General Reports

I'm neither Billy Bad Ass nor do I claim to have your experience. I'm a visitor that has only been going to Tijuana for not even two years. But I do feel like sharing my experiences is helpful. I am not advising anyone to walk it. I've shared my experiences, both good and bad, in regards to the walk.

Nor would I say anyone is guaranteed to find a $3 taxi. You are just as likely to find someone trying to charge you $10. What I won't do though, is make a blanket statement that something can or cannot happen based solely on my experience. That was what I initially responded to. I'm absolutely sensitive to misguiding someone on their first visit. But walking 100 yds from the front of the line is hardly going to put someone in peril. Bush league? OK. We spend countless posts talking about rising prices, exchange rates, tipping, and countless other cost topics.

Bottom line for me. I feel the value of this forum is enhanced by everyone's experiences. Shutting down conversation by saying something cannot happen because it didn't happen for you is not helpful.

[QUOTE=Tomjackin;2153495]I completely agree!

When the yellow cabs and libres were at the border, I used to get to HK for 50 pesos, and that was only because of the stiff competition between the drivers. Since they abolished the yellows from the border, they now have a very civilize system, which is patrolled and controlled by local officials.

I tried a few times to go to the back of the line, but the taxis seemed to be united and did not cross the line. Because, they do not want to lose the great border business.

I've been coming to Tijuana almost every Friday for the last 8 years. So what do I know? I watched things change on a regular basics. I like the new change at the border.

If you are a Billy badass, and want to walk back and forth to la coahuila; have at it. There are many rateros and corrupt cops that will welcome you with open arms.[/QUOTE]

As is true when negotiating anything in Mexico be aware there are 2 prices the price locals pay and the price gringos pay. When I deal with taxis I'm not so much being a cheap charley as saying I know what's up and I don't want to be taken advantage of.

As Tom J stated with the old taxi system. It would be so easy to grab a 50 peso taxi to the zona by just grabbing one that was dropping someone off and not waiting for one in the line. But with the changes yes things have changed.

While the standard fares seem to work out to $5 to the zona for gringos and roughly the equivalant to $3 for locals. My formula is to counter offer $4 to the zona which is usually agreed to as I start to walk away.

The $4 offer is more a statement to say I know what the price should be instead of being cheap and trying to save a dollar. An amigo recently shared a story about taking a cab from the border to Hotel Ticuan. He offered the cabbie $6 . We all know it should be $5 at the most. And what happened to my amigos generous offer of $6 . In the cabbies mind he thought he had someone who didn't know the standard fare and he ended up charging him a huge gringo tax. When they got to the destination the cabbie demanded $20.

[QUOTE=ScottHall;2153389]So you're getting $3 taxi rides? That's great if you are. I'm just not sure that's fair information to share with inexperienced or new people. Lining up at the taxi line is a fair and safe system with decent hosts, why misdirect people from that? Everybody knows $5 is standard. Walking down to the end of the line just to make low ball offers is the epitome of Bush league. That's like telling people to make $50-60 offers for arriba in HK, you're just going to get laughed at 99% of the time.[/QUOTE]No. There is no such thing as a standard rate. It's all negotiable. Just because it's what you get charged, it not standard for others.

[QUOTE=BaxterSlade;2153689]As is true when negotiating anything in Mexico be aware there are 2 prices the price locals pay and the price gringos pay. When I deal with taxis.[/QUOTE]Well said, brother, like your approach.

Thanks.

Jb.

Anywhere you travel, if you flaunt your money, you will be treated like fools.

The best way is to immerse in local lifestyle and learn how to live like locals. When in Rome do what Romans do.

In foreign countries, you do have the sweetest times when locals treat you like one of their own, not some stupid, arrogant foreigners showing off their wealth.

Hey guys,

I did my first trip this past fall. Had a great time and reported on it. I Ubered from San Diego, walked across the border, stayed at Cascadas. Enjoyed the day, night and next morning, then walked back across. I have a second trip coming up in April. I should arrive in the Zona around 2-3 in the afternoon and basically repeat my first trip. Tear up ass that day, evening & next morning, then head back. This time I will have a rental car. Is it safe to leave in the San Ysidro lot overnight? Would I be better off driving into Tijuana? I believe Cascadas has parking for overnight that is safe? What do you guys suggest?

My initial thought is to maybe stay at Ticuan and try the escort scene as well? Maybe this isn't enough time for this? Should I just stick to Cascadas / BG / SG scene like I did the first time as my time is somewhat limited? Any thoughts / suggestions / advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, would love to meet up with some of you fine gents if you happen to be around. I will be arriving Sunday 4/22 around 3 pm and staying until the next morning.

Thanks,

JC.

Completely agree with Jackie888 here and sometimes you don't even have to negotiate!

As a matter of fact, the most blatant example happened to me last night when the guys before me were charged one price for a taco (at taco stand across from Tropical) and I was charged about 30 percent less than that for the same taco probably because I look (and am part) Mexican and speak adequate Spanish without any accent.

[QUOTE=Jackie888;2153753]No. There is no such thing as a standard rate. It's all negotiable. Just because it's what you get charged, it not standard for others.[/QUOTE]

Quick trip report on my bombing run to zona last night.

