A Monger's Guide to Entering and Exiting Tijuana

I have been going to TJ for about 10 years. I would have never found out about Hong Kong or Adelita and Zona North (North Zone – or the general area where prostitution is legal in Tijuana) if not for TUSCL. For me, the most stressful part of the trip can be entering Mexico and returning to the U.S., so this article is designed to help with that process. I am hoping other members can comment on what works for them. 1. Getting to Zona Norte First off, what to bring? Bring U.S. Dollars. Pesos are a better value but are just harder to work with unless you are comfortable with them. I usually bring about $300 for a night of fun but it will depend on how much you drink, and what you plan to do with the women of Tijuana. I drink very little (I can milk a beer for 2 hours), try to get between 5 and 10 $10 ficha’s, and plan to take one girl Arriba every time I visit. Note that US Dollar ATMs are available near the clubs but tend to have high fees. Also, bring a passport or passport card. Finally, don’t bring a whole lot else. Leave non-essential credit cards, etc. back in your hotel room. I will admit, my first visit the most nerve-racking thing to me was crossing the border into TJ and crossing back into the U.S. The process has changed a little over the years but continues to be easy if you know what you are doing. When I first started visiting, you could walk into Mexico without even a person stopping you. That all changed a few years ago when Mexico built a proper immigration facility. But let’s back up a little. By all accounts, it is easiest to make your way to the border, cross on foot, then walk or taxi to Zona Norte. This is what I have always done so I cannot comment on taking a car across. There are two border crossing about ½ mile apart at San Ysidro. They are generally called San Ysidro and Ped West. I ALWAYS use San Ysidro. Ped West is newer and is closer to the Zona if you are on foot, but the walk from a taxi especially on the Mexico side is longer if taking a taxi. I used Ped West once and the walk was just too far. You can get to the San Ysidro crossing from San Diego by trolley, taxi/uber, or your own car. Trolley is by far the cheapest (you can get a day pass for like $7) but is also the slowest. You also need to be careful to be back into the U.S. in time to catch the latest trolley, which is usually around 12:30 am, or wait until about 4:00 a.m. for the first trolley of the morning which will be busy. If you want to split the difference you can trolley down the uber back. Uber from downtown tends to run $20 - $30 each way. If you have a car, there are several nearby lots that charge anywhere from $8 to 20 depending on how long you stay. All these lots seem safe to me. I usually park in a very small lot closest to the border across the street from Jack in the Box, and generally pay about $10 - $15 for 8 hours (it will be higher on the weekend). Ok, you are at the border, now what. Follow the crowd to the south just past McDonalds. There is a well-marked pedestrian pathway that goes up a hill eventually leading to the Mexican immigration facility. You will walk through a double turnstile (this is the point of no return) and enter Mexico. Once you enter the building, Mexican natives can enter to the left and visitors go in a queue to the right. If you look Hispanic at all you can go with the natives and walk right into Mexico. As a tall overweight white guy I always enter the visitor line. You can save yourself some time and grief by printing the Mexican FMM form before you go. https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html You will need to fill out a form for every day you plan to make a crossing. Each form can only be used once. If you are only visiting Tijuana, there should NOT be any charge as the area immediately past the border is considered a free zone. If you printed your FMM, you should be through quickly through. After passing immigration, there is a standard airport style baggage scanner. If you do not have a bag, you can walk right past this. Do not be surprised if you see Mexican soldiers with very large automatic weapons in this area. Once outside, you will walk downhill about 150 yards (should I use meters now?) and pass through another turnstile. Note, as you walk down you may be solicited for rides, just keep walking, the proper taxi queue is at the bottom of the hill. As you exit the turnstiles, there should be a line of taxis in front of you. I usually use the Taxi Libre orange taxis, but they all seem to be fine. Hop in a say “Hong Kong” and you are on your way. The ride should be about 5 minutes as you cross the Tijuana River and enter the Zona. I ALWAYS pay $5 for the taxi ride. I don’t even talk about price, just hand $5 to the driver and get out. I try to use $1 bills, so they don’t know how much I am giving them until I am gone. At this point, you can enter Hong Kong, Adelita Bar, Hotel Cascadas for your room, whatever you desire. I have reviewed Adelita Bar and Hong Kong several times so feel free to look at my reviews. 2. Getting Back to the U.S. Ok, you have had your fun and now it is time to head back to the U.S. You saved at least $5 or $6 for the ride back, right? Taxis are always readily available in the Zona. When you hop in, say Linea Vieja (old line) if you are going to Ped East / San Ysidro, or Linea Nueva or Linea Oeste if you are using Ped West. Again, the taxi ride should be very quick and $5 will cover it. If you use the old crossing, the taxi will drop you off along a series of shops that lead to the border. If you are not real sure where to walk look at where the line of cars is pointing and head that direction. There are usually a few street performers and street vendors along here. I usually just walk along and don't talk to them, but I hear the food can be pretty good. Without a line the walk from where the taxi drops you off to the U.S. is no more than 5 minutes. Timing can be everything here. The border gets very busy around 3:30 a.m. as workers start heading across the border for the trolley or bus to work in San Diego. The wait can be an hour plus. After about 7:00 a.m. the line tends to get shorter but still 15 to 20 minutes most of the day. The best time to cross is in the evening between 9:00 pm and about 2:00 a.m. then the line starts building again. I have frequently crossed with the line being less than 3 minutes, the longest I have ever had to wait is about 30 minutes. You will enter the U.S. either through a turnstile or a small tent set up with guards. All you do here is flash your passport. Once you make your way to the actual immigration check in, just hand the agent your passport. There is a facial recognition camera so you will need to show your face there. They will sometimes ask if you have anything to declare (no) and what you were doing in Tijuana (having dinner, just came down for drinks, etc.). Once through there, you will walk out right at the trolley loading area. If you want to take an Uber, you will have to walk up the street a little bit to be on the across from Jack in the Box to get your uber and head back to your regular life. 3. Other tips Other things I have learned on my many trips. The clubs tend to be VERY hot. Try to wear light clothes if you can. I almost always wear shorts unless it is cold. If you do have to wear a jacket, you can coat check it at either club for $1. Girls are restricted which hotels than can use, so if you want to try several clubs you do not necessarily want to get a hotel room. You can rent a room for 30 minutes for around $20. Meseros’ can be your friend. The waiters sometimes get a bad wrap here, but I have found them to be helpful. Find one that speaks English, tell them what type of girl you are looking for, and they should be able to bring you your type. I used to have a mesero who knew exactly what I wanted, but I have not seen him in my last few visits and am guessing he is retired. In general, the younger mesero’s may know a little more about the dancers. If you don't like who they bring you, wave them off and tell them to try again. It is ok to say no, a lot. Especially in Hong Kong, there will be people stopping by all the time trying to sell you drinks, food, roses, dances. It is fine to say no or just give a small wave. If a girl sits on your lap and you don’t want a dance, don’t feel obligated. It is typical to tip $1 to make them go away (feel free to get your money’s worth with a good grope for your $1). A little Spanish goes a long way. A few good phrases to know: General numbers – cinco (5), viente (20), ochenta (80), cien (100) ?dónde eres? – where are you from Soy de CITY – I am from CITY ?como se llama? – what is your name Eres hermosa – you are beautiful tienes lindos ojos – you have pretty eyes vamos arriba – lets go upstairs (to hotel) ?cuánto cuesta? – how much does it cost. sexo – Sex 😊 I hope this makes your next trip to Tijuana easier. Happy mongering!