General Reports

[Sol12]

No I haven't, though I did read about the most recent shooting at La Cueva that happened within the past few days or so. May or may not still go up there when I'm in Tijuana later this week, though that's much more dependent on the rest of my schedule down in Tijuana and how busy I get with other activities, not so much the shootings. Looking like less than 50/50 I go up there at this point, will maybe save going up there for the next time I'm in Tijuana in November.

Yes the recent shooting is what I was referring to in that post because it would be hard for her to claim not knowing anything about it. They actually had another shooting after I made that post. I'm not sure which one you read about. The second one didn't get as much press.

Also wanted to give you an update on the Independence celebration that happens on the 15th. Last year you were caught off guard when they had it on Revolucióand and you didn't know what was going on. Well if you were looking to check out the celebration this year it's not going to be on Revolucióand but back over at the Palacio Municipal. It's not far from the Zona and if you know where Plaza Rio is it's on the other side of the river canal. Supposed to start at 6 with a well known music group going on probably around 8 and "La Grita" will be at 10.

[BrotherMouzone]

Just wondering if you have talked to her recently. She might have some new information for you.

No I haven't, though I did read about the most recent shooting at La Cueva that happened within the past few days or so. May or may not still go up there when I'm in Tijuana later this week, though that's much more dependent on the rest of my schedule down in Tijuana and how busy I get with other activities, not so much the shootings. Looking like less than 50/50 I go up there at this point, will maybe save going up there for the next time I'm in Tijuana in November.

[BrotherMouzone]

There are also credit cards that remit foreign fees, but I think they're the higher end cards that you have to pay an annual fee for.

There are several no annual fee credit cards that remit foreign fees. Those can be easily found through some quick internet research. The card I use most frequently to bypass foreign fees does have an annual fee but the annual fee is more than covered with the travel-related cashback and other benefits I receive. But I also have multiple other cards with no annual fees that also waive foreign transaction fees.

I suppose the concern for some here with credit cards are the ID requirements that come with using your credit card at the hotels (they've always photocopied my ID when I use a credit card) and having your Tijuana activities on paper (ie, credit card statement) for those who have a significant other. I don't have a significant other and don't have a problem with the hotels having a copy of my ID so those are things that've never concerned me.

[Phordphan]

I noticed that some of the smaller bars like La Caretta have not so attractive girls that don't seem to drum up any business. How do they earn there keep to afford a place to stay, Are they given room and board at the bar?

No, the bars don't provide room and board.

You would be surprised at how little money you need to live in Mexico if you live like a poor local. Up until recently many people could make it on income we'd find lightyears below poverty level. The problem everybody at the lower end has is the rent inflation in Tijuana. Gringos working in SD, but living in Tijuana, have pushed the rents to record levels and have priced many out of the market. Now many have to commute from far flung shithole areas.

So, one does wonder how the girls can make a living. My guess is by having roommates and living in conditions that make a sardine can look roomy.

[StRobert]

Yep, that is the idea. For big expenses makes sense. For smaller ones the savings are minimal.

Someone said it is $1 USD for 18 MXN now, on the other hand official email I received from Hotel Rizo de Oro Yesterday says $1 USD for 17 MXN.

A popular place to exchange money is in San Ysidro (USA) trolley station open 24/7 (right next to McDonald's). I have an exchange receipt from September 4, 2024 "Buy" 1 US $ = 18,679 Pesos. Generally in Mexico and abroad, e.g. In Europe, when you exchange money, according to the regulations, the sum of "Buy" and "Sell" must be shown. You are only interested in "Buy" (you are not interested in "Sell" or "No Commission") If "Buy" is 1 US $ = 18,679 Pesos, then for exchanging e.g. 100 US $ you get 1867 Pesos. There can be no fraud here and check the receipt.

[Scbb1]

I noticed that some of the smaller bars like La Caretta have not so attractive girls that don't seem to drum up any business. How do they earn there keep to afford a place to stay, Are they given room and board at the bar?

[ScvRusher]

Charles Schwab is a bank, although I don't think they have many (or any) storefronts. They issue a debit card that you can use to withdraw money from ATM's. As a perk / courtesy they refund foreign ATM fees. Bank of America is affiliated with Santander. Citibank is affiliated with Banamex. I think if you have a debit card from one of those and use an affiliated bank, the fees are less. There are also credit cards that remit foreign fees, but I think they're the higher end cards that you have to pay an annual fee for.

The Charles Schwab card is free and I've used it all over the world, including at the ATM in the lobby of Cascadas. No issue with them rebating the fees automatically at the end of the month even when they're high. Which makes sense from their perspective; after all, they don't have any storefronts or maintain any of their own ATM's, imagine the savings to them. Rebating ATM fees is relative peanuts. From an end user perspective, there's no reason to actually be paying ATM fees.

