General Reports

[KBToys]

My last visit to El Salvador was in 2008. The sexual enthusiasm of the girls there rivalled that of Brazilians, I had an extremely good time. However, I never felt less safe in my life. Security guards with huge guns in every big establishment. I went to this casa not patronized by foreigners and some patrons looked at me in a manner that I would be in grave danger if it were not so public. If it does get safer I certainly owe the country another visit.

Yeah some mongers need to travel more. In Honduras, they had security guys with shotguns standing outside McD and other fast food joints. Would they really take your life over a Big Mac? Also in El Salvador the Coke delivery guys have to stay strapped as they might get robbed by MS13. Central America is definitely more dangerous than Mexico. You definitely wont find me trying to explore El Salvador as my handyman fled the country due to the MS13 issue. If a man dies in MS13, their family owes them a replacement. Most of the standup dudes have to make the trek over our border to seek asylum or die trying. The options are join or a bullet to the head and possibly watch your family get assaulted and killed in front of you before they take your life.

Cartel will mess with you if you mess with their business. If you're just a tourist, the worst that could happen is getting hit by crossfire in drug dealer shoot outs in Cancun or Tulum. Every time I go into a bar or club bathroom some drug dealer is always offering their services. It doesn't matter what city or part of the country I find myself in. I always decline as you never know if they are laced with fentanyl that could take you to the afterlife. It can be dangerous in any part of the world. I recall reading a story of some guy wearing a Rolex while waiting to take a train in Italy. The muggers wanted the watch and he declined. The guys chopped off his hand and took the watch. Stay safe and have fun!

[KBToys]

I'm getting an Airbnb in Tijuana, in zona rio. A house, not apartment (read: no doorman, but I wanted the space).

Bad idea??

I've had airbnbs in all parts of Tijuana. I don't see an issue unless you're inviting people you don't know over to the place. Just hook up at short time motels or if they are regulars you have history with and they don't have any vices like drugs, then I don't see any issue.

[AmericanPi]

I actually think the Zona is more of a jungle, but a contained jungle. Everytime I enter I'm more worried about drugged out and desperate gringos than Mexicans. If you walk around Plaza Rio, Chapultepec, or any other higher end plazas I bet you'll see Mexicans with more money than the average gringo going to the Zona. I've been to far worse and sketchy areas in the world chasing poon.

I'm getting an Airbnb in Tijuana, in zona rio. A house, not apartment (read: no doorman, but I wanted the space).

Bad idea??

[Turgid]

My ex wife and my kids live in El Salvador. When I was stationed there with the Navy in 2011 to 2013 I do admit it was extremely violent with shootings and stabbings daily. One time while driving back form work I saw a bus driver and his assistant laying dead in the bus with several bullet holes in them both and a lot of blood. The street gangs there killed them because they wouldn't pay protection money. The major gangs are MS13 and 18th street. They were originally from LA but started recruiting gang members in El Salvador after they got deported from the US. It was estimated that there were once over 50,000 gang members at one time. Fast forward to now, the current president Nayib Bukele has cleaned up the streets of El Salvador and placed the majority of the gang members in a few new prisons he has constructed during his administration. The country is safer but at the cost of many civil rights violations namely placing people suspected of gang activity in jail for up to 180 days without a warrant. Amnesty International is investigating this. I will be visiting in April so pray for me LOL.

My last visit to El Salvador was in 2008. The sexual enthusiasm of the girls there rivalled that of Brazilians, I had an extremely good time. However, I never felt less safe in my life. Security guards with huge guns in every big establishment. I went to this casa not patronized by foreigners and some patrons looked at me in a manner that I would be in grave danger if it were not so public. If it does get safer I certainly owe the country another visit.

[TjBrazil]

My ex wife and my kids live in El Salvador. When I was stationed there with the Navy in 2011 to 2013 I do admit it was extremely violent with shootings and stabbings daily. One time while driving back form work I saw a bus driver and his assistant laying dead in the bus with several bullet holes in them both and a lot of blood. The street gangs there killed them because they wouldn't pay protection money. The major gangs are MS13 and 18th street. They were originally from LA but started recruiting gang members in El Salvador after they got deported from the US. It was estimated that there were once over 50,000 gang members at one time. Fast forward to now, the current president Nayib Bukele has cleaned up the streets of El Salvador and placed the majority of the gang members in a few new prisons he has constructed during his administration. The country is safer but at the cost of many civil rights violations namely placing people suspected of gang activity in jail for up to 180 days without a warrant. Amnesty International is investigating this. I will be visiting in April so pray for me LOL.

