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NEWBIE GUIDE TO TIJUANA Part 1 NEWBIE GUIDE TO TIJUANA : The Bare Essentials Tijuana is a great place for mongers. Prostitution is legal, prices are far lower than the going rate in the US, and TJ has lots of hot girls who provide great sessions. If you take the last exit (Camino de la Plaza) on I-5 or I-805 you will find several parking lots where you can leave your car. Parking lot rates and policies, together with information about which lots are the safest are discussed in the guide. A good lot to use is the Border Station Parking lot just west of I-5 on the Camino de la Plaza exit. (When driving towards Mexico on I-5 take the Camino de la Plaza exit. At the signal light at the end of the exit ramp turn right (west) onto Camino de la Plaza. The Border Station Parking lot will be on your right just as you finish turning onto Camino de la Plaza. The fee is $7.00; it is fenced and has 24-hour security. You can get a dollar off coupon at http://gototijuana.com/bsp/ . The Border Station lot also has the advantage of having a bus that takes you to downtown Tijuana for $2.00. The bus will drop you at the MexiCoach station in downtown Tijuana near 7th and Revoluction. This is very near the massage parlors on 8th Street. However, those wanting to reach to Zona Norte, where the bars are located and the action is the hottest, still have a ways to go. To reach the Zona on foot follow Revolución towards the Arch. (You’ll be going north). One block past the Arch turn left (west) onto Calle Coahuila. In another block or so you will find Adelitas Bar on your left. Before you reach Adelitas Bar you will see Chicago Club on a side street on your right. (On the street in front of Chicago Club you’ll find cabs to take you back to the border.) While it is only about a ten-block walk from the bus station to Adelitas, I recommend against walking if you are new to TJ. Walking takes you past an area is that not the safest place for the inexperience to explore, especially at night. (If you really want to walk, then read the guide for the safest pedestrian route to the ZN.) Instead of walking to the ZN, I recommended taking a cab. At the corner of 7th and Revolución you will see an AM PM. On 7th across from the Am PM is a cabstand. Hailing a cab won’t be hard as they are all over the Revolución area. A ride in a yellow cab will cost $5.00 to go from the Revolución district to Zona Norte. Have the cab driver take you directly to Adelitas Bar. (Don’t let him scam you by taking you somewhere else.) Adelitas is perhaps the best place to begin your TJ adventure; it will certainly give you a feel for the Zona. I also recommend going to Tijuana during the day until you gain a little familiarity with the city. The guide explains where in TJ to catch the bus to return to the US, which can be a better way of crossing on a hot day when the line is long. Using the trolley to reach the border is also covered in the guide. If you park your car on the US side and choose not to take the Mexicoach bus, then you will be crossing the border on foot. (Personally I prefer walking to taking the bus.) Ask the parking lot attendant how to get to the border from the lot of your choice. As soon as you cross the border you will see yellow taxi cabs. The going rate is $5.00 for a trip to either Ave. Revolución or Adelitas Bar in the Zona Norte. (Perhaps the best destination for most mongers on their first visit to Tijuana is Adeltias Bar.) Ave. Revolución and the Zona Norte are adjoining areas of the city, within walking distance of each other. The guide also provides the name of streets in the core areas of the Zona Norte and downtown Revolución areas as well as how to orient yourself. The guide explains where to find a taxi libre, which costs less than a yellow cab. As I said above, I recommend leaving your car on the US side of the border. However, the guide contains driving directions to the Zona Norte (Zone of Tolerance), which is the heart of the bar district. The guide also contains information about where to park your car in the ZN because street parking is not available in many parts of TJ, including the ZN and downtown (Revolución) districts. Unless you want to do something like travel on to Ensenda or go to Puerto Nuevo for lobster, there is much to be said for leaving for car on the US side of the border. (Like a reentry time of 2 hour by car versus 20 minutes by foot.) If you do take your car to Mexico be sure you buy Mexican Auto Insurance. If after exiting I-5 at the Camino de la Plaza ext and turning right at the signal at the end of the ramp you continue on Camino de la Plaza past the Border Station Parking lot you will see a place on the left where you can buy Mexican auto insurance. For $5.00 you can leave your car in insurance company parking lot while you go to TJ; however, this lot is not as secure as the Border Station parking lot. If you turn around on Camino de la Plaza, so that you are heading towards the freeway, the street signs will show you how to reach Mexico by car. Again, I recommend against driving to TJ, especially if you are unfamiliar with Tijuana’s streets. Tijuana offers a lot for mongers: strip clubs, street girls, bar girls, massage parlor girls, and Internet escorts. The guide describes in more detail the advantages of each category of provider, their prices, where to find them, and how to negotiate for both price and service. You do not need to speak Spanish to have fun in TJ. Wherever you go you will find that cab drivers, waiters, hotel clerks, providers, etc. all speak enough English that you will not have a language barrier related problem. Taxis, bars, hotels, restaurants, and providers all accept dollars. To avoid the “I don’t have change” scam, carrying lot of ones and fives is prudent. The guide discusses other common scams, together with the pros and cons of converting dollars to pesos, where to convert money, where to find ATMs (even ATMs that give dollars as well as pesos), and advantages (or rather disadvantages) of using credit cards. To enter Mexico walk south on Camino de los Camiones, past the Duty Free shops, until you reach the border crossing gate. (Don’t be bashful about asking the parking lot attendant for directions to the border.) You enter Mexico by passing through a revolving turnstile gate. As soon as you pass through the turnstile you are in a little mall with two turnstile exits. About half way down the walkway you will see a Money Exchange booth. If you turn to the right you will exit through a turnstile that brings you to a street filled with pharmacies. It you continue straight ahead you will pass through a turnstile that brings you directly to the yellow cab parking lot. On your first visit I recommend going straight ahead and exiting the turnstile into the yellow cab parking lot. Don’t worry, whichever turnstile you pick you will see plenty of yellow cabs. If you want a bar girl then ask the cab driver to take you to Adelitas Bar. Adelitas Bar is a good starting place for beginners, as well as for those who don’t want to read the guide in detail. The going rate is $60.00 plus $12.00 for the room for a 20 to 30-minute session with a girl at Adelitas. The guide describes how to get better deals. It also discusses some of the other bars to visit (and avoid) in Tijuana. For those who don’t like the bar scene, those who want longer sessions, and those who want some pampering, I suggest visiting a massage parlor. A one-hour nude message will cost $40.00 in most massage parlors. You negotiate extras, including full service, directly with the girl. Full service usually runs $80.00 to $100.00 for a one-hour session. The best places, as well as information such as where to find massage parlors with Jacuzzis and beds instead of massage tables are all covered in the guide. Also included are a few tips on finding the “right” girl and negotiating services. Should you decide you want to visit a massage parlor then ask the cab driver to take you to 8th and Revolución. There are half a dozen massage parlors located on the corner and the three blocks of 8th Street that are east of Revolución (away from the border.) Those on a limited budget, those who want “to do” a lot of girls, and those who enjoy “quickies” might consider a street girl. (The session lasts 15 minutes and costs $20.00 plus the price of the room. Those who bargain well and know what they are doing pay about $5.00; I usually end up paying about $12.00 for the room.) Street girls are found in the bar district of the ZN, especially on Constitución and in “the alley.” The guide discusses where to find them, how to increase the probability of getting what you want from a SG, and places (like Niños Heroes) where the street girls are really transvestites. The same is true for strips clubs, as some girls working in the strip clubs are she-males. The guide explains which clubs (like Bambi and San Sauci) to avoid (if you don’t want a TV), which strip clubs charge admission, and what you should and should not expect at strip clubs. Be aware, that you will be expected to buy drinks in a strip club; you won't be allowed to watch for free. The guide also explains how to find an Internet escort in Tijuana. I like the Internet girls; however, I think you are missing out on something if you only see Internet girls. In the beginning, I suggest you visit the Zona Norte with its bar girls and street girls or at least a visit a massage parlor. While I enjoy seeing Internet escorts I think you should acquaint yourself with the other choices Tijuana offers a monger before seeing an Internet escort. As I said above, Adelitas Bar is a good place for the majority of mongers to begin their Tijuana adventure; however, which type of provider to pick is, after all is said and done, your choice. Be sure to carry ID with you. Technically you need to prove your identity and right to live in the US to the customs agent to reenter the country. A passport, of course, does both; however, few people use a passport. A valid driver’s license for US citizens is usually adequate. Non-citizens should carry a green card or passport in addition to their driver’s license. Additionally, if the police in TJ stop you then you need to have ID to prove your identity. Want to stay overnight? The guide contains information about the cheap hotels in the Zona Norte; the downtown hotels, which are of a higher quality; and some very nice (four star or better) hotels that Tijuana offers. Looking for a five star place where you can stay for $36.00? Read about La Mansion in the guide. Want something to eat? The guide covers places to eat in the Zona Norte and downtown (Revolución) areas. It also contains information about some really good places to eat; places most cities in the US would list as being among the “best of the best” restaurants the city offers. Don’t want to spend all day in line when returning to the US? The guide offers a few tips on how to beat the line and best times to cross. Nervous about going to TJ? I, and many others, consider TJ safer than the downtown areas of many US cities. The guide contains a lot of advice about scams and what to do to protect yourself from scam artists, muggers, and corrupt cops. (A rule I emphasize is that if you can't afford to lose it then leave it at home--especially things like wedding rings.) There are sections about what to do if stopped by a cop and how to report a corrupt cop using the Internet. (Fortunately, these experiences are exceptions rather than the normal TJ experience.) As I said, TJ is a fairly safe place to visit; however, if you read and follow the advice offered in the guide you will increase your likelihood of staying out of trouble when in Tijuana. For those of you who are eager to get started: Take I-5 south. Take the Camino de la Plaza exit, which is the last exit before the border. Proceed to the signal at the exit ramp. Turn right (west) onto Camino de la Plaza. Park in the Border Station Parking lot. You’ll see it on your right as you make the turn. Walk across the border. (Ask the parking lot attendant for directions to the border.) Take a yellow cab for $5.00 to Adelitas Bar or to a massage parlor at 8th and Revolución. Then get down to business. Those who want more information will find it by reading the guide in greater detail. It contains the following sections: The Bare Essentials How & Why the Guide Was Written Traveling to the Border & Parking Safety Advice Money & ATMs Crossing the Border TJ Destinations TJ Providers Taxis Driving Directions to the Zona Norte Returning to the US Hotels Restaurants Phone & Internet Use A Few Useful Phrases Monger Etiquette TJ Cops Viagra & Medication Related Issues Ensenada & Mexicali Summary I hope you find this guide helpful in exploring Tijuana. If you need additional information this board is a great place to ask questions. Have fun, Burt NEWBIE GUIDE TO TIJUANA: How and Why This Guide Was Written I'm new to this site. I originally posted my musings on TER, The Erotic Review dot com (no www in the url), which I’ve revised and edited since then. Byron suggested I post my guide on TJ Amigos because he felt it would reach more people. After the short time I've spent on this board I see it has much to offer and appreciate Byron's advice. Also, I received some great advice for its members since I’ve been on the board that I’ve now included in my remarks. Thanks guys. (Note: Since I’ve co-mingled advice posted on TER and this site the reader no can longer tell on which site advice I quote was posted. In general I’ve incorporated more posts from this site than from TER.) During the past year I have benefited from the advice of TJ vets. While I don’t consider myself a vet, I feel I have learned enough to help those who haven’t yet been to Tijuana. So in the spirit of the Christmas I decided to write a Newbie Guide to TJ. I hope the real TJ vets will post their own advice correcting and amplifying my remarks. Since I’m doing this from memory I expect there will be some errors needing correction. A further note, things change over time. For detailed, up-to-date information I suggest posting questions. The vets on this board have a wealth of knowledge, and good information should be easy to obtain. This guide was prepared based upon the way things were in December 2003. It will be interesting to see what changes the future brings, and how quickly things change. One thing I hope will not change is the willingness of TJ vets to give “newbies” sound advice and help them earn their TJ wings. NEWBIE GUIDE TO TIJUANA: Getting to TJ & Parking Traveling to the Border By car Tijuana can be reached by going south on either I-5 or I-805. (I prefer I-5.) The best route probably depends on which parking lot you intend to use. Be sure to take the last exit so you don’t end up in Mexico by mistake. (There are some guys who take the next to last exit so as to avoid the risk of overshooting the last exit. They then use surface streets to approach the border.) The last exit headed south off both I-5 and I-805 is the Camino de la Plaza exit. It is also marked in yellow, “Last Exit.” If you do overshoot the last exit then try to immediately get in the far left lane and use the U-turn option. Although it may look closed, the Custom Inspector will deflate the barrier allowing you return to the US. (Tell him you were trying to reach the outlet malls by the border and went to far.) The last stop of the San Diego trolley is a very short distance from where one crosses back into the Unites States. There are many TJ vets who use one of the free Park and Ride stations to take the trolley to Tijuana, which is a little cheaper than parking in a paid lot. Driving towards Mexico, two convenient Park and Ride lots are allocated just east (left) of I-5 at the E Street and H Street exits in Chula Vista (about 7 miles north of the border.) The H street lot is larger, perhaps better lighted but there is more traffic on H Street because the Chula Vista Mall is located on H Street a few blocks from the freeway. Some who travel to TJ from Los Angles and other cities use Amtrak or the Coaster. At the Santa Fe train station in downtown San Diego they switch to the trolley to reach TJ. For those who travel long distances or who party late into the night a sleeping car offers obvious