Took the HK limo from the border. Gave the driver a 50 peso bill once there and he was very appreciative for the tip. Beats taking the cab anyday. HK was $5 cover with 1 beer included (Heineken). A lot of chicas and customers, a lot more occupied than I had expected for a Thursday night. All kinds of chicas and at this point looks like booty augmentation has gone mainstream at HK and Adelitas, similar to how boob-jobs went mainstream 10 years ago in US. You can put a $1 bill in any bra-top or bikini and fondle those boobs and / or booty! Finished my beer and grabbed a few asses using the dollar bills in my pocket! Took a quick tour of Adelitas and it was just as crowded and thriving as HK.

Took a walk out in the alley and decided to talk with Nayeli from what sounded like Huatecinco (spelling?) in front of HK. The hot 22-year old flaca wanted $20 for basic session and $40 for everything (oral / sin-ropa) and gladly took my offer of 400 pesos for everything. 80 pesos for the hotel and she was a trooper and a pleasure the whole session. Had a couple of tacos at stand across Tropical and snuck my head inside Tropical for a little bit before taking the HK limo back to border. Gave the guy $3 and called it a night. It was past 1:00 AM and there was no line to cross back.

Overall, A very quick but cheap and very satisfying trip to the real magic kindom!

[QUOTE=TravellingGuy;2152913]Gentlemen, It has been a while since I was in zona last time. I will have an opportunity to visit the kingdom again Friday night. What are the latest bar and street girl prices now? I am used to paying in pesos, so any pointers would be very helpful.

Looking forward to sharing my trip report once I am back![/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=ScottHall;2153389]So you're getting $3 taxi rides? That's great if you are. I'm just not sure that's fair information to share with inexperienced or new people. Lining up at the taxi line is a fair and safe system with decent hosts, why misdirect people from that? Everybody knows $5 is standard. Walking down to the end of the line just to make low ball offers is the epitome of Bush league. That's like telling people to make $50-60 offers for arriba in HK, you're just going to get laughed at 99% of the time.[/QUOTE]I think last time I went to Hong Kong was last year and it was 70 for an arriba with a very beautiful chica. She quoted 80, followed by a counter of 60, and and then met in the middle. No laughing took place. I always thought that is how haggling works. The seller high balls, the buyer low balls and they meet in the middle. The initial offer is meant to be refused. Also, isn't laughing a technique by the seller to make you feel bad and fork out more money?

Have prices gone up that quickly?

The new border is very close to zona norte. When I offer 50 peso back to new border from HK, it's always accepted (even for old border). No arguments.

Back to late 2015 and early 2016, I paid from US $70-100 for arriba. Did I get better service and respect? No, not at all!

I got cheated many times. Some girls took the money and then would not honor what we negotiated. I encountered this a few times!

Now, I always negotiate "pagar despues servicio" and MXN 1000 (no more than 1200) + propinas (MXN 100--400, depending servicio) as Captain solo, it is also accepted many times. If girls laugh at me, then go ahead and idle there for hours!

Now, I seldom get any issues as before.

It is stupid of me high ball but with poor service.

[QUOTE=ScottHall;2153389]So you're getting $3 taxi rides? That's great if you are. I'm just not sure that's fair information to share with inexperienced or new people. Lining up at the taxi line is a fair and safe system with decent hosts, why misdirect people from that? Everybody knows $5 is standard. Walking down to the end of the line just to make low ball offers is the epitome of Bush league. That's like telling people to make $50-60 offers for arriba in HK, you're just going to get laughed at 99% of the time.[/QUOTE]

Will be hitting up Revolution Street on Cinco de Mayo. Is it a bad idea to find WGs at that time?

So I notice a lot of the bar girls have long hair and no tattoos. I like this a lot. In the States, it seems like way too many women are covered in tattoos and have short hair or even shaved heads.

Does anyone else notice this?

[QUOTE=TakeDown1;2155533]Will be hitting up Revolution Street on Cinco de Mayo. Is it a bad idea to find WGs at that time?[/QUOTE]Bad idea to be looking on Revolution. Try the alley from Constitution to Ninos Heroes between Primera and Coahuila, along with the surrounding streets. Stay away from the "girls" on Primera by Constitution unless you're into trannies.

[QUOTE=LongDonSilva;2155607]Bad idea to be looking on Revolution. Try the alley from Constitution to Ninos Heroes between Primera and Coahuila, along with the surrounding streets. Stay away from the "girls" on Primera by Constitution unless you're into trannies.[/QUOTE]LOL, haha, thanks for the advice. And no, definitely not into trannies.

I will be visiting Tijuana in the next few weeks and I'm getting mixed reviews for hotels. Main purpose for this trip is mongering. I hear Hotel Cascadas is nice. But then I hear Hong Kong is great too. I'm looking for something nice and relaxing but also accessible to the brothels. Coupons, deals, and discounts would be nice.

Also, if anyone knows of an all-inclusive with food, room, and girls. I would be interested too.

This topic has been discussed at length, but I'm struggling with the user interface of this website, search restrictions, and inability to PM certain members. So I apologize ahead of time.