Bus drivers don't make shit. Why would you ask them for protection money. These people are purely evil. We need to deport every gang banging pos from the states as soon as possible. Why do we let these lowlife Hispanics dictate our border and country. We are so soft now. This isn't the same country that dropped 2 nukes on Japan. I kind of miss the sociopathic country we were. People were scared of the US back in the day. Now ms 13 owns Biden.

[Phordphan]

There seems to be a lot of confusion on hotels and motels, credit cards, etc.

In Mexico there is a differentiation between "hotel" and "motel" that is different than that in the USA. Hotels are what we know as hotels. Motels are, 99.9% of the time, what we would call "No-Tels" or "Love Motels. " They are designed primarily for short time liaisons. Believe it or not, the biggest demographic of the motels' clientele are married Mexican couples. But all are welcome, as prostitution is not illegal. They are very popular with the locals, especially on the weekends and holidays.

All motels will have some form of garage where you can park your car out of sight of the public. The really old ones will have a walled-off courtyard with outdoor parking. Newer ones will have individual garages where you drive in, close the door, and go into the room. They will all have, at minimum, a bed, bathroom with shower, room service of one kind or another, and a TV with up to three porn channels. Some will have jacuzzi rooms. Some will have a swimming pool. Others will have themed rooms. There is a motel for every budget. Rates as of February, 2023, for the main motels run around 600 pesos for a regular room, 1000 pesos for a jacuzzi. Room prices are for two people. Each additional person will cost more, roughly half the cost of the room.

On weekends, all motels rent all of their rooms (except for the really expensive themed ones, swimming pool ones, etc.) in 4-hour increments. If you want to stay longer you must pay every 4 hours. On weekdays rules are more flexible and some allow a much longer stay. Some overnight. On weekdays El Parador, for instance, pretty much allows you to stay all night in a regular room, but not a jacuzzi. Jacuzzi rooms are tough to clean up, it takes a long time, so they're pretty strict on the 4-hour deal. Villa Dorada will often give you 6 hours during the week in their jacuzzi rooms. Some motels have an all-night price posted (Motel Otay and IIRC Motel Via). This is vaild for weekdays.

All motels will demand some form of ID. If you walk / taxi they will ask for your ID, or sometimes the girl (if she's accompanying you) can give hers. They will retain it until you leave. If you drive, your car license is recorded and that is your form of ID. Your room WILL be checked before you are allowed to leave. You may pay the room, and all incidentals, in cash.

OK. Hotels are like hotels in the States. Some will require that your guest register with you when you check in, others won't. Some will ask if a girl shows up to see you that she present ID before she's admitted. Ticuan for instance. Others really frown on escorts showing up and may not admit them, or may charge you. Lucerna and Grand come to mind.

Note for those wanting to conduct everything in cash. Hotels WILL demand a picture ID when you check in and they WILL make a photocopy of it. You can still pay in cash, but there will be a record of your stay. Why anyone would want to stay in a hotel where anybody could come and go as they please is beyond me. There are some fleabag exceptions in Centro, but if I was going to stoop that low I'd just get a room at Cascadas.

[KBToys]

Guys get set up all the time. It's a business down here:

https://www.latimes.com/california/s...dead-in-mexico

If you want to throw dough at a girl, get a room at Rizo for a day or so. Find one you like at one of the clubs and meet up with her outside hours. There are several good restaurants in the area, or you can go to Zona Grastro for more upscale. The Zona is somewhat protected in this regard. Outside the area is a real jungle. Be warned.

I actually think the Zona is more of a jungle, but a contained jungle. Everytime I enter I'm more worried about drugged out and desperate gringos than Mexicans. If you walk around Plaza Rio, Chapultepec, or any other higher end plazas I bet you'll see Mexicans with more money than the average gringo going to the Zona. I've been to far worse and sketchy areas in the world chasing poon.

[Thunder52]

You're making Tijuana sound as dangerous as Medellin.

