General Reports

[QUOTE=HorseTrader;1618582]If you want to know the current wait time, use the following link: [URL]http://bwt.cbp.gov/?com=1&pas=0&ped=1&plist=2504[/URL].

If you want to know the history of wait times for various times of day on various days of the week, use the following link: [URL]http://traffic.calit2.net/border/border-wait-times.php?type=pedestrian&sub=standard&port=250401[/URL].

These links are set up for San Ysidro pedestrian crossings. You can start with the above links and then wander around the websites to see wait times for various points of entry for both driving and walking.[/QUOTE]Thanks Horse for the links. That average wait time chart is very useful. Anyone have a pharmacy recommendation?

I have not been to Tijuana in years. I am going to go down this week and just wondered how the scene has changed. Perhaps the board can share some tips.

1. I used to drive to the border and park in a huge parking lot. I think I paid $10. I then walked across the border, hopped in a taxi and simply told the driver Adelitas. Adelitas is in the zone so that's where I tell them to go. How much is a taxi now to Adelitas once you cross the border?

2. A drivers license was acceptable to cross back into the USA. But recent reports on the board indicate you need a passport now. Is this true?

3. I am reading girls (SW in the alley) are charging 200-300 pesos. What are most of you paying the SW?

4. I like to recharge in between SW. Where is a good place to sit for a while and recharge (restaurant, bar, etc)?

Showdown.

[QUOTE=Showdown;1619155]I have not been to Tijuana in years. I am going to go down this week and just wondered how the scene has changed. Perhaps the board can share some tips.

1. I used to drive to the border and park in a huge parking lot. I think I paid $10. I then walked across the border, hopped in a taxi and simply told the driver Adelitas. Adelitas is in the zone so that's where I tell them to go. How much is a taxi now to Adelitas once you cross the border?

2. A drivers license was acceptable to cross back into the USA. But recent reports on the board indicate you need a passport now. Is this true?

3. I am reading girls (SW in the alley) are charging 200-300 pesos. What are most of you paying the SW?

4. I like to recharge in between SW. Where is a good place to sit for a while and recharge (restaurant, bar, etc)?

Showdown.[/QUOTE]1. Taxi after you cross the border 50 pesos. I just hand it to him. I have never asked how much. The same going back to the border.

2. Passport, passport card, or Global Entry / Sentri Card.

3. 200 pesos.

4. To recharge I eat tacos on the corner closest to Hong Kong. I also go in Hong Kong and Adelita's to have a couple of Margaritas.

[QUOTE=Showdown;1619155]I have not been to Tijuana in years. I am going to go down this week and just wondered how the scene has changed. Perhaps the board can share some tips.

1. I used to drive to the border and park in a huge parking lot. I think I paid $10. I then walked across the border, hopped in a taxi and simply told the driver Adelitas. Adelitas is in the zone so that's where I tell them to go. How much is a taxi now to Adelitas once you cross the border?

2. A drivers license was acceptable to cross back into the USA. But recent reports on the board indicate you need a passport now. Is this true?

3. I am reading girls (SW in the alley) are charging 200-300 pesos. What are most of you paying the SW?

4. I like to recharge in between SW. Where is a good place to sit for a while and recharge (restaurant, bar, etc)?

Showdown.[/QUOTE]Welcome back.

1. They charges $7 from Sunday thru Friday and $10 on Saturday for a 24 hour period. (If you parked on certain day, they will charge same fee for the rest of the parking) After parking, you have to crossed the big bridge to cross the border. If you are big guy, that is a big deal. LOL.

I usually pay 50 pesos to adelita without tip. That is less than $4. 00.

2. If you are us citizen, just driver license will be ok.

3. SW charges 200-300 pesos for a 15 to 20 min and 400-500 pesos for a 30-40 min.

4. Just go to caliente (sports gamble casino) next to the Hotel eduardo. Free admission, free bathroom, free air conditioning and free tv watching.

Happy hunting.

[QUOTE=DonSmith10;1619197]Welcome back.

