A few helpful pointers. This hotel gives you a 20% off voucher for food upon check-in. Their food is really good here, pretty sure it works on room service too but you should double check. I do believe the room service menu varies from the main menu at the restaurant, so It's probably best to just order food to go if you dont want to sit. This also works for drinks from the bar! Something I didn't realize until I was already several margaritas deep. Their staff will not remind you about the 20% off voucher. I recommend asking for a bucket of ice when you check-in. I had to get it from the bar area. I don't believe they keep buckets in the room, maybe the suites but not the basic room. This hotel does not allow neck gaiters. So make sure you have the mask with the ear loops. They had ran out last time and I didnt have one, which caused a bit of a delay while they were finding one for me. No big deal but I had to pee so it felt like a big deal. Also an uber is $3 and some change to get to zona centro. Most times I walk but I think it's better to spend the $3 especially if its hot and you're wearing sandals. I got a nasty blister from drunk walking that distance last time. Lastly the place across the parking lot gives fantastic massages (the traditional kind) I highly recommend getting one. Enjoy your stay gents!
Thank you for all that, I pinned your comment. Most of that stuff I did know about but the video was getting too long to keep talking lol. It’s good to have other people like you who can fill in the gaps. I usually get the “American Breakfast” which gives you a good quality and quantity of food for less than $10 US. I did not know about the massage though, thank you for that.
@@90293Mike Happy to help. I will try that American breakfast next time. I had the asada breakfast which was good also. But the cheese upset my stomach. I usually can't do much dairy after a night of drinking. But I was being dumb. Quality of food was great though.
Hello Mike! I really appreciate you taking the time to create this amazing video. You are very detailed. I have been staying here ever since I seen this video of yours. I took your advice to cab it or Uber it around town. Last but not least, This hotel is very safe and high security watching over the vehicles. Casino Deal Baby!
Oh, how I wish I would have seen your video last week! I spent the weekend in TJ and drove for the first time into Mexico. And of course, I got lost because I drove up the bridge instead of staying to the left - took me 30 mins to make my way back, and I DO NOT want to drive in Tijuana...traffic is chaotic...I had a good time and am saving your video for next time. Thanks a bunch for posting it....Cheers!
Nice video. I’m a avid horse player, do the casino offer the same wagers as USA does? Meaning pick 5’s pick 4’s, 10 cent super....etc. Do they take cash or only debit due to Covid. Thx!
Lots of different wagers are available but I'm not sure about every single one, as I normally play win, exacta and trifecta. Check the Caliente.mx website. You bet using your casino players card. Get a card, load it up and you are ready to go.
The casino (Caliente Casino) does have an app but it's all in Spanish I believe. I do see people using the app but I go the traditional route with a Player's Card and tickets. My dentist is called Smile Builders, they are downtown on Revolucion and I think they have other offices, they are very gringo friendly. There are also dozens of others that cater to Americans, including a couple within 100 yards of the hotel in the shopping plaza next door. So maybe I'll do a review, and thanks for watching!
90293Mike keep the TJ reviews coming. Dental office especially. Please have the people tell us about the business, what they do, and why we should go to them thanks
From the trolley station in San Ysidro the entire walk is maybe 1/2 to 2/3 of a mile, and assuming you breeze through immigration you can do it in about 20 minutes. I usually walk because I like the exercise, but after you cross you can also take a taxi for $5 or less the rest of the way. On the way back, the hotel provides a free shuttle, and once you get out of the shuttle it's less than 5 minutes to US immigration (assuming you have Sentri, but if you do not have Sentri there could be a long line).
You are officially not supposed to do that but people do it every day and nobody asks you any questions either way. In my case I see a doctor and/or dentist which is a permitted reason to cross the border (medical).
I admit I am not the big baller that I make myself out to be, my bets are only in the range of $20-25 and I might make between 2-5 a day. That doesn't cut it for a free room although I do get free drink coupons because the staff knows me. I have heard from others that you can get comped if you make larger bets regularly and the staff knows you. But I don't know what the specific amount to bet is.
