General Reports

You should never pay more than 3 bucks with a Libre Taxi during the day going from the MacDonalds to the Zona. That's the going rate for the locals,however you need some basic Spanish " How much" quanto questa" and "I want to go to the Zona" quiro ir Coahuila por favor....As soon as you start with the Spanish they don't bother messing with you.

That includes the waiters with change and street people bothering you. If they detect you don't know anything or are new they'll try to take advantage. Knowing even a little will save you all kinds of grief.It deters them right away.

I have RTFF and will try my hand down in TJ this Saturday. I'm thinking of heading down in the afternoon. Will it be slow on a holiday weekend? Any last minute nuggets of advice? Thanks in advance.

[QUOTE=Petite Penis]I have RTFF and will try my hand down in TJ this Saturday. I'm thinking of heading down in the afternoon. Will it be slow on a holiday weekend? Any last minute nuggets of advice? Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]

It is NEVER slow on a holiday weekend (except maybe Christmas day if it falls on a weekend).

It will not be slow, the cops will be on extra duty, the girls will be ready and the show will go on. Just keep your head, remember that it's YOUR money and YOU decide who gets it.

Have fun, be careful and post your trip report!

Country John

LOL i just saw this news article from san diego:

'Three people recently contacted The San Diego Union-Tribune to report being robbed by Tijuana police officers near the San Ysidro border crossing over the past six weeks.

Their complaints come amid speculation in the Mexican media that extortion and other misdeeds by police have increased recently because of an anticipated crackdown once Tijuana's new mayor, Jorge Ramos, takes office Dec. 1.

Authorities are unsure whether the latest accounts about attacks against tourists reflect an increase in attacks or that more people are sharing their stories with reporters or on Internet sites.

Robert Fishman, director of administration for the Mainly Mozart Festival in San Diego, said he was robbed of more than $500 in cash by a group of Mexican police officers Oct. 13 after leaving a Caliente sports gaming site. He said the officers stopped him on a dark section of the pedestrian bridge that leads to the San Ysidro border crossing around 10 p.m. and searched his wallet and pockets. After they let him go, he realized the money was missing.

Fishman filed a report with the San Diego Police Department, which forwards the information to the U.S. Consulate in Mexico. However, he said the case appeared stymied because he couldn't see the officers' faces.

Fishman said he does not plan to go back to Baja California.'
[url]http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/20071122-9999-1m22baja.html[/url]

I went to TJ on 11.17.07 and went with a Taxi Libre and he upfront said $5 to go to Adelitas and if I was okay with that...giving me the option to get out. I thought it was weird at first but after reading the post below I guess they too will be charging $5.

I was mugged (couple yrs ago) once - during the day - going to the Zona so started taking a taxi to\from faithfully after that. Having said that the past couple months took taxi to the Zone but walked back since I only took enough money for beers and the chicas leaving -$20 on myself going back...no loss if I am mugged again.

I would pay less of course...but do not want to expose myself in getting robed on my way to the Zona...so $5 is better then $$$. My thought.

Be safe & play safe.

Spartan

[QUOTE=Conejito] Tijuana's new mayor, Jorge Ramos, takes office Dec. 1.[/QUOTE]
So a new mayor???
Maybe I'll take a trip down there to see if they get "slingshots" again. (LOL) This can only help business because I was hearing stuff on major news channels that was not good.
If it stayed the same I'd bet there would be even less tourists. I'm already making plans for Brazil and Thailand in 2008 because of TJ's issues with the "gringo." I hope things get better because if not they'll lose the non-monger tourists as well. If I go I'm sure to post my experiences.

I have only been down to hobby one time before- enjoyed it a lot but I do not really have a lot of time available due to home stuff to go down there. I went to Adelitas- not really wanting to see a street girl- but I cannot remember when they open. Late mornings are best forme because I absolutely need to be back home by 230 in the PM. Any input? I would appreciate any info you guys have.

Thanks- 5

[QUOTE=Five]I have only been down to hobby one time before- enjoyed it a lot but I do not really have a lot of time available due to home stuff to go down there. I went to Adelitas- not really wanting to see a street girl- but I cannot remember when they open. Late mornings are best forme because I absolutely need to be back home by 230 in the PM. Any input? I would appreciate any info you guys have.

Thanks- 5[/QUOTE]

You'll be OK for the late morning run. In fact, you might be fine mid-morning but be advised the selection will be different. The "lookers" are sleeping until evening.

Country John

I'm finally making my first trip to TJ this coming weekend. I've been to Amsterdam before and had a great time but I love latina women, so I'm thrilled to get to TJ! I'm wondering if I should bring only pesos with me or if the dollar is good to bring as well. If anyone wants to toss me some additional tips, I would be very appreciative!

