General Reports

[Captain Solo]

Your Tijuana experience is incomplete without trying the walkers around hotel Monito.

For quite some time I had a bucket list item to do at least one girl from every hooker bar on the main streets of ZN. I finally completed the list when I found a not-to-unappealing girl at Playboy and made arrangements for an after hours session at my room in Cascadas.

Horsetrader.

[HorseTrader]

For the past several years my east coast job had me traveling to San Diego and working from 6:00 AM until 12:00 PM, leaving me plenty of daily time for Zona Norte. Sometimes these trips were as short as 1 day and sometimes they were as long as 20 days. The multi-year project is now completed and future trips will have to be funded personally. It was nice to have all travel and living expenses paid by work, I only needed to pay for playtime in Tijuana.

I've had many memorable experiences, none more bizarre than my May 2014 encounter with Elana the squirter in Hong Kong (HK post 3678). I saw her again a few days ago but didn't feel up to a repeat performance. Anything after the original would have been a disappointment.

My biggest shortcoming is my inability to speak Spanish (my vocabulary is perhaps 100 words). Without comfortably conversing with the girls, it is difficult to develop anything more than a relationship that is purely sex for money. There have been a few out of the bar experiences, but those are with girls who spoke decent English or with Craigs List girls who were challenging.

Overall, I find the Mexican people delightful. The smallest tips are often well appreciated. On Monday I was about to trash half a bottle of water when a man gestured that he wanted it; I gave it to him and he acted like I just gave him $10. On Tuesday I gave 17 peso tip to a waiter at LC and he also acted like I gave him $10. When I can communicate, I've enjoyed chats with the taxi drivers, food vendors, sales people along Revolution and Constitution, and just about anyone I ran into. A couple of times someone would just set down at my table for a meal, and that was always enjoyable.

During most trips I find the prettiest girls work in HK (IMHO). But this trip, AB had girls that were more appealing to me. My favorite AB girl was Jade, who gave exceptional service for 1000 pesos. My favorite HK girl was Susanna, who also gave exceptional service but she insisted on 1400 pesos. Favorite street girl was Julie, who stands directly across the alley from the wall between HK and LC; our schedules didn't overlap too much and she gets taken arriba very quickly, so I never got a 2nd chance with her.

My best experience this last trip was with Vivian of LC. Found her dancing by her girlfriend's table wearing a tight red mini-dress and a huge smile. Not beautiful, but cute and sexy. Very inviting look. I enjoyed a drink with her and then things got better: she moved the table out of the way and started dancing for me with her butt in my face and my hands all over her body. A group of 4 Mexican men had moved to the table next to us and started to cheer me on. We went arriba and had a great time.

For quite some time I had a bucket list item to do at least one girl from every hooker bar on the main streets of ZN. I finally completed the list when I found a not-to-unappealing girl at Playboy and made arrangements for an after hours session at my room in Cascadas. I've never been in some of the bars just outside the main area, for example, Lucky Lady looks too scary on the outside for me to ever walk inside.

When I first started making these trips to San Diego and Tijuana, I was young enough to do three girls per day. Now, I only enjoy the first session of the day and push myself for a second session. Time marches on.

Horsetrader.

[ScatManDoo]

It is almost ALWAYS better to change pesos to dollars in the zona (not near the border) than exchanging in the USA.

I agree with GSR.

I believe one of the better ways to buy dollars (using pesos) is usually at a Cambio in LZ (which typically make their profits selling pesos to monger and other tourists at bad rates).

From my experience, one of the better ways to buy pesos (using dollars in your checking account) is via ATMs located in Tijuana, using a Debit / ATM card that refunds all or most of the fees (like a Schwab one account). If you are unable to do that, and instead want to exchange greenbacks for pesos, you typically can get better rates from Cambios on the United States side of the border.

[HorseTrader]

It is almost ALWAYS better to change pesos to dollars in the zona (not near the border) than exchanging in the USA.

Yea, that's what the numbers say but I was once given a counterfeit $100 bill at an exchange place in Tijuana. It was a very poor counterfeit and I didn't get burned, but there could be better counterfeits that I don't recognize.

