Tourist Info


Before you visit Tijuana’s Red Light Zone

A few important things that you want to be aware of before you leave home.

The cell phone number for Jeffrey Hunter is 011 521 664 775 0501 when calling from the USA.  When calling in Tijuana from a Mexican landline dial 044 664 775 0501.  Using your USA cell phone to call Tijuana cell phones or calling the USA will require a different prefix depending on your plan for roaming. See the information below ( last paragraph ).  When you arrive during the orientation dinner or lunch there will be a chance to co-ordinate the dialing of phones.  It is very important that there is a functioning method of communication between all parties.

Most Important - you will have a great time if you use common sense and do not behave like an obnoxious ugly American.  Treat the people of Tijuana with respect especially the police.  The police in Tijuana have a very difficult job keeping law and order.  The last thing that you want to do is make them angry so behave and be nice.  Many people speak English, however, try to be extra polite when conversing with the people of Mexico.  The salary for the average person in Tijuana is about $1.00 per hour so avoid offending someone that lives and works in Tijuana by acting snobbish or arrogantly.

Tijuana’s Red Light District is located in Zona Norte or known by its given name La Coahuila as the main clubs are along Calle Coahuila (Coahuila Street).  This section of Zona Norte is just two streets south of the USA - Mexico border adjacent to Ave Revolution which is the main tourist street in Tijuana.  La Coahuila borders Plaza Cecila that crosses Ave Revolution where mariachis perform alongside restaurants and tourist kiosks that line a walking street highlighted with an unmistakable landmark, the Tijuana Arch.

Entering Mexico requires having a passport or a passport card for citizens of the USA.  Anyone staying less than 7 days will require a tourist visa.  Anyone planning to stay beyond 7 days and up to 180 days will need to acquire a visa which will cost less than 40.00.  Although the law requires foreigners visiting Mexico to present a valid passport to Mexican Immigration Officers first-time visitors to Mexico with plans to stay in Mexico for 7 days or less will allowed to enter Mexico without a passport.  US citizens returning to the USA will need to present a valid ID. and or a US Passport or Passport Card.  Any citizen of a country other than the USA must present a valid passport and visa to US Immigration when entering the US.

The new Ped West USA - Mexico Border Crossing and the newly re-built and modernized Port of San Ysidro Mexico Border Crossing are available for both entering Mexico and returning to the USA.  The Ped West Border Crossing is located at the East End of San Ysidro International Outlets Mall on the west side of Interstate 5 and 805.  The San Ysidro Tijuana Border Crossing is located at the McDonald San Diego Trolley Station.  Both entries to Mexico require a short walk when crossing.  They are separated by a mile so if you are taking the trolley the Ped West  Border Crossing involves a 15-minute walk.  Ped West is only a pedestrian border crossing.  Both have ample parking available, ATM machines, money changing agents, and duty-free shopping. 

Tell someone that you trust what your travel plans are and make sure that you exchange telephone numbers and email addresses.  (Not your wife or girlfriend)   This person is your lifeline if you get into trouble.

Bring your own beer and alcohol.  They may not sell your favorite brand in Mexico.  Alcohol and beer can be purchased duty-free in San Ysidro at several locations before you enter Mexico.  Purchase cigarette cartons duty-free in San Ysidro before you enter Mexico, two cartons are allowed per visitor by Mexican Customs.  Single cigarettes or packs make really great tips for club and hotel staff. 

You are allowed to bring into Mexico:

2 cartons of cigarettes or 50 cigars or a kilo of tobacco (2.2lbs)
3 liters of wine or hard liquor, or beer
12 rolls of film
a computer
2 cameras – photo, movie or other

Further information is found here: https://www.ontheroadin.com/customs-allowances-mexico/

Make a careful estimate of how much money you will need and withdraw the funds from your bank or an ATM in the USA.  There are ATM machines in Tijuana however there are extra fees for withdrawals and as well high commission rates on the exchange of Dollars to Pesos.  Exchange your US dollars into Mexican Pesos in San Ysidro as the exchange rate is favorable to buy pesos in the USA.  When returning to the USA you will want to trade your pesos for dollars in Mexico as well.

Contact your credit card bank and your debit card bank at least one business day before you leave home.  Many banks do not allow debit or credit card use in Mexico.  In most cases, they make exceptions if you call them and inform them of your travel plans.  There are many safe ATM machines located in La Coahuila in the clubs or on the streets.  No clubs or hotels in La Coahuila will accept credit cards.

Hide emergency money ( a $20 or $50 bill) in your wallet or somewhere else like a money belt just in case you need to access some extra cash fast. Carry money on your person in your front pants pockets or shirt or jacket pockets separating funds according to your interests and your budget.  You do not want to have all of your cash in one place and you will never want to flash your cash in a club or on the street.

The taxi fare from the border to La Coahuila and back should be 50 pesos or 100 pesos at the most.  Your destination is La Coahuila, Calle Coahuila, and Ave. Constitution.  Do not allow the cab driver to take you anywhere else.  When you are returning to the USA your destination is La Linea the USA Mexico Border Crossing.  The Ped West Border Crossing is called the Chapparal.  Taxi cabs are located at the exit of Mexican Immigration and Customs at both the new Ped West Mexican Border Crossing and the Port of San Ysidro Mexican Border Crossing. If you are clever or if you have a Hong Kong Club of Tijuana Gold VIP Membership Card you can get a limousine ride to and from the border.