benefits. From the San Diego airport you can take a cab or bus to the trolley. Just outside the baggage doors look for the blue bus stop signs. Take Route #992 and get off at the America Plaza at Broadway and Ketner. Ask the bus driver for a transfer (you may need to pay a fee for the transfer so carry some coins). Across the street you board the trolley. There are two trolley lines, the orange line and blue line. Take the blue line to San Ysidro. You then need to use the pedestrian ramp to cross over the freeways in order to enter Mexico. Parking Interstate I-805 joins I-5 near the border. You enter Mexico on the west side of I-5 and return to the US on the east side of I-5, so whichever parking lot you choose you have to cross the freeway at some time during the trip. Unless, of course, you use your car or the bus to enter or leave Mexico. On the US side of the border the MexiCoach bus can be boarded in the Border Station Parking lot on Camino de la Plaza just west of I-5. Different parking lots have different rates, so investigate before you park. Some lots offer eight hour parking, others (such as Border Station) offer parking for 24-hours or until 10:00 am, whichever comes first, and some (like the Duty Free lot) even have a true 24-hour rate. In general the lots east of the freeway (off I-805) don’t offer 24-hour rates, while those west of the freeway offer twenty-four hour rates. The cheapest parking is probably in the Gateway Motel on the east side of the freeways. On the west side of the freeway, the parking lot for the UTEP Duty Free Station—which also says SVG Parking—is seven dollars per 24-hours. The Board Station Parking Lot (just after one exits I-5) is $7.00 for 24-hours or until 10:00 am, whichever comes first. (Don’t forget to print out some $1.00 off coupons from http://gototijuana.com/bsp/ ) if you are going to use the Border Station lot. The parking lot in the agency that sells Mexican Auto Insurance on Camino de la Plaza west of I-5 charges $5.00 until 8:00 am the next day. There is free street parking along Camino de La Plaza west of I-5. I’ve used street parking overnight (and over a weekend) without difficulties. Obviously don’t violate the 72-hour street-parking limit if you don’t want your car towed. I think it is the general consensus on the board that the Border Station parking lot is the safest place to leave your vehicle. Many also speak highly of the Duty Fee lot. (I’ve used both many times without incident.) The lot at the Mexican Auto Insurance agency has the advantage of allowing in and out privileges. It is not a fenced lot, but the cars are watched by the security of the next-door mall. Do not park in the store parking lots for K-Mart, the Outlet Mall, etc. The signs mean what they say, and they vigorously tow cars left in their lots by people going to TJ. If you decide to ignore this advice at least try to return before the stores close because at closing time they put up a chain and the tow trucks go to work. (A safety practice I follow is to always leave enough money hidden in the car to pay double the expected parking fee with enough left over to get home.) I recommend parking in the US over taking your car into Mexico for several reasons. There isn’t much street parking available in TJ so you will probably have to park your car in a TJ lot and use cabs anyway. I consider it safer to use a US parking lot than a TJ lot. It takes much longer to cross back into the US by car than on foot (like two hours verses twenty minutes), which is reason enough for me to leave my car behind. Most US drivers find Mexican drivers reckless. Do you really want to drive in a strange city with people honking at you and cutting you off when you don’t know where you are going? If you are going to Ensenada, Rosarito, etc. then take your car, otherwise my advice is the leave it in a US parking lot, especially if you are unfamiliar with TJ. (Budget, Dollar, and other companies familiar to Americans have subsidiaries in Mexico that also rent cars. Your US driver’s license and a credit card will allow you to rent a car. Check around as rates vary greatly. The Buget rent a car near the Hotel Lucerna seems to have good rates. You might want to rent a car to the risk of yours being stolen—although I do not consider the risk to having your car stolen to unacceptably high—or to avoid a long wait at the border. It is not the cheapest option, but it is something to consider. Especially on a holiday weekend when you want to go to Ensenada and don’t want to spend half a day waiting to cross back into the US.) If you do drive in Mexico be sure you have Mexican auto insurance. (You can buy it just after you cross into Mexico or at several of the interstate exits in Chula Vista just before crossing the border. You can also buy it west of I-5 on Camino de la Plaza.) Remember, US insurance is not valid in Mexico. Also, Mexico has different laws than the US, and if you get in an auto accident you likely will face criminal charges as well as have to pay for the damage you caused. (Expect the local to win.) Without Mexican auto insurance you could be detained and required to post bond before you are released and allowed to return to the US. When buying Mexican auto insurance I also recommend buying legal coverage so you will have an attorney to represent you. If you are in an auto accident, don’t move the car. The police will take the parties before a judge who will determine who is a fault. If you don not have insurance at a minimum you will be required to post bond before you are allowed to leave Mexico. (See why you want insurance with legal coverage.) NEWBIE GUIDE TO TIJUANA: Safety Advice Safety Let me start by saying that I feel much safer in TJ at night than in the downtown areas of many US cities (such as Los Angles, New York, and Detroit). Also, you are far more likely to be scammed than mugged while in TJ. However, there are several safety measures I follow. Let’s start with a basic rule: If you can’t afford to loose it, then leave it at home. Don’t take things—like wedding rings—that can’t be replaced to TJ. Leave them at home, or at least hide them in your car. The same is true of expensive watches and jewelry. If you have an expensive watch, then buy a cheap one to use in TJ and leave your expensive watch at home or in the glove compartment of your car. Think of the worst that could happen if somebody got a hold of both your keys and the address on your driver’s license. I have both a California Drivers License and a California ID Card. My driver’s license and California ID card both have a Mail Box, Etc. address on them. My car is also registered to my Mail Box Etc. address. This has little to do with TJ and a lot to do with a bad experience I had after a US provider got a hold of my real name, address, and home phone number. I have a car key case that holds a couple of credit cards and a duplicate key to my car. I put my California ID card, one ATM card, and my AAA card in the key case. (The AAA card is good for obtaining discounts at some of the better hotels.) I leave my wallet and the rest of my keys locked in the trunk of my car. I also carry a “flash” wallet when in TJ. It contains all the ones and fives that I need for cabs, drinks, etc. It also has enough twenties in it to pay for a room and a girl if that is the purpose of my trip. My “flash” wallet is the only place I want people to think that I carry money. I recommend a zippered belt for reserve cash (check the LL Bean catalogue). Wearing a money belt under your shirt or on your ankle is better than nothing; however, it won’t be of much use if you plan on shedding clothes at some point during you TJ visit. Also, muggers know about them. A normal appearing belt with a “secret” zippered compartment in my opinion is more likely to escape detection. I only transfer money from my money belt to my wallet while I’m in a place of privacy, like a rest room stall with a door on it. I read once about somebody who puts some extra cash in a sandwich baggie he cuts to size and tapes to the inside of the toe of his shoe. (He probably figures no mugger is going to search his shoes and that it won’t be noticeable to anybody who sees him without his clothes.) He sounds like a smart man to me. Carrying your money in several different pockets or places is always prudent. Since I go to TJ frequently I have a special “play time” savings account, which is not connected to any of my other bank accounts. The ATM card I take to TJ is linked to my “play time” account—and none of my other accounts. Even if the card gets stolen and the PIN number somehow is discovered resulting in the thief draining the account I won’t suffer a major financial loss. I also have a credit card with a low limit. I use this when making purchases over the Internet or by telephone. I try to keep it paid off. This is the credit card I take to Tijuana, if I take a credit card. ($500.00 on a credit card will let me do anything I ever want to do in Mexico.) In general I recommend against using credit cards in Mexico. Sometimes the bill gets “padded” after you sign the receipt. (Always “X” out spaces on which additional charges could be added after you leave.) Additionally, some clerk may record the credit card number resulting in fraudulent charges on you account. (Do you really want the hassle of contesting them?) I use a credit card as a last resort. Make a list of the ATM cards, credit card numbers or similar things you take with you into Mexico. Be sure your list also contains the number to call to report a stolen card, cell phone, etc. Leave a copy at home and another in your car. (You might also send yourself an email that contains this information.) If something is stolen you want to be able to report the theft fast. (Elsewhere in this guide I explain how to use telephones and the Internet in Mexico. You could even report the loss before leaving Mexico if you sent yourself an email with the information and know how to use the phones in TJ.) If you do have to report something as being stolen as send a confirming letter. My understanding of the law is a lost or stolen card must be reported in writing to protect you, so to be safe send a letter after making your phone call. If you don’t need your cell phone then leave it behind. If you take your cell phone, be sure it is set to roaming. While in TJ check that it works. (I have Sprint and find I have decent coverage in TJ. You may need to add features to your plan. Adding the capability to receive calls while outside the US was free, but it was something I had to request.) If your cell doesn’t work in TJ then leave it behind in the future. Another reason not to carry a cell phone is that cells phones must be place on the baggage carrier belt of the metal detector when returning to the US. That slows you up. Without a cell phone you can walk straight thought the metal detector. (You don’t have to put things like keys and glasses in a tray—only things like back packs, cell phones and Palm Pilots.) I also suggest leaving your PDA behind. If you feel “naked” without the information then I suggest you sync it with something like Yahoo. (Or send yourself an e-mail containing the information you are likely to need while in TJ.) Internet cafes are easy to find in TJ and usually charge a buck and a half for 60 minutes with a DSL connection. (More about them elsewhere.) Don’t carry anything that can be remotely construed as being a weapon while in TJ. That includes things like little Swiss army knives and maybe even fingernail files. Having a firearm in Mexico is asking for serious prison time. The cops do periodic bar sweeps and if you have a weapon you could be in trouble. They want to keep violence to a minimum and that starts by seeing nobody carries weapons. You are in more danger of tripping and falling than being mugged. Sidewalks are not maintained according to US standards. Be careful where you walk so you don’t trip and fall, especially when drinking. Elsewhere in greater detail I discuss guys who wander the streets trying to be your friend, guide, etc. Some of these guys also sell drugs and are involved in other illegal activities. Don’t talk to them--shun them. Do you really want the cops seeing you talking to a known drug dealer, especially if he’s carrying something on him? (You can get into big trouble in Tijuana with drugs.) While I generally feel safe in TJ, I take common sense steps to reduce my risk of being mugged. I walk near the curb or in the street at times and I avoid walking next to dark doorways, alleyways, etc. I stick to main streets and avoid poorly lighted streets and almost all alleys. I walk with a purpose, make eye contact with those around me, and above all don’t wander around drunk. I avoid walking back to the border in the dark. By sticking to well-lighted areas where people surround you I think your risk of having problems is low, especially if you are sober. I, like many others, feel safe going to TJ alone. I don’t think it necessary to go in a group. If, of course, you are nervous going to TJ alone then by all means take a friend. If you are planning on getting wasted then you are probably better off with company. It is probably best to make your first trip to TJ in the daylight. After you know your way around you shouldn’t have problems going there at night. Drugs can get you into serious problems in TJ. (Some guys think they can buy their way out of problems. Some have learned the hard way that isn’t always the case—and is very expensive even when it can be done. I, for one, do not want to do time in a Mexican prison.) Don’t do drugs; carry them; or be around anyone using, carrying, or selling them. Avoid being near or being seen with drug dealers. Stay away from places where drugs are bought and sold. Enough said for the wise. Pickpockets are a problem the world over. They usually work in pairs. One person distracts you while another lifts your wallet. A new variation on this theme is having somebody (maybe a child) thrust flowers or gum in your face that you are asked to buy while somebody lifts your wallet. Be wary of your personal space and hold onto your wallet if somebody gets too close. Another thing of be careful of is somebody asking you for a light for their cigarette. It may be a set up for a mugging or having your pocket picked. A variation on this them is the cigarette is actually a joint of marijuana that the person throw on the ground in front of you so a corrupt cop can arrest you for being in possession of drugs. (I only heard of the latter happening once, but it is creative.) The short version is, don’t stop to light a cigarette for somebody you encounter on the street. Muggers works in twos or threes. If you do get mugged don’t play tough guy, just give them what you they want and get it over with as quickly as possible. (Before they find your “secret” reserve money.) If you follow the rule about leaving things behind that you can’t afford to lose then the damage will be minimal. Finally, if you sense danger take off running. Better to lose your dignity than your wallet. El Fanatico recommends always having a waiter open a bottle of beer in front of you, and sending back an open bottle. While I’ve heard very few stories about spiked drinks, I think this is excellent advice. This is certainly on of those times it is best to err on the side of caution. Most of the people who get into trouble should have seen it coming. Don’t go exploring alleys and the seedy side of town. If you try to buy drugs, false ID, a virgin, etc. you are setting yourself up for trouble. Stay out of the alleys, rest rooms, etc. the bad guys are likely to use. If you do that and don’t stumble around drunk your chances of getting mugged are low. As I said, most people who get mugged put themselves in harms way. Deported US Felons I’m giving this a separate heading because it is a serious problem. There are many men in Mexico who were deported from US prisons. Generally they speak excellent English and their ability to speak English is their way of gaining your confidence. (Besides speaking perfect English they often are highly tattooed.) These guys roam the streets trying to act as guides and preying on tourists. Be wary: they will scam or you rob you given the slightest opportunity. They are good at what they do. When I say slightly opportunity