saved.

I Wait here,

Nibu

[Artisttyp]

I notice that none of the hotels have heat. At least none that I have looked at online.

Are you guys freezing at night (Jan / Feb) or do the hotels give you enough blankets to deal with it? If I remember correctly I slept in my winter jacket and ski hat a few years ago. I am not sure that I am willing to do that again.

Thanks for the info.

[El Mojado]

Hey everyone!

Some good news! I saw a bank that had the current USD to Peso exchange rate in the window and they were accepting dollars. I was on the bus returning from a mongering mission, with the tamale treat for all, when I caught a glimpse of a bank very close to the main old Church on Enrique Diaz de Leon, very close to Avenida De La Paz. The bank had the exchange rate of 12. 50 pesos to the dollar to sell your dollars and upwards of 13. 80 pesos to buy back dollars. I am running low on pesos again so I have to change some dollars so it was nice to finally see an actual bank I can do that in and not have to go just to money changers. But I have to say, it is the first bank I have seen that accepts dollars. I've been all over parts of central Guadalajara and to not notice this at any other bank has been very worrisome. So keep tabs on casas de cambio (money changing businesses) near your hotel or areas where you frequent if you need to change dollars. I'm not sure if banks are not accepting Euros or not. I don't have any Euros so I don't know. Money changers accept those as well as Canadian currency.

[El Mojado]

Hey everyone in Mongerland! I am in Mexico right now and had a very odd experience trying to change $100 USD to Mexican currency. I posted this in the Guadalajara section, but felt the need to post it in General too.

I arrived on this trip to Puerto Vallarta and I had no trouble changing dollars into pesos at banks in PV and buying items at Walmart or Soriana with USD. Walmart would only let me use them to pay for things if the change due was 10% or less than the total amount spent. So. Spend 20 USD, the max you are allowed to get in change is 2 USD worth (25 pesos, roughly). Walmart had a better than the actual exchange rate, which was nice to know. And I haven't stepped foot inside a Soriana yet this trip, so don't know what their Cash USD issue might be, if any.

Once I left for GDL it seems that the big banks cannot exchange pesos for dollars. But they are allowed in touristy regions (like PV).

So, I went to Bancomer close to my friend's place and found out I could not change dollars there. I then went to an HSBC nearby and it was a bigger branch, but they couldn't change dollars either. The teller there suggested I go to a money changer and told me about one 2 blocks up the street. So there I went. Finally, I was able to cash my dollars and keep on Mongering along.

So just be aware of this. Especially if you are traveling with dollars only and no ATM card. My experience had me quietly sweating bullets for a bit and wondering how I was going to continue mongering without access to my money. But thankfully all ended well and I got to spend time with favorite gal from Danny's Estetica in Guadalajara! Read the Guadalajara posts for more info on that place.

[The Hammer1169]

Sorry, but if you read the full article 'Dick', you'll clearly see this murderous riot took place in a Mexican federal prison, a place the casual American Monger (or just plain tourist for that matter) is highly unlikely to ever be found let alone harmed in any way.

I, too, lived in Mexico for some time, and have always found the Mexican people to be overwhelmingly kind, generous, and patient to a fault with American 'Dickheads'. And don't even get me started on those beautiful Mexicanas. I've been to Mexico three times in the last year alone: Baja Sur, the Yucutan, and most recently Tijuana. (you are welcome to read my Field Reports on that wonderful place on the ISG) Like most places in the US, there are safe places and there areas of high risk. If you keep your wits about you, avoid the more sketchy border regions, and really follow the news, you will know that vast swaths of this country are statistically far safer than many parts of LA, Chicago, and even Washington D. C.

Mexico does have it's problems, no doubt, but don't believe everything you read in the funny papers over here. If you don't ever go, you are missing out on some wonderful times. But then again, maybe some of you easily 'scared children' SHOULD stay home. That just leaves more lovely Latinas for the rest of us.

