Tijuana- any words of wisdom from tuscl's elder statemen?
knight_errant
New Jersey
Pondering a trip to Tijuana. Since I would be trekking from the East Coast, I'd probably stay a few days. Any suggestions/recommendations for where to stay - Tijuana or San Ysidro? Any tips (yes- I've read through the reviews for HK and Adelita's), but I was wondering who of the frequent posters here have been there, what you thought, and if you haven't gone, why not?
23 comments
Take into Mexico only your passport/NEXUS and enough cash for your evening's entertainment (plus a stash - maybe in your shoe - for a cab back to the border). I also recommend you photocopy your passport and keep the copy in a plastic bag, maybe also in your shoe - just in case you get pick-pocketed or rolled.
Learn enough Spanish to be polite and ask simple directions. It may keep you out of trouble. Also, it really does help if you can understand some of what your dream girl (of the moment) is saying to you.
Read the Adelita's/HK reviews and websites, learn what you can about the system, take your time when you first arrive in each place. Wander around a little in the clubs and watch what is going on. Don't over indulge, remember you have to be able to get back! And especially important, don't do dope while over there. Drugs are available in Tijuana and often inexpensive, but enforcement sometime focuses on non-locals and Mexican jails are not a good follow up to an evening at HK.
Keep your big head functioning and your little head covered and Tijuana can be a blast.
I have the $5 dollars ready and don't even ask a price on the cab. I give them the money when They drop me off and not had a problem. When they are driving you back of to the border, there will be kids who want a tip for opening your cab door, just tell them you're out of money.
If you have a passport, you will be fine crossing back over. The time of day will determine your wait. If your wait is going to be 1-2 hours, I would try to find a bus that is taking people to the border and offer $20 to hop on. I did that one time when I was still married and me and my wife had gone to tj for some shopping. Turned a 2 1/2 hour wait in the heat into 30 in an air conditioned bus. Best $20 I ever spent.
I've never stayed in tj but if I were doing the trip I would stay in SD and I wouldn't necessarily stay in San ysidro, if you have a rental car you can stay in hotel circle and be 20 minutes from the border. Lots of good restaurants and shops there too.
I don't care what anyone says this is paradise for men who like young pretty Latin girls. Paradise. This place is nothing like any US strip club.
The area the clubs are in is well lit and there are alot of people, there is also Police station right there as well. I don't care how corrupt they may or may not be the police are there for your protection, as long as you are polite and not tring to start shit, or trying to score illegal drugs they won't hassle you.
A little common cents goes along way. As i have said before i have been down lots of time and have never had a bad experiance.
East St Louis, Detroit, and Flint, Mi all have higher murder rates than TJ.
I have traveled around four continents in some rough and off-the-beaten-path places, so TJ doesn't intimidate me (been there once already and the scariest thing about it was driving in a six-land traffic circle!). My interest is because there seems to be nothing like these places in the US. If all I wanted was some poontang, I can get it a lot closer. It's the flavor of the experience (and thanks for the stats, Motorhead)
Me? I get scared taking the trash out in the dark, so it's not for me. And I don't want the long lines just for a little puss. But I can respect your sense of adventure.
Many TUSCLers have been to TJ repeatedly w/ no issues – anything can happen of course – but you probably have a higher chance of getting killed on the highway IMO.
In many foreign places; if one starts wandering around town; you can get intro trouble – but if you just stick to your destination spot; you should be ok (the same can be said for many a SCs in the U.S.).
Plan it your trip to coincide with a Bullfight or a Jai Alai match. Both are different experiences.
Eat the food. TJ has some hidden gems. Some of the best Chinese food I ever had was in TJ. Street tacos-mmmmmm good.
If you need to buy clothes, trinkets, medicine or handicrafts, TJ is the place.
Don't forget to take a picture with the donkey painted to look like a Zebra.
I have made four trips to San Diego and eight trips into TJ. I am cheap on hotels and usually stay in south bay. I stayed at the Best Western on E st in Chula Vista last weekend. I would advise getting a three star Hotwire hotel deal downtown/bayside but I would stay at the Best Western again. Take the train to the border and be back to the border by 12:58am and you can take the train home. If you decide to screw the light skinned black girl with the big hair that spoke no English at 1 am you can take a cab from the board but you will need more than a couple of bucks to get home. $32 bucks to E street but it was worth it.
I should do a recap of my trip and the benefits of TJ to share with all.
If you are on the east coast you may be able to find great airfares to the Dominican Republic. The DR does permit prostitution and local attitudes are much more relaxed than the US, or even Mexico. Try Souza for a party scene in the strip clubs with take out literally on the menu! It is even common to find willing and beautiful young women on the beaches who are willing and able to make your hottest dreams come true. And the prices are unbelievably low.
I'm not trying to sell you on the DR, just offering an alternative to TJ. There are others. If you haven't visited Montreal you haven't enjoyed the pleasures of the "off island" clubs. They really do redefine high mileage.
Try TJ then try the DR and let us know what you think.