How did you learn that route? I'd like to know cause Google maps are confusing. Such as ...... One block down to the left. The street is 5 blocks down. Etc. The map tells you where to turn the name of the street but doesn't tell you how many streets down. I have to open up the map and zoom out and figure it out myself which is very time consuming. You speak good Spanish. How did you learn spanish. I go to the casino regularly. You don't look old. 🤣
Thanks for watching. My brother lived in Baja for 20 years until he died and I spent a lot of time in Tijuana/Ensenada, etc. visiting him, so I know my way around pretty much, although sometimes I do get lost myself, that's why I only drive to hotels and then take Taxi or Uber. I have found that Google Maps isn't that great outside the US, it's OK but it messes up a lot. And I'm actually retired as of this year so I'm not young LOL. See you there!
@@90293Mike Thanks for the info. And my condolences for your brother. I got lost trying to get to the courthouse off Rapids poniente. On Google maps I was suppose to take the exit where the court building was. Well it didn't show while I was on the freeway. Needless to say I missed court. I was at the Pueblo Amigo a couple nights ago. I go to charge my EV vehicle there. I'm usually in that area. I'm retired too. I'm a white girl with long black hair. Hope we bump into each other. I usually smile at people walking in or out of the casino.
@@g.montoya5658 Good to hear from you, I won't be back at the Pueblo Amigo until probably November because I have some trips scheduled elsewhere in October, but I'm sure I'll see you at some point. I'm also normally in the Pueblo Amigo area and I always wear Xolos jerseys so you can't miss me!
@@90293Mike Hi Mike, Well consider me a friend. I've lived here 15 years from California. I wish someone would make a video on how to get to the civil courthouse and into the parking lot here in Tijuana off Rapida Poniente. I have a channel and I'll leave you the link. Btw on the playlist labeled BEST you might like a few songs there. It's nothing professional maybe one day I can surprise my followers. I hope I don't scare you away but here goes my link. ru-vid.com/show-UCMmzZrBmLqmXbND9i6PM-lQ Actually the link is for anyone. The music is under the playlist named BEST.
Yes it's pretty easy. You cross at the pedestrian crossing at the San Ysidro Transit Center (there are 2 ped crossings, be sure to use this one) and once you are through the immigraton area and you walk out to a street (ignore the cab drivers because the walk is maybe 5-7 minutes from that point), cross the street, turn right, walk past some food places and small stores and walk about 3 minutes around a bend to the left until you see a crossing under a bridge on the right. Then cross the street, walk under that bridge and you will see the Pueblo Amigo straight ahead a couple blocks away. I've done it lots of times, even after 10 PM and it seems pretty safe. When you're going back, the hotel has a shuttle which takes you to a point where the walk to the border is less than 5 minutes (of course there may be a line going back if you don't have Sentri).
It is supposed to be more difficult to cross the border right now due to COVID but in my opinion there is really very little change. Sometimes you are pulled over and they look at your stuff but usually you are waved right through.
Thanks stayed there... Not a bad hotel. Close to things... Walking there is a bit tough with luggage having to cross some busy streets and go under a tunnel, but its not far. I just paid $5 cab fare to go back to San Ysidro border?
Great video! Just what I needed. The last thing you need is to get lost driving in Tijuana. I have also walked across, but I do not like this risk of getting shaken down by Mexican immigration. They have pulled me aside and made to pay $50 USD for an FMM (tourist visa). The actual requirement for it is up to 180 days. I f you arrive by land (which obviously is the case) within 7 days there is no fee! The official's argument was "too many gringos come here for a short stay to take advantage of lower costs than the US." My rebuttal was "that is true, but we also stimulate Mexico's economy that otherwise would not have been stimulated." Also, DO NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT. Streets are poorly marks and between the traffic circles, aggressive drivers, and streets going all directions, you are asking for trouble. I also got shaken down by the police! I left my hotel in the middle of the night to cross back to the US by car. I came upon a curve with a cement divider, much like the one shown in the video where a quick decision has to be made as to left or right. I had to slow to like 10 MPH to try and read the signs. A cop came right up on my tail and pulled me over. Like a dummy I had my wallet on the center console with $110 USD in it. He immediately started accusing me of being on drugs, made me stand in front of the car while he searched it. He saw the money in my wallet. "Do you want to go to jail?? He shouted. No, how does $110 USD sound? He agreed and topped it off with a police escort to the border! Lesson learned! Jaja
Thanks, all good information. I pretty much stay inside the hotel at night gambling and drinking. Go around the town during the day, very safe during the day.
