Tijuana better to use peso's instead of dollars
rugrat
Roaming the USA
Heading to Tijuana next week. I have always paid in $$'s and the going rate, especially at Hong Kong, seems to be $80 and up lately instead of the $60 a few years ago..
With the recent devolution of the peso in the last couple of years, I wonder if anyone has tried paying with peso's instead of $$'s to get a better deal. 1000 pesos a couple of years ago would have been close to $100 UA, but now is just over $50. Anyone had any luck getting a better deal in Tijuana using peso's? Tijuana is already such a great deal compared to the US that I don't mind paying $$'s, just trying to get the most for my money
With the recent devolution of the peso in the last couple of years, I wonder if anyone has tried paying with peso's instead of $$'s to get a better deal. 1000 pesos a couple of years ago would have been close to $100 UA, but now is just over $50. Anyone had any luck getting a better deal in Tijuana using peso's? Tijuana is already such a great deal compared to the US that I don't mind paying $$'s, just trying to get the most for my money
21 comments
SJG
Hell, if you're going to sweat a peso or two why bother going to TJ at all?
You can find multiple combio on every block in the tourist-friendly areas so changing money is not a big inconvenience. Most food and services will save you a lot when paying in pesos. These places don't want to alienate local customers and usually have a must closer exchange rate at the register.
Most puta bars will have prices set in dollars since they cater predominately to 'Muricans. But their in-house exchange rates will still favor those who bother to convert to pesos. Best yet, you might find some girl who is just awful at math and get 800 pesos for the hour. Yes, it happened for me. Yes, this is me bragging.
Contrary to what someone wrote above, most rent and utilities for locals are paid in dollars. It's a part of the problem that keeps immigrant (yes, they have them too) populations in a cycle of poverty since locals have to pay a percentage when converting to dollars to pay for rent.
Also, as he mentioned, the in-house exchange rates are also favorable. For example, Hong Kong has their in house exchange rate set to 17 to 1, even though the peso has been ranging between 18 to 21 to 1 in recent months. So, you are better off paying in pesos at most of the puta bars.
However, one caveat. If you are going to pay for ficha drinks, your drinks, etc. in pesos, know the price in advance. For example, at Hong Kong, a ficha drink is $9 U.S. or 153 pesos, using HK's 17 to 1 exchange rate. It's a better deal to pay in pesos, but be careful you don't get overcharged if you are drunk or if you get a crooked mesero.
Also, have the right amount of pesos for the tip too. Otherwise, you might actually wind up paying more, if you don't have the correct denomination and wind up overtipping. Unless you are very experienced using pesos, it might just be easier to stick to dollars, for the little bit that you'll save, so you don't miscalculate or get ripped off.
It's really easy to just give them a $10 bill for the ficha drink with a tip. Or, to give $5 for your beer, with a tip.
Yeah - you don't want to give the poor mesero a 1-peso tip by mistake thinking you gave him a decent tip when in reality you gave him about a 5-cent American tip.
I never said I had been to TJ. What I said was that people say it is better to use pesos, and this is true.
I didn't mean this as a way of being cheap with people. And I have followed reports of the changes in the exchange rate.
SJG
But these matters are discussed other places, so telling our op of this is just common courtesy, something you Eric could do with some lessons in. I remember some of your previous threads.
Topical Bar Gallery
http://tropicaltijuana.com/gallery/
in case you don't want to give them an email address, password:
54tropical6g
These prices look lower to me than what I remember, Jacuzzi Master Suite starting at $80, perhaps due to low peso's rate.
http://hotelrizodeoro.com/rooms/master-s…
Can't be there yet, but I will be. When I go, regardless of the exchange rates, I expect to be doing everything in pesos, except for that which is set up via online. Not to be cheap with anyone, just as a show of respect, as they pay all of their bills in pesos.
To me the places looks like it is the heavenly paradise here on earth. I understand why lots of American guys opt to live there, and even purchase houses.
I would never purchase a house in Silicon Valley, too much money tied up for what it does, and to great a height to fall from.
SJG
People in Mexico often prefer US dollars for their savings. Do the more successful DLNs actually prefer dollars?