Great video and thanks for keeping it real, telling it like it is without all the BS. No matter where you go in the world, nothing compares to Shit River in Olongapo.
I agree, it's not that bad on that bridge. It's not Olongapo. Thanks for checking out my new channel. I hope you consider subscribing. The red light is cool once in awhile, but I'll be making videos around Thailand next year. Cheap apartments, street food, that kind if thing. I'm sure I'll go dive in the PI. Until next year, I'll be doing Mexico and California videos. I have a flight this year to Japan then Bangkok in Sept. Hopefully that's a go. Thanks, Joe
My friend went back to San Diego and I walked into a bar and 2 beers were $1,later that night there was boxing matches set up in a ring in the bar,I was sitting at a table by myself and 3 mexicans asked if they could sit at my table,I had a ringside seat,they bought me a beer and one of them told me his brother was in the main fight,his name was Rito,he won the fight that night.
That's good to hear. Still, that bridge has police shacks on both ends for a reason. It has been a hot zone over the years. I'm comfortable walking around TJ since the early 80's. But for most people (especially first timers) it's best to avoid that walk late at night. In my opinion, not worth saving $6 taxi fee. Or riding the bus. If you scroll these comments, you'll see others that agree with you. I said in the video, "you can walk that bridge a 100 times with no problem, before trouble. Other people commented, no way you won't see trouble in 10 crossings at 11pm. In my opinion, it's somewhere in the middle. This video was for beginners. And this bridge has been trouble for beginners in the past.
I've crossed that bridge solo, at all hours, at various levels of intoxication at least 200 times. Never seen the booths manned. Never had any trouble aside from the police occasionally. Love the bar at Hotel Nelson!
Thanks for this. I'm planning a day trip to TJ next month (will be in San Diego for work and have a free day) and I really want to walk around as much as possible. I've lived in sketchy parts of NYC, Baltimore, and Philly but I still only plan to walk this in the daytime, since you and literally everyone else online says not to do it at night!
@@EagerExpat Update: As a directionally-challenged person, I got lost, so I opted for an Uber. It was worth it and I enjoyed walking around downtown for the rest of my day after that. Thanks for creating all this great content! Tijuana was a lot of fun and I want to go back in the future.
@@ofallsadwords3207 Glad you had fun. If you have some street smarts, you'll be fine in Tijuana. Many desperate people from all over the world live in migrant camps near the border. Hoping to cross into the US. Most are honest folks, but it just takes 1 idiot to hit you over the head with a beer bottle. I love Tijuana, but it night, Uber or Cab is the way to go. Enjoy San Diego too
Yes i walk this to and from Zona Norte all the time ..when I go back to the USA it's at ,3am to avoid the long lines that form at the border crossing. I agree if there's going to be a problem it will be on the bridge but so far so good...knock on wood.
Great vid. At 2:21, if you go straight veer slightly left and just past where the mirrored building is, is the Autobuses ABC bus terminal. Super brand new clean buses that leave a couple times a day to Ensenada, it's about $21 round trip. Actually much easier coming from the Chaparral side. That would be a super cool video.
Very useful video and comment. How long would it take to walk to the ABC bus station from the turnstiles where you leave the border crossing? Do you just go over the first bridge and then you're at the big glass medac building in the video?
Thank you so much for this video. With the help of this and memorising the satellite images on Google maps and street view I can now also switch off my phone in order to avoid paying Mexican roaming. It's really only maximum 1,5 km away to The Arch. With my pace I do this in 12 minutes. Will travel from Europe to SAN in the first part of February and one day I will cross on foot from PadEast in the late morning hours in order to go back mid afternoon, before it gets dark, of course. I would have preferred returning via PedWest, but it closes northbound at 14:00. I'm already mentally prepared to queue several hours on my return on a Friday :) No Global, No Sentri, just Reg
Great vid, Joe. And really good advice. Ive always wanted to go to TJ solo, but haven't because I want to enjoy myself and not have a bad experience. BTW I am a sub.
Thanks for the comment and subscribing to my new channel. Nah, grab the passport and head down. Maybe avoid the $25 Sat night parking. As you walk towards the cabs near PedEast, you'll probably see a bunch of people heading toward Zona Norte. Pay for the cab ($6) and they'll show you the ropes. If you're wanting to just look around, jump on the $1 Centro bus. Get off at Revolution. Very touristy and as safe as downtown San Diego (In my opinion.)