that is exactly what I mean with an emphasis on the word slightest. Don’t let them lure you into alleys, back rooms, rest rooms, etc. They will promise you anything they sense you want: information, directions, drugs, false ID, Rolex watches, young virgin girls, etc. They are very convincing and seemingly trustworthy, however; they will never deliver. Count on their finding a way to scam or rob you if you have the slightest dealings with them. They are the real danger in Tijuana. You have been warned. Some of these guys will approach you with hard luck stories, such as having mugged. They are just that, stories. If you want to help out somebody who needs charity there are many in far more need of assistance. NEWBIE GUIDE TO TIJUANA: Money & ATMs Money Dollars are accepted everywhere in Tijuana; I never convert dollars to pesos when going to TJ. Others, however, prefer to convert dollars to peso. C-diddy commented, “I don't see why you never convert dollars to pesos. You're missing out on an 11% discount, which I tend to use mostly for putas. Many are bad at math and often 150 pesos sounds like a lot more than $25 USD.” I don’t convert because I’m lazy and just not interesting in what I view as “nickel and dime” savings. However, C-diddy has a valid point. Especially since there have been times I’ve been victimized by places giving me a lousy exchange rate. I’ll admit there have been times that having some pesos in my pocket would have been handy. When the exchange rate was about 10:1 it didn’t make much difference. Now that the exchange rate is 11:1 obviously you save $5.00 if somebody gives you the old rate. (At 11:1 if the fee were $50.00 then you should pay 550 pesos. If somebody accepts 500 pesos, instead of 550 pesos, you just saved $5.00.) When the exchange rate is greater than 10:1 you may come out ahead converting dollars to pesos. If the exchange rate is under 10:1 then you probably will do better paying in dollars. Since the exchange rate has only recently changed from 10:1 to 11:1 it remains to be seen how long it will take bar girls and others to adjust to the new rate. (It will be interesting to see how much and how quickly the exchange rates changes after December 2003 when this was written.) The guiding principle, I suppose, to figure out whether mental math favors pesos or dollars and act accordingly. Milkster provided this advice regarding the best place to convert money: The best rates in all of TJ is located in Otay near the Calimax Caliente intersection. There is a cambio stand near Yindos bakery and the rates are so good that every morning there is at least a 15 min wait to change your pesos into dollars. What’s funny is that you see lots of cops changing dollars into pesos. HMMM last time I checked they were paid in pesos so I wonder where those dollar bills are coming from?? The funny thing about cambio places is that there really isn’t a big difference between one or the other unless you are changing thousands of dollars. I mean changing 100 dollars at a better stand may net you an extra buck compared to another place so it is really not a big difference. This Otay stand does have amazing rates better than anyone and that is why they attract TJilians all over! So with all that said feel good about changing your pesos right at the border near the taxi stands or anywhere near Rev. Snapper advises that most (but not all) the places on San Ysidro Blvd and Revolución have the worst rates. The best rates (and no commission) in Tijuana are at 10th and Revolución., One casa de cambio just to the north of Club Amnesia's entrance, the other place is just ciddy-corner across the street next to the Italian restaurant. Also that there are many casa de cambios that have good rates on Medero (one block east of Rev), between 5th and 2nd. As I said before, you are more likely to be scammed than mugged in TJ. The number one Tijuana scam starts with “I don’t have change.” So carry plenty of ones and fives. When buying a drink, if you give the waiter a twenty there is a good chance you won’t see him or your change again. The number two scam is when you give somebody a twenty and he claims it was only a one of five. Form the habit of saying “do you have change for a twenty” before handing anybody money. Better yet, carry an adequate supply of small denomination bills in either pesos or dollars. Both Mexican currency and US currency often use the $ symbol. Mexican pesos often also carry an MN (for national money) abbreviation in contrast US or USD, which is used when referring to dollars. Thus MN $100.00 or $100.00 MN is100 pesos while $100.00 USD is one hundred dollars. I recommend paying in cash instead of by credit card. More than one person has had charges added to his bill after leaving TJ. If you run out of cash, use an ATM machine. I use a credit card only as a last resort. ATM Machines There are ATM machines on the US side of the border that you can use just before crossing. There are several banks on the east side of the freeway that have ATMs, and there is an ATM kiosk on the west side of the freeway across from McDonalds on Camino de la Plaza. I’ve had good luck using an ATM machine (cajera automatica) while in TJ. However, be careful. As in the US, the bad guys know this is a good place to hunt for prey. ABeautifulMind recommended always getting a receipt, as that way you know the transaction is finished. It’s good advice. (There is a scam in TJ and elsewhere of getting money out of somebody’s account because they failed to finalize an ATM transaction.) I’ve used the ATM in the Caliente gambling hall near the Pueblo Amigo Hotel without problems, although it only gives pesos. (There’s also an ATM in the Calientes by the pharmacies near the border.) My favorite ATM is located in the lobby of the Rio Rito Hotel on the east side of Revolución between 4th and 5th. I’ve also used the ATM in the MexiCoach bus station on west side Revolución between 6th and 7th and in the AM PM located at 7th and Revolución. . These ATMs dispense money in both pesos and dollars. (Although they are sometimes out of dollars.) There are, of course, many other ATMs in Tijuana. Don’t ever let somebody help you with an ATM. That goes triple for letting somebody see your PIN number. (Your risk of getting mugged increases dramatically if somebody knows your PIN number.) A scam starts with the bad guys breaking an ATM, perhaps by jaming something in the slot so a card won’t fully enter. Or the break the magnetic strip reader. They then offer to help you. In the process they observe your PIN number. After trying to help you they inform you they can’t get the ATM to work either. The trick is they switch ATM cards on you. (Maybe the just take off running with your card.) Now have both your card and PIN number and drain your account. NEWBIE GUIDE TO TIJUANA: Crossing the Border Crossing the Border on Foot Just before crossing into Mexico look for the arch in downtown Tijuana. It is a landmark that is easy to find, especially when you are in the areas most frequented by tourists. I’ll use it a reference point later in this guide. (It’s about a mile walk from the border to the Arch.) As I said above, you cross into Mexico on the west side of the freeway and return to the United States on the east side of the freeway. (I-805 and I-5 merge just before the Mexican border.) Either way one must cross the freeway when visiting TJ on foot. TJ is entered on the west side of the freeway. To go to TJ turn south onto Camino de la Plaza and follow the road past the duty free shops. It dead-ends in a cul-de-sac where you can drop off passengers. If you parked on the east side of the freeway then you have to cross the freeway before entering Mexico. There are two ways of crossing the freeway. One is to use the spiral ramp located near where people exit US Customs. The other is to walk over the bridge on Camino de la Plaza, opposite the Gateway Motel parking lot. There is never a wait to cross into Mexico; crossing into the US is another story. (Expect to wait 20 minutes on foot and 2 hours by car—depending greatly on the time of day.) The lines are longest (to enter the US) in the early morning as many people who work in the US live in TJ. The next longest crossing time is around 5:00 pm when people working in TJ who live in the US cross. During the day expect lines of 20 minutes or more. After 6:30 to 7:00 pm the lines are usually much shorter—a wait of 5 minutes or less is common in the evening hours. (Which is why when I go to TJ during the day I stay and have dinner before returning to the US.) During the weekend the crossing times are longer, especially for cars. Late Sunday night and early Monday morning are often the worst. A weekend wait of 4 hours to cross by car is common. (Which is by I recommend leaving your car in a US parking lot unless you are planning on traveling on to someplace like Tecate, Rosarito, or Ensanda.) When crossing by foot, there are a couple of ways to beat the long lines. When returning to the US you will find people renting bikes for $5.00 to $7.00. Since there is a separate line for bikes sometimes this is a way to cross quickly. At times they limit the bikes so that only 10 bikes can cross per 100 pedestrians. When this happens it may take longer using a bike than crossing by foot. Another way to cross quickly is by taking the bus. There is a special line for bus passengers. The MexiCoach station is located on the west side of Revolución between 6th and 7th. For $2.00 you can ride the bus to the border. In the bus station lobby there is also a web cam (at least some of the time) that shows how many buses are ahead of you. Sitting on the bus sure beats standing in line on a hot summer day. The buses run until 9:00 pm and run about every 20 minutes during the busiest crossing times. If you are standing in the pedestrian line you can sometimes board a bus that is waiting to reach the gate. You can also re-board the bus after clearing customs and it will take you to the Border Station Parking lot, on Camino de la Plaza west of I-5. The best way, of course, is the have a Sentry pass. However, long before you can obtain a Sentry pass will cease being a “newbie” so I won’t go into more details about them. Entering Mexico You reach the Mexican entry port by walking past the Duty Free shops on Caminos Ways. As you enter Mexico you are actually walking East-Southeast—the curve of the roads and coastline make directions deceiving. To enter Mexico you pass through two turnstiles. (Note the spiral ramp just before the first turnstile. This is one of the places you can cross the freeway on foot.) After passing through the first turnstile you proceed along the walkway (or mall—call it what you want) past the Mexican Customs and Tourist Information booth. You exit this mall through either of two turnstiles. I’ll call one the Yellow Cab Turnstile and the other the Pharmacy Turnstile. If you go straight you will pass through the Yellow Cab Turnstile and enter the parking lot of the Yellow Cab Company. If you turn right in about the middle of the mall, where you see the money exchange booth, you will pass through the Pharmacy Turnstile that brings you to a street containing a lot of pharmacies. As you exit the Pharmacy Turnstile if you go straight ahead you will be in the crosswalk headed down the street named Jose La Larroque. If you turn left you will be on the street named De La Amistad. (McDonalds and Calientes Sports Betting are located on De La Amistad.) The first pharmacy you see is Farmacia Milenio. Just around the corner to the right (on the street name Jose La Larroque) is a little store called Mini Market Everything. You can buy snacks, phone cards, etc. there. On the left headed towards McDonalds (on the street named De La Amistad) you will see Farmacia Mileno and other pharmacies, such as Medicine Company and Drug Depot. McDonalds is next to Farmacia Milenio. Across the street from McDonalds is Calientes Sports Betting. (There are several Calientes in Tijuana.) This Calientes is one of the places where many Americans frequently meet Internet escorts. (Remember, it is difficult to for Mexicans to get a US visa. If they say they will meet you at the border they always mean on the Mexican side of the border. Be sure you understand that there is more than one Calientes and there are McDonalds on both sides of the border. The spot I just described is where Americans and Mexicans usually select to meet.) If you want to walk to downtown Tijuana then a little past McDonalds you will turn right and walk down the plaza. There are signs to help you. Before long you will reach a ramp that crosses the Tijuana River (which will probably be dry). Ultimately you will come to the Arch at First and Revolución in downtown Tijuana. (It’s a fairly safe walk during the day—but not advisable at night.) You will see Yellow Cabs in front of McDonalds. You can also (usually) find orange and white Taxi Libres near McDonalds and Calientes on De La Amistad. There are more yellow cabs than Taxi Libres in Tijana; finding a taxi libre often involves waiting. If after entering Mexico through the Pharmacy Turnstile if you turn left after walking past Calientes you will come to the Yellow Cab parking lot. This is where you would have entered Mexico if you used what I call the Yellow Cab Turnstile. Before you reach the Yellow Cab parking lot you will see a ramp that allows you to cross the freeway. You will also find a convenient place to change money. You can also buy phone cards at the “Cambio” (money exchange booth) near the Yellow Cab parking lot. NEWBIE GUIDE TO TIJUANA: TJ Destinations Where to Go in Tijuana Tijuana is a collection of neighborhoods. Each has its own street grid, with diagonal streets and winding roads connecting the various neighborhoods. Many neighborhoods are built on the contour of a hill, and finding you way around gets confusing at times. If it is a commercial area it is probably called a Zona (Zone) while a residential area will probably be called a Colonia (colony.) There are four common destinations for TJ tourists, discussed below. Downtown Tijuana Downtown TJ is called the Zona Central or the Centro. The heart of downtown Tijuana—at least for tourists—is a five block strip along Avenida Revolución (Revolution Avenue). Revolución is really the heart of the tourist district—and the only place many tourists ever visit as it has most of the things that tourists usually wants. Streets crossing Revolución have both numbers and names, with the numbers prominently displayed on the street corners. (When one strays off Revolución one sees the street names are prominently displayed and one has to look for the fine print to find the street number.) If you were at the Tenth and Revolución walking towards the Arch then you would be headed north. You actually go northeast to reach the border. If when you get to the Arch (First Street or Articulo 123) you turned right and passed under the Arch then you would be headed back to the border. The walkway that leads you to the border is called Articulo 123. (But don’t walk back to the border at night.) If standing at Tenth and Revolución you walk towards the Arch you would be headed north. These are the east-west streets in the main downtown area: 10th = Juan Sabara 9th = Zaragoza 8th = Hidalgo 7th = Galena 6th = Flores Magon 5th = Emailano Zapata 4th = Diaz Miron 3rd = Carrilo Puerto 2nd = Juarez (which take cars to the US) Arch = Articulo 123 or First Street (which takes pedestrians to the US) Calle Coahuila Baja California Revolución runs in a north-south direction. These are the other north-south streets that run parallel to Revolución, starting with Negrete, which is closest to the border: Negrete Madero A = Revolución (main tourist street) B = Constitución (main street for the locals) C = Ninos Heroes (not to be confused with Paseo de los Heroes in the Zona Rio) D = Martinez Some north-south streets also have letters; just the east-west streets have numbers. The letters, however, are not as prominently displayed as the number are on Revolución. Constitución is the major downtown commercial street for people living in Tijuana. Revolución is the major tourist street in the downtown area. If you walked north along Revolución past the Arch you come to named streets. A block or so just past you arch if