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Lindalou
Senior Nomad
Posts: 623
Registered: 1-12-2004
Location: Punta Banda Baja
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Now that everyone has scared the b-Jesus out of you, come on over!
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2729
Registered: 5-10-2011
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I don't think he/she was scared. Didn't sound like that.
What was it - beyond me. Rather generic list of "scenarios" in the last post. Like "being scammed", among other things. Can anybody explain me what
they are talking about, unless they intended to buy a property or timeshare (and then why not asking this explicitly). Nobody is going to put a water
in your gas tank or sell you a bottle of vinegar with Tequila label - not on a purpose, anyway.
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alacran
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 9-22-2011
Location: Mulege
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Most people that think of the peso as "funny money" will get screwed the most.
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freediverbrian
Senior Nomad
Posts: 620
Registered: 2-24-2007
Location: Papas Gonzaga Bay
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Learn to use the cervesa depositos of your choice, if you like your beer out of long neck bottles , no cans for me . buy one case of deposit bottles
and reuse and reuse cheap way to buy beer .
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18365
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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Mexico is full of thieves, cut throats, grifters, con men (and women), pick pockets, ner do wells, jay walkers and worst of all, accordian music! For
christ's sake, do not come to Mexico!
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Benski
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 7-1-2015
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Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  | | Mexico is full of thieves, cut throats, grifters, con men (and women), pick pockets, ner do wells, jay walkers and worst of all, accordian music! For
christ's sake, do not come to Mexico! |
Oh really. So why do you go down there, and why are you on this site? I'll see you there!
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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Goat's just peeed he lives on a hill. he's alright tho, he calls it a mountain!
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13196
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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The way to know that a gas station is shorting people on gas? It will have no or maybe one car. Be sure to go to the station that has a line!
Please always keep an eye on your belongings while going thru the various military inspections. Take wallet and docs with you as you step out of the
vehicle.
It is a scary experience to be stopped by a cop for "not stopping at the stop sign" "not turning on a turn signal" or something equally random and
false,
If you are brave, call the bluff and tell them you will follow them to the police station (the proper procedure if you are in the wrong). If you
are not so inclined, have 100 pesos to give them, somewhere accessible.
Watch out for thieves reaching in the vehicle -my mom had her purse stolen right out of her lap!
I sure hope your trip has NOTHING bad happen but I think it is prudent to ask the questions before you head down.
Bon voyage.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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dont drive at night...use pesos for everything and make sure you ask FIRST what the price is for a service...any service and if it is too much...say
so and walk away.
As far as getting short changed, I am just as often over changed...like many said...bad math. Do NOT expect to get a great exchange rate..it is
different at every place.
Be mindful of things and people around you...remember to expect the unexpected especially driving...drive way slower than you think you should as you
never know what's up ahead.
Be respectful to all!!! stop and smell the cactus
I look forward to a trip report from you.
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
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This may or may not classify as a ripoff. You'll be approached by people with their hand out, many of them quite pitiful. Carry some 5 and 10 peso
coins and be generous. It's a small thing that can mean a lot. Good karma.
Let the Pemex folks wash the windows and give them 10 pesos. One told me they work for a dollar per hour. Restaurant waiters too. Many service workers
depend upon tips. Be a big tipper.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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because there is no social safety net...people who have severe illnesses sometimes ask for help for an operation, or wheelchair etc...they usually
have a can or a letter from a doctor and a can to put coins in...
also there are often people at stop signs with cans that can be for a variety of community programs like a church seminar, surf team trying to raise
money, money for queens of festivals, police xmas parties, school trips etc...throw em a few pesos and smile!