@@yourname9881 I've never had a problem in 40 years of taxi rides in Tijuana. 99.9% are just honest older guys trying to earn a living. You can't mis the taxi guys. There is usually 20 waiting as you cross into Mexico. I'm more worried about some of my Uber drivers in California
Great video, but tell us where to get the 10 peso bus please... That sounds like The Best Plan to me. Disclosure: I have done the walk before, but if there is a safer alternative, we all need to know!
I'm over living in Bangkok today. I made these videos about 16 months ago. I thought I showed the bus. I'm not sure if PedWest is open again. this was PedEast crossing. Once you enter Mexico you walk about a 100 yards and you'll see the small bus lined up. Jump on the one marked Centro. They'll be a guy yelling Centro. I made another video about how to walk across into Tijuana. I think I got on the bus in that video. Thanks for watching
Yes it will switch over. Check which plan you have. I have T mobile. Its usually free 3g data and text. Calls were 25 cents a minute. I think you can pay for a travel package for 5g speed. But 3g is good enough for Uber and email. You'll get a text that says welcome to Mexico and what things cost. Same in a few hundred countries.
I'm not an expert but I know the Hong Kong speakeasy is "unofficially" open 24 hours a day. Be safe and I'd appreciate if you considered subscribing to my new channel. Have a safe trip. Thanks, Joe
what did you tell mexico customs regarding your reason for walking over to mexico from the USA? Did you have to pay a fee? And, what do you typically tell the american customs agents when you return as to what you were doing in mexico when they ask? Any pushback if your reasons isnt an essential reason to cross?
Mexican customs is really enforcing the 180 day FMM ($31) visa. I guess it's there way to limit travel. Or maybe it's just an excuse to pocket a few bucks. Either way, pay the $31 and I've walked back and forth 10 times without a word said. This is good, because technically the FMM is a single entry into Mexico for up to 180 days. So far, as long as your FMM is current, and they check my date each time, they just wave you in. As far as the US, they ask the basic questions. Where are you going? What are you declaring? No mention (to me anyhow) of essential reason for travel. Too many people live in TJ and cross everyday. Thanks for the comment. I'm a new guy, hope you consider subscribing. I would sure appreciate it. Take it easy, Joe
Oh and yes the clubs are open (upstairs in the hotel. 7th floor at Hong Kong) In a speakeasy form. Around town things are "kinda" open. On the weekdays 8pm things start to close. On the weekend I saw things still open past 10pm
@@EagerExpat the upstairs clubs close at 10pm? what time do you recommed going there on the weekends if i wanted to visit the upstairs clubs? I've never been to TJ since they closed the border last march. been itching to go visit
@@wimboneous123 No the Hong Kong isn't officially open. So they just stay open all night. 24 hours (I think?) I've been in there at 2:45 am recently. The bars on Revolution are playing by the "close early" rules. In fact the Hong Kong "real club" used to be open until 11pm (I think) then they moved the party upstairs all night. When things became more restrictive, they just closed the club and the speakeasy went all night instead.
If I take an uber back to the border, where do you recommend as a drop-off point. I don't want to get stuck behind traffic for vehicle crossing, so I'm okay with walking the last bit of the return trip if it means I don't have to wait another 10 minutes in the car to get dropped off right at the pedestrian line.
That's never been a problem. There's a shortcut to the drop-off point. Just ask to be dropped off at the Liniea. The line. They know how to avoid traffic. Thanks for watching.
I hear ya. I was just pointing out to rookies to be on alert. Especially on that bridge after dark. Tijuana is a great city, but trouble isn't far in the Hong Kong area.
I was suppose to visit my buddy who moved to Cali last year. With the health situation I couldn't go. Hopefully I can visit soon. Thanks for checking out my new channel. Joe
This is actually super helpful for avoiding the red light district area! as I am just there for the food and culture! I am going to arrive during the day and probably walk or take the bus to ave revolucion. Are their public buses (read its the azul & blanco) right after the border pretty easy to find? worst case we will just walk there. Is walking back to US border the same and just as easy as going into downtown? Thanks!