[MacNCheeze]

What does "If you go to any Bank" mean? Are you saying I can go to one of the Banks on Rivo and get this conversion? How could any Bank accept me if I have no account with them?

In the US or internationally, you can withdraw money from any ATM, not just your own bank's. When using a different bank's ATM, you may incur a transaction fee with most lower tier checking accounts, but some like Schwab's free checking accounts will refund you that fee.

(if you decline dynamic currency "conversion" when prompted).
Q. Who prompts me? A Bank teller, a Business owner, an ATM?

When withdrawing foreign currency from an ATM, the machine asks if you want it to convert from USD for you and uses its own lower rate and pockets the rest. Always decline this option, so that your own bank does the conversion and gives you the better exchange rate.

You may also get this prompt when paying with a credit card internationally. Again, always decline the conversion and let your bank work for you.

Or are you saying you go to any Mexican Bank, present your ATM or Credit card and withdraw money.

If needing cash, withdraw from an ATM with your debit card. Using a credit card to get cash will result in a cash advance which charges interest and fees on top of everything. Don't do this.

[John Clayton]

The interbank exchange rate today is 19.98....

Charles Schwab is a bank, although I don't think they have many (or any) storefronts. They issue a debit card that you can use to withdraw money from ATM's. As a perk / courtesy they refund foreign ATM fees. Bank of America is affiliated with Santander. Citibank is affiliated with Banamex. I think if you have a debit card from one of those and use an affiliated bank, the fees are less. There are also credit cards that remit foreign fees, but I think they're the higher end cards that you have to pay an annual fee for.

[Zenduka1]

The interbank exchange rate today is 19.98. If you go to just about any bank, this is the nominal conversion rate (if you decline dynamic currency "conversion" when prompted). There will be a transaction fee, but certain bank debit cards, e. G. , Schwab, will refund these. I always withdraw from my Schwab account.

The interbank exchange rate today is 19.98.

Q, What does interbank actually mean? Is this between a US Bank and a Mexican Bank? Does this mean I can go to any Mexican Bank in Tijuana and get this exchange? Using what account?

If you go to just about any bank, this is the nominal conversion rate.

Q! What does "If you go to any Bank" mean? Are you saying I can go to one of the Banks on Rivo and get this conversion? How could any Bank accept me if I have no account with them?

(if you decline dynamic currency "conversion" when prompted).

Q. Who prompts me? A Bank teller, a Business owner, an ATM?

I always withdraw from my Schwab account.

Q. Are you saying there is a Schwab Bank that you go to in Tijuana to withdraw money from you account there? Or are you saying you go to any Mexican Bank, present your ATM or Credit card and withdraw money.

I guess I don't get any of it since I am totally inexperienced in this. Looking for a youtube video that can summarize this detail. So far couldn't find one that explain the specifics, all I get is things in general terms.

[John Clayton]

Yep, that is the idea. For big expenses makes sense. For smaller ones the savings are minimal.

Someone said it is $1 USD for 18 MXN now, on the other hand official email I received from Hotel Rizo de Oro Yesterday says $1 USD for 17 MXN.

The interbank exchange rate today is 19.98. If you go to just about any bank, this is the nominal conversion rate (if you decline dynamic currency "conversion" when prompted). There will be a transaction fee, but certain bank debit cards, e. G. , Schwab, will refund these. I always withdraw from my Schwab account.

[Zenduka1]

Please break it down for dummies like me. That means it's better to exchange my cash for pesos before I cross the border and save some money paying for the room, right? Good find.

Yep, that is the idea. For big expenses makes sense. For smaller ones the savings are minimal.

Someone said it is $1 USD for 18 MXN now, on the other hand official email I received from Hotel Rizo de Oro Yesterday says $1 USD for 17 MXN.

[Zenduka1]

It is 1 for 18.

Just left there.

Good to know. Rizo sent me email Yesterday it is 17. So we shall see.

[CumberlandBlue]

An HK girl asked me if I knew what Pac-Man was. I said, like the game? She goes no, I guess it's a place where people post about bar girls. I told her I had never heard of it. She that someone has been posting her pictures on there without her permission. A few guys have told her they have seen her on there. I had genuinely never heard of it. Im thinking it could also be a telegram group or something.

I'd be surprised he is using her face / name without her permission. You pay $125 lifetime membership to his club on Telegram and he supposedly has a ton of hotties in the club that are escorts or announce when they work at one of the clubs and prices / what they offer. A lot of them offer BBFS. I can't see why he would be using her info without approval. I am not in the club so I don't know.

It is a private club but he has a preview group: https://t.me/c/2033525943/2/13782?single.

[Zenduka1]

They are ripping you off. Current MXN / USD is nearly 20.

Not sure if one can get that rate unless done with formal credit card exchange via a US bank, the best we can hope for from the casa de cambios is $18.50 to $19. Still $17 is a bad deal if you stay in the Hotels for say 7 days. The difference could be $80 USD.