General Reports

[OPIllini]

Hello all,

I live in the Chicago area and turn 49 in January. I am thinking of going to Tijuana for the first time ever to celebrate my birthday. I know it's been recommended that first-time visitors to Tijuana should go with a friend or two who have been there already for safety reasons. But I am considering going by myself. What reasonable precautions can I exercise while in Tijuana? I'm focusing on the paraditas (street girls).

[Travv]

Lower tax rates will apply in northern and southern border states until 2024.

Lower tax rates will apply in Mexico's northern and southern border regions until the end of 2024, President López Obrador announced Friday.

A northern border free zone where the IVA value-added tax is 8% instead of 16%, the maximum income tax rate is 20% instead of 30% and the minimum wage is 50% higher than the rest of the country was established by the federal government on January 1, 2019. The zone was initially created for a period of two years but will now remain in place for four more. Fuel will also be cheaper on the northern and southern borders because it won't be subject to the same taxes that apply elsewhere in the country.

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/tax...region-states/

AMLO turning into a Trump tax cutter type? Should cost less now for restaurants and hotels in Tijuana due to the tax cut from 16 to 8 percent. .

[BrotherMouzone]

According to this link it is only the pedestrian into mexico that is closed from 10 pm-5 am that is currently closed (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmBQ01YJjUQ). Still need to confirm. This however.

Luke gets some of his info 2nd hand (as was the case here) and it's not always clear. I think the 10 pm-5 am "closure" would only apply for pedestrians crossing from Mexico to the USA Given the new curfew in the USA Pedestrians crossing from the USA To Mexico can still walk through 24 hours as Mexican customs doesn't have the same curfew. It's also not clear how well this "border closure" will be enforced. Luke primarily mentioned a reduction in staffing during those hours, which wouldn't necessarily be the same as an outright closure. So would just need some folks down on thee scene to provide more clear information.

[Hargow20]

According to this link it is only the pedestrian into mexico that is closed from 10 pm-5 am that is currently closed (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmBQ01YJjUQ). Still need to confirm. This however.

People are saying san Ysidro trolley border USA not letting pedestrians return 10 pm till like 5 am. But otay staying open. Of course at night was only way to avoid hours of lines.

[SpeedToys]

This is good news, but it will be most of 2021 until it has a reasonably positive impact on the world.

It will take months just to vaccinate critical workers. That's just the first vaccination, and then 2 mo after that for their 2nd required vaccination.

Then filter down by age and health complications.

I'm guessing it will be summer before anyone 40 and under and generally healthy starts to see their -first- injection.

And this is all massively optimistic, Pfizer says "up to 1. 3 billion doses in 2021" is what it expect to produce.

Math that out against a global population of roughly 8 Billion.

Think mid 2022 to put this mostly all behind us.

That is. If the anti vaxxers on this, currently at like 40%, back down. Because a60% vaccination rate won't make it go away.

[StRobert]

"Medicalxpress" November 24,2020 Mexico aims to begin coronavirus vaccinations next month.

Credit: Pixabay / CC0 Public Domain.

Mexico said Tuesday that it aims to start coronavirus vaccinations next month in the Latin American country, which has one of the world's highest COVID-19 death tolls. Link here https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-...ons-month.html.

The government has signed deals with major pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, which with its German partner BioNTech on Friday sought US regulatory approval for its vaccine.

If everything goes to plan and the vaccine is approved, "Mexico will also start its process (of immunization) in December," Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard told reporters.

The vaccine is expected to be available in the middle of next month in the United States and arrive in Mexico a few days later, he said.

The government has promised to make vaccination available to the whole country free of charge. Priority will be given to medical personnel and vulnerable groups.

A major challenge for Mexico is that Pfizer's vaccine needs to be stored at -70 degrees Celsius (- 94 degrees Fahrenheit).

Mexico, together with Argentina, also has an agreement with AstraZeneca to produce its vaccine—also currently under development—which can be stored and transported in normal refrigerated conditions.

The country of nearly 129 million people has also signed up to the Covax mechanism, which is backed by the World Health Organization and aims to facilitate poor countries' access to coronavirus vaccines.

Mexico has officially registered nearly 102,000 COVID-19 deaths—the world's fourth-highest toll—and over a million infections.

[BrotherMouzone]

BrotherMouzone.

The $30-40 cash payments for nonexistent FMMs are exactly just shakedowns by greedy Immigracion assholes knowing single guys go to Tijuana for girls and have money to spare. They just pocket millions $ of that money and spend it on putas, booze and drugs. AMLO would never see a penny from it.

The bros should insist on seeing and talking to their supervisors or managers on site, taking notes, writing down names. That would put the fear in them, stop their bullshit and their shakedown conspiracy.

They should write letters to AMLO's government, Tijuana's mayor, BCN's governor, Tijuana's and San Diego's press to screw the greedy IMM assholes who harass visitors, impede commerce and damage the reputation of Mexico and her fine people. The bros should alert the press to monitor ISG and other sources for complaints against this conspiracy to abuse their authority and stealing from the Mexico's government.

I generally agree and you have a great point, though for my specific situation I had no leverage given that I was trying to enter Mexico with an expired passport LOL. Don't really have much of a leg to stand on when you're effectively trying to enter the country illegally so paying the $20/$30 fee was IMO my best option if I wanted to enter the country, not threatening to talk to his supervisor when I don't even have a valid passport (my passport right now is with the Dept. Of State in the process of getting renewed so hopefully I won't have this problem going forward).

[Dogers69]

People are saying san Ysidro trolley border USA not letting pedestrians return 10 pm till like 5 am. But otay staying open. Of course at night was only way to avoid hours of lines.