[GolfSexRroll]

Today I exchanged 1700 pesos into dollars. This is the first time recently that I got the posted rate.

It is almost ALWAYS better to change pesos to dollars in the zona (not near the border) than exchanging in the USA.

[HorseTrader]

Many times the rate changes so often and quick, the point you cash in the rate on the register has not equaled the board. Mostly it is to our advantage. I have noticed big changes in a quick time especially when the trolleyis just arriving!

Today I exchanged 1700 pesos into dollars. This is the first time recently that I got the posted rate.

[GolfSexRroll]

Not a mistake in counting money. The receipt shows the correct value of dollars I paid and the correct value of pesos I received. The receipt does not show the posted rates, just the rate I received.

It happened four times ($260, $260, $280, and $150). I don't want to mention the discrepancy because I'm getting a better rate than I expected. "Excuse me ma'am, but you gave me too many pesos." As was pointed out, the difference is very small.

I'd be interested in what others experience at this same place with similar amounts.

Many times the rate changes so often and quick, the point you cash in the rate on the register has not equaled the board. Mostly it is to our advantage. I have noticed big changes in a quick time especially when the trolleyis just arriving!

[HorseTrader]

If the posted 'buying pesos' rate is 17.3, I don't know why you got a better rate when you recently bought pesos (other than a error by the clerk or change in the rate while you were in line). If this is constantly happening to you at this particular cambio, you might want to ask why or not.

Not a mistake in counting money. The receipt shows the correct value of dollars I paid and the correct value of pesos I received. The receipt does not show the posted rates, just the rate I received.

It happened four times ($260, $260, $280, and $150). I don't want to mention the discrepancy because I'm getting a better rate than I expected. "Excuse me ma'am, but you gave me too many pesos." As was pointed out, the difference is very small.

I'd be interested in what others experience at this same place with similar amounts.

[ScatManDoo]

About a year or two ago I started exchanging my dollars for pesos on the USA side. Recently I've been going to the place a few feet west of the south end of the trolley. I don't understand the rate that I actually get.

They may post rates of 17.3 and 17.6; I would expect to get 17.3 when I exchange dollars for pesos. But I've actually been getting something between the two rates, about 17.5. I'm not complaining, but I would like to understand. I'm exchanging between $250 and $300 each time.

If the posted 'buying pesos' rate is 17.3, I don't know why you got a better rate when you recently bought pesos (other than a error by the clerk or change in the rate while you were in line). If this is constantly happening to you at this particular cambio, you might want to ask why or not.

[Caprese7]

Hi. Saw your post and thought I would respond. One rate is the "Buy" and the other rate is the "Sell" from what I understand. I usually buy on the USA side as well and usually in the same amount as yourself. Around $300 or thereabouts. So, here in the example you provided, you are buying at the low rate of 17.3 pesos per dollar giving you 5,190 pesos. When you sell at the end of your trip (if applicable), you will sell back at the rate of 17.6, thus receiving only .0568 (American) cents per peso. So, when selling the $300, you would receive $294.80 resulting in a loss of $5.20, or 1.73%. The truth is, the difference is only a matter of a few dollars wherever you go, and personally, I could care less when dealing with amounts under $500. I try to spend most of my pesos while I am there anyways, and have only had to sell back once (around $100 or so). TJ is pretty darn cheap - that is a basic fact. The way I see it, if people are really worried about minor changes in the TJ exchange rate, they probably shouldn't be travelling. Hope this helps -

About a year or two ago I started exchanging my dollars for pesos on the USA side. Recently I've been going to the place a few feet west of the south end of the trolley. I don't understand the rate that I actually get.

They may post rates of 17.3 and 17.6; I would expect to get 17.3 when I exchange dollars for pesos. But I've actually been getting something between the two rates, about 17.5. I'm not complaining, but I would like to understand. I'm exchanging between $250 and $300 each time.