1. They charges $7 from Sunday thru Friday and $10 on Saturday for a 24 hour period. (If you parked on certain day, they will charge same fee for the rest of the parking) After parking, you have to crossed the big bridge to cross the border. If you are big guy, that is a big deal. LOL.

I usually pay 50 pesos to adelita without tip. That is less than $4. 00.

2. If you are us citizen, just driver license will be ok.

3. SW charges 200-300 pesos for a 15 to 20 min and 400-500 pesos for a 30-40 min.

4. Just go to caliente (sports gamble casino) next to the Hotel eduardo. Free admission, free bathroom, free air conditioning and free tv watching.

Happy hunting.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the info. Are you using pesos or dollars for taxi and SW?

Can you give some general directions for Caliente casino?

Thanks.

Showdown.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;1619185]1. Taxi after you cross the border 50 pesos. I just hand it to him. I have never asked how much. The same going back to the border.

2. Passport, passport card, or Global Entry / Sentri Card.

3. 200 pesos.

4. To recharge I eat tacos on the corner closest to Hong Kong. I also go in Hong Kong and Adelita's to have a couple of Margaritas.[/QUOTE]Ok I am getting two answers regarding id (I am a US citizen) -is it a drivers license or passport card etc?

Showdown.

[QUOTE=Showdown;1619213]Ok I am getting two answers regarding id (I am a US citizen) -is it a drivers license or passport card etc?

Showdown.[/QUOTE]You can use a DL but it's very likely you'll get shit from the agent and probably a lecture. You'll be better off with a passport. The exception is the new-fangled licenses (I forget the name) but not all states issue them. CA does not, AFAIK.

If you have a passport card you can use the Ready Lane and cut a bunch of time off of your wait, depending on what time you cross.

[QUOTE=Showdown;1619212]Thanks for the info. Are you using pesos or dollars for taxi and SW?

Can you give some general directions for Caliente casino?

Thanks.

Showdown.[/QUOTE]I use mexican pesos in mexico. Caliente is cross street from Hong Kong back door.

[QUOTE=Showdown;1619213]Ok I am getting two answers regarding id (I am a US citizen) -is it a drivers license or passport card etc?

Showdown.[/QUOTE]I know many people who are illegal in the US, but have driver's licenses from whatever state. Also, I am a US citizen and I have a Thai driver's license. A DL has nothing to do with citizenship.

Hi all,

New 25 year old guy to the monger scene, and am looking to start the hobby in Tijuana. Looking to go down for Halloween and have some questions.

1) Do the long term rooms in Cascadas have AC? I'm a heavy guy and hate sweating while I sleep.

2) Has anyone done holidays down in the zone. More specifically Halloween? I know HK is running an event but what about the other bars. Is it a lot more traffic in the area because of it?

3) I plan on going for 8 or so days, October 24th to Nov 2nd, but will be heading into Tijuana from San Diego. If I'm in the zone for that long, how much money should one bring per day? Is it safe to get to Cascadas, and kryptonite cord a document safe to something to store my money / things I don't want stolen? Do all Cascadas rooms have a safe? Has anyone ever had anything disappear from there room? How much money do why'all normally carry down there across the border and how much do why'all carry around to the bars?

4) my bank is wells Fargo. How do why'all go about withdrawing money down there. Do the ATM s work the same way, with a fee applied? What about credit cards down there?

5) do any of why'all plan to be there for Halloween? I don't have membership yet (so no PM) but will soon.

6) is there a dress code for the clubs. No gym shorts or flip flops type places like a lot of strip clubs in USA?

7) anything to avoid? Is there a map somewhere that shows the safe areas and those to avoid? I know tutes are all around, but is there areas that are to be avoided when looking?

8) are the police still doing shakedowns of tourists for trump charges? I know to avoid speaking to pretty much any random guy as the cops can use that as a pretense that you're looking for drugs.

9) finally (for now anyway) where is the closest pharmacy and convenience store to HK / AB?