you turned left (west) on Calle Coahuila you enter the famous Zona Norte (North Zone) also called the Zona Rojo (Red Zone). This is the Zone of Tolerance where the most famous bars in Tijuana are found. Note: There are people who avoid the block of Revolución between the Arch and Calle Coahuila. They turn west (left) and go to Constitución then turn north (right) to reach Calle Coahuila. After the street widening project I feel safer here and have walked the block many times without incident. I will add, however, that I’ve never been there in the wee hours of the morning. Also there is much to be said in favor of being cautious while in TJ. Others point out that Articulo 123 between Revolución and Constitución is not a safe place either. Walking near the curb or in the street to avoid muggers who might be lurking in the alleys and doorways. It would probably be better to turn west (left) on 2nd Street (Juarez) and then turn north (right) on Constitución to reach Calle Coahuila. (Note that when walking on Constitución—in contrast to Revolución—you will come to an alley named Cajellon Coahuila before you reach Calle Coahuila. Cajellon Coahuila, known as “the alley” is a block long between Constitución and Nineos Heroes. Don’t confuse the alley with the street as they have similar names.) Of course, if you take a cab to Adelitas you don’t have to worry about which is the safest route. There is a post office at about 11th and Negrete, which is open 8-5 weekdays. Yes, a US resident can rent a post office box in Mexico using a US driver’s license and a US utility bill. Getting a Mexican driver’s license, however, is much more difficult and requires a visa as well as a lot of other paperwork. The visa is about $150.00 a year. You will probably pay a few bribes along the way—and no you can’t just pay a bribe and get a Mexican driver’s license without the visa and the rest of the paperwork. Downtown Tijuana is filled with tourist shops, strip clubs and massage parlors. A world-wide scam is the $100.00 bottle of booze you get suckered into buying for a hot girl. Always asks what drinks cost before ordering—especially if a girl asks for something special. Zona Norte Zone Norte is also called the Zone of Tolerance, the Zona Rojo or the Red Zone, the Zona and ZN. This is the bar district just north of downtown Tijuana where those seeking the most action flock. (I don’t spend much time in the Zona. Loud music is not to my enjoyment. Also, I’ve decided to leave drinking to those too young to have learned that you can have fun without drinking, but you can’t drink and have fun the next day.) After you pass the Arch (heading north) you go down a little hill. The next street you come to is called Calle Coahuila. If from Revolución you turn left (west) onto Calle Coahuila you enter the Zona Norte. After walking about a block you will reach the corner of Calle Coahuila and Constitución. This is ground zero of the Zona Norte. On your right about you will see the bar name Chicago Club. If you keep going a little bit further on your left you will find Adelitas. Adelitas Bar (AB) and Chicago Club (CC) are the most famous bars in the Zona. (Perhaps infamous is the better word.) Adelitas is usually packed. Thing usually don’t get going in Chicago Club until after at least 9:00 pm. There are many other bars in this district, most of which have their fans and detractors. Plaza Pueblo Amigo This is the plaza that contains the Pueblo Amigo Hotel. (Which is a nice place to stay.) There is some shopping, gambling, and restaurants in the area. (It also contains Luxor, one of the upscale massage parlors and Bolleros, which is an upscale strip club that has an entrance fee. All of which probably account for the popularity of the Pueblo Amigo Hotel. However, the rooms are excellent, the food is good, and the “seedier side of life” is not overtly visible in the hotel.) Zona Rio (River Zone) The Zona Rio (and the nearby residential area of Colonia Libertad) are sort of like La Jolla in San Diego—the very best the city offers. This area contains the Tijuana Cultural Center (Centro Cultural) and a large shopping mall called the Plaza Rio. The major street is Paseo de los Heroes, which is a boulevard with a meridian strip containing grass and trees. Paseo de los Heroes also contains many traffic circles and statues. Most of the upscale hotels and restaurants in Tijuana are located in the Zona Rio. ------------ This concludes part one. All the sections of the Newbie Guide to Tijuana are in the FAQ Forum. --Moderator El Fanatico View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member's Topics Find Member's Posts Dec 27 2003, 03:40 PM Post #2 Retired! TJ Amgios Founder Group: Supermembers Posts: 3,990 Joined: 29-July 03 From: Orange County Member No.: 2 Very nice amigo! If you could drop me a PM when you have version 1.0 finalized, I'd like to host a copy of this in the "TJ FAQs & Guides" forum. -------------------- Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball. pacific0 View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member's Topics Find Member's Posts Dec 28 2003, 03:03 AM Post #3 Bronze Amigo Group: Members Posts: 39 Joined: 30-October 03 Member No.: 899 Noticed one mistake: Ninos Heroes is a street in the Zona Centro parallel to Constitucion. It is mentioned here as the main blvd in the Zona Rio - it should say Paseo de los Heroes instead. Otherwise very good info - I will be checking out Sushi House soon. kr8ka0s View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member's Topics Find Member's Posts Dec 28 2003, 03:17 AM Post #4 Platinum Amigo Group: Members Posts: 1,431 Joined: 23-November 03 From: Tijuana Member No.: 1,129 (burt) NEWBIE GUIDE TO TIJUANA Burt, Thanks, a lot of good tips and ideas... Gekko View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member's Topics Find Member's Posts Dec 28 2003, 04:59 AM Post #5 Platinum Amigo Group: Members Posts: 1,908 Joined: 5-December 03 Member No.: 1,207 I can't believe I actually got a few pointers. GOOD JOB!! :mrgreen: Snapper View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member's Topics Find Member's Posts Dec 28 2003, 07:21 AM Post #6 Platinum Amigo Group: Members Posts: 1,494 Joined: 6-August 03 From: Too Far North Member No.: 26 In the O'toole FAQ there were only a couple things that I thought were wrong for that time('95ish), but many other factors have changed over the years making it vary dated. The O'toole FAQ will always be known by many as the start to internet mongering in TJ, and has been a service to many of us when we were newbies, but it's relevance as a source of information has come and gone. Good job, Burt :mrgreen: It looks like you are providing the freshmen class of Tijuana Whore Fuckers a much needed replacement to the FAQ. just a couple things... (Burt) This advice on changing money was posted on the board by juanstijuana: In San Ysidro off San Ysidro Blvd., the rate is very good and I like RP International next to Church's Fried Chicken. I find this to be a VERY WRONG general statement. Most(but not all) places on San Ysidro Blvd and Revolución have the WORST rates. The best rates(and no commission) I've found in Tijuana are at 10th and Revolución, one casa de cambio just to the north of Club Amnesia's entrance, the other place is just ciddy-corner across the street next to the Italian restaurant. (Burt) The Alaska Motel on Revoulucion between the Arches and Calle Coahuilla is another Place I’ve heard of as is the Nelson Hotel around Revoluction and 2nd. (Burt) After you pass the Arch (heading north) you go down a little hill. The next street you come to is called Calle Coahuila. If from Revolucion you turn left (west) onto Calle Coahuila you enter the Zona Norte. After walking about a block you will reach the corner of Coahuila and Constitucion. I've been hearing that the heavy drug activity at this Motel Alaska is making it a hotel and area to avoid. I feel it is much safer to walk west on Articulo123, then north on Contitución. Milkman View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member's Topics Find Member's Posts Dec 28 2003, 09:34 AM Post #7 Administrator Group: Root Admin Posts: 12,503 Joined: 2-September 03 From: On my knees Member No.: 292 Unlike the rest of us Burt is a class act Thanks this will be usefull and we can point to this when we get those "Where do I get laid in TJ and how much do I pay ?", "where can I get anal sex?", "Where is Snapper?" thanks again Milkman -------------------- My favorite posters right now is Conman62 and Jimmydr keep up the good work guys! c-diddy View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member's Topics Find Member's Posts Dec 28 2003, 10:07 AM Post #8 Platinum Amigo Group: Root Admin Posts: 5,508 Joined: 23-November 03 From: hottie central Member No.: 1,128 Good faq though I don't see why you never convert dollars to pesos. You're missing out on an 11% discount which I tend to use mostly for putas. Many are bad at math and often 150 pesos sounds like a lot more than $25 USD. :badgrin: Byron View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member's Topics Find Member's Posts Dec 28 2003, 08:59 PM Post #9 Platinum Amigo Group: Members Posts: 2,966 Joined: 23-August 03 Member No.: 197 Burt Again, congratulations. Without a question, the FAQ is a valuable addition to this site. EF I am trying to get as much credit as I don't deserve. When you move this FAQ to the permanent place, could you title this as "Byron presents... Burt's newbie guide to TJ"? j/k (burt) NEWBIE GUIDE TO TIJUANA I'm new to this site. I originally posted my mussings on TER shortly before Christmas of 2003. Byron suggested I post it here because he felt it would reach more people. After the short time I've spent on this board I see it has much to offer and appreciate Byron's advice. alee43 View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member's Topics Find Member's Posts Dec 29 2003, 02:04 AM Post #10 Platinum Amigo Group: Supermembers Posts: 663 Joined: 11-November 03 From: San Jose, CA Member No.: 1,023 IMO, any newbie that reads this should be an informed consumer. Unless the rates shot up last week, I would rephrase your first bar girl paragraph to read: Bar Girls. Adelitas is representative of most bars—and, for good reason, as it is the most frequented bar in Tijuana. There is no cover charge, but you are expected to buy drinks. Currently drinks are $2.75 for you and $7.00 for the girl. The girls have a quota of drinks to sell each day, so expect to be hustled. However, if you don’t like a girl tell her maybe later. You can ask a girl to sit with you or ask a waiter to ask a girl to come to your table. They know what you want so after as much or as little small talk as you desire start bargaining. (You won’t get worse service for bargaining—it’s customary.) The girl will typically ask for $60.00 (up to maybe $70.00) for a half hour of sex. If she’s hot or it is busy you may have to pay the higher rate; however, $60.00 is the going asking rate—if there is such a thing. Bargaining down to $50 is common. burt View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member's Topics Find Member's Posts Dec 29 2003, 09:20 PM Post #11 Administrator Group: Root Admin Posts: 5,460 Joined: 27-December 03 From: San Diego-Tijuana Metropolitan Area Member No.: 1,400 NEWBIE GUIDE TO TIJUANA Part 2 NEWBIE GUIDE TO TIJUANA: TJ Providers Legalized Prostitution In Mexico there are no federal laws forbidding prostitution, hence it is often said that prostitution is legal in Mexico. Actually the status varies as local laws control it. Generally speaking, in the Mexican state of Baja California Norte prostitution is legal. It is also a major industry in Tijuana. There is a police sub-station in the mists of the street girls, while the downtown police station is near several massage parlors. As long as the girl has a health card she can legally work as a “puta.” There are, however, some things worth remembering to help you stay out of trouble. The age of consent is 18. Sex in public is illegal, so wait until you are in the room. (This includes nude sunbathing.) There are a myriad of other laws that also apply to your conduct. While prostitution may not be illegal per se, that does not mean who can do whatever you want, whenever you want, wherever you want. In the Zone of Tolerance, of course, things are permitted that might create problems in other parts of town. Even in the ZN, however, the above cautions apply. You do not have to fear LE while hobbying in Tijuana the way you do in the US. If worse comes to worse you may pay a small “fine” in TJ. Contrast that to the attorney fees and fines you would pay in the US. Even worse, in the US you might lose your car, have your picture in the newspaper, or be required to register as a sex offender. (Personally, I rather take my chances in TJ than in the US.) I made the statement that in TJ you could proposition a girl in front of a cop without having to worry about being arrested. Byron reported a problem several years ago when he picked up a girl on Revolución. A cop saw him, told him prostitution was illegal, and collected a $35.00 “fine” from Byron. This occurred during one of the periodic, short-lived “clean up Tijuana” campaigns. It is also a good example of the sort of bad luck with TJ cops that hobbyists occasionally encounter when doing something that is done 99.9% of the time with impunity. (Byron also noted this problem occurred during one of the periodic campaigns to clean up Tijuana and make it family friendly the, often before elections, is conducted by the city fathers.) Something else to understand is that while prostitution is legal, pimping and pandering is illegal. A bar or massage parlor can employ doormen. However, the freelance guys who follow you down the block offering you take you to a bar, massage parlor, etc. are breaking the law. Some also sell drugs or engage in other illegal activities. A word to the wise: tell them to leave you alone. It is prudent to avoid having the cops see you with them. You have less of a chance of getting AIDS or an STD from a Mexican provider than a US provider. Do you find that hard to believe? In a 12/12/2003 post on the San Diego TER board at the erotic review dot com (no www in the url) entitled “Mexican HIV/AIDS Rate & Safety of Visiting TJ Providers” I cite sources (like the CDC and UNICIF) that provide hard data supporting what I just said. If still in doubt, then check out the hard data upon which this statement is based. Mexican law requires sex works to have a health card and get a monthly exam. That, I think, helps in preventing STDs. At the same time, remember that these girls see a lot customers each month. Also, that if a girl is willing to do it without a condom with you then the chances are she is going without a condom with a lot of other guys as well. A survey of women in labor at the Tijuana General Hospital found 1.2% of the women tested were HIV positive. I advise using condoms. (Others, have brought to my attention that there are some errors in the methodically of these studies I cited above and that some of them were produced with a hidden agenda of encouraging legalized prostitution in the US. I think, because of the health permit system in TJ, there is validity in my statement above. Others, with cause, hold different opinions.) Again, to be safe, use condoms and avoid high-risk behavior—whatever the correct STD rate may be. Everyone needs to decide for himself what level of risk he is willing to assume, and to make the decision before the “little head” is doing the thinking. Being Prepared There is nothing wrong with bringing your own condoms. Remember, I said you are more likely to be scammed than robbed. Every once in a while some poor guy complains about getting all hot and bothered with a girl who suddenly discovers she is out of condoms. Carry your own or ask ahead of time to be sure the girl has an adequate supply. Don’t think for a minute she will go bareback because there isn’t a condom in sight—that kind of thinking may only get you an expensive handjob. If you take Viagra, etc. (discussed elsewhere) you might want to buy it when you cross the border. If you take it immediately after crossing the boarder it will probably be working about the time you find a provider and