You can walk to and from the border to La Coahuila from the border however this is not a great idea at night.  Especially during the day or night do not venture into any tourist shops that are located alongside the traffic lanes that comprise the immediate area of the border.  Many of these shops are fronts for drug venues and other illegal ventures.  If not just to make sure that you become lost this is is not a bad idea to take a taxi both ways.  A less expensive method of transportation to La Coahuila from the border is by bus or coach.  These buses are easy to find located just after clearing Mexican Immigration and Customs only if you cross the border at the main US - Mexican Border Crossing the San Ysidro Port of Entry at the McDonalds Trolley Station. The fare for this rather comfortable but often crowded ride is only 10 pesos (at the current exchange rate 50 cents).  The bus route will take you along 3rd Avenue just a three-block walk north from Ave. Revolution or Ave. Constitution to La Coahuila.

Viagra and other ED drugs are available at pharmacies located on Ave. Revolution and along Plaza Cecilia.

Do not walk outside of a bar with an open container of beer or alcohol.  Carrying open alcoholic containers on the street is a crime in Mexico.

It is not legal to take photographs or video in La Coahuila on the street or in the clubs with a video camera, a regular camera, or a cell phone.

Do not encourage or talk to drug dealers on the street.  Just say “No thank you.”   They can be easily recognized by their body language and their sales pitch, “Quanto” - how many.  Although the police that are assigned to the Red Light District of Tijuana are instructed not to harass tourists, a measure that encourages tourism they will enforce laws that prohibit the use of illegal drugs.  Without ill-intention suspicions could be raised by any observed conversation or behavior other than extremely casual by tourists. 

Prostitution is permitted in the Zona Tolerencia of Tijuana, Zona Norte La Coahuila.  Being in the company of a person under the legal age of 18 is against the law and can cause serious charges resulting in prison incarceration.  The law in Mexico allows for the sex trade by the girls that work in the clubs in La Coahuila and walk the street in La Coahuila on Ave Constitution between Calle Coahuila and first Street and also on the Callejon - the alley behind Ave Coahuila between Ave Constitution and Ave Ninos Heroes.  Everyone that engages in the sex business must carry identification and also a health card.  The clubs that have working girls offering their services strictly enforce the laws on Mexico regarding prostitution.

The clubs and the hotels where rooms are rented for short periods of time (usually 20 - 30 minutes for $10.00) are separate which involves escorting from the club to the hotel in most cases next door.  The club girls charge $50.00 - $70.00 and can be $100.00 plus $10.00 to $12.00 for a 20 - 30-minute hotel room fee.  The Paradita or street girls charge $20.00 and up for 30 minutes and the hotel rooms can vary from $5.00 to $10.00.  Many of these girls take advantage of tourists and do not perform well or will demand extra money afterward.  Furthermore, some of the street girls are not honest and will not refrain from stealing a cell phone or a wallet.  There is a great deal of supervision concerning the club girls not to mention that if they get a bad report from a customer they will lose their job, something not less that is regarded with great esteem.

Streets that are not within the immediate red-light district may not be safe for unaware visitors.  First Street is especially known for having drag queens walking the sidewalk.  Additionally, it is a good and safe idea to avoid streets and avenues other than Ave,. Revolution, Calle Coahuila St. between Ave. Revolution and Ave. Ninos Heroes including the Callejon or Callejon Coahuila - the alley behind  Calle Coahuila between Ave Constitution and Ave. Ninos Heroes   You can review our Tijuana Zona Norte Red Light District Map for reference.  Being in the wrong place at the wrong time could become a big problem.  Just by walking down the wrong street could cause the police to suspect that you are looking for drugs.

The Zona Tolerencia where the night clubs are that attract tourists is a sanctioned place for tourists by police and other law enforcement officers to keep a friendly atmosphere, not one where law enforcement may otherwise behave.  There is a great deal of revenue flow into Tijuana from tourists and the City Chamber of Commerce, the Night Clubs, and other establishments want to make sure that experiencing Tijuana is fun and not in any way not hospitable.  In other words, tourists are treated with great respect in Tijuana’s Red Light District.

Contact your cell phone provider to inquire concerning roaming charges and any extra fees involves when using your cell phone in Mexico.  You may be able to add special international services temporarily.  You will also want to be informed about dialing prefix numbers for calling the USA from Mexico and for calling Mexican telephone cell numbers and landline numbers.  When you are Mexico calling a Mexican cell numbers or landline numbers from a USA cell phone or when calling a USA telephone number there will be a special prefix to use especially to avoid unnecessary roaming fees.

When you call Tijuana Mexico from the USA your prefix is 011 - 52 - 1 then the telephone number ie. 011 52 664 2222.  (The country code for Mexico is 52, the city code for Tijuana is 664)  When calling the USA from Mexico your prefix is 001 then the city code and telephone number.  If you are calling a cell phone in Tijuana from a cell phone in Tijuana you would dial 044 then the telephone number City code and then the cell number (ie 044-664-222-2222 or 664 222-2222)  When calling a landline number from a Tijuana landline you would not need to enter 044 or the city code before the telephone number (ie. 222-2222).