[QUOTE=DonSmith10;1619270]I use mexican pesos in mexico. Caliente is cross street from Hong Kong back door.[/QUOTE]Sorry to be so anal Don, but it is more directly across from Cascadas Hotel main alley entrance when you factor in Las Chavelas is East of HK and the hotel is East of LC.

EZ for us but a few feet can throw a newbie off course for awhile. Also they wouldn't know the front from the back entrance of HK having not been around when there was only the callejon (alley) entrance.

OK, I will now press iron my boxer briefs. LOL.

[QUOTE=Showdown;1619212]Thanks for the info. Are you using pesos or dollars for taxi and SW?

Can you give some general directions for Caliente casino?

Thanks.

Showdown.[/QUOTE]Depends on which Caliente. There are a bunch.

There is one in the alley. There is a much larger, nicer one on Revolucion, complete with slot machines. I forget if it's between 2nd and 3rd, or 3rd and 4th, but you can't miss it. There's another one on Revu and 9th, with a fairly large sports book and a waitress to bring you drinks. There's another one right by the Yellow Taxi stand at the border.

Just want to shout out to all the greats here, I have been taking pleasure in reading all the wisdom there is to be shared on this forum and recently capitalizing on the successes of my fellow wingmen when we head down south.

I look forward to sharing some interesting stories of my own in the near future.

[QUOTE=Marilius;1619385]Hi all,

New 25 year old guy to the monger scene, and am looking to start the hobby in Tijuana. Looking to go down for Halloween and have some questions.

1) Do the long term rooms in Cascadas have AC? I'm a heavy guy and hate sweating while I sleep.

2) Has anyone done holidays down in the zone. More specifically Halloween? I know HK is running an event but what about the other bars. Is it a lot more traffic in the area because of it?

3) I plan on going for 8 or so days, October 24th to Nov 2nd, but will be heading into Tijuana from San Diego. If I'm in the zone for that long, how much money should one bring per day? Is it safe to get to Cascadas, and kryptonite cord a document safe to something to store my money / things I don't want stolen? Do all Cascadas rooms have a safe?..[/QUOTE]Giving back to the community.

#1- Yes AC. I just stayed and it was very comfortable.

#2- Not been during Halloween but I am sure it should be fun.

#3- Money. There is an ATM at the check in area of Cascadas so it is inside and private (somewhat). I usually carry 1 $100 that is tucked away and when I get ready to go ariba I cash it buying a drink. I also have about 20 - $1 bills and a couple tens. That should do you just fine. The ATM in Cascada dispenses pesos so just do the math and you will be fine. Always have $1 bills as Tijuana and especially HK is a 'tip town'.

#4- I used my Credit card in the ATM. Service fee was $10 but for the convenience don't sweat it.

#5- No. I tend to stay away during holidays and go during 'slow' times like afternoons.

#6- No dress code. Just enjoy.

#7- Take a cab where ever you go.

#8- Probably but just act normal and you will be fine.

#9- There is a pharmacy on every street corner and the prices are all pretty much the same.

Hope this helps,

H1

[QUOTE=Marilius;1619385]Hi all,

1) Do the long term rooms in Cascadas have AC? I'm a heavy guy and hate sweating while I sleep.[/QUOTE]Do an online reservation and request a room with a thermostat AC. The new ones were remodeled and some of them have nice thermostatic AC. Do your best to get those (they require a $10 deposit for a remote). The other rooms have a poor so-called AC that can be loud with very little cool output. So if anything- if they say it's not available- it might be worth a tip to get one. Since you'll be staying for a long time it might be beneficial. I have never stayed that long as I prefer shorter stays. Many here might suggest you get a room at a real hotel- like the Ticuan or other nearby, real hotels and just use Cascadas as the working girl room. I find it very difficult to sleep- both because the cumboys like to sing / whistle while walking the halls at 4 am And because every time you do wake up you realize there are at least 40 cuties downstairs to be had for $200 pesos. It's difficult to go back to sleep with those thoughts in your head! So a little distance might keep you sane.