General Reports

[WombatEd2]

A wingman and I are traveling to Tijuana July 2nd th 6th. The wingman's passport expires August 7th. Will he have any problem passing over with only a month left on the passport? TIA.

You only posted this question three times, on this forum. So I'm going to wait until you post it two more times before I answer it. (Just kidding. Please don't).

Kidding aside, I've never heard of any requirement beyond the length of your trip, and Google agrees.

[Captain Solo]

Dman,

Mexican INM will not have time to check expired dates on passport. They would glance at the passport perfunctorily but don't read names or other details.

Even if they hassle you about the expired date, a $5-10 propina will resolve the issue quickly.

Print out a 7-day FMM, which is free by laws, just in case they hassle you. Don't pay $30 for the 30-day FMM if you don't need it. Nobody will check the FMM in Mexico any way.

[DMan2021]

This is pretty accurate limit.

On Coahuila at night don't walk past the cambio on the East side, on the West side not past bar New York, just to be safe. On Cosntitucion, North limit is Chicago Club, South is hotel Irma where a couple spinners always hang out.

The cambio closes after 10. I was in LA Zona Friday night / Saturday morning. At 2:30 AM the streets were full with dozens guys and girls walking like a carnival. There were more people on the streets at 2:30 than 8 PM.

Me and a wingman coming July 2 to July 6. My wingman's passport will expire August 8 will there be any trouble crossing over into Tijuana?

TIA.

[DMan2021]

A wingman and I are traveling to Tijuana July 2nd th 6th. The wingman's passport expires August 7th. Will he have any problem passing over with only a month left on the passport? TIA.

[DMan2021]

Me and a wingman are planning a trip July 2 to the 6th 2023. His passport expires August 7 2023 will that cause a problem crossing the boarder? TIA.

[Captain Solo]

This is pretty accurate limit.

On Coahuila at night don't walk past the cambio on the East side, on the West side not past bar New York, just to be safe. On Cosntitucion, North limit is Chicago Club, South is hotel Irma where a couple spinners always hang out.

The cambio closes after 10. I was in LA Zona Friday night / Saturday morning. At 2:30 AM the streets were full with dozens guys and girls walking like a carnival. There were more people on the streets at 2:30 than 8 PM.

[Routine]

Okay guys. Great information! Thank you.

Time to get out my Google Earth.

[Dogers69]

The nearest cambio is on Coahuila 50 ft East of Constitucion.

It's a well-lighted area with people carousing after 2 AM on weekend. You should be OK walking in that area. Just be aware of guys following you. If they head straight for you and get closed within 10 ft, turn around, look straight into their faces, put your hand in your pocket like you were about to pull out a knife. That would deter crime. But I exchange money there all the time. Nothing threatening or even alarming ever happened.

A lot of navigating safely in Tijuana is planning ahead. After a while you will have a routine that reduces risk of assault as much as possible but still leaves you with some fun. So for me, its getting pesos next to cafe baristi on revulucion. Cafe baristi is the Starbucks looking place with outdoor seating. I also try to go before dark. This is just 10 exchange place is 10 steps from the baristi so your probably not gona get robbed if you walk away and not stand there after. At this point you can stop and look who may be following you as you walk on revolucion where in the day time its unlikely anyone will rob you. The $ exchange at the trolley station next to McDonald's has gotten so crowded in last year that I don't do it. Its like a 20 minute wait on average.

[AfternoonSnack]

Unless you're drawing attention to yourself, I'd say Coahuila is fine up to the cambio and Constitucion is fine up to Chicago Club. After that, you're tempting fate late at night.

[Captain Solo]

The nearest cambio is on Coahuila 50 ft East of Constitucion.

It's a well-lighted area with people carousing after 2 AM on weekend. You should be OK walking in that area. Just be aware of guys following you. If they head straight for you and get closed within 10 ft, turn around, look straight into their faces, put your hand in your pocket like you were about to pull out a knife. That would deter crime. But I exchange money there all the time. Nothing threatening or even alarming ever happened.

[WombatEd2]

I will want to pay the girl in Pesos. Once I'm in the Zona where is a safe place to exchange dollars for pesos?

The money changer on the south side of Coahuila just east of Constitution has decent rates.

But I would think twice about walking over there after dark. Unless, of course, you have a couple of wing men with you.

[Jackie888]

I will want to pay the girl in Pesos. Once I'm in the Zona where is a safe place to exchange dollars for pesos?

Where everyone else is doing it. Any time you see a business not being frequented by locals, there is usually a big reason for it. I just use the one on Tranny corner.

[Routine]

Tijuana is a border town so they'll readily accept USD so there isn't the absolute need to have pesos. If anything, USD preferred as it's more stable compared to the Mexican peso. You know how last year inflation was 8%? From talking locals, that's the norm when earning / living in MXN pesos.

I will want to pay the girl in Pesos. Once I'm in the Zona where is a safe place to exchange dollars for pesos?

[Sol12]

Does anyone have any intel on when the Ped West border crossing will open again for all foot travel, the latest I heard was it was just open for Ukrainians.

Well in today's paper they happened to talk about some in Tijuana putting pressure on the US to use it for those seeking asylum like they did with the Ukrainians. The Ukrainians are no longer allowed to come to the US via Tijuana. They have to fill out forms in Europe first to get permission to enter. Or those in Mexico have to go to the Embassy in CDMX. So now the Pedwest is again no longer being used. I don't imagine it being open to regular foot traffic anytime soon especially with the unclear future of Title 42. DHS would like to send people directly to the border to grant asylum to people instead of them waiting in the US. So if this happens I'd imagine them to use the Pedwest for these or they may switch the foot traffic to only Pedwest and use the building at the East to expedite those seeking asylum.

[Phordphan]

They did take my payment last July, I checked my status online. It said status was under review. Also what did your wingman have to do to get his money back from is Sentri application? Did he just change the application? Was it just as simple as filling out a brand new Global Entry application? Can I have both?

There is confusion about these two programs. At one time, years ago (when I got mine) they were two separate programs and you had to apply separately, pay separate fees and have separate interviews.

Now, for US citizens, you just need to apply for Global Entry. For US citizens Uncle Sugar has combined the two, so to speak. Your GE card gets you across the Mexican border in the SENTRI lines, and you can use the GE kiosks in airports. Plus you get TSA Pre-check.

SENTRI is still, technically, a separate program. But it seems targeted more toward Mexican nationals who cross frequently, like for a job, or whatever. Having SENTRI alone does not allow you to use the Global Entry kiosks, etc. , and it's only good for Mexico.

So, anybody considering this should just apply for Global Entry if you are a US citizen.