Crime, Safety, and the Police

[Artisttyp]

I believe it's hotel Cascadas. He talked about it on the HK tread.

Not surprising. One of the many many reasons to avoid the grips of the HK / Azul / Cascadas KKKLAN.

[Artisttyp]

Please I must know which hotel.

AGREE. Useless without a hotel name. You are doing the community a disservice by not identifying which hotels police enter at will. That means ALOT to some mongers.

Thanks.

[MexiMonger]

I believe it's hotel Cascadas. He talked about it on the HK tread.

Yes indeed.

What a horrible experience! As a Mexican I would fear being abducted by the police and then my family paying ransom or something. Because yes, this shit happens in Mexico very often!

Damn I was going to be there next month.

[Asting]

Please I must know which hotel.

I believe it's hotel Cascadas. He talked about it on the HK tread.

[Dcrist0527]

Had bad experience with policia recently. In zona Norte hotel, which I won't name, because some posters will defend their favorite places like you are attacking their sports team. Anyway, in hotel, light was on, in bed naked, evening, not middle night. Policia tried breaking door down. They had room key, machine guns, ski masks, seven deep, flashlights, the room safety lock held up but could see them. Door opens two inches. I start yelling what do you want because they yelled in Spanish. I put underwear on, let them in because they said policia, and I had no choice. I assumed it was a robbery or they hoped I had a girl who they could arrest me for. Anyway they come in room looking for someone. Even checking bathroom. What was the point? Who knows. I was scared of the machine guns being pointed at me. If the door wasn't with a safety lock, they would of rushed in tripping over each other to squeeze in door. And if someone pulls trigger by accident, just like in the states it would be the victims fault. I probably won't ever sleep in zona Norte again. And always sleep with lights on, incase anyone comes into room, which I always do in Tijuana. I've seen policia and military rush into other hotels like they are arresting a terrorist. So it's not something new. I just thought the better hotels would have some agreement of courtesy with policia. Obviously not. And I do think the whole stripper escort scene gets these guys adrenaline pumping more then it would for home invasions five blocks away on boring residential streets. Don't send me hate responses I know some only want the positive stories. But some can handle the truth and still navigate Tijuana successfully.

No reason to doubt your account and in fact, it was corroborated by another poster. So we're all better from your contribution.

I'm pretty sure that I would feel exactly as you did, if it were me. At the same time, I think there are some comments that inflame the situation. Accidentally pulling the trigger? Arresting a terrorist? Well, the laws are different there but at the same time, I don't think calling some of these narcos terrorists is far off. This is a big if, but if they are going after someone big, I'd hope they would have more information but these are not good dudes. And to say they are amped up because of the strippers? Cone on. These guys are going room to room with the possibility of being the next cartel victim. I don't think they need strippers to get amped.

We'll never know why or who. And as I said, your experience would probably sit the same way with me. But I don't know that I would portray this event as normal.

[MexiMonger]

Had bad experience with policia recently. In zona Norte hotel, which I won't name, because some posters will defend their favorite places like you are attacking their sports team. Anyway, in hotel, light was on, in bed naked, evening, not middle night. Policia tried breaking door down. They had room key, machine guns, ski masks, seven deep, flashlights, the room safety lock held up but could see them. Door opens two inches. I start yelling what do you want because they yelled in Spanish. I put underwear on, let them in because they said policia, and I had no choice. I assumed it was a robbery or they hoped I had a girl who they could arrest me for. Anyway they come in room looking for someone. Even checking bathroom. What was the point? Who knows. I was scared of the machine guns being pointed at me. If the door wasn't with a safety lock, they would of rushed in tripping over each other to squeeze in door. And if someone pulls trigger by accident, just like in the states it would be the victims fault. I probably won't ever sleep in zona Norte again. And always sleep with lights on, incase anyone comes into room, which I always do in Tijuana. I've seen policia and military rush into other hotels like they are arresting a terrorist. So it's not something new. I just thought the better hotels would have some agreement of courtesy with policia. Obviously not. And I do think the whole stripper escort scene gets these guys adrenaline pumping more then it would for home invasions five blocks away on boring residential streets. Don't send me hate responses I know some only want the positive stories. But some can handle the truth and still navigate Tijuana successfully.

