General Reports

[QUOTE=Gagoo;2001176]I second that. On my first few trips, which was a long time ago I used to stay at Hotel Nelson, but it is almost a shit hole. I imagine that maybe they have fixed it up some by now. And it is very easy to walk to where we want to go. I have stayed at the Ticuan a couple times, but it is too damn far to walk to the zona. And it usually cost much more than the surrounding hotels. On my last several trips I only stay at Hotel Caesars. The price is pretty cheap, the rooms pretty good, and you got some very good restaurants nearby. The internet is also pretty good. Make sure to pay them in pesos though. Their conversion rate is very bad. On my last stay there, last December, I noticed they have some nice new TVs in the room. You'll have to mention if you want a room with AC or not. I think it is about $5 USD more per night. It works as a heater also. I never needed to try to bring a girl to my room in Tijuana, but I think in Caesars it's OK. I've seen guys taking women up. The problem with Caesars is there aren't any safes in the room. And if you want the most quiet rooms, tell them you want a quiet room, and they'll put you in the very back.[/QUOTE]Hotel Caesars is a very good option actually.

Stayed there for one weeknight in December. Cost was 630 Pesos, plus 100 Pesos (refundable) deposit. Beautiful, large room, big screen TV, climate control, very decent washroom, with reliable hot water supply (unlike Cascadas). Management secured my wallet / passport with them in their portable safe. Room number 50, completely quiet at night. Did not bring girls to my room, but was advised it would be no problem to do so.

Usual place to stay is the Marriott Hotel, Boulevard Agua Calientes. Yes, a bit far from the zona, but a great place to stay. One can take a taxi, or the collectivo (red) from 4th and Constitucion, total charge 12 pesos, with service available 24 hours. Also close to the hotel are the soccer stadium, main Caliente casino, dog racing, horse racing, fantastic movie theater, and a top quality dining mall.

Do have Cascadas VIP membership, but shy staying there. Was there in December, and all water connection got cut one morning. All! Showers are so so, noise level is high, and frankly, did not see a benefit staying there. (I usually play during the day, or early evening; never past midnight, and never drink more than one beer).

So yeah, Marriott if I can afford it, or Caesars.

La Perla had a sign on its front door, advertising desayuno for 45 pesos, that includes 2 eggs, sausage or Mexican chorizos, toast, tortillas and coffee.

Unlike other joints in La Zona, La Perla's breakfast is lean and non greasy. The place is also nice, clean with clean plates and clean, fresh, smiling, good-smelling meseras hehe. The pic is about 2 years old. Don't know if Theresa still works there.

Competition in the food business is fierce in La Zona with these cheap food carts. There are just not enough customers going into La Perla for food, besides the rancheros who take their beefy GF's there for food, drinks, a little dancing to the loud and offensive brass bands, then parking them in local cheap hotels.

La Perla used to do good business with a lively crowd eating, drinking every weekend. But after the recession in 2008 it really struggles to stay in business. The place is deserted and has changed ownership a few times since.

[QUOTE=WindAngel;2001195]They don't have breakfast menu anymore but you can still order whatever was on the menu before and that is what they told me when I was there for breakfast.[/QUOTE]

HornyTraveler wrote" - "No we are not going to run out of produce this is a big farmland and there is always alternatives like getting produce from central America, Chile Argentina Brazil and Ecuador those countries can provide enough produce to the US. " - President Trump promised 20% tax on all imports. All vegetables fruits from South, Central America will be tax 20%. The second problem is the US citizens will not work in the California Central Valley at 100 F often 10 hours a day with lettuce and vegetables for the minimum wage. IMO is required sensible program "guest workers" (temporary visa for 3 to 6 months for guest workers from Mexico.) It is a good deal: for Mexicans good money and for the US consumer not expensive vegetables and fruit.

Me I don't eat much fruit and veggies they make me fart all day I only eat avocados and many avocados come from Mexico some from Chile but the best ones are from Morro Bay but they're more expensive. US strawberries there is plenty in Cali, apples from Washington most citrus are from Cali the peaches are from Cali watermelon are from Cali, we have lots of corn and grapes the tropical fruit is what we most import. Most bananas come from Ecuador and Costa Rica. Mangos and Papayas from Mexico. All veggies you find in markets are from Cali.

California has one of the best produce economy in the world so most imports are for tropical fruit Cocos, pineaples etc.

Where I live most produce come from oxnard and ventura some from Mexico but the Mexican produce only sell in Mexican markets and the quality is hit and miss.

On my La Perla visit I didn't have The Captain's luck: I had a ball-bearing waitress and I didn't bother to determine if he smelled good. The food, though, whatever it was, was awesome.

[QUOTE=ScatManDoo;2001097]I think you've been brainwashed by Fox News and other right-wing sources into thinking that any reasonable approach to solving difficult problems is unacceptable. Open-minded people that are willing to see the truth, and not just stereotypes, are not the enemy!
[/QUOTE]You mean Faux Gnus? The National Enquirer of the airwaves? The network with the worst fact-checking results this side of "Not-So-Bright-Bart"? The network that keeps telling us how all the prostitutes in La Zona are "trafficked" slaves?