are ready to get down to business. Types of Providers In addition to strips clubs there are four categories of providers that mongers from the US frequently visit: street girls, bar girls, massage parlor girls, and Internet escorts. I’ll try to comment on each. Street Girls Street girls are found on Constitución Street south of Coahuila, and on the surrounding side streets. (There is also an area on Ninos Heros, between the Amor Latino and California clubs that is filled with transvestites. In that area of the ZN, be sure your girl is a girl unless you are looking for a she-male.) In warm weather street girls can be found by the hundreds, and even in winter they are numerous. (Of course, you see more skin when it’s warm.) Street girls charge around $20.00. You will also have to pay for a room in the hotel she uses. Expect the hotel to charge $5.00 to $15.00. (Others always seem better at bargaining than I and get better prices.) Service from the girl will be probably be quick (maybe fifteen minutes) and minimal. I’ve found it harder to have a GFE (girl friend experience) than with any other category of sex worker in TJ. It happens, but don’t expect it. Bargain for everything you want in advance, such as having her take off her clothes and give you oral sex. Expect a CBJ (covered blow job) not a BBBJ (bareback blow job as oral sex without a condom is called). Sex will probably be with a condom, and will be very mechanical. Street girls usually don’t speak much or any English (beyond a few mandatory words like “suckie,” and fuckie.”). The street girls, like the bar girls and massage parlor girls, are required to have a health card. Contrary to what you may have heard, they are not heavily diseased. Street girls seem to prefer quick, impersonal sessions. If you want a GFE or to make a “connection” with a girl I think you are least likely to obtain it from a street girl. (More about my reasoning later.) Bar Girls Adelitas Bar (AB) is representative of most bars—and, for good reason, as it is the most frequented bar in Tijuana. There is no cover charge, but you are expected to buy drinks. Currently (December 2003) drinks are $2.75 for you and $7.00 for the girl. The girls have a quota of drinks (loosely translated as fichas) to sell each day, so expect to be hustled. (A ficha is actually a “ticket” a girl gets for selling a drink which she later converts for money.) She also gets a cut ($3.00) of the drinks she sells. However, if you don’t like a girl tell her maybe later. You can ask a girl to sit with you or ask a waiter to ask a girl to come to your table. They know what you want so after as much or as little small talk as you desire start bargaining. You won’t get worse service for bargaining—it’s customary. The girl will probably ask $60.00 (up to maybe $70.00 or $80.00) for sex. If she’s hot or it is busy you may have to pay the higher rate; however, $60.00 is the going rate—if there is such a thing. Bargaining down to $50.00 is common. (Thanks Alee43 for your input.) Rates are often lower in smaller bars, which is a good reason to visit other bars. Sessions normally last 20 to 30 minutes, unless you pay for more time. Also, be sure you agree on what services she is to provide. DFK (deep French kissing), a BBBJ (oral sex without a condom), and DATY (dining at the “Y” or performing oral sex on the girl) may be missing unless contracted for in advance. The norm is a CBJ (covered blow job) and straight sex without clothes. You will pay $11.00 to rent a room for 30 minutes, but expect a knock at twenty minutes that will end the session. Tip the towel guy (tollechero) a buck. You can usually get a room for the entire night for around $35.00. Getting a room for the night is wise if you are going to see multiple girls or want longer sessions. There is a bar fine to take a girl to another hotel; however, she can spend the entire night with you in Adelita’s hotel (Hotel Coahuila) without you paying a bar fine. A TLN (todo la noche or all nighter) usually costs $200.00 and up depending on how busy it is, how late at night you start the session, if it is a weekday or weekend, how hot the girl is, how much she likes you, etc. (Often an all night session ends around 6am. Many girls leave when their shift ends as the have husbands, boyfriends and kids waiting at home for them.) Girls can see you on their own time without you having to pay a bar fine, so if you like her then ask for her phone number. There are lots of bars in the Zona Norte. If you don’t like one then try another. There is something there for most tastes. (Except mine, I like quiet place places with jazz or something very mellow where I can sit and talk). A question that is often asked is what services are available. I usually advice people not to expect a GFE, which to me includes at a minimum DFK, BBBJ, and DATY. These services—and many others—can be found in the ZN, but you are far from certain to obtain they in any given session. Guys with more experience and a good “game” probably do better in this area. Also, as with most things in life, money talks. (There is, for me at least, also an emotional component to a girl friend experience that I personally find hard to obtain in sessions with the bar girls. I may or may not get great sex—DFK, BBBJ, DATY, etc.—but the emotional connection of being with somebody who honestly likes your company and provides good companionship I have yet to receive in a session with a bar girl. I’ve found it easier to obtain a GFE with the Internet girls.) It should be noted that others have different opinions and, no doubt, experiences. Nevertheless, I stand my advice not to expect a GFE from a bar or street girl. (I’d much rather you be pleasantly surprised than disappointed and I believe the odds aren’t against getting a GFE from a bar girl, especially the first time you see her.) Prices vary somewhat from bar to bar. Byron, in one of his posts, made the following observation about the different prices: At Miami, Las Chavelas (LC) and the Bar Tropical (BT) $40-50 is the norm. At Adelitas Bar (AB) and Chicago Club (CC) the going rate is $50-$60. At Hong Kong (HK), Pollo and La Tropa (LT) the prices vary greatly with prices starting at $50; however, it is not unusual to see chicas who ask $100 at these three bars. Some of these chicas have leverage because they do not go with every guy who approaches them. Prices also vary greatly depending on a number of other factors, such has how good a “game” you have. Your age and looks are probably a factor. They day of the week and time of day is important. Also of importance is how busy or slow things are when you are haggling over price. The following Zona Norte bars are gringo friendly, relatively trouble free, and worth exploring: Adelitas, Chicago Club, La Tropa, Bar Tropical, Las Chavelas, Pollo, Manhattan, Miami, and Hong Kong. (Thanks Byron.) Byron reported that Kaoss next to Mermaids tried to rip him off and that there was also a report of a monger getting drugged and robbed at Odisea. Obviously, this does not mean that the bars not mentioned should be avoided, just that I don’t have enough information to comment on them. The character of bars changes over time. Also, one person’s good or bad experience may or may not be indicative of what another person will encounter. Post questions on the board if you want current information. In all bars a certain amount of caution is always advisable. While I don’t normally think it necessary to visit TJ with others, I would not go alone if I was planning on getting wasted. Which bar has the best girls? The answer to that question changes far too quickly to merit a place in this guide. The large bars—Adelitas and Chicago Club—have enough girls that you are likely to find a similar selection next month and next year to what you saw on your first visit. However, in the smaller bars the girls come and go so frequently that the character of the bar changes quickly. Part of fun for a lot of the vets is exploring and finding out what has changed and what things are like on any given day or night. Here are a few scams to watch for in bars. Be sure you know the prices of the drinks before ordering. Especially if a girl wants something out of the ordinary. (The $100.00 bottle of champagne is a world-wide scam.) Let the girl finish her drink before going to the john, otherwise it will probably go down the drain and she’ll ask for a refill. I recommend carrying plenty of ones and fives (or the equivalent in pesos). When giving the waiter a twenty, always ask if he has change for a twenty. First that stops him from claiming you only gave him a five. Second, it stops him form going home early and before giving you chance for you drinks. As I mentioned elsewhere, to be safe, always have the waiter open a bottle of beer in your presence. While slipping something into drinks is not, I believe, a common occurrence why run the risk. Massage Parlor Girls Massage parlor girls see fewer clients per day than bar girls (or street girls) and sessions last a full hour, not twenty to thirty minutes. Expect to pay the house $40.00 and the girl $80.00 to $100.00. (I normally pay $100.00.) When you enter the massage parlor, the girls line up and you pick the girl you want. Typically you negotiate services in the room. Again, DFK and a BBBJ probably won’t be on the menu, especially if this is your first time with the girl. If you can’t come to terms then pick another girl. I’ve had very good luck getting what I want at massage parlors by picking a girl, taking things slow, and becoming a regular customer. Girls in massage parlors work shifts, and are usually able to meet you during their off hours. Bar fines and take out policies vary among massage parlors, so ask and try another massage parlor if you don’t like what you hear. It seems 8th Street on both sides of Revolución is the center for the massage parlors in downtown TJ. Just east of Revolución on 8th Street is 5th Avenue Massage and the Men’s Club. On the corner of 8th and Revolución is Paris de Noche. On 8th street west of Revolución is Estetica Maria Bonita, and continuing up the 8th street a couple of blocks you will come to Mermaids on 8th and New Body Spa. (There are many other massage parlors in the downtown area. Too many to list.) In the Zona Norte there are also some massage parlors, with the Mermaids across from Adelitas being my favorite in the Zona. There is one connected to La Tropa also, which I haven’t visited but I’ve heard good things about. In the Zona Rio are Monte Carlo and Executive Real (which at present has a nice 90 minute special for $180.00). In the Plaza Pueblo Amigo, next to the Pueblo Amigo hotel, is Luxor, an upscale massage parlor that allows its girls to go to the Pueblo Amigo for an additional fee. ($40.00 if memory serves.) Massage parlors usually open between 10 and 11am and close around 1pm. On weekends some stay open until 6am. Expect to pay more at the upscale places. Among these are: New Body Spa, Monte Carlo, Executive Real, and Luxor. The New Body Spa has a nice Jacuzzi package. So does the Executive Real, if my memory is correct. Also, expect the upscale places to have the best girls. One problem with many massage parlors is they have massage tables instead of beds. Some have love seats as well as tables in their rooms. Mermaids in the Zona Norte, Mermaids on 8th street, and Monte Carlo (upon request) have beds. A few, like New Body Spa, have Jacuzzis. If you want a bed always ask for one. Some places have a room with a mattress on the floor that they tell the inspectors is for the girls to use for taking a nap, which sometimes you can use. Some guys avoid massage parlors, thinking they are too expensive. However, an hour with a bar girl will go for about $120.00 plus the room and drinks you bought the girl when negotiating with her. If you are looking for a longer session I don’t see much of a price difference. Bar girls, of course, are a better value for those wanting a quickie. A few tips on getting the most out of a visit to a massage parlor: You do not have to wait until you are in the middle of the massage to negotiate. (You don’t even have to get a massage for that matter.) You can negotiate in the room before starting the session. If you can’t come to terms go back and ask for another girl. Normally you won’t have to pay additional room time. You can also negotiate before you even go to the room. After the hostess introduces all the girls, then ask “Maria” or whomever you select if you can speak to her for a moment. Draw her aside into a place of semi-privacy—if necessary ask the hostess how to you speak to her in private. After telling her how pretty she is (keep the small talk to a minimum) then tell her what you want (DFK, BBBJ, etc.) and bargain. If you don’t like what you hear then ask to speak to another girl. While this may not be the way most guys do business in massage parlors it can be done without violating the customs of the house. Anther option is to ask the hostess to introduce the girls one by one. There are times I’ve even told the hostess what I want and asked for recommendations. There are also times I ask the entire flock of girls questions like “who likes to dance” or “I like music, which one of you will sign to me.” I do this to pick up “vibes” from the different girls and set a lighthearted tone for the session. The point is you can haggle in massage parlors, just like in the bars, before paying your money. Also, just like in the bars, you can get a feeling for what a girl is like before making your selection. Don’t be surprised if most massage parlor girls, just like most bars girls, don’t offer DFK and only provide a CBJ together with straight sex. Since they are lower mileage and will be spending a full hour with you they usually want $80.00 to $100.00 for full service, unlike bar girls who typically charge $50.00 to $60.00 for thirty minutes. (You can also negotiate for less than full service if you only want oral sex or a hand job. Fees, of course, are less if you don’t get full service.) Some massage parlors will tell you something like it’s $40.00 for a topless massage and $50.00 for a totally nude massage. Unless you only want a massage always pay the lower rate. Some exceptions are when you want a room with a Jacuzzi, a room with a bed, or more than one hour in the room. Whatever you negotiate with the girl determines how naked she gets and what services she provides. Internet Escorts I enjoy the TJ Internet escorts. I must state they are not for everyone. They offer something I enjoy, but that is hardly a universal sentiment. Plus there are less expensive ways of getting action. Have you ever returned from a business trip to have your girlfriend meet you at the airport with a big hug and kiss after which you scurry off to her place for a great session in bed? This is the best way to describe what I seek in a GFE (which physically at a minimum includes DFK, DATY, a BBBJ, etc.). I’ve come closer to this type of experience with the Internet girls than with any other category of provider in TJ. But, that is my opinion based on nothing more than my personal experiences. If you are looking for a GFE with lots of DFK and a BBBJ your best bet, in my opinion, is a session with one of the Internet escorts. Many of them also work at Adelitas, but you will probably get better treatment if you contact them on-line. In general, the Internet girls are a little older than most of the street, bar, and massage parlors girls. Typically they provide a fuller service menu. Standard rates are $150.00 for the first hour and $100.00 for each hour thereafter. Sessions often run overtime; and as long as you don’t go too much overtime there probably won’t be an additional charge. Payment is often made after the session ends. You often receive a massage and a second cup of coffee is usually allowed. When booking sessions longer than one hour expect the girl encourage, and try to facilitate, "extra innings." Some girls offer discounts on slow days; if she offers a discount the information will be posted on her website or maybe on TER’s Tijuana discussion board at The Erotic Review dot com, no www in the url. (Sadly, a paid membership is required to read the entire review.) It is it is in poor form to bargain for discounts with the Internet escorts. (With the other girls it