Updated Guide to Tijuana Mongering for First-Timers (July 2022)

After recently coming across a previous article regarding mongering in Tijuana, Mexico, I figured I'd write an updated version (as of July 2022) with current prices and procedures. My first trip there was last August, and I've gone back three times since, so I can speak from experience. That said,for those who've never been to TJ but are planning to go soon, here's what you need to know: HOW TO GET TO TIJUANA If you're coming from most parts of the United States, the best way to get to TJ is flying to San Diego. While there is an airport in TJ, there are no direct flights to there from the USA; you'd have to fly to another Mexican city like Guadalajara or Mexico City and then fly up. Of course, if you live in the Los Angeles or San Diego metro areas, it's an easy drive down I-5 to the border. Just park in one of the lots in San Ysidro (where the border is located), then you can walk across. There is also the option of driving in TJ; however, by all accounts, it is a pain driving back into the USA - even if you have Sentri (you can wait for hours, especially on the weekends). So walking across would be my recommendation. If you're flying into San Diego, there are three ways you can get to San Ysidro: 1) a traditional taxi (cost $50-$60); 2) Uber ($25-$35 depending on time of day); or 3) a bus/trolley combo. I usually do the third option because I find it to be the most economical. At the airport, for $2.50 take the #992 bus into downtown San Diego, which is like a 10 to 15 minute ride. Get off at Americas Plaza, where you can pick up a Blue Line trolley train. Board the San Ysidro-bound trolley (destination sign will read San Ysidro) for $2.50, and it's about a 45-minute ride (it starts slow due to downtown traffic, but once you clear the area, it's smooth sailing) to the border. AT THE BORDER Once in San Ysidro, there's a currency exchange located right next to McDonald's by the trolley terminal. If you're going to exchange dollars for pesos, you should do so here because you'll get a better exchange rate than you would in Mexico. Currently, for every dollar, you get 20 pesos. But truth be told, almost every place in TJ accepts (and - especially with the clubs - encourages) dollars, so you shouldn't need to exchange much cash. Past McDonald's, there is a walkway sloping upwards. This is the Ped East Crossing, the main pedestrian border crossing in San Ysidro. There is also a Ped West crossing, which is a couple of blocks west of East, but it is currently closed at this time with no known reopening date. As you make your way up the Ped East walkway heading towards the border, you'll see some rolling gates. Once you walk through them, you'll be in the checkpoint area. The checkpoint area has two lines: one for Mexican citizens, the other for USA citizens and other foreigners. Be prepared to show your passport or passport card to the border agent. Yes, I have heard that you don't necessarily need a passport to enter Tijuana - just your driver'slicense, but in my opinion, why take that chance you'll be turned away? Just to be safe, please bring your passport or passport card; it saves you a big headache. Also, the current rule is supposed to be that you don't pay for a visa unless you are in Mexico for seven or more days. If that's the case, you pay a $30 FMM fee; the FMM is an entry visa that's good for 180 days. However, I've heard that depending on who is working the booth, you may wind up paying $30 for the FMM anyway even if you don't plan on staying in TJ for long. I've never paid the fee; all I did was fill out a short form a couple of times. Other times, the agent looked at passport and waved me in with no issues. In any event, once you get cleared by the agent, if you have a backpack or other luggage, you place it on a scanner similar to airport ones. If everything's good, you can leave the checkpoint area and then head down a walkway. At this point, you're officially in Mexico. HOW TO GET TO TJ's ZONA NORTE Zona Norte is where all of the legal mongering is allowed. It's a short ride (five minutes or so from the border) and you can get there in three ways: 1) at the end of the walkway on the Tijuana side of the crossing, you'll walk through some rolling gates. Here there are plenty of taxi drivers hustling for fares. Be careful, as some of these drivers may be scammers. The best bet for a taxi ride is by walking across the street to a pharmacy. Next to the pharmacy is a taxi stand comprised of cabs from Taxi Libre. This is a good, reliable company (it has orange and white colors) and you can get a ride into Zona Norte. The fare is generally $5 but lately many drivers have been charging $6. I would pay no more than that. Another option is the Zona Norte Shuttle, which is operated by the owners of Hong Kong Club (more on that shortly). It's free; as you're making your way down the walkway to Tijuana, about halfway down you'll notice a parking lot. That's where the shuttle limo is located, but if you don't see it, don't worry. There's an employee who will take you to the office on the other side of the lot, where you can wait until the limo arrives. The shuttle will take you right into the heart of Zona Norte where all of the well-known clubs are. I always tip the driver $2 ($1 if I'm riding with others). There is a third option: Uber. I've never used it TJ, but by all accounts, it's effective. ZONA NORTE You are now in Zona Norte, Tijuana's red-light district that's well-known worldwide. It's bounded by Calle Coahulia on the north, Calle Primera on the South, Avenue Constitucion on the east, and Avenue C. Ninos Heroes on the west. Here you'll find several strip clubs, which for the most part operate more like brothels (more on that shortly). Located on Calle Coahulia, the Hong Kong club is the mecca of Zona Norte. It features