Tijuana Reports

[QUOTE=NotSlowingAt57;4286625]No you don't need Global Entry to get back into the US. Global Entry is one of the DHS "Trusted Traveler" programs ([URL]https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/[/URL]) 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.[/QUOTE]THIS Passport card is much more convenient for crossing US-Mexico border on foot as you can avoid carrying your actual passport and getting passport stamps. Although Global Entry is optional to get back to the US, I still strongly recommend it to save time as the regular line could get very long. Many hotels in Asia want to keep your passport or any form of clients' IDs so having passport card is another plus.

Through SD. Never done it, anyone offer advice? Is there a long wait? I hear there's a parking lot you can park and just walk across to the check point?? Also is TJ dangerous for visitors? Fuck a lot of questions LOL.

Yes there's a couple large pay parking lots near the border entrance. Word of advice though, if you are planning on staying late at night, DO NOT PARK IN THE NEARBY SHOPPING CENTER AT THE BORDER CROSSING! They are SUPER STRICT about policing that shopping center when it comes to parking. If you plan on going across the border during the day, and plan on being back while the stores in that shopping center are still open, then you can get away with it. At night after those stores close, they will start ticketing and towing cars they catch in that lot.

As for the wait, it's dependent on when you try to cross. Getting into Mexico isn't a problem and usually super quick. Coming back across is a different story. It's taken me 15 minutes before, and a hour and half another. I always tell people who are under time constraints, to plan at least a hour to get back across the border. It normally won't take that long, but that's what I always plan.

As for dangerous, well it is Mexico. I've personally only been down into the Zona Norte but I have been thinking about hitting up the beach areas now that it's warmer. When you are in the Zona Norte, you'll quickly notice that there's police EVERYWHERE you go in that area. They are constantly patrolling the street and hanging out on most of the busy corners and by the big clubs. That area is pretty safe because they don't want to scare off the tourists and the money they bring in with them. As long as you use some common sense, don't do anything stupid, stay in the busy areas, and behave yourself, you should be fine. I usually go alone down there, and haven't had any real problems.

[QUOTE=FunSeeker702;4299978]Through SD. Never done it, anyone offer advice? Is there a long wait? I hear there's a parking lot you can park and just walk across to the check point?? Also is TJ dangerous for visitors? Fuck a lot of questions LOL.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=FunSeeker702;4299978]Through SD. Never done it, anyone offer advice? Is there a long wait? I hear there's a parking lot you can park and just walk across to the check point?? Also is TJ dangerous for visitors? Fuck a lot of questions LOL.[/QUOTE]Going into Tijuana walking you have to go through Mexican customs and might have to fill out a visa. If you have regular passport they will be stamping it. You can always get Taxi Libre and ask driver to take you to Adelitas / Hong Kong. During day is walkable. Like any place in world there are parts that are dangerous but if you stay in Zona or tourist area and don't dress flashy and act normal you should be fine.

Check the international section for better info.

Spartan.

[QUOTE=Spartan94;4300122]Going into Tijuana walking you have to go through Mexican customs and might have to fill out a visa. If you have regular passport they will be stamping it. You can always get Taxi Libre and ask driver to take you to Adelitas / Hong Kong. During day is walkable. Like any place in world there are parts that are dangerous but if you stay in Zona or tourist area and don't dress flashy and act normal you should be fine.

Check the international section for better info.

Spartan.[/QUOTE]No line going in to Mexico and I showed my passport but they didn't stamp it either time I was there recently. Both times they asked what I was doing and how long I was staying. One time I said I had a date and was meeting her for dinner. The other time is said, "I'm going to Hong Kong and getting laid." The officer laughed and said, "At least you are being honest," and handed me my passport and waved me through. Get real. They know why we are there. I took a cab both times. I used to walk but the cab is just more convenient. I have never felt any danger. In fact, I think it is safer than many SW areas of most big cities in the US of A. I have never wandered out of the Zona. No reason. The last time I was there I counted nearly 100 street girls in the block around Adalitas / Hong Kong, and most were drop dead gorgeous. I wear a fashionable shirt and jeans and am so white I could never pass for Mexican. But there are many, many (mostly young) American guys there, especially on weekends.

Don't overthink it. Prostitution is legal and more or less cheap and everyone knows it.

C3.

For all the times I've crossed into TJ and back, they have never once stamped my passport book. If you can, take a Uber (yes the Uber app will work in Mexcio) to the Zona Norte instead of a cab. Most cabs will charge you like $10-$15 for the ride, and Uber normally charges me about $3-$5. Be careful about using your smartphone while in TJ. Depending on your provider, you might run the risk of being charged a extra "international travel" usage fee if you use your phone while in TJ. I checked with my AT&T plan, and my plan (I have the unlimited everything plan) did cover usage in TJ with no problems. A buddy of mine who went with me one time, found a surprise fee on his next cell phone bill because his plan (I don't know who he uses) didn't cover usage across the border.

[QUOTE=Spartan94;4300122]Going into Tijuana walking you have to go through Mexican customs and might have to fill out a visa. If you have regular passport they will be stamping it. You can always get Taxi Libre and ask driver to take you to Adelitas / Hong Kong. During day is walkable. Like any place in world there are parts that are dangerous but if you stay in Zona or tourist area and don't dress flashy and act normal you should be fine.