- Rippa

Good post! I agree with you. I have lived in Mexico for almost (3) years before moving back to the states, and eventually married a hot little stripper (been with her here in the states for 5-years) We travel all over to Puerto Penasco, San Luis R. C, Nogales, and Mexiclai. I have had no problems at all in Mexico with the exception of a few police shakedowns that even residents get. The families are generally very solid, people are nice, and no issues. Now, that's not to say that you don't need to be careful or use common sense. People that get hurt there usually are caught up in something they shouldn't be, or Americans get caught going through known maverick pueblos and get robbed. Always travel on the toll roads and stay away from the "free streets" as they take you into the little towns where the cops don't exist or are dirty.

A few bad experiences I had: I was in a strip club alone in San Luis R. C. And a waiter that was new started in on me "you want a girl? You want cocaine?" I told him no thank you, I was just having a beer. I look down next to me and he had laid a bad of cocaine. I told him "no, I don't do drugs. I live here and am just out for a beer. That's all man." So he gets up and walks away but I see him on his cellphone. Being pretty savvy and weary, I am now on high alert. Within 10-minutes this thug, and I mean a thug, the type you see on Mexcio prison documentaries walks in tattoos covering him from neck to finger tips, and with him is the most strung out looking girl you can imagine. Her eyes are crazyly spinning in her head. They talk to the waiter who gestures to me, and over they come. The girl speaks broken English "you fuck me?" Now, knowing she's insane as fuck and her pimp would rather stab me than look at me, I very gingerly say "well, I'm married. I don't know why he called you, but you are very beautiful." She starts getting squirly "you say I ugly! You think I ugly!" I know with every fiber in my body I need out of that place. So I pause a minute, and get up to go to the restroom. I get in there, and by the grace of God two other men are there, because I look in the reflection of the old broken down stainless steel hand dryer, and the thug had slipped in behind me and was waiting in the corner. I'm ready to get rolled and I know it. I turn and bolt right past him, straight out the door, and thankfully a taxie was there. As I was getting in, that thug came running out chasing me. I got out of there, ordered the driver to take a bunch of side streets before getting me home, and never went back.

Only other issues were the cop shake downs. My girlfriend, who I lived with there while we waited to immigrate her to the states, taught me to not pay them and instead ask for the ticket. They will threaten to impound your car and play on your fears, but just say "no, I will pay at the commadante." One time I got pulled over at 12:30AM and essentially the cops robbed me. He stops me and says "senior, you ran that stop sign." I look around, and there's no sign! Right away I know I'm getting shook down. While I asked the little cop "what sign?" a big cop got in behind me and put the butt of his semi-automatic rifle against the back of my head. At that point I simply said in Spanish "how much you want?" Ended out $20. 00 for each cop but I left with my head on my shoulders!

Finally, San Luis R. C. Cops are the worse. I had one pull me and my lady over. She is white Mexican with green eyes, and really little. 5'0 and 110Lbs. But very petite. She was 27 then but truly looked almost pre-pubescent except for her fake tits The cop starts in wanting $10. 00 for expired tabs; they can't enforce those laws, and threatens to tow away my truck. My GF jumps out and tears him a new ass in Spanish, calling him an extortionist Etc. He takes one look at her, looks at me and I'm 17-years older than her, and says "ok, you to jail for corrupting a minor!" Now, that was at a time when a man of about 70 and his adult son had been locked up in Algodones for two years over the same charge. Serious accusation. Just getting pulled into a Mexican jail on trumped up charges, they can hold you indefinitely because their law is reverse of ours. There you are guilty until you prove in court you are innocent. I look right at my GF and say "this time I want a lawyer. I'm tired of this." Fortunately the cop, who didn't look too bright, hedged. He was worried about his job. I tell him she is 27, and he ends out letting us go.

[CozDiver]

Hello, all,

In Mexico, do waitresses need health cards if they are not sex workers?

Thanks!

I found an answer to my question. Employees who handle food in restaurants, bars, and such must also have a "tarjeta de salud." It sounds like the food service cards are a bit different and stay current longer, but I was reading too much into reports of waitresses having problems because they didn't have their health cards.

[CozDiver]

Hello all,

The Cozumel forum is very slow, so I am posting a general question on Mexico here. In doing my research on possible places to play, I ran across a few reports of waitresses at a few cantinas, bars, & restaurants being detained for not having health cards. My best guess is that that is a pretty good indication that they are working girls, but that leads to my question. In Mexico, do waitresses need health cards if they are not sex workers?

Thanks!