Please I must know which hotel.

[KC Questor]

Yeah, you can call me a 'wuss', but I prefer mainly unhassled mongering experiences. Hopefully no drama. By comparison I've been to Rio's beaches, Colombian cities, etc many times that are supposed to be so dangerous and have never encountered a problem day or night.

Every time I've gone to Colombia I've been warned (by friends and even the State Department) about the dangers of gangs, terrorists, and cartels. Never had a problem. Rio is considered the pickpocket capital of the world and there are often advisories about how dangerous it is, but I had a great time. Why would you be concerned about Tijuana and not those places, especially when you never encountered a problem there?

I've never had an issue in Tijuana. I don't want to discount the guys who have been hassled or robbed. I believe their reports and they concern me. But I also know that the vast majority of guys never have any problems and if you are careful and safe -- like you should be in any city -- you'll have fun. Just like in Medellin or Rio.

[Dogers69]

Had bad experience with policia recently. In zona Norte hotel, which I won't name, because some posters will defend their favorite places like you are attacking their sports team. Anyway, in hotel, light was on, in bed naked, evening, not middle night. Policia tried breaking door down. They had room key, machine guns, ski masks, seven deep, flashlights, the room safety lock held up but could see them. Door opens two inches. I start yelling what do you want because they yelled in Spanish. I put underwear on, let them in because they said policia, and I had no choice. I assumed it was a robbery or they hoped I had a girl who they could arrest me for. Anyway they come in room looking for someone. Even checking bathroom. What was the point? Who knows. I was scared of the machine guns being pointed at me. If the door wasn't with a safety lock, they would of rushed in tripping over each other to squeeze in door. And if someone pulls trigger by accident, just like in the states it would be the victims fault. I probably won't ever sleep in zona Norte again. And always sleep with lights on, incase anyone comes into room, which I always do in Tijuana. I've seen policia and military rush into other hotels like they are arresting a terrorist. So it's not something new. I just thought the better hotels would have some agreement of courtesy with policia. Obviously not. And I do think the whole stripper escort scene gets these guys adrenaline pumping more then it would for home invasions five blocks away on boring residential streets. Don't send me hate responses I know some only want the positive stories. But some can handle the truth and still navigate Tijuana successfully.

[WombatEd2]

from what I've read in you guys posts my mind is telling me, "don't do it! From the corrupt police shakedowns,

When an airliner crashes, it makes headlines; when a car crashes, it doesn't. Yet far more people are killed in car crashes. Tijuana is like an airliner; the disaster stories are spectacular, but blown way beyond proportion.

But if you really read these forums, you'll see that many of us go down there (pun intended) quite often. If you know what you're doing, the Zona is safer than many parts of LOS Angeles, or even San Diego.

[Basketball101]

One of my numerous pet peeves on this board is the hysteria and fear mongering. Sometimes, I wonder what causes bad things to happen to people and why I've been spared. Like you, I'm a bigger guy and that doesn't hurt. And no doubt, everything you've mentioned is a risk. But I would just add that with common sense and awareness, you'll likely be just fine. Every time I venture there, I see people that make themselves such easy targets. They are completely unaware their actions and behaviors are just like drawing a bullseye on their forehead. I've almost stopped to talk to them about it but I'm not that arrogant. I would never use the word "wuss" to describe your apprehension. But I think that apprehension would serve you well in Tijuana. I'm not pushing you to visit, I'm just saying it's not all doom and gloom there.

Some of it is fear of the unknown. Tijuana has the reputation of being dangerous. The recent border issues surely do not help. I remember going for the first time, I used Brocton O Tools guide to walk me through. I studied the forum posts from years back to get enough info. I think the scariest part was the cab rides back and forth. Finding the cab stop, to get there, and once being dropped off, to go home, and finding the border crossing, at midnight.

[Dcrist0527]

I've always wanted to check out the Mexican putas in Tijuana and thought to check out the posts as I'm a long time monger that's visited several countries over the yrs, but from what I've read in you guys posts my mind is telling me, "don't do it! From the corrupt police shakedowns, fake police, drug dealer wars, etc. I see a lot of potential problems that I would rather avoid. Yeah, you can call me a 'wuss', but I prefer mainly unhassled mongering experiences. Hopefully no drama. By comparison I've been to Rio's beaches, Colombian cities, etc many times that are supposed to be so dangerous and have never encountered a problem day or night. No drama. I'd rather concentrate on the chicas. But I appreciate your honest posts that have helped me decide to stick to the carribean, and central & south america. And I'm 6'3", 250 lbs, and have had some fighter training but I don't think you'll see me south of the border (so to speak) You have to know your limitations, LOL!