Yes the small bus will have a guy yelling Centro. Just ask someone to tell you too get off at Revolution. Going back the bus will be on Constitution St one block from Revolution. Look for Linia bus. The line (or border) Enjoy your visit
I cross that bridge and walk that exact same way you did-only for me in the dark. I get home late from work and it is pitch dark. I rarely see anyone and sure as shit don't talk to anyone. 2:05 The police will sometimes post up at that corner and try to get you on what you're doing, where you're going, yada yada. I got asked once all that stuff by the cops. I had sweaty gym clothes and my copy of "One flew over the cuckoo's nest" (yes I still read books lol) as well as my phone charger, headphones, glasses, and my 180 day visa. They let me go. They will always check your wallet. Right at your edit at 9:41 is a street called Madero. The police *will* post you up there. Just walking on a street will arouse their curiosity. It happens more on Mondays at least with me. The first time, I was bringing back my skillet, an electric burner, a spatula, seasoning, as well as the above-mentioned. It went from "where are the drugs?" to "oh damn you know how to cook". The cop also told me to be careful with frying pans cause women will hit you with them when they catch you with your other gf. The cop was being a goofball, and meanwhile his partner was bored cause I had $8 on me and no drugs. Sorry, not sorry. The 2nd time at that spot-1ra and Madero-, man he whipped his steering wheel around like that "Price is right" wheel. I showed him: various books, including 1984; some 7-11 plastic cups; and Ralph's shopping bags. He asked if I was selling the bags and I said "no, they're for trash". Got more ?s about why I read and what 1984 was about (that was an interesting talk in and of itself). Again, same thing: I have nothing, am not nervous, and quite boring actually. I get taxis on Mondays now lol. Thanks again for your videos. Appreciate them and you. PS-it's Cas-CAAH-dahs, not Cas-CAY-das.
Great comment Jon. Yes even as I was filming I didn't notice a police car I was pointing at. He stopped the car and I put the camera down. I smiled and said, sorry about that I didn't see you. He seemed ok with that answer. You live in TJ so you're a pro and understand how Tijuana works. I think 95% of guys would never go back again if the cops stopped them just for walking that area, etc.. Plus I'd guess many guys would have a few hundred bucks heading to the Zona Norte. So my "opinion" advice to the tourist crowd (like me) is to just avoid that bridge as it gets later. I do remember (10 years ago?) people were getting robbed often on that bridge. People used to live in that drainage area. You can imagine they were desperate for cash. Thanks, I'm half Mexican and still mess up that hotel name. Great books by the way. Joe
@@EagerExpat There are a lot of homeless living under either side of the bridge but also on the "arch" side of the bridge. I don't know why Madero is a police hot spot but yeah that's the area I'm most wary of. The cops are the ones to watch out for. If one can avoid the bridge, definitely do so or travel in a pack i.e. at least 3 of you. The cops were even posted up on the bridge for a while late last year. They are always just all over the place. They're there to "maintain order", but they need to be aware that they scare off American money that is non-Zona but just regular tourist money. And Mexico doesn't have a government welfare plan. Many guys get jacked in Zona by the cops just WWA-Walking While American. Sometimes driving, too. A lot of Americans get stupid and get all messed up in the bars on whatever chemical, making them koi fish in a pond. Or even just walking at 2am having finished up some chica fun. 1984 is my crossing-the-border book while waiting in line to come back.
That's all true. Tijuana is so much more than the Zona Norte. I ate at Telefonica Gastro Park last night. I shot a little video. Amazing food. I'll edit that soon. Plus I have some footage from your area and the Hotel Ticuan. Take it easy, Joe
I have a couple questions is deja vu open in any way or completely closed? If so any idea when they are gonna reopen? How is the mask policy at Hong Kong and others, never been and thinking of coming in early April
I walked by DeJa Vu when I filmed the Pueblo Amigo Hotel video. That's the only DeJa Vu I know. It was closed at 7pm that Sunday evening a few days ago. The Hong Kong mask policy is loose. All the girls are wearing masks. I'd say half the guys are. Most are smoking and drinking. If you're wanting to be very cautious, that 7th floor might not be for you. It's a pretty tight area. Hopefully the club will re-open soon. With 3 floors, etc.. way more ventilation. Thanks for checking out my new channel. Hopefully you'll consider subscribing. That would help me with RU-vid suggesting my videos. Thanks, Joe
@@EagerExpat thanks I am not overly concerned, I’m more concerned with being comfortable. But I just want to see it for myself once and hoping it will be full reopened by then.
Sure taxi's are fine. It's about $6 to get most places in TJ. The meters have been removed. Some people will say many of the taxi drivers are crooks, etc.. I've rode a few hundred trips over the years. Never had an issue. It's best to have exact change. Hand the driver a US $20 and you might get change in pesos.
whats the process for getting to the 7th floor club? do you simply enter through the main hotel entrance and tell the front desk you want to go to the club or do you just walk straight up without going through anyone?
It's easy. As you walk up to the Hong Kong entrance a guy will point you to a door 5 feet away. This is the Hotel Cascadas. You walk upstairs to the second floor. They pat you down and then there is a small elevator. Or you can walk up the stairs. You can also enter on the alley past the registration desk and you'll find another elevator.