The murder rate is higher in Tijuana.

[Thunder52]

I'm linking up with a girl I met on social media next week in Tijuana. We will be spending a whole day together.

Let me be blunt with my question here. My Spanish is good, not great. In between bangs I'm going to have hours to kill.

What can I do there that's pleasant for both? Was thinking to take us for massages maybe?

Guys get set up all the time. It's a business down here:

https://www.latimes.com/california/s...dead-in-mexico

If you want to throw dough at a girl, get a room at Rizo for a day or so. Find one you like at one of the clubs and meet up with her outside hours. There are several good restaurants in the area, or you can go to Zona Grastro for more upscale. The Zona is somewhat protected in this regard. Outside the area is a real jungle. Be warned.

[KBToys]

My guess is the further away from the border the less reliable this data is.

The more corrupt areas will say some homices so not count for one reason or another. Some will be so corupt they will not even label an obvious homicide as homicide.

Similar to how COVID doesn't exist or eradicated in China or North Korea or how Burlesconi was the president of Italy and owned 5 news agencies. Always skeptical of news and their agenda. You'll never hear he true story unless you do some independent investigation, but in reality, I haven't ran into any sketchy situations in Mexico. I can't say the same for certain cities in the USA Also I bet the news says Russians are happy with Putin or North Koreans are happy with Kim as supreme dictator.

[Hadez]

My guess is the further away from the border the less reliable this data is.

The more corrupt areas will say some homices so not count for one reason or another. Some will be so corupt they will not even label an obvious homicide as homicide.

Wow, I've been to many of these cities and the cities I felt least safe in all my travels around the world are not on this list - San Salvador and Caracas.

[Hadez]

The point about different neighborhoods having differt saftey levels is 100% accurate.

Tijuana had a different feel in general. Not going to spew lots of details that some people may not even be able to understand. We are in danger in a lot of places we may not expect. Do as much research as possible and be prepared.

One thing about just about all of Latin America tho if one is walking around afraid or unaware of the local envirnment one will become a target for people who want to make some money.

TBH almost no where is completely safe. Some areas just more risky than other areas.

I hope I'm not sounding Pollyannaish when I say this.

Tijuana might be high on the list but it's not a monolith. Spending time in zona rio or revolution is not the same as spending time in the barrio. You could say La is a dangerous city because we have crips and bloods but they're not walking around Redondo beach.

Still, there is something unsettling in the air in Tijuana. Even in safe areas I tend to Uber and stay indoors.

[SeaBeeJoe]

Wow, I've been to many of these cities and the cities I felt least safe in all my travels around the world are not on this list - San Salvador and Caracas.

My ex wife and my kids live in El Salvador. When I was stationed there with the Navy in 2011 to 2013 I do admit it was extremely violent with shootings and stabbings daily. One time while driving back form work I saw a bus driver and his assistant laying dead in the bus with several bullet holes in them both and a lot of blood. The street gangs there killed them because they wouldn't pay protection money. The major gangs are MS13 and 18th street. They were originally from LA but started recruiting gang members in El Salvador after they got deported from the US. It was estimated that there were once over 50,000 gang members at one time. Fast forward to now, the current president Nayib Bukele has cleaned up the streets of El Salvador and placed the majority of the gang members in a few new prisons he has constructed during his administration. The country is safer but at the cost of many civil rights violations namely placing people suspected of gang activity in jail for up to 180 days without a warrant. Amnesty International is investigating this. I will be visiting in April so pray for me LOL.

[AmericanPi]

Wow, I've been to many of these cities and the cities I felt least safe in all my travels around the world are not on this list - San Salvador and Caracas.

I hope I'm not sounding Pollyannaish when I say this.

Tijuana might be high on the list but it's not a monolith. Spending time in zona rio or revolution is not the same as spending time in the barrio. You could say La is a dangerous city because we have crips and bloods but they're not walking around Redondo beach.

Still, there is something unsettling in the air in Tijuana. Even in safe areas I tend to Uber and stay indoors.

[Turgid]

Here is the 2022 list: https://twitter.com/petrogustavo/sta...C9ibvokJgtAAAA.

Wow, I've been to many of these cities and the cities I felt least safe in all my travels around the world are not on this list - San Salvador and Caracas.