[Thunder12]

Well I can say from personal experience that since COVID earlier this year I've tried to get into Tijuana twice from the USA (walking through the San Ysidro border) - both times with an expired passport (expired this past May). The first time (July 4 holiday weekend) I was sent into a side room where a customs official charged me $30 to cross because my passport was expired. The second time (mid-September) I was sent into the same side room with the same customs official (who I recognized from the previous time) who this time charged me "only" $20 to cross. Both times I was told come with a valid, renewed passport "next time". I was also not given an FMM pass for either trip. Despite explicitly asking for one both times. I was just told that I didn't need one and was good to stay in Mexico for 7 days. (My excuse for being in Mexico was that I was going to be there just a couple days for multiple dentist appointments.) Really felt like I was essentially paying a bribe to cross both times LOL.

I got hit with the same thing while crossing into Tijuana in September. I've crossed a million times without issue, but this one specific time in September the customs guy took me to the back room and asked for $60 because "I cross into Mexico too often". I didn't have cash so he directed me to the ATM in the hallway. The ATM was broken LOL. I went back and said ok, now what? He told me to come back tomorrow and pay the $60. I collected my passport and ignored his request, but he had already given me the FMM paper in my passport. Got into Mexico!

[Captain Solo]

BrotherMouzone.

The $30-40 cash payments for nonexistent FMMs are exactly just shakedowns by greedy Immigracion assholes knowing single guys go to Tijuana for girls and have money to spare. They just pocket millions $ of that money and spend it on putas, booze and drugs. AMLO would never see a penny from it.

The bros should insist on seeing and talking to their supervisors or managers on site, taking notes, writing down names. That would put the fear in them, stop their bullshit and their shakedown conspiracy.

They should write letters to AMLO's government, Tijuana's mayor, BCN's governor, Tijuana's and San Diego's press to screw the greedy IMM assholes who harass visitors, impede commerce and damage the reputation of Mexico and her fine people. The bros should alert the press to monitor ISG and other sources for complaints against this conspiracy to abuse their authority and stealing from the Mexico's government.

[BrotherMouzone]

Once again, Dogers coming through with bad information. Ignoring the fact that Dogers contradicts himself, saying that it is a bribe and a pass for no passport people. You just got to laugh at this guy. Truth is, there is no such thing as a "no passport people pass". If you arrive at Mexico without a passport, one of three things will happen.

1. They can just turn you away. I do not know the rate at which people are turned away. I have never seen it but it is very rare I've seen someone have that discussion.

2. They may let you right through. I have seen that happen to people after a mild reprimand to "bring it next time."

3. They may "force" you to pay a $30 fee for the 180-day FMM. This is not a bribe. It is a legitimate requirement for stays beyond 7-days. Migration officials are taking advantage of the fact that the border is closed to non-essential traffic. So while you may not need 180-days, it might satisfy the migration official enough to let you in.

As for bribing anyone, it is Mexico. Money talks. Your success may vary. But please do not listen to Dogers; there is no such thing as a "day pass".

Well I can say from personal experience that since COVID earlier this year I've tried to get into Tijuana twice from the USA (walking through the San Ysidro border) - both times with an expired passport (expired this past May). The first time (July 4 holiday weekend) I was sent into a side room where a customs official charged me $30 to cross because my passport was expired. The second time (mid-September) I was sent into the same side room with the same customs official (who I recognized from the previous time) who this time charged me "only" $20 to cross. Both times I was told come with a valid, renewed passport "next time". I was also not given an FMM pass for either trip. Despite explicitly asking for one both times. I was just told that I didn't need one and was good to stay in Mexico for 7 days. (My excuse for being in Mexico was that I was going to be there just a couple days for multiple dentist appointments.) Really felt like I was essentially paying a bribe to cross both times LOL.

[Artisttyp]

Artiste.

UBER costs only $2.50 from HK to the border.

The streets to that neighborhood and the surrounding area are very sketchy at night. I would hate to walk through the ghetto after midnight and wait an hour for the van. It can be used only as a convenience during the day time and early evening.

You wanted bus information I gave you bus info.

A private car is always a better idea.

[Dogers69]

Border line terrible today Wednesday. Normally after 10 am it may just be hour half, maybe even to 3 if you show up at 9. But there's many thousands people going now for shopping season, it will be this bad every day till Christmas. It looked like a 3 to 3.5 hour wait on foot. I paid the medical pass scam for first time and that's a awful idea its 1000 x more dangerous covid wise than hk 7th floor. No windows on bus, no air, 45 minutes, every seat taken some guy sitting in aisle next to me talking to everyone no mask on several. Still took 1.5 hour paying the 7 bucks by time you factor walking to their bus. Only thing to do now, is leave Tijuana at night, by 4 am I think its bad.

[Dcrist0527]

I crossed 8 times in August with no passport. Every single time the same 20 dollar fee was explained, by 8 different people, at 2 different borders. Twice I refused to pay, maybe 6 times I paid, maybe 3 times I walked in on Mexican line as a Mexican.

2+6+3=8? Got it.

If you care to read more carefully, I explained what my experiences have been. Not word of mouth. And no, I've not gone across without a passport.

6 times you've paid $20 to go in? And every time you left because a girl wouldn't agree to your price? Better yet, girls have punched you in the face because you wouldn't tip them? Man, if you want to waste $20, buy me a beer with it. You won't get lucky with me but I promise not to punch you.

[Captain Solo]

Artiste.

UBER costs only $2.50 from HK to the border.

The streets to that neighborhood and the surrounding area are very sketchy at night. I would hate to walk through the ghetto after midnight and wait an hour for the van. It can be used only as a convenience during the day time and early evening.