the most beautiful girls (in my opinion) in the area, and the place is clean and big, with four levels of seating. There is always a large crowd here. Hong Kong (HK) also owns and operates Las Chevelas, which is right next-door. There's a walkway in between the two clubs; whereas HK has a loud and raucous atmosphere, Chevelas is a little more quieter. On occasion, LC will have traditional Mexican bands performing live, and those concerts draw a large audience. HK is an empire. It also runs Tropical Bar and Hotel Rizo de Oro, both across the street on Calle Coahulia. BT is more laid-back than HK and tends to be a favorite of the locals. In addition, HK owns Hotel Cascadas, which is ten stories tall. It's sleek and modern, and you can bring girls from HK or TB up to a room (same applies for Rizo de Oro). The other two well-known Zona Norte clubs are Adelita Bar and Chicago Club. AB is a few doors down from HK and is usually packed, while CC - on Constitucion just north of Calle Coahulia - has a generally relaxed environment. The girls are not as hot-looking as the ones in HK and BT, but they're not bad at all. There are other clubs in Zona Norte, including Odisea2001 Showgirls (formerly Play Boy Club), Gloria Bar, La Malquerida, Bar Gold Palace, and La Carreta among others. These smaller places can be a lot of fun and a good alternative to the Big Four of HK, BT, AB, and CC. There is also an alley called Primer Callejón Coahuila, in between Avenues Constitucion and C. Ninos Heroes. This is where you will find a lot of street prostitutes lined up on both sides. You'll also have several on both Avenues Constitucion and C. Ninos Heroes in between Calles Coahulia and Primera. On Primera itself, while there are some girls, you should pay close attention as there are also quite a few transvestites, especially east of Constitucion towards the Arch and west of Ninos Heroes. PRICING Each of the Big Four clubs has a hotel where you can take a dancer upstairs for sex. The current cost is $100 for 30 minutes. You also pay for the room, which can run between $15 and $30 depending on the club (HK and BT are closer to $30, AB and CC closer to $15), as well as a $1 or $2 tip to the cleaning person. There are also VIP rooms available in the clubs if you don't want to go to a hotel, and you pay a little less - usually buying a bucket of five or ten small beers for the lady. Drinks in the Big Four clubs are generally $4, whether it's beer, soda, juice, or water. If you want to buy a girl a drink (called a ficha), it's usually $9 or $10. The girl gets tickets for each drink a guy buys her, which she turns in at the end of her shift and gets paid. It's customary to tip the meseros (waiters) or meseras (waitresses) $1 for each drink bought. If you want to engage with a street prostitute, it's less expensive. There are plenty of good-looking women who stand outside smaller hotels in Zona Norte, and the cost to have sex is usually $20-$25 for 15 minutes. If you want her to be naked, you may have to pay a little extra ($5 or $10). If you're in Zona Norte for just one day (or night), plan on bringing between $300 and $500 for a good time. If it's multiple days (two or three), between $300 and $600 (including hotel room) should do it. SAFETY TIPS Tijuana has a reputation of being a violent city. But in my previous trips, I have yet to experience any issues. I think the reputation is overhyped by the media. Yes, there are definitely areas of TJ you shouldn't go into, but as long as you remain within the tourist areas of Zona Norte, Zona Centro (downtown), and Zona Rio - especially at night, you should be just fine. As with any big city anywhere, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and exercise common sense. Don't get intoxicated; if you do, you become an easy mark for scammers. In the clubs, always keep an eye on your drink; I've heard stories of ladies or meseros (meseras) spiking drinks with illegal drugs when guys weren't paying attention Moreover, do NOT - I repeat - do NOT buy any illegal drugs from a dealer. The police have a heavy presence in Zona Norte and if you're caught with any illegal substances in a foreign country, let's just say the consequences could be really ugly. Do not take any chances. Also, don't talk with anyone who offers you illegal substances or want to take you to a place outside of the tourist zones. That's trouble with a capital T. And the police? Many officers are honest, but there are also several that will try to shake you down for a bribe, especially if they see you talking with a drug dealer. I have not had trouble with the police, but I know a friend who was walking back to Hotel Velario on Calle Primera from Zona Norte that got stopped by a couple of officers. Fortunately, since he speaks good Spanish, he was able to get out of it with no problems. If a police officer does stop you and ask you to pay a "fine" (bribe), inform him or her you would like to go to the station to take care of it in front of a judge. My understanding is that for the most part, he or she will decline and let you go on about your way. SPANISH LANGUAGE Many in Zona Norte, particularly meseros and meseras, speak solid English. Many of the bar and street ladies, however, do not, and there can be communication issues. However, these issues can be easily resolved. Install Google Translate on your phone and set it to Spanish. Also, using a quality app like Duolingo, Pimsleur, or Rosetta Stone to learn a few basic phrases and words before your trip can help. FINAL WORD If you have never been to Tijuana's Zona Norte, the looks of most of the women you meet will blow you away. You'll feel like a kid in a candy store; you'll have a tough time deciding which lady or ladies you want to spend time and money on. If you budget wisely and use common sense, you'll have a great experience that you want to repeat.