is the norm, but not with Internet appointments.) Also, asking an Internet escort for a discount probably won’t do any good, will probably offend her, and might lessen the quality of the session. The web sites I use to find Internet escorts in Tijuana are http://www.escortmexico.net and http://www.hottijuana.com . Typically an Internet escort meets you at Calientes, just after you cross the border. Calientes is across the street from McDonalds on De La Amistad near all the pharmacies just after crossing into Mexico. Remember, the girls don’t have a US visa and you have to cross into Mexico to meet them. They will take you by taxi to an apartment near the border and return you to the border by cab. Expect them to begin and end a session by showering with you. Their service is great and most offer a GFE. When you consider the cab fees, hotel fees, and the drinks you didn’t have to buy then you may conclude the Internet girls are a good value as well as a lot of fun. (Expect them to offer you a drink.) Since I live in San Diego I often visit Tijuana on the spur of the moment; however, when I make plans in advance I usually see one of the Internet escorts. Appointments are usually made by email. It is probably safest to try booking an appointment one or two days in advance; however, there are times I been able to make same day appointments. It depends very much on the girl and probably luck. Some girls have Internet at home and others use an Internet cafe. Obviously those who have Internet at home are more likely to respond quickly than those who use an Internet Cafe. I've found that I have better luck booking a same day appointment if I send the email very early in the morning, at least before 8am. Checking your email through the day is necessary to book and confirm a same day appointment. As I said, Internet escorts are not for everyone. Those on a tight budget or looking for the "party atmosphere" found in the Zona may be disappointed. I like a slower pace and to "connect" with a girl; I personally find Internet sessions very satisfying. Subjective Differences Making generalization is dangerous, as there are usually plenty of exceptions. What follows is no different; however, I think what follows is accurate in a high enough percentage of cases to be useful. I believe a girl’s overall personality tends to steer her into a particular category of sex work. I say that realizing there are plenty of exceptions and misfits to my generalizations. Street girls do not seem to want interact with their customers. They prefer a quick, short session. In my experience, they are the least likely to provide a GFE. They seem to make their money on volume and have the least amount of personality and “people skills” of any of category of TJ providers. Trying to get one to relax and take her time is sort of like picking a race horse for a ride on the beach. I have had more problems getting the services I bargain for out of street girls than any other category of provider in TJ. (DFK “besos con lingua” becomes a peck on the lips, an hour becomes 30 minutes, etc.) I usually avoid them, as they don’t seem to provide me what I want. I recommend them for guys on a tight budget and for guys who want to do a lot of girls while in TJ. Bar girls like action. They strike me as party girls at heart. They like to mix and mingle; some are good flirts. They hustle. (Especially since they get about $3.00 for each drink you buy them.) After 30 minutes in the room expect them to want to get back to the party. They seem to enjoy the challenge of meeting guys and getting guys to buy them drinks and take them to the room. If you loved frat parties you will probably like bar girls and the atmosphere that surrounds them. The bar scene is something some guys really enjoy. (Maybe it was all those frat parties they attended or wished they’d attended.) If you like bars then the ZN is the place for you, and I advise you to explore it thoroughly. Others guys, however, are less enthusiastic about the bar scene—noise and commotion is not what they seek to unwind. (I am a member of the later group.) One of the great things about TJ is the variety it offers mongers. If bar girls and street girls are not your cup of tea, then try massage parlors and Internet girls. The probability is that if you don’t like bars you will find either the massage parlors or Internet girls offer what you want. I personally prefer massage parlors and Internet girls to bar girls and street parlor girls. I’ve found, however, that I’m in the minority. If you don’t know where to start then I suggest giving Adelitas Bar followed by the Chicago Club in the Zona Norte. a visit. Maria Bonita Estecita or Mermaids on 8th are a good starting place for those interested in massage parlors. (I’ve also had very good luck at Mermaids in the Zona; however, it is far from quiet.) Those wanting a more upscale place (and willing to pay for it) might consider trying the New Body Spa on 8th Street at about Martinez, Luxor next to the Pueblo Amigo Hotel, or the Executive Real in the Zona Rio. Massage Parlor girls are more the stay-at-home type. Things move slower with them. They usually see only one or two clients a day, so they aren’t as likely to feel it is costing them money to spend time with you. However, the house will probably end the session at one hour. (Exceptions are sometimes made for regular customers.) During the session you can go as slow as you want. Those who like the girl next-door type and guys who want some type of connection with a girl will probably like massage parlors better than bars. The same is true of guys who are introverts or just plain don’t enjoy the noise and commotion of bars. At a massage parlor a guy can walk in, make a selection, and get down to business without playing a lot of games first. Chupami made some comments about the Luxor that I want to include (after editing them for space) because I think they explain well the benefits that massage parlors offer. As he states, many people seem to forget that massage parlors offer two services. One is a pampering massage from a young, cute girl. The other is sex. Chupami posted: It is obvious that many of you are in TJ on a minimal budget. With that criterion, massage parlors (mp) are not the right place for you. TJ massage parlors are for those that can afford to pamper themselves and appreciate having a nude young, girl give you at least 30 minutes of a relaxing rubdown. The Luxor is indeed a wonderful and cost effective place to go when you consider that they are providing two services. Sadly the only service they are given credit for is the sexual service. You won't get a full hour massage anywhere in the states with a sweet young thing who is waving her panocha in front of your face for anywhere near $45. If you can afford it, the best way to go is to take the VIP route for $180. Jacuzzi WITH the chica, massage, sex, drinks, and a full 90 minutes of "companionship". Yeah, it is more than $50 at Adelitas, but then you get a lot more for your money too. The Luxor is as convenient and clean as they come. Within walking distance of the border so forget about the taxis. [The bar fine is reasonable—about $40.00 if I remember correctly—for those who want to take the girl to a room at the Pueblo Amgio hotel next door.] I love going to Adelitas, but there is room in my schedule for the Luxor as well. Then again, I am not a "wham bam thank you ma'am" kind of guy. I am sure my ego is stroked a lot more by have sex with a 19 year old than if I was much younger like most of you seem to be. Thanks Chupami. I’ve tried explaining to others, without success, why I like massage parlors. You explained it better than I. For me what Chupami said about visiting massage parlors applies as much, if not more, to sessions with Internet girls. They tend to be a little older and know how to “read” you as well as being eager to please. Most have worked in a bar and they strike me as being a little bored and wanting something different. They seem more interested in making a connection than girls in the other categories. I think some of them secretly hope they can find a guy who will change their lives. (Not that I think they would necessarily make a good traditional wife and mother, but then you never know.) Guys wanting conversation, a non-rushed session, and to make a connection with a girl will probably enjoy Internet girls. Those on a budget or seeking a lot of fast action probably won’t. While it is possible to get almost anything in TJ with a little luck and enough money, don’t expect a leopard to change it spots. I think there is something to the idea of trying to figure out what you really want in a session and then finding the setting that is most likely to offer what you seek. Strip Clubs Most of the strip clubs don’t charge an entrance fee. What is the best strip club in TJ seems to be a matter of opinion and is constantly changing. You will have to buy drinks to sit in the club and watch or talk with the girls. The stripping is tame by US standards (especially LA standards). However, groping is permitted, indeed expected, during lap dances and to a lesser extent when you buy the girl a drink. Many clubs have semi-secluded areas for private dances. I don’t enjoy loud music so I seldom visit strip clubs. (I once took a girl at Eclipse into a back room for full service. I expect if that can be done at one club it can be done at most clubs.) Lord Blacks, between 9th and 10th on Revolución, is an upscale place that charges an admission fee. The same is true of Bolleros near the Pueblo Amigo hotel. On Revolución, Madonna as well as Peanuts and Beer have good reputations; they don’t charge admission. When entering strip clubs be on the lookout for pickpockets and “she-males”. If I were going to visit a strip club it would probably be one of the upscale places. Some guys have posted that if the walk away that clubs like Lord Black will allow them to enter without paying the cover charge. I don’t know as I’ve never played that game. Some clubs, especially those on Revolution between 6th and 7th—like Bambi and San Sauci—have a lot of transvestites Eclipse is not as bad as some on this block, but is not exempt from this problem either. Be careful that the girl you select is really a girl. This is another reason I generally avoid strip clubs, except the upscale places like Lord Blacks and Bolleros that have a cover fee. As I said above, Peanuts and Beer as well as Madonas have good reputations as well. In December 2003 the authorities started a crackdown on girls working in strip clubs without a health card and some places were closed. In the past the girls claimed they were only dancers and didn’t need a health card. Currently that doesn’t works with the cops. Some girls are no longer stripping because they don’t want to get a health card and tell the world what they do for a living. I expect these will only be temporary problems, not the end of strip clubs in TJ. One of the things dancers usually like about their work is they are free to decline offers from guys they don’t want to date. Dancers tend to make enough money dancing that they can afford to be selective. While it is possible the outcome of this crackdown will be that strip clubs will become legit, I doubt it. It is more likely the crackdown will only drive “extra services” even further underground, making them more expensive and more difficult to obtain. My experience with dancers, especially in places like Lord Black, is that they want too much money. (Like $200.00 and up.). So with one exception (a really hot, honest to goodness girl at Eclipse who charged me $80.00 for a great full service session) I don’t date dancers. In a strip clubs be especially on your guard against pickpockets. It is common for the girl to do some groping in the hopes you’ll want a lap dance. Just be sure she doesn’t touch more than the family jewels in the process. Also, be sure to clearly confirm the price ahead of time. A scam that frequently occurs in strips clubs is to up the price, claiming a misunderstanding, after money has changed hands. You are stuck leaving without the lap dance or paying a higher price as the girl (backed by the club) will refuse to refund your money. Other Sources There are girls who advertise in the newspaper. There are girls that cab drivers, hotel desk clerks, etc. recommend. Once at La Mansion I had a chat with the guy at the gate after sending a girl home in a taxi. (I decided to return to the room until the wait at the border decreased.) He wanted to know if I wanted another girl. (A nice compliment for a guy my age.) He said they are acquainted with a number of 18-20 year old girls. I asked price, he finally said about $150.00 for a couple of hours. (I’ve heard some of the girls work at Chicago Club at night.) Someday I may experiment. The point of this digression is that there are many, many ways to find girls in TJ (some of which are not prudent). All Night Sessions (TLN) An all night—todo la noche (TLN)—session can be a lot of fun. It can also be a disaster if you pick the wrong girl. They are most commonly provided by bar girls; however, they can be obtained from street girls and (at least with advanced planning) with massage parlor girls. A good rule of thumb is to expect to pay $200.00 and up for a TLN. The later at night it is and the slower it is the more likely, and less expensively, that a TLN can be arranged. Prices vary greatly. The more a girl likes you the better the deal. Often if she knows you are going to take her someplace like dinner, dancing or a movie, the better the price and session will be. Taking her to La Mansion instead of someplace in the ZN probably won’t hurt the deal either. It is always best to get to know the girl first. I suggest at least a “quickie” before picking a girl for a TLN. I like to get phone numbers from girls and arrange a TLN by telephone. I find girls will spend a day with you instead of night if they work the night shift. (Massage parlors have high “bar fines” so I always get the phone number of massage parlor girls and arrange to see them when they are off duty.) Be careful to negotiate everything you expect in a TLN, including the time it will end. Many girls have kids and boyfriends so they want to leave for home at their normal hour. Others want to leave at 6am as they are planning on using the excuse of missing the last bus home. Still others want to leave whenever their normal shift ends, often 6am. If you plan on a leisurely “breakfast in bed” type of session be sure that time the girl is to leave is clearly understood ahead of time. Locals While locals are not providers, at least in the way the word is generally used, for obvious reason they deserve a place somewhere in my ramblings. This is a good a place as any for a few remarks. Personally, I crave companionship as well as sex. Although I’m over fifty, I’m currently dating a local girl who is twenty. She doesn’t ask for money and I really enjoy her company. She seems to honestly enjoy my company. If things blossom into an intimate relationship then I’ll consider myself to have won the grand price: a caring, sharing, intimate relationship with an attractive girl who accepts me for who I am. Ea$y made what I feel is a profound observation when he said, “Gringas are looking for a man whose life they can change, while Latinas are looking for a man who will change their life.” I think there is a kernel of truth in that philosophy. I’ve learned that even some of the young girls are willing to date to an old, of out shape wreck like me. Many guys visit places like Ochoa's Nite Club, an up-scale place, and Las Pulgas at 7th and Revolución. Ea$y said about Ochoa’s “All ages, ranging from 20's to 50's. Some have money. Most are looking for a relationship with a gringo.” Milkster has also frequently commented about where and how to meet local girls. (As for me I don’t drink and can’t dance. But I’ve considered taking a few dancing lessons as I’d like to meet more locals.) Senor Frogs next near the Pueblo Amigo Hotel used to be a good place to meet locals. Many local girls currently go to the disco Animale on Revolución (or so my novia once told me). However, these places are very trendy and I imagine have a short half-life. I suggest posting questions on the board for current information, especially