Obviously there are so many hotels and motels in Tijuana that it's unwise to make blanket statements about anything they do. However, Tijuana (and Mexico in general) is much more of a cash society than is the United States and I doubt you'll need a credit card for anything while you're in TJ.
I've lived in Tijuana for over a decade and most of the locals I know don't have checking accounts or credit cards. When they travel they have no problems due to their lack of credit cards. They prepay and/or leave a cash deposit where in the US people typically pay with a credit card and/or leave a credit card on file. When I travel, eat out, etc. I follow their example and use cash without adverse experiences.
When (a couple of decades ago) I started going to Tijuana there was a problem with hotel clerks, waiters, etc. writing down credit card names and numbers to use or sell. I haven't heard about that happening in the past few years, but "once bitten, twice shy" sums up my use of plastic south of the border. And I've yet to find anything I can't do there with cash.
I use ATMs in TJ all the time without trouble. But I don't use ATMs in the areas rateros roam.
(When entering an enclosed ATM also check to see the door handle on the inside works so you don't get trapped inside the booth. Years ago rateros used to tamper with the inside door handles to trap people inside the booth making it easy to rob them. Fortunately such things are part of the "bad old days" that ended when Mayor Jorge Ramos got tough on crime. He's out of office now, but the problems that were commonplace before Jorge Ramos was mayor are still by and large a thing of the past.)
Carry lots of one and five dollar bills as people in TJ have trouble making change for a twenty let alone a hundred.
There are times it is better to pay in pesos and times it is better to pay in dollars so carry both. Ask what is the exchange pay and use pesos or dollars according to what makes the most financial sense.
Before going notify your bank of your travel plans. Otherwise they might freeze your credit card if you try using it outside the US (including at ATMs). See if your bank has a Mexican affiliate because if they do that may save you ATM fees. Also get the non 800 number needed to contact your bank in case of a frozen credit card because almost always you can't dial a US 800 number from outside the US. (And send yourself an email with that phone number and your credit card number in case you're the victim of a pickpocket and need to report the loss ASAP).
If you're going to being going places (like the Zona Norte bars) where you're at risk of encountering pickpockets I suggest wearing a pocket T-shirt inside out with the pocket next to your skin. Carrying your money and ID in the T-shirt's pocket when worn next to your chest makes it almost impossible for somebody--ratero, mesero, chica giving you a lap dance, etc.--to steal your stash and it's easy for you to get to your cash when you need it (unlike, say, a money belt worn under your clothes). I also suggest carrying a decoy wallet with only a little cash in it so people don't know about the T-Shirt and transferring money to the decoy wallet as need--out of sight of syping eyes. Also, don't be afraid of using hotel safes in the better hotels.
Feliez vieje!
-- Modified on 11/19/2016 10:31:08 PM