Most of the casinos are Caliente. It's a brand that goes back almost 100 years. My parents honeymooned at the Caliente Hotel and Casino in Tijuana in 1931. It was during prohibition in the US and very popular. Anyway there are maybe 5 or 6 Caliente casinos around TJ these days. The biggest one is at the racetrack (dog racing only). The one at the Pueblo Amigo, and in the adjoining buildings, is probably the 2nd largest. I think there is another casino operator in the Grand Hotel but I'm not sure what the name is. Thanks for watching!
There are many Uber, they are all over, and they are about 50% less cost than a taxi. For instance, from the Pueblo Amigo to downtown is about $7 for a taxi and half that for Uber. I have ridden Uber many times and always felt safe but I think a taxi might be a little safer, it's just my gut feeling. I normally take a cab but I do ride Ubers sometimes.
Yes this route still works as of September 2024. There is also another route that will take you about a minute less but the route shown in this video still works fine.
@@90293Mike I watched your driving to Pueblo amigo hotel video. And I drove in yesterday I’m at the hotel right now. I leave tomorrow what the easiest way to drive back to the us border ? Google maps is giving me crazy directions of driving into downtown for some reason.
@@Zelazella1 Sorry for the late response. If you have Sentri you just drive straight out of the parking lot, go a couple blocks north, turn left, and you are in the Sentri line, it can't be easier. If you don't have Sentri but you can use the Ready lanes it's a little further drive but still close by. They will help you at the hotel.
Prices change depending on the day of the week, season, how full the hotel is, etc. Best to check their website. I usually pay about $120 or maybe a little more. Thanks for watching!
Prices tend to change all the time so I usually don't include them. But in September 2020 I paid about $125/night for that room including taxes. Now that's a little lower than normal but because of COVID prices have dropped right now.
Hello there - I paid USD 83 the weekend of 11/21/21; they do have a promotion from Sunday thru Thursday - free upgraded to a junior suite room as described in the video. I booked my room thru the company perks website at the place I work for. I didn't know about the food voucher though - Hope you enjoy it when you go. Cheers!
I was in Tijuana Tuesday and Wednesday dental appointment. As soon as i pass the 2nd check point i was followed by Mexican Police instantly they hit there lights had to drive a bit more to pull over at a main street. Asked if i had marijuana said no. long story short empty pockets saw money clip look inside truck said i can go, was i lucky they didn't take mt money bc im latino.
Sorry you had a bad experience. I know this may sound unbelievable, but I have been crossing the border into Baja for almost 50 years and I have never had a bad experience with the police. Been stopped a few times like you but then since I was doing nothing illegal, that was the end of it.
I don't know enough about all neighborhoods but there are bad areas in every big city. I live in LA and there are areas I wouldn't go to around here. I do feel that the Rio district (where the hotel is), downtown Tijuana (Avenida Revolucion) , and the Playas area near the beach are safe. I've been to all those areas many times and always felt safe.
Everything that is not on the main path to get you to zona centro should be avoided. Do not get adventurous. Here's a great rule of thumb, if the street is narrow and you see stray dogs on it, stay away from there. When in doubt just stick with the crowd of people. But the walk from this hotel to zona centro is not bad. Just stick to the main path and you're fine. Been coming here almost 20 years, from a snot nose know-it-all brave, so a well seasoned in shape young man. Never had any issues except back around 2008 when the police were corrupt. Got shackled a few times and arrested. But it was part of the learning curve.
If you have Sentri (or Global Entry) like I have, the entrance to the border crossing is one minute from the Pueblo Amigo and I have never waited more than 20 minutes to cross. If you go even 2x a year, get Global Entry. If not the wait could be 1-2 hours. Depends on the time and day. There is an app that tells you the wait time, it is put out by the US Customs and Immigration. It is called CBP Border Wait Time.
@@90293Mike Nope, so if you stay on your left instead of making a left you go straight not on the overpass but alongside of it and stay on your left going inwards, you find yourself right in front of Pueblo Amigo:)
