Tijuana Reports

[NotSlowingAt57]

So, I RTFF (actually I read the other FF) and saw that the passport / passport card is for getting into Mexico, and the Global Entry card is for getting back to the US.

No you don't need Global Entry to get back into the US. Global Entry is one of the DHS "Trusted Traveler" programs (https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/) that gets you into the "fast lane" when crossing the border. Global Entry is is usually only needed if you fly internationally to locations other than Mexico a lot. The Sentri card is usually the card to get if you are going to / from TJ by foot or car a lot.

The passport card works the same as a passport for land entry back into the US. You need a regular passport if you are going fly to / from Mexico or other international destinations. If you are going to get a passport anyways, I suggest also getting the passport card, as it will also be able to be used in place of a REAL I'd drivers license when that becomes a requirement for domestic air travel next year.

[KC Questor]

Actually you do need a passport or receipt of passport application. !! A friend was refused entry into Mexico about a month ago.

It may be YMMV, but you definitely do NOT need a passport. I work with a lot of medical patients who go to Mexico for surgery or dentistry. More than half of them do not have and never have had a passport (lots of low and middle income people who don't ever travel internationally). They are just fine entering with just a drivers license and copy of a birth certificate for the return.

[Camera3]

While I know it's a American holiday coming up, but it's still a major 3 day weekend for us here in the States. So does anyone know of anything special happening down in the Zona Norte to take advantage of the US holiday weekend? I was seriously thinking of heading down there this weekend, mainly because I didn't really have anything else planned. I was hopping that it would warm up some by this weekend, but the forecast is predicting low to mid 60's down there, and some possible rain Saturday. So now I'm thinking of holding off and wait another week or 2 until the weather gets better.

The only place I know to find out things like this is Hong Kong's website and they have an event tomorrow called VIP Chica. No idea what it is and the next event is in June, so nothing this weekend except their usually packed party atmosphere. They do celebrate some US holidays. But pretty much no one else that I have seen.

Other people may have different experiences.

C3.

[FanService]

While I know it's a American holiday coming up, but it's still a major 3 day weekend for us here in the States. So does anyone know of anything special happening down in the Zona Norte to take advantage of the US holiday weekend? I was seriously thinking of heading down there this weekend, mainly because I didn't really have anything else planned. I was hopping that it would warm up some by this weekend, but the forecast is predicting low to mid 60's down there, and some possible rain Saturday. So now I'm thinking of holding off and wait another week or 2 until the weather gets better.

[Cruzier1]

Ok, more reading. You do not need an actual visa, but you do need an "FMM". 7 days or less is apparently free. I this is form that I was given. I recognize it and I do not recall paying money for it. https://www.discoverbaja.com/fmm-faqs/.

The Mexican officer did seem annoyed by me asking for one so like everything in Mexico it probably isn't really enforced unless you get hassled for some bribe monies.

So, I RTFF (actually I read the other FF) and saw that the passport / passport card is for getting into Mexico, and the Global Entry card is for getting back to the US.

The other thing I'm unclear about (and I was looking for when I was RTFF) is when going into Mexico do you need to get a visa or fill out any paper? One time I just walked on through because no one stopped me, but another I went up to a desk and asked. The guy seemed really confused but ultimately gave me a form. I think it was an "FMM" form. Is that necessary?

So, can anyone give me the skinny for getting into Mexico?

[MongerSeeker]

Actually you do need a passport or receipt of passport application. !! A friend was refused entry into Mexico about a month ago.

You only need a visa to go to Mexico if you are going to stay longer than 180 days, or if you are going to visit a lot during that 180 day period. I'm not sure of the threshold for "a lot" but I know that a few of the guys from San Diego who go every weekend get a visa.

As far as the passport card, you don't really need it to visit Mexico. I've just shown them my drivers license before (I had my passport packed in my luggage and didn't want to dig it out. There was no problem. Half the time they don't even look and just ask me where I am going (or just wave me through).

[KC Questor]

So, I RTFF (actually I read the other FF) and saw that the passport / passport card is for getting into Mexico, and the Global Entry card is for getting back to the US.

The other thing I'm unclear about (and I was looking for when I was RTFF) is when going into Mexico do you need to get a visa or fill out any paper? One time I just walked on through because no one stopped me, but another I went up to a desk and asked. The guy seemed really confused but ultimately gave me a form. I think it was an "FMM" form. Is that necessary?

So, can anyone give me the skinny for getting into Mexico?

You only need a visa to go to Mexico if you are going to stay longer than 180 days, or if you are going to visit a lot during that 180 day period. I'm not sure of the threshold for "a lot" but I know that a few of the guys from San Diego who go every weekend get a visa.