[Caprese7]

Yes. That last spot on the right is definitely one of the more expensive lots I have encountered in San Ysidro. I stopped parking there about 4 or 5 trips ago. You can refer to one of my prior posts (perhaps 2 weeks ago or so) for where I prefer to park now. I have had no problems there and it is much, much cheaper.

I park at the expensive lot. The first one on the right just after you exit at the last US exit. I travel midweek. I save money on parking and hotel room. I was in Tijuana for Super Bowl.

Sunday. I park at this lot. I catch the shuttle that will take you to Tijuana for $5.40. This trip the shuttle driver dropped someone off at Palacio Azteca and then dropped me off Ticuan. It's.

Not the cheapest option, but it's the option that requires the least amount of walking.

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[HorseTrader]

Calm down. Last two times I have walked through the Mexican area without anyone stopping me. Take it as it is and enjoy and have fun. Have a couple of beers on me next time.

The visa checker sometimes gets involved with one or two travelers and everybody else just floods through the Mexican line.

This is consistent with their bag check green / red light. Sometimes they will catch a violation and sometime they won't. This is just one small step toward controlling their border.

[LifeIsABeach]

About that same time, this American dude that was apparently told to get a FMM started to stroll by. The young male agent in booth 6 stopped him and asked to see his passport or passport card; he didn't have either. The agent told him that next time that he crossed he would need either a passport or passport card. Then he just waved him through.
I was pissed and went off on the agent. I said, "What in the hell was that about? I just paid 390 damn pesos so I could enter your country legally. So the people that follow the rules of your country's new entry requirements have to spend their money, but you get to choose who follows the rules and who doesn't follow the rules. This is absolute bullshit!

Calm down. Last two times I have walked through the Mexican area without anyone stopping me. Take it as it is and enjoy and have fun. Have a couple of beers on me next time.

[GolfSexRroll]

On Friday, it was time for me to purchase my second FMM. The cost is now 390 pesos. After chatting with the agent at booth number 5, I was off to the cashier window. The cashier dude took forever and a day to process the transaction. When he finally completed the task, I went to booth number 6, because the agent at booth 5 was busy. The agent in booth 6 passed the paperwork over to the agent in booth 5, and she completed the transaction.

About that same time, this American dude that was apparently told to get a FMM started to stroll by. The young male agent in booth 6 stopped him and asked to see his passport or passport card; he didn't have either. The agent told him that next time that he crossed he would need either a passport or passport card. Then he just waved him through.

I was pissed and went off on the agent. I said, "What in the hell was that about? I just paid 390 damn pesos so I could enter your country legally. So the people that follow the rules of your country's new entry requirements have to spend their money, but you get to choose who follows the rules and who doesn't follow the rules. This is absolute bullshit!

His reply was simple, he said, "It's Friday. ".

His response left me speechless.

So after 6 months of the new requirements, there does not seem to be any set rules.

Last Thursday I went to Tijuana. Upon entering the imigration area I showed the agent my passport and 6 month visa. He told me it Expired TODAY! Well fuck YES he was right! WoW. Time flies when you get up in years! I too had to pay 390 pesos, and got a shiny new visa and a second stamp in my passport!

[Drf1987]

Today is Sunday and this afternoon I sat at a very popular mall watching women. And I cannot help think how unattractive they are in general. And this is Southern California, the cream of the crop in this country. What if I was residing in the Midwest somewhere where fat women was the norm? What a sick world that must be.

So now I daydream of one day relocating to the San Diego area. Maybe set up a business in Southern San Diego and get a place in the Playa, Tijuana. Commuting to SD will be a pain in the neck even with the Sentri Card. But after work, stopping in the Zona for cheap beer, decent food, and beautiful women before getting home to my affordable home near the Ocean. Damn. That would be a fun life. And I'm not talking about fucking every one of them. I'm talking about just being surrounded by beautiful women competing for my attention.

Wow, it would sure feel good to be at the top of the food chain.

I was thinking the same thing. After visiting Cartagena in January it's hard for me to look at American women the same. Now don't get me wrong there are some very nice looking women in America but some of those Colombian women left me weak kneed. I'm already thinking of going back in June. I'm also thinking of checking out Tijuana. Happy mongering.