Actually, I watch them all the time. Any time I want to watch something that makes the Jerry Springer Show look intelligent.

Went back to Tijuana on Monday, President's Day. One thing I didn't count on was because it was a holiday and American banks were closed, the currency exchange places only let you exchange $100 US dollars at a time. Wasn't sure why, were the Mexican banks closed too? Just went to 4 different places to exchange. The border crossing to Mexico didn't take too long, only 10 minutes.

I wanted to check out Deja Vu as there haven't been any recent updates since September, and I wanted to see how they were doing since then. From all the reports here and on Yelp it sounded pretty dead, but with so much money invested have they been able to recover? I went to Adelita Bar and Hong Kong, found a Kim Kardashian look-alike at HK named Vandessa from Guatalajara, complete with beautiful paid for ass and boobs who was well worth the $80 we negotiated. Started with CBJ, missionary, the doggie. She asked for $20 tip after and I gave her $10 which she accepted but looked disappointed. Was surprised, she didn't shower after (or before) but washed herself with a towel and soap & water from the sink while I showered, presumably because of her makeup and hair I assume.

After that went back home and forgot about checking out Deja Vu. Anyone been there recently who can report on its status and if it's worth visiting? I couldn't find any reviews after September and very curious.

Thanks everyone for all the information! I'll be in town next week. I'm spending a night at Cascadas and another night at an agency-approved hotel. Trying to sample the best of both worlds I think I have the general gist of it all, but I definitely wouldn't mind meeting up with an expert. PM me.

[QUOTE=Oosik;2001565]On my La Perla visit I didn't have The Captain's luck: I had a ball-bearing waitress and I didn't bother to determine if he smelled good. The food, though, whatever it was, was awesome.[/QUOTE]Was there yesterday for a beer with a pal. Ordered the refried beans & guacamole sides, chips & corn tortillas. In the past the beans & guac were great as well as the salsa but this time was a let down. Beans & guac were washed out bland as if they needed more garlic. Had to actually salt them. Chips were stale, salsa was a bit hotter than usual and didn't have the good flavor of previous visits.

It had been at least 6 or 8 months since last tried these items so don't know when the quality went South but waitress said there was a new cook after we inquired. Many kitchens are hiring Haitians or other African refugees to work. Not sure that is the cause here as we didn't check out the kitchen staff but Museo has one as well as other places it appears. Next thing we will see black beans and rice instead or guac at this rate.

[QUOTE=Mindbender;2002124]I wanted to check out Deja Vu as there haven't been any recent updates since September, and I wanted to see how they were doing since then. From all the reports here and on Yelp it sounded pretty dead, but with so much money invested have they been able to recover? I went to Adelita Bar and Hong Kong, found a Kim Kardashian look-alike at HK named Vandessa from Guatalajara, complete with beautiful paid for ass and boobs who was well worth the $80 we negotiated. Started with CBJ, missionary, the doggie. She asked for $20 tip after and I gave her $10 which she accepted but looked disappointed. Was surprised, she didn't shower after (or before) but washed herself with a towel and soap & water from the sink while I showered, presumably because of her makeup and hair I assume.

After that went back home and forgot about checking out Deja Vu. Anyone been there recently who can report on its status and if it's worth visiting? I couldn't find any reviews after September and very curious.[/QUOTE]She asked for a $20 tip on top of the $80? Does she hang out at the rails in the middle of the club? I had a Kim k look alike from Guadalajara a while back, hadn't seen her around since the summer though. Service was awkwardly mechanical, she barely cracked a smile. But her body was top caliber.

[QUOTE=ScottHall;2002708]She asked for a $20 tip on top of the $80? Does she hang out at the rails in the middle of the club? I had a Kim k look alike from Guadalajara a while back, hadn't seen her around since the summer though. Service was awkwardly mechanical, she barely cracked a smile. But her body was top caliber.[/QUOTE]She was sitting at the corner table behind the main stage close to the center of the club. I don't know if she moves around. I don't remember her being that mechanical, she did moan quite a bit if that helps.

What is a Fichas? I looked it up in Several English / Spanish dictionary and all I found was "token. ".

[QUOTE=JabberWock;2003841]What is a Fichas?[/QUOTE]A lady drink.

[QUOTE=JabberWock;2003841]What is a Fichas? I looked it up in Several English / Spanish dictionary and all I found was "token. ".[/QUOTE]A twice-the-price, half-the-size drink you buy for a lady. After delivering the drink, the waiter gives her a slip of paper (the actual "ficha") which she later exchanges for her "commission" on the drink. For some of the ladies, this is a very big part of their income. (And your out-go! )

Twice the rip off is about right. She ordered a shot of plain water no beer or tequila that glass was so tiny maybe 20 drops of water for $8 and she drank it quick too. Anything the girl order is twice the price and half or quarter the size.

I joked to the girl and I told her if she was very thirsty I can just go get a 2 liter Ciel for a buck from oxo across the street.