One of my numerous pet peeves on this board is the hysteria and fear mongering. Sometimes, I wonder what causes bad things to happen to people and why I've been spared. Like you, I'm a bigger guy and that doesn't hurt. And no doubt, everything you've mentioned is a risk. But I would just add that with common sense and awareness, you'll likely be just fine. Every time I venture there, I see people that make themselves such easy targets. They are completely unaware their actions and behaviors are just like drawing a bullseye on their forehead. I've almost stopped to talk to them about it but I'm not that arrogant. I would never use the word "wuss" to describe your apprehension. But I think that apprehension would serve you well in Tijuana. I'm not pushing you to visit, I'm just saying it's not all doom and gloom there.

[Artisttyp]

I've always wanted to check out the Mexican putas in Tijuana and thought to check out the posts as I'm a long time monger that's visited several countries over the yrs, but from what I've read in you guys posts my mind is telling me, "don't do it! From the corrupt police shakedowns, fake police, drug dealer wars, etc. I see a lot of potential problems that I would rather avoid. Yeah, you can call me a 'wuss', but I prefer mainly unhassled mongering experiences. Hopefully no drama. By comparison I've been to Rio's beaches, Colombian cities, etc many times that are supposed to be so dangerous and have never encountered a problem day or night. No drama. I'd rather concentrate on the chicas. But I appreciate your honest posts that have helped me decide to stick to the carribean, and central & south america. And I'm 6'3", 250 lbs, and have had some fighter training but I don't think you'll see me south of the border (so to speak) You have to know your limitations, LOL!

If you have done those places then there is no reason you can't do Tijuana.

It is a different beast but worth the experience if anything else.

[Artisttyp]

I'll never stay at Leyva again. 4 or 5 years ago they said my room at checkout only had 1 towel. They wouldn't give me my deposit back saying all rooms at check in have 2 towels. I had no luggage or anything. Just used to crash there when drunk. Said maybe my lady took the towel. I told him I had no lady visitor. Went back and forth to no avail. Place is a joke and rates have gone way up in recent years.

Some people have trouble with Victor the desk guy but during my 3 year stay everyone was super kind to me.

Like I said a good deal for the zona but not without caveats. 3 years ALWAYS hot showers. Never an issue with theft but I lock my stuff up.

[BlkPanther]

Police will say they need to search your wallet. Insist that you hold your money in your hands. I have been searched by police 2 or 3 times and they will relent once you insist. If you see the cops hanging out on the street it is a good idea to walk on the other side especially if there not many people around. The police tend to hang out on the west end of the alley and search people.

I've always wanted to check out the Mexican putas in Tijuana and thought to check out the posts as I'm a long time monger that's visited several countries over the yrs, but from what I've read in you guys posts my mind is telling me, "don't do it! From the corrupt police shakedowns, fake police, drug dealer wars, etc. I see a lot of potential problems that I would rather avoid. Yeah, you can call me a 'wuss', but I prefer mainly unhassled mongering experiences. Hopefully no drama. By comparison I've been to Rio's beaches, Colombian cities, etc many times that are supposed to be so dangerous and have never encountered a problem day or night. No drama. I'd rather concentrate on the chicas. But I appreciate your honest posts that have helped me decide to stick to the carribean, and central & south america. And I'm 6'3", 250 lbs, and have had some fighter training but I don't think you'll see me south of the border (so to speak) You have to know your limitations, LOL!

[Scudrucker]

Over the past number of years, my friends have had a lot of double transactions, skimming and other fraud from some of the nicest places all over Mexico.

You just don't know which atms or hotels or restaurants to trust. Not just Tijuana but all over Mexico. For the record I have had no problems with the 2 banks on constitution (so far).

I visit during the day when there are lots of people and a cop hanging around. I am not a fan of all cash, has anyone had any experience with prepaid cards in Mexico?