No Quarantine and Mexico is 99% of the time requiring a 180 FMM visa ($31) Thanks for the comment. I hope you consider subscribing to my new channel. Thanks, Joe
After the hill in San Ysidro and the walk from the Migration Building to the Taxis my fat arse is done 😆. I love your region of San Diego & Tijuana. I'm tired of the harsh winter weather in the North.
Once you walk across the border, you will see the “Easy Park” parking structure, right? Any idea they will let you park for a week or two? I am thinking of leaving my car with them before flying to Mexico City.
I never have but I'm sure you can. Double check the lots near the Tijuana airport. Cross at Otay Mesa. Last time I parked it was reasonable. Not at the airport, but nearby. I think I paid $5 a day. But that was 2 or 3 years ago. Thanks for the comment. If you haven't, I hope you consider subscribing. Thanks, Joe
And yes when you walk across Easy Park is on the right. If you drive across you'll enter Mexico on the left side of Easy Park. Not hard to double back and park.
Many people do. You're in the party center, but it's also noisy most of the night. I just put up a video of the Pueblo Amigo Hotel. It costs more, but they also have a casino. Have a great trip. I hope you'll consider subscribing to my new channel. Thanks, Joe
@Adam, most first timers do that...I did that last month and it was my first time as well. Hotel was nice and clean. As Joe mentioned, it can get noisy, bring some headphones if you're a light sleeper (assuming you're planning on sleeping 😂) Get the Hong Kong VIP card which will discount your hotel stay there. Plus don't forget about the coupons from the HK website. Have fun!!
Get a VIP card from Hong Kong. I forget the price but mine was $30 for 6 months. This was about 2 years ago. Cascadas rooms with this card are $12, I believe, on early-week nights. There is a VIP pricing section either with HK or with Cascadas.
I doubt very much you could walk over that bridge at night 100x or even 10x before having a problem. There used to be (may still be) homeless druggie communities living nearby. During the day it's fine, but he's right, don't do it at night. People have been murdered on that bridge at night, others beaten and robbed, others thrown over the side. But during the day i might actually recommend the walk to get the full experience of Tijuana. Be warned you could also be harassed and searched by policia in that shopping plaza leading up to the bridge looking for illegal medication purchasers, but as long as you're clean there should be no real problems.
I agree to stay off that bridge at night. I forget the comment I made about being ok 100 times. I did have one guy comment he walks that bridge home every night after dark. His only problem was like you said. The police like to hang out near the bridge. I also agree once Pedwest is open, in the day its a nice walk. But at night, I wouldn't cross that bridge if you paid me. Thanks for checking out my channel. If you haven t, hope you consider subscribing. Take it easy. Joe
Those booths were maned for a few months then they would just drive their car up there so they could pat you down ( the police ). Best bit of advice you've given is to not talk to the straglers ...keep it movin. Believe me
I hear ya. Some people comment the bridge is dangerous. Others say its fine all night. I'm in the middle. Proceed with caution while the sun is up. Pay for the bus or cab after dark. Thanks for the comment. Take it easy, Joe
Well, many people will say no. My experience is I got tagged for the FMM last November. Since then every time I cross at San Ysidro, they take 5 seconds to make sure my FMM is current. You might get lucky and the FMM guy is at lunch, etc.., but I'd say it's a 80% chance you'll have to pay. Technically it's a one entry visa for up to 180 days. Luckily, they're not enforcing that rule. Thanks for checking out my new channel. Hopefully I'll earn your subscription. Take it easy, Joe
@@EagerExpat print the FMM card from the online Mexican government website. Fill it out and mark 7 days or less. Just hand it to the cutoms agent. They won't charge you if you come prepared like that
I'm not a 100% sure. I know I see people smoking. Plus a few blocks away on Revolution are a few cigar lounges. Mexico doesn't have trade restrictions with Cuba. So that's a good thing for a cigar person.
Hi. el chaparral entry? They say when u are deported they get taken to el chaparral entry. Not sure which is one is that. I am tryn to learn the area so I can tell my husband where to go.