Thanks,

Earthworm

[QUOTE=Earthworm]I'm finally making my first trip to TJ this coming weekend. I've been to Amsterdam before and had a great time but I love latina women, so I'm thrilled to get to TJ! I'm wondering if I should bring only pesos with me or if the dollar is good to bring as well. If anyone wants to toss me some additional tips, I would be very appreciative!

Thanks,

Earthworm[/QUOTE]

Everything from the beer, the hotels, and girls will be quoted in US dollars and in almost all cases you get change in dollars if you pay in dollars. The unofficial exchange rate is 10 pesos to the dollar. So a $60 Adelita girl may charge 600 pesos.

Since the official exchange rate is closer to 11 pesos to the dollar, a 600 peso Adelita girl will cost you $54 at the interbank rate [the casa de cambio rate on either side of the border is slightly less] so you'd save $6 if you use pesos. But if you get pesos from an ATM, you might have to pay your home bank $5 for the privilege. But if you go to a casa de cambio with greenbacks you'll save some money, but if you get too much, you'll be lose a little of your savings selling your pesos for dollars on the way out of town. Or be stuck with pesos in the US for your next trip.

Note that some girls who are more hooked into the exchange rates will charge you more than the 10/1 unofficial rate so that Adelita girl might charge 650 pesos or $60 meaning you stood in line at the casa de cambio for nothing.

For me, I'll just use dollars to avoid the hassle going to a casa de cambio on the way in and out of town. It isn't like I'm spending thousands of dollars where the difference in the rates won't kill me.

[QUOTE=Super Gato]Everything from the beer, the hotels, and girls will be quoted in US dollars and in almost all cases you get change in dollars if you pay in dollars. The unofficial exchange rate is 10 pesos to the dollar. So a $60 Adelita girl may charge 600 pesos.

Since the official exchange rate is closer to 11 pesos to the dollar, a 600 peso Adelita girl will cost you $54 at the interbank rate [the casa de cambio rate on either side of the border is slightly less] so you'd save $6 if you use pesos. But if you get pesos from an ATM, you might have to pay your home bank $5 for the privilege. But if you go to a casa de cambio with greenbacks you'll save some money, but if you get too much, you'll be lose a little of your savings selling your pesos for dollars on the way out of town. Or be stuck with pesos in the US for your next trip.

Note that some girls who are more hooked into the exchange rates will charge you more than the 10/1 unofficial rate so that Adelita girl might charge 650 pesos or $60 meaning you stood in line at the casa de cambio for nothing.

For me, I'll just use dollars to avoid the hassle going to a casa de cambio on the way in and out of town. It isn't like I'm spending thousands of dollars where the difference in the rates won't kill me.[/QUOTE]

Correct for the most part, but $600p is $600p. AB might be the exception but push your pesos. Times are slow in TJ, and even the girls are feeling the "pinch." They certainly know the value of a dollar, but they don't forget that they pay for their lives with Pesos in Mexico.

I live in TJ and whenever I cross I change my dollars to pesos. It is more convenient for living.

If you waive $600p under the girls nose and she doesn't go arriba, then move on. The crunch effects everyone, sellers and buyers. Just because the peso is worth less doesn't mean you should pay more. Be tough.

Country John

[QUOTE=Country John]Correct for the most part, but $600p is $600p. AB might be the exception but push your pesos. Times are slow in TJ, and even the girls are feeling the "pinch." They certainly know the value of a dollar, but they don't forget that they pay for their lives with Pesos in Mexico.

I live in TJ and whenever I cross I change my dollars to pesos. It is more convenient for living.

If you waive $600p under the girls nose and she doesn't go arriba, then move on. The crunch effects everyone, sellers and buyers. Just because the peso is worth less doesn't mean you should pay more. Be tough.

Country John[/QUOTE]Thanks for the tips!

Earthworm

Hi All,

Just wondering if the following numbers are correct:

Monger drinks: $4
Chica fichas: $8
Room for the hour: $11+$1 (towel)
Taxi to/from: $5

Just want to make sure I've budgeted correctly.

Thanks in advance.

PP

[QUOTE=Petite Penis]Hi All,

Just wondering if the following numbers are correct:

Monger drinks: $4
Chica fichas: $8
Room for the hour: $11+$1 (towel)
Taxi to/from: $5

Just want to make sure I've budgeted correctly.

Thanks in advance.

PP[/QUOTE]

That's about right. Figure in a few bucks for tips and some bacon wrapped hot dogs and you're all set!

Country John

I have been to Tijuana before (usually in the summer, but once before over New Years) and may try to make a short trip just before Christmas. I will have three days/nights to socialize with the ladies. I understand that many will be going home for the holidays. What will Christmas Eve day/night be like in the bars/with the steet girls. How will it compare to New Years Eve?