in regards to a subject like this. Ea$y has posted about a relationship he’s developed with a local. If I remember correctly she works as a cashier at Sanborns and he met her while shopping. I know Milkster has dated a lot of locals. The point is that it is there are many ways of meeting locals, and many locals who want to meet a gabacho. If you reach the point that Ea$y and I have where you want more than a one-night stand, then I recommend the locals. Don’t expect them to jump into bed with you on the first date. (It took Ea$y a long time to connect—he had to establish a connection that is more than physical before things progressed to the bedroom. I haven’t reached that point with the local I’m dating, but it’s headed that direction. I really enjoy the times we go to dinner or a movie together. It’s great being with somebody who wants your company, not your wallet.) NEWBIE GUIDE TO TIJUANA: Taxis Using a Taxi Wherever you decide to go in Tijuana you will probably do so by Taxi. Of course, you can walk, use a bus, or take a route taxi (collectivo), but most hobbyists take a taxi. There are two types of taxis: metered and unmetered. For years the only taxis available were unmetered. The Yellow Cabs, Blue and White Cabs, and all their kin are unmetered. Usually they are full sized American cars like a Crown Victoria. From the border it should cost you $5.00 to go downtown, to the bars (such as Adelitas and Chicago Club in the Zona Norte), to the Plaza Rio, or to the Plaza Pueblo Amigo. Sometimes, however, I’ve had taxis charge me $7.00 to go to or from La Mansion, which located in the far end of the Zona Rio. (All these areas are discussed in more detail elsewhere.) Tipping cab drivers is not customary among Mexicans. Cab drivers the world over often try to overcharge. I recommend asking, “Will you take me to [insert destination] for $5.00? If the cab driver asks for more then haggle or find another cab. I should also note that if you ask a hotel or restaurant to call a cab then you can expect to pay more. The cab drivers claim they have to pay a fee to whoever calls them. Returning from the Zona Rio also seems to cost more than getting there; probably because it is harder to find a taxi in the Zona Rio that it is at the border or in the Zona Norte. The metered taxis are usually orange and white Nissan Sentras and are called a taxi libre. There are more yellow cabs, and you probably will have to wait and hunt around for a taxi libre. Be sure the meter on a taxi libre has been reset. The meter should show about 5 to 7 pesos, depending on the time of day, when you enter the cab. (That’s around fifty cents. I think the rate is slightly higher at night.) It normally costs between two and three dollars in a taxi libre to reach any of the destinations that cost $5.00 in a yellow cab. (If you want to go sight seeing either bargain for an hourly rate with a yellow cab driver or take a taxi libre.) Every yellow cab driver I’ve encountered spoke English. (The same is true of the MexiCoach bus drivers and station attendants.) In general, taxi libre drivers have a more limit command of the English language. Those who feel uncomfortable communicating in Spanish might be happier using a yellow cab than a taxi libre. There are many scams cab drivers attempt. The first is overcharging. It costs $5.00 to go from the border to the Zona Norte or Revoluciion, and the same to return to the border. (If you have a hotel or a restaurant call a cab you will probably end up paying seven. The prices go up if there aren’t other taxis within easy walking distance.) The second is claiming they can’t make change. (See why I recommend carrying plenty of ones and fives.) Taxi libres claim there meter isn’t working and try to charge yellow cab prices. (Tell the guy to turn on his meter or you will report him.) Cab drivers get a commission to take tourists all sorts of places. Perhaps the most frequent TJ destination is Adelitas Bar in the Zona Norte. There is a place called Adillas on Revolución; don’t let him drop you there if you want to go to Adelitas. (The problem is not language related, he’s just trying to get a kickback.) Another scam is is to tell you something like the Zona Norte is closed, or it is dangerous to go there (he may even say something like they are investigation a murder to justify his comment). Don’t fall for it; the Zona doesn’t close. NEWBIE GUIDE TO TIJUANA: Driving to the Zona Norte Insurance If you do drive in Mexico be sure you have Mexican auto insurance. (You can buy it just after you cross into Mexico or at several of the interstates exits just before crossing the border. You can also buy it west of I-5 on Camino de la Plaza.) Remember, US insurance is not valid in Mexico. Also, Mexico has different laws than the US, and if you get in an auto accident you likely will face criminal charges as well as have to pay for the damage you caused. (Expect the local to win.) You will e taken before a judge who will determine who is at fault before you can leave. Without Mexican auto insurance you could be detained and required to post bond before you are released and allowed to return to the US. When buying Mexican auto insurance I also recommend buying legal coverage so you will have an attorney to represent you in case you are in an accident. Mexican Traffic Laws Remember that Mexican law requires the use of seat belts and prohibits using a cell phone while driving. Don’t make a right turn on a red light. (Don’t assume that just because the locals can get away with breaking these laws that you can too.) Drive cautiously and obey all traffic laws. Expect Mexican drivers to do the unexpected, and drive in a manner that would earn them a ticket for reckless driving in the US. Finally, lock your valuables in the trunk on your car. I recommend against hiding a spare key on the car. Directions to the Zona Norte While I recommend leaving you car in the US, I’m going to include Byron’s directions for driving to the Zona Norte (perhaps the most common destination in Tijuana as it’s the district with the bars). To reach the Zona Norte: [1] Cross the border. Get in the left-most lane. [2] You will see the signs "Av Revolución " then "Centro" over your lane. [3] Your lane makes a sweeping left-circle turn. [4] At the end of the turn, your mileage from the border is 0.9. You are now on 3rd Ave. Stay in the right lanes. [5] Pass 4 signals. The 4th signal is on Revolución. Mileage from the border 1.4. [6] After crossing Revolución, get in the right-most lane. [7] Turn right on Constitución. Mileage from the border 1.5. DO NOT TURN RIGHT ON RED SIGNAL. [8] Pass 2 signals, and the first ALTO (STOP sign) is the Adelitas Bar/Chicago Club corner of Constitución and Calle Coahuila. Mileage from the border 1.7. After arriving in the Zona Norte, use one of the following three popular parking options. (A) Leyva Hotel parking lot. ( In front of Chicago Club. Turn left at the Adelitas Bar/Chicago Club corner. There is a lot on your right, immediately after you cross the street Nino Heros. It is only a 1.7 mile trip. The only trick is to get in the correct lanes. This applies most when you cross the border. Because you have to get to the left-most lane after the border, try to be on the left side of I-5/805 before approaching the border. It is a BIG hassle to fight against jammed traffic to move all the way from right lanes to the left-most lane after crossing the border. NEWBIE GUIDE TO TIJUANA: Returning to the US Returning by Cab If, as I advise, you left your car in the US, you have your choice of walking or taking a cab, bus or collectivo back to the border. The fee in a yellow cab (or any other cab without a meter) is $5.00 from the downtown, bar district, Zona Publo Amigo. or Zona Rio to the border. (Sometimes I have to pay $7.00 to the border from the far reaches of the Zona Rio.) When asking a cab driver to take you to the broader tell him to take you to “la lina sentri.” There are several places cabs drivers drop off passengers; and often they drop them off where they have to cross the freeway to reach to the line that reenters the US. The lina sentri takes longer for cab drivers to reach, but if that is where you exit a cab you won’t have to cross a road filled with traffic. The rate is the same to go “la lina sentri” instead of the standard drop off point. Returning by Bus If the line is long (as is usually the case in the middle of the day and when workers cross) you might consider taking the bus. The MexiCoach bus station is at the back of a tourist souvenir arcade located on Revolución between 6th and 7th street on the west side of the Revolución. There is a large sign on top of the building that says Bus. The fee is $2.00 and during peak hours the buses run about every 20 minutes. The nice part is there is a separate line at customs for bus passengers. You get off the bus and go straight to a customs agent with hardly any delay. Also, you are able to sit in the station or on the bus while others are standing in line (which is very nice on a hot day). If you want you can continue on the bus to one of the parking lots on the west side of I-5. After you clear customs look for a door on your left. Exit through the door and wait for the bus; it will take you to the Border Station parking lot west of I-5 on Camino de la Plaza. Another place to cross is at Otay Mesa instead of San Ysidro. Ben provided this advice: Otay can be a good alternative, but you have to remember you are talking about at a minimum of a thirty-forty-five minute trip up there and then back to the I-805 or I-5, in addition to the wait time once you get in line at Otay Mesa. On Sunday or for that matter anytime the line is over an hour wait, if you are walking and the line is over a hour wait, you might consider walking to Hotel Pueblo Amigo and having the Caliente bus take you for free through the Otay crossing. The bus will meet you on the U.S. side and take you back to San Ysidro. Check at the Caliente sports book for their schedule. Pick up a couple of betting ticket off the floor or place a bet in case they ask you if you are a gambler. Returning by Car If you took your car to Tijuana then from either the downtown area or the Zona Norte, the easiest way to reach the border is by following the signs on Juarez (2nd Street). It is a one-way street and the signs are adequate for you to find your way to the border. The car wait always seems long. Walking to the Border If you are going to walk home then find the Arch at First and Revolución and follow Articulo 123 back to the border. (First Street is called Articulo 123.) You need to follow this diagonal pathway (headed northeast) back to the border. There are signs to guide you. I strongly recommend against walking back to the border, especially at night or if you have been drinking. Best Times to Cross I’ve often found that after about 6:00-6:30 pm the wait is short. After 7:00-7:30 pm it is very short, five minutes on less. (Sundays are a different story as Sunday evening is one of the worst times of all to cross.) The reason I started for upscale restaurants in Tijuana when I go there in the afternoon is to avoid waiting in a long line. (More about some really good restaurants elsewhere.) The shortest wait for motorist, at least motorists who are night owls, is between about 1:00 am and 3:00 am, after most people are in bed and before the early morning commuter start crossing. (That information comes from Byron. I wouldn’t know as the sandman has found me long before he heads for home.) Weekends are holidays are terrible times to cross by car. (Before I’d wait in line I rent a car in Mexico. There is a Budget car rental near the Hotel Lucerna that has decent rates.) Tips on what to do if the line is long If you get to the border and find there is a long line you may still find you can take the bus. Start knocking on the doors of the buses waiting to cross. I’ve often found that I can still pay the driver $2.00 and board the bus. It sure beats standing in line, especially on a hot day. When waiting in line during busy days you will see people renting bicycles for $5.00 to $7.00. Like buses, bikes have their own line. However, renting a bike may or may not be a good idea. Some days the inspectors will only process ten bikes per 100 pedestrians. On those days bicyclists spend more time in line than pedestrians. Bringing Medication into the US One of the questions frequently asked is can I buy medicine in TJ and bring it back to the US. This was the subject of a December 2003 TER thread. My personal experience is that you can without a prescription—but I’m not talking about things like diabetic meds, not narcotics, painkillers, or something an addict would find interesting. It’s best to have a prescription from a US doctor or a Mexican doctor for drugs not approved by the FDA. Second best is a prescription from a Mexican doctor. Many pharmacies can refer you to Mexican doctors who speak English and are “tourist friendly”. Without a prescription my personal experience is that you will get a lecture but still be allowed to enter the US with meds for personal use. Limit yourself to a sixty to ninety day supply. ID Needed to Enter the US In theory you need to prove both your identity and citizenship to return to the US. A passport, of course, does both. A driver’s license (or similar ID) only proves your identity. In theory you should have a copy of your birth certificate or other document proving your right to live in the US with you as well as something like a driver’s license that proves your identity. I say in theory as only rarely have I heard of an inspector asking for more than a driver’s license or a California ID card. Even the people who only had a driver’s license were allowed to return to the US with nothing more than a lecture about bringing a copy of their birth certificate next time. (If you lose your ID in Mexico it is usually possible to return to the US without too much headache. Especially if you are a middle aged WASP.) I’m a WASP and I’ve never had a problem; however, I’ve learned it isn’t a perfect world. So if I were Hispanic and spoke English with an accent I would definitely carry a passport (or other adequate documentation) with me. NEWBIE GUIDE TO TIJUANA: Hotels Hotels in the Zona There are guys who stay in the Zona Norte. Personally I don’t stay in the Zona as there is so much noise I’m unable able to sleep. Based on my limited experience (and the posts of others) here’s a little advice about hotels in the Zona Norte. Cascadas (in “the alley”, discussed elsewhere) is OK if you can get a room on the 4th floor or higher, but any lower and it's too loud. Leyva (right next to Chicago Club) has rooms for $18, but I’m told it makes Cascadas look like a 4-star hotel. Another Place I’ve heard about is the Nelson Hotel on Revolución by the Arch. If you stay there try to get a room facing away from the noise. The top floors of Hotel Coahuila (Adelita’s hotel) might also be acceptable, especially if you already got a room there to avoid the “times up” knock on the door that always seems to come after twenty minutes instead of thirty minutes. In times past guys used the Alaska Motel on Revolución between the Arch and Calle Coahuila. However, this place is getting a reputation for drug dealing and is probably best avoided at present. As I said, I don’t stay in the ZN. Byron posted what follows. I’ve found his advice to be helpful in other matters and I have no doubt it is the same regarding hotels in the Zona. Leyva (next to Chicago Club) is a good bet just to crash. You can sleep for something like $18 - $25, depending on the room. If you start driving your car into the ZN, then $5 extra for parking until 1 pm the next day comes handy. They sell out quickly on weekend nights, though. Hotels attached to bars, La Tropa's (Hotel Zona Norte), Adelitas (Hotel Coahulia), Miami/LC/Hong Kong (Cascadas), Tropical (Rizo de Oro), Manhattan (Manhattan) all go for about $30-40 for a night. I have stayed in all of them. The advantage of staying in those hotels is, you can bring in (multiple) chicas from the associated bars. Their rooms are generally functional and clean, but most of them are noisy. The back side of Rizo de Oro and top floors (5th or higher) of Cascadas are relatively quiet. For comfort, I'd recommend