@@EagerExpat thank you. Just tryn to learn as much as I can since I've never been to Mexico and he hasnt been since he was 2 yrs old. Thank you for replying
The bus station is walking distance from Pedeast. If it's open. It was closed during the health crisis but I believe it re-opened. If it's still closed, you'll have to go downtown near the Hotel Cesar. Have a good trip. Joe
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How do I find security parking after crossing the border by car? Does anyone have a list of TJ car parkade near downtown, is easypark safe or I should use an expensive hotel parking? I think 🤔 of a week of parking. It seems that the international airport parking is expensive 😕
Parking is affordable at most hotels. Usually less than $10 a day. Usually free if you stay at the hotel. Nothing is totally secure in California or Tijuana. Watch my video on Mexican car insurance. Very important if you plan to drive in Mexico. Plus I'd appreciate a thumbs up if the videos helped. Helps me get the videos seen. I'm in Thailand today. Check those videos out. Great place. See ya later
@@alejandromiranda8489 Thank you. Hopefully you subscribed. I have plenty of Baja videos when I lived in San Diego. I retired 6 months ago and live in Bangkok today. Hopefully you'll check out SE Asia too. See ya later. Joe
Sure its is. Take your big city precautions but plenty of things for the family to enjoy. Thanks for checking out the video. If you haven't, hope you consider subscribing. Thanks, Joe
Absolutely. Consider taking a "public taxi" from the corner of Francisco Madero & Armado Nervo (one block from Revolution Blvd.) down to Rosarito Beach for the day. The fare is a mere $1.25 (2018) per person. Get off at the Rosarito Beach Hotel, then walk down to the beach.
PS - consider this... kids and parents LIVE in Tijuana. Just as they wouldn't want anybody hurting their kids - if someone ever did try to hurt your kid(s) - you would have every Mexican parent and their dogs out trying to protect you folks. Rest assured. That said, I was there last in 2018 and it was very cleaned up from the heydey of the 1990's, with fancy restaurants, fine dining, and not a panhandler in sight. You have not much to worry about - by day. I was not in Tijuana at night, so I cannot tell you how safe it is these days, but by day, you guys will have a great time :)
The question is California safe to visit. Violence in both areas. I never had a problem in 56 years in Baja or San Diego. But it's a large city with big city crime.
@@EagerExpat thank you ) great video btw) next time try to do some filming in mejicali. I heard its much safer than in TJ. Try going to chinatown. Never been there but i think its worth it
@@briantafolla2247 Thanks for the comment. I was just in Mexicali on my way to San Felipe. Check out my "got inspected 6 times video" For the first time I got sent to secondary inspection crossing at Calexico. Yes I need to film Mexicali too. It's 2 hours away, so it's on the list. I'm comfortable in Tijuana and never feel unsafe. I do my best to keep out of unsafe situations. Thanks for the comment on my new channel. I hope you consider subscribing. Joe
I feel safe in Tijuana too, but it's a large city and that comes with crime. A little caution and most visitors should be fine. If I'm in Tijuana, Bangkok or Los Angeles I always watch my back
All days are busy to return to the US until about 6pm. Hopefully PedWest will open soon. This will cut the return time to the US to 15 min or so. Today at noon it can take 45 min if your lucky. 8pm is usually 10 min or less. Thanks for the comment. I hope you consider subscribing to my new channel.. Thanks, Joe
I've walked the route hundreds of times. Decades ago I would even walk it in the middle of the night. But when homeless, drug addicted thieves began living under the bridge in the river channel and crooked cops patrolled looking for victims to extort, I switched to taking taxis.
@@Krystianc98 I retired at 56. 40 years of 60 hour weeks is enough for me. Lucky I have a nice savings and pension. I can just get by in San Diego or live like a king in Thailand
@@Jaxon1127 It's a great spot. I'm living in Bangkok today. Maybe when I get back to visit friends in San Diego, I'll head back to Baja. A video on fine dining in Tijuana. There are some great places. Hopefully you'll check out some of my Bangkok videos. It's like New York City with 1970's prices. I love it here. Take it easy. Joe
@@houserental5424 Hate to hear that. I've never had that problem. Hopefully you won't again. Hide that cash in your shoe. $10 bucks in your pocket. You'll have a great trip Sat
@@EagerExpat cops are wise to the 'money in the shoe' routine. A few times I've been stopped and ordered to remove my shoes. They say that they're looking for hidden drugs. But it's more likely that they want to check and see if you're wealthy enough to fork over a big mordida.
@@richardweiler3966 I hear ya. I've been lucky iver the years. Thousands of visits and never hassled by the police. I do remember in the 90s and early 2000s. Those police that hung out near the taxi drop off and bridge near PedEast. They always had someone up against the wall. They seemed to focus on the drunker guys. Maybe they were an easier target. Hopefully my luck doesn't end and they take my shoe cash. Might have to sneak a few hundreds in my sock. Ha. Take it easy. Joe