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3504
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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I'm more focused at checkpoints now because I had a knife stolen by the military at the checkpoint N. of GN couple years ago. My fault for
tempting these guys and I'll take responsibility for my possessions in the future. Anything of value now packed away deep, keep personal stuff in
a pack and on me when I exit, nothing to rummage through in the glove box or center console (I bag everything and these areas are empty). Once
left my pack in my car at a checkpoint going N. just before Tecate. A kid (military) pulled out a military scarf I had -- his friend asked me how
much -- I gave it to him. I don't forget my pack now. And there's no reason to trust these guys or tempt them. Bad apples in every
bunch.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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pelone
Junior Nomad
Posts: 53
Registered: 12-27-2007
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
Mood: Elated
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When driving South into Rosalia, be cautious when using the gas station on the right just past the ferry landing. A unique scam is run where, as you
stand looking at the pump, a young man will approach you from the side handing you a laminated page asking you to consider helping them with their
rehab by contributing to them. As you are distracted and looking away from the pump, the attendant signals a cohort inside the office who then
triggers the pump with to add on a higher total. I stopped to top off a tank---should have come out to 5 dollars worth but the meter read the
equivalent of 30. Do not look away from the pump!!!
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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I'm thinking that Benski is a tourist. So many tips offered may be correct overall, but I've always had the philosophy that when one is on vacation,
one should expect to pay money. Some pesos, some dollars and credit cards depending upon the venue.
As for panhandlers, I live about 3 miles from Disneyland in Orange County. I get hit up by panhandlers about twice a week. Probably more so than ever
in Mexico.
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CortezBlue
Super Nomad
Posts: 2213
Registered: 11-14-2006
Location: Fenix/San Phelipe
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sometimes you jusr have to laugh, for example
While driving in the Yucatan, we were leaving the pyramids and heading to Cancun. Stopped to get gas and the old man wgo was pumping gas looked like
the old man in Close Encounters in the Sonora desert who's eyes were messed up. He pumped the gas; held his hand out, and asked for $160 pesos. I had
a $200 and a $500 peso bill. I place the $200 peso bill into his open hand. As I placed the bill his cataract damaged eyes looked back towards the
gas pump and mumbled in spanish, "Sr., $160 pesos!"
I looked at his hand and the $200 peso bill was now a $20 peso bill.
I had to laugh as I put put the $500 peso bill into his waiting palm, but, not before asking for the $20 peso bill first!
I got into the car and told my wife I had just met the Mexican David Copperfield!
“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”
- Albert Einstein
Follow Cortez Blue
www.cortezblue.com
We put the FUNK in disFUNKtion |
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elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4332
Registered: 11-19-2002
Location: Yes
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| Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd | I'm thinking that Benski is a tourist. So many tips offered may be correct overall, but I've always had the philosophy that when one is on vacation,
one should expect to pay money. Some pesos, some dollars and credit cards depending upon the venue.
As for panhandlers, I live about 3 miles from Disneyland in Orange County. I get hit up by panhandlers about twice a week. Probably more so than ever
in Mexico. |
Twice a week? You must not get out much. 
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
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SlyOnce
Nomad
Posts: 262
Registered: 12-26-2013
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In the US there are panhandlers on every busy corner
In MX there are entertainers, people selling services, and people selling things.
Sometimes I give 5 pesos to a really good juggler. For example juggling 5 burning sticks while riding a unicycle. Or to the pretty morena wearing a
tee shirt saying "yo (heart) Gueros" and selling bottles of water.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
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Worst rip-off? The one you do not see coming. Or stupid advice from gringos that get you into trouble later. Evaluate advice with common sense.
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greta-inbaja
Nomad
Posts: 132
Registered: 7-19-2006
Location: Truckee, CA
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The scam CortezBlue stated. We run across the money switch every so often. WHen you go to pay for the gas, you might give a 200 p note which
mysteriously changes to a 20 or a 500 to a 50. Just just keep track of what you pay with or as for a given amount. As "500 P " magna. The last time
this happened, my overtired partner gave the extra money, then realized his mistake, told the attendant "give me my gosh darnn money back" the guy
smiled and did just that. Sometimes the