Manhattan. Their rooms are larger, cleaner, and quieter than others. I have also tried various cheap places in the ZN. I once stayed at a hotel across the street from the Manhattan for $20. I don't remember the name of the hotel, but you enter this place through a Laundromat. That one was actually okay. It was quiet, and the shower worked. Next to it, there is a hotel that advertises for $10 a night. That's the cheapest I ever saw in the ZN, but the only time I tried the place, they didn’t have a room. There are several places I would not stay in again. I once slept in Pepe's, across Coahuilla from La Tropa for something like $18. Do not go there. It is a dump and also a meth joint. I then stayed at the hotel at the NW corner of Constitución and Articulo 123 (First Street) for $20. Not worth it. I also entered the hotel on Franco's corner (SW of Constitución and Calle Coahuila), I looked at their room, was disgusted, and left. I recently stayed at Alaska (on west side of Rev. between Coahuila and First), for something like $19. Fr Lust likes this place, but I didn't. The bed was too soft and the bathroom/shower smelled too moldy. One reason why I tried out so many different places is there were several occasions on which every hotel I tried had sold out its rooms. Typically that is between 11 pm and 1 am on Fri/Sat nights. If this happens to you, and you can't find a room even in Alaska, then do not panic. Cascadas starts selling their short-time rooms for overnight stays at around 3 am. I like staying close to the action. Whenever possible, I try to stay in one of bar hotels. I choose them based on which bar I would be taking chicas from that night. Lately, I have been staying mostly in the Rizo de Oro and Cascadas. If not, I go to Leyva. (Thanks again Bryon.) Downtown Hotels In the downtown (Revolución) area try the Hotel la Villa Zaragosa on Madero (one block east of Revolución) between 7th and 8th. It is similar to a Travel Lodge and about $45.00 to $55.00 a night. They have security if you park your car there. Another place downtown I might consider is the Hotel America on 4th and Negrete, however, I’ve never stayed there. (Rates are a little less than at the Zaragosa I believe.) The Paris Hotel on 5th, between Revolution & Constitution (about $35.00 a night) is another place I haven’t used but have heard is a fairly decent place to stay downtown. I have used the Zaragosa and found it acceptable, but not luxurious. First Rate Hotels Most of the best hotels in Tijuana are located in the Zona Rio. Personally I have been very pleased with the Pueblo Amigo, which is just across the border (cell phones work in the PA) and the Hotel Lucena (once the premier hotel in Tijuana and still very nice). With a AAA discount both of these hotels charge about $90.00 a night, tax included. (Milkster posted suggestions about how to get a gamblers discount in the PA on TER. Apparently I didn’t follow his advice to “act like I own the place” because I didn’t get the discount.) There are other good hotels in the Zona Rio area that I haven’t used. One is the Hotel Hacienda del Rio, which is run by the Baja Inn chain. It’s on Sanchez Toboada near the corner of Rodiguez, roughly across the street from Pampas restaurant. (Pampas is a decent place and favorite of the locals.) It charges about ten to twenty bucks less that the AAA rate at Pueblo Amigo and Lucerna and has comparable rooms. It has free Internet and is very close to my favorite restaurants, Saverios, Chans, and La Difference, on Sanchez Toboado. There are many other good hotels in the Tijuana, which because of space I am not going to mention; these should be enough to get you started if you are looking for an upscale place to stay. Since the Pueblo Amigo hotel is a favorite of many mongers, I will go into some detail about it. It started out as a Holiday Inn, which should provide an idea of the room quality and overall layout. As mentioned elsewhere, it is close to the Luxor massage parlor and Bolleros strip clubs. You can pay a bar fine (around $40.00 if my memory is correct) to take the girl to your room for the session. Senor Frogs and many other attractions are closeby. Salchicha verde noted: For nearby attractions don't forget the Rodeo Santa Fe aka Rodeo Medio de la Noche, a huge, three story hardcore western-themed nightclub/disco within a couple of hundred meters of the hotel. Somewhat older, more moneyed crowd than Las Pulgas, nary a gringo in sight in the place. There's also Gypsy's, a Spanish restaurant, which has good but not spectacular Tapas and a lively upwardly mobile Mexican clientele and interesting decor. Milkman and Ben have spoken about getting a gamblers discount. I’ll quote Ben: have stayed there many times and it is very easy to get a "Gamblers special. The junior suite room is very popular and there rate during the week is around $70-$75 and $80-$90 on the weekends (just the opposite in pricing from The U.S.). Go to Caliente across from the Hotel and place a $10 bet on a basket ball game. Then walk back into the hotel and go to the other Caliente in the back of the hotel and place a bet on the same game, but pick the other team. On a $10 bet you will get back approx. $18. OR do what Milkman does and just picked up old tickets off the floor. After you place your bet, ask to speak to the the Caliente manager as you want a letter for a "gamblers special". Take the letter to the front desk and ask for your room. Also less expensive by maybe $15 are there standard rooms. Specialty Hotels There are some hotels in TJ that specialize in the “one hour” trade. They are nicer than the Zaragosa, and much less expensive than getting a room at Pueblo Amigo. La Mansion, El Parador, and Los Pinños all fall into this category. La Mansion is an excellent place to take a girl for a few hours or overnight. Rates (generally) are $36.00 until you leave or 2pm the next day. (Occasionally, when the place is packed, you are limited to a four-hour stay when paying $36.00 rate.) It costs $59.00 for in and out privileges, which most people want when staying overnight. The place is located in the Zona Rio off the Via Rapida near the Fiesta Inn. Any cab driver should be able to find it. It has room service (try the shrimp cocktail) and is very new and modern. If anyplace in TJ qualifies as a five star hotel this is the place. It is a “love nest” used mostly by locals. The rooms are condo style above a small garage. (We don’t want to run the risk of somebody recognizing our car now do we?) Chicas who have never been there are impressed on their first visit. El Parador and Los Pinos are similar places, but I don’t have first hand experience with them so I won’t comment more. I will say La Mansion is a great place at a good rate to take a girl. (Not a bad place to spend the night alone either. You will probably find a helpful clerk will offer to find a girl for you if you go there alone.) La Mansion, however, functions like many European hotels in that they hold onto your ID until your check out. I’ve used the place several times and while giving them my ID is something that doesn’t make me happy it has never caused me a problem. If you pay the short-term rate you have no in and out privileges as once you leave, you’re gone. If you need in and out privileges then pay the over night rate by getting a habitcion double for $59.00. Taking a Provider to a Hotel Girls at the Luxor massage parlor will go to the Pueblo Amigo Hotel if you pay a fairly reasonable bar fine (which is $40.00 if memory serves). Girls working in the vicinity of 8th and Revolución will often go to the Hotel La Villa Zaragosa. (Obviously you may have to pay a “bar fine.” I never pay a bar fine to a massage parlor as it is always too steep.) Both of these hotels are accustomed to guys showing up with a girl who is obviously a provider. In general, you shouldn’t have any real problems taking a girl to a hotel. Of course, you’ll probably be asked to pay the two-person rate. I’ve taken girls to Pueblo Amigo, Hotel Lucerna, La Mansion and Hotel la Villa Zaragosa without ever having the slightest problem. In 2003 there were two working girls murdered by American mongers. For several months afterward it was harder to get girls to go to a hotel than it was before. The reason for the digression is that there may be times in the future when it will again be hard to gets girls to go to hotels. If you look at it from the girl’s perspective it is easy to understand their reluctance. Hotel Safety Bordersushi often stays in the Zona Norte (frequently at the Hotel Rizo de Oro). The ZN hotels offer minimal amenities, but most are safe. Based upon his globetrotting experiences he offers some advice, which after some editing I’ve included. Bordersushi says: I have burt View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member's Topics Find Member's Posts Dec 29 2003, 09:28 PM Post #12 Administrator Group: Root Admin Posts: 5,460 Joined: 27-December 03 From: San Diego-Tijuana Metropolitan Area Member No.: 1,400 My thanks to those who posted comments and correction regarding my TJ guide. In reviewing what I wrote I realized I had exceed the posting limit and some of what I'd written didn't appear. I revised and changed the oder of my musing to take into account the size of what I wrote and suggestions of others. The guide is now posted in two parts. Again, my thanks to those who caught some errors and added valuable information. I've found there are some very knowledgable--and very helpful--guys on this board. I also appreciate advice some of you have sent me privately--it's worth it weight in gold. Muchas gracias mis amigos. Byron View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member's Topics Find Member's Posts Dec 30 2003, 03:18 PM Post #13 Platinum Amigo Group: Members Posts: 2,966 Joined: 23-August 03 Member No.: 197 Re: pedestrian routes from the arch to the zona. Snapper feels it safe to take the 1st (Articulo 123) west and then goes north on Constitucion. Generally, I would agree with him. However, this route has its problem. The block of the 1st Ave. between Rev. and Con. used to be called "Ratero Central" on various TJ boards. In the past, there were multiple reports of posters (e.g. Daytimer) getting robbed on this block. Since the completion of the arch, I thought the situation was improved, but the recent report on this site (Disturbing TJ trip) tells us that rateros are still around. The common method of rateros on this street is to come out of one of many hole-in-the wall type of bars and attack passerbies. One technique to avoid this is to walk on the car lanes. Another is to walk briskly with full atention to your surroundings. Re: money exchange I agree with others that, with the current exchange rate of 1:11, it is advisable that even newbies pay chcas with pesos, as practically all chicas accept 10 pesos as a dollar. I personally use ATM machines on Rev to get pesos. I also had two problems (the machines did not give me cash, while reporting to my bank as if I had received money). During the last trip, I saw a cambio betweeen AB and La Tropa that was advertizing the rate of about 11. Does anybody use this place? sol View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member's Topics Find Member's Posts Dec 30 2003, 03:21 PM Post #14 Platinum Amigo Group: Members Posts: 3,448 Joined: 2-September 03 Member No.: 293 Byron, In regards to the cambio place that you mentioned. I know one of Silvers buddies has used the place but he wasn't happy with the rate that they gave him and the commision that they charge. I would think that even with the problems you have had at the ATM's it is still the best way to go. Byron View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member's Topics Find Member's Posts Dec 30 2003, 03:24 PM Post #15 Platinum Amigo Group: Members Posts: 2,966 Joined: 23-August 03 Member No.: 197 Thanks sol. The cambio was closed when I was there. It wasn't clear from the sign whether it iincluded the comission. Snapper View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member's Topics Find Member's Posts Dec 30 2003, 04:52 PM Post #16 Platinum Amigo Group: Members Posts: 1,494 Joined: 6-August 03 From: Too Far North Member No.: 26 (Byron) Snapper feels it safe to take the 1st (Articulo 123) west and then goes north on Constitucion. Generally, I would agree with him. However... Maybe he should state that the safest route from Revolución to the Zona is by cab. Further suggesting not to walk from one area to the other until that person is more familiar with the surroundings and able to recognize possible dangers. burt It appears that walking to the ZN using either the block of Revolucion between Articulo 123 and Calle Coahuilla has its dangers; however, the alternate route or turing west on Articulo 123 and then north on Consititucion also is dangerous. How about that in addition to reminding people to walk near the curb or in the street and be are of those lurking in alleys, we tell people to head west on 2nd Street and then north on Consititucion until they reach Calle Coahuilla. (Of course those arriving by taxi are safest, and by guess is that most first timers will take a cab to Adelitas in the beginning.) I see I need to revise my opinion about changing money. When the exchange rate was 10:1 I never found it to be especially benefical. If the girls are still in effect giving an exchange rate of 10:1 after the rate has changed to 11:1 then I see the value of exchanging money. Does anybody know of a cambio that consistantly gives rates better than its competitors that doesn't require leaving the beaten track. I'm not looking to go to Otay to save a buck. However, if there were a place at the border, on Revolucion, or in the Zona--someplace handy--I'd appreciate knowing about it. Thanks Snapper There are many casa de cambios that have good rates on Medero(one block east of Rev), between 5th and 2nd. Byron Even though most newbies take cab to the zona, the pedestrian route is one of their FAQs, so this info should be in your guide. I myself avoided the Ratero Central for a long time after I started going to TJ. Note that this was more than 4 years ago, and the Ratero Central was more dangerous than it is today. If I was already at 2nd ave (e.g. I was at Azuteca), then I took 2nd ave to west and then Constitucion to north. On Constitucion, I walked on the west side of the street so that I could be as far as possible to the Ratero Central. When I walked from the border, I took the diagonal street that connected the (current position of) arch and the corner of 2nd and Constitucion and then walked north on Constitucion. To be honest, I stopped doing the above. I now walk both on the Ratero Central and Revolucion between 1st and Coahuila. But, what I do to myself and what I would recommend to newbies are two different things. Burt, I wrote the following somewhere else. Feel free to incorporate it into your guide, if you like. This is the FOOL-PROOF driving directions from San Ysidro border to the AB/CC corner (the corner of Coahuila and Constitucion). People must carry a Mexican insurance to drive into TJ. [1] Cross the border. Get on the left-most lane. [2] You will see the signs "Av Revolucioin" then "Centro" over your lane. [3] Your lane makes a sweeping left-circle turn. [4] At the end of the turn, your mileage from the border is 0.9. You are now on 3rd ave. Stay on right lanes. [5] Pass 4 signals. The 4th signal is on Revolucion. Mileage from the border 1.4. [6] After crossing Revolucion, get on the right-most lane. [7] Turn right on Constitucion. Mileage from the border 1.5. DO NOT TURN RIGHT ON RED SIGNAL. [8] Pass 2 signals, and the first ALTO (STOP sign) is the AB/CC corner. Mileage from the border 1.7. After [8], use one of the following three popular parking options. (A) Leyva. ( In front of CC. Turn left at the AB/CC corner. There is a lot on your right, immediately after you cross a street (Nino Heros). It is only a 1.7 mile trip. The only trick is to get on the correct lanes. This applies most when you cross the border. Because you have to get to the left-most lane after the border, try to be on the left-side of 5/805 before approaching the border. It is a BIG hassle to fight against jammed traffic to move all the way from right lanes to the left-most lane after crossing the border.