Check the international section for better info.

Spartan.[/QUOTE]

So how does one even set something up in TJ? I've looked at the escort sites for TJ but not sure if they're real or not.

[QUOTE=FunSeeker702;4302504]So how does one even set something up in TJ? I've looked at the escort sites for TJ but not sure if they're real or not.[/QUOTE]Yes, they are generally real. There are lots of reliable escort agencies. You'll get a room at a short time love motel like Premiere or La Mansion, or else an overnight room at one of a million reasonably-priced, clean, modern hotels. Then you'll call or message an agency and have them send over a girl. Or you do what hundreds of tourists do every day and get a cab to the Zona and go into one of the strip club / brothels like Hong Kong or Adelita and pick out a girl to go upstairs. Read the forum here. It's safe, cheap, legal, and easy.

[QUOTE=KCQuestor;4302858]Yes, they are generally real. There are lots of reliable escort agencies. You'll get a room at a short time love motel like Premiere or La Mansion, or else an overnight room at one of a million reasonably-priced, clean, modern hotels. Then you'll call or message an agency and have them send over a girl. Or you do what hundreds of tourists do every day and get a cab to the Zona and go into one of the strip club / brothels like Hong Kong or Adelita and pick out a girl to go upstairs. Read the forum here. It's safe, cheap, legal, and easy.[/QUOTE]Wow appreciate all the input gents. Going to start planning a trip soon so I may hit you guys back up for some last minute details. Much love from Vegas guys!

A challenge: someone link to a site they have a factual basis for calling phony.

I want to point out that some of internet escort girls won't meet you at some of the hotels in the Zona Norte. Especially at the Hong Kong hotel, or any of the ones right by it. The main reason being that they trying are to be discreet about prostituting themselves and they don't want to be seen in that area. Also if you are getting a over night room somewhere, and planning on bringing a girl to the room. When you check in, make sure to tell them that there will be a second person in the room with you later. You don't have to tell them that you are bringing a prostitute, just that there will be a second person. I've have had 2 hotels get mad at me when the guy in the lobby saw me bring a lady in with me. One yelled at me and said I didn't pay a "double occupancy" fee when I checked in. I don't know if he was trying to scam me, but I didn't check in as 2 people, so maybe it was legit. So I paid him the extra $10 he wanted, and took my lady friend to the room.

[QUOTE=KCQuestor;4302858]Yes, they are generally real. There are lots of reliable escort agencies. You'll get a room at a short time love motel like Premiere or La Mansion, or else an overnight room at one of a million reasonably-priced, clean, modern hotels. Then you'll call or message an agency and have them send over a girl. Or you do what hundreds of tourists do every day and get a cab to the Zona and go into one of the strip club / brothels like Hong Kong or Adelita and pick out a girl to go upstairs. Read the forum here. It's safe, cheap, legal, and easy.[/QUOTE]

I know it's not a Mexico holiday, but how busy do you think it will be down there during the 4th of July holiday? With the weather finally warm, and with it being a 4 day weekend for a lot of people. I'm guessing it might be a busier than normal weekend down there. I was originally planning on going up to Yosemite during the 4th with some friends, but my friend's RV is having some engine problems. So we may not end up going now. So now I'm thinking of making another solo trip down to TJ. I've only really been down in the Zone Norte area, but I want to start exploring outside of that now. How is the beach action down in TJ? Is it relatively safe area for someone solo? Any good hot spots to visit, or places I should flat out avoid? Or is the whole beach area to sketchy and unsafe to visit alone?

Murders in Tijuana in 2018.

Total: 2,518.

By Area:

Zona Centro: 239.

Playas: 158.

Mesa de Otay: 50.

La Mesa: 84.

San Antonio de los Buenos: 208.

San Chez Toboada: 258.

Cerro Colorado: 175.

Centenario: 161.

Los Pinos: 451.

La Presa: 410.

Presa Rural: 313.

[QUOTE=KCQuestor;4285320]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.[/QUOTE]This is bad advice! The law is clear going both ways; you are supposed to have a passport. Just because you and your people have been successful in getting around the system doesn't mean you or anyone else won't be blocked next time you try it.

[QUOTE=BusterHymen;4313447]This is bad advice! The law is clear going both ways; you are supposed to have a passport. Just because you and your people have been successful in getting around the system doesn't mean you or anyone else won't be blocked next time you try it.[/QUOTE]I handed US entry folks my brand spankin' renewed Global Entry card that, unbeknownst to me, hadn't been registered, and that put me into the secondary screening room. I had my passport and offered it, but to no avail, I was stuck in the "room. " Here is the deal, I was the only one in there with two border patrol officers doing nothing. They let me sit there for 15 minutes or so, I guess to teach me a lesson, I don't know. That room seats a good 50 people, so I am guessing if there were a bunch of people in that room I could have sat there for hours. Once I was called up it took 30 seconds to clear me, along with getting a lecture. As soon as I got to my room in SD I registered the damn card.

So, yeah, you can probably go both ways without a passport, but it might be painful. No issue with passport going in, no line ever for Sentry line coming back. Why would you do it any other way?

C3.