As far as the passport card, you don't really need it to visit Mexico. I've just shown them my drivers license before (I had my passport packed in my luggage and didn't want to dig it out. There was no problem. Half the time they don't even look and just ask me where I am going (or just wave me through).

[Cruzier1]

So, I RTFF (actually I read the other FF) and saw that the passport / passport card is for getting into Mexico, and the Global Entry card is for getting back to the US.

The other thing I'm unclear about (and I was looking for when I was RTFF) is when going into Mexico do you need to get a visa or fill out any paper? One time I just walked on through because no one stopped me, but another I went up to a desk and asked. The guy seemed really confused but ultimately gave me a form. I think it was an "FMM" form. Is that necessary?

So, can anyone give me the skinny for getting into Mexico?

Do you know (or does anyone know) if the passport card works in conjunction with global entry? Would be nice to ditch the normal passport. It feels so easily losable. Also, you have to carry both the Global Entry card AND a passport? Sorry for the dumb questions but I'm looking at venturing down there and just got my global entry card.

[Cruzier1]

Do you know (or does anyone know) if the passport card works in conjunction with global entry? Would be nice to ditch the normal passport. It feels so easily losable. Also, you have to carry both the Global Entry card AND a passport? Sorry for the dumb questions but I'm looking at venturing down there and just got my global entry card.

So, I really didn't think much about it on my most recent trips. I have always taken some pesos with me, keep them in my front right pocket (along with hotel room key and Global Entry card, and now that ATT works well in TJ, I carry my phone there, too. Never took my smart phone before now, then keep my small dollars ($5 & $1 bills) in front left and big bills ($20 bills) in left back pocket. I round it out with passport in back right pocket. No wallet and now, no hobby phone. If person wants pesos, I pay in pesos (some cabs, some street vendors), and if dollars I pay in dollars. It is easy to pull out a $1 bill for tips without pulling out a wad of cash. I will say, in my observation, more quote in dollars but accept pesos.

Having the smart phone with real-time translator worked well. Even the girls had fun with it. One girl had her own and we used hers.

Way too many beautiful women who want to fuck and way too much great food.

C3.

[Camera3]

Well, the USD goes alot farther the lonley peso.

So, I really didn't think much about it on my most recent trips. I have always taken some pesos with me, keep them in my front right pocket (along with hotel room key and Global Entry card, and now that ATT works well in TJ, I carry my phone there, too. Never took my smart phone before now, then keep my small dollars ($5 & $1 bills) in front left and big bills ($20 bills) in left back pocket. I round it out with passport in back right pocket. No wallet and now, no hobby phone. If person wants pesos, I pay in pesos (some cabs, some street vendors), and if dollars I pay in dollars. It is easy to pull out a $1 bill for tips without pulling out a wad of cash. I will say, in my observation, more quote in dollars but accept pesos.

Having the smart phone with real-time translator worked well. Even the girls had fun with it. One girl had her own and we used hers.

Way too many beautiful women who want to fuck and way too much great food.

C3.

[HapaBoy86]

While I agree with that, I run into the problem where the girls will only want USD, and won't take Pesos. The businesses will take pesos no problem, but the girls can be problematic about it. I personally gave up trying to use pesos down that, and just strictly stick with USD.

Well, the USD goes alot farther the lonley peso.

[Captain Solo]

It's a fun party, lots of hot girls.

Anyone going?

[KC Questor]

While I agree with that, I run into the problem where the girls will only want USD, and won't take Pesos. The businesses will take pesos no problem, but the girls can be problematic about it. I personally gave up trying to use pesos down that, and just strictly stick with USD.

Interesting. I've never had that. But I will be using dollars for my next trip for sure.

[Rosco Rules]

Anybody up for checking out TJ s assorted dive bars today?

And later we will hit the nicer places like Hacienda bar.

[FanService]

While I agree with that, I run into the problem where the girls will only want USD, and won't take Pesos. The businesses will take pesos no problem, but the girls can be problematic about it. I personally gave up trying to use pesos down that, and just strictly stick with USD.

I think it really depends on the exchange rate. If it has been going up, then paying in pesos is nice because many people haven't caught up to the new rate. When I first started going, the rate had been climbing from 10:1 up to about 15:1. But it had been 10:1 for so long that people still thought that way. A girl would quote US $50 or MX $500. But at that point 500 pesos was more like 35 dollars, so great deal. Now it has been 20:1 for so long that people think of that as the exchange rate, even though it has dropped down to 18:1. Go the girl is now quoting me US $80 or MX $1600, and paying in pesos is more like $90. Bad deal. I like having some pesos for street vendors and stores. I bought some pharmaceutical products and tried to pay in dollars and they gave me a 17:1 exchange rate. Sucks that I blew all my pesos on girls giving me 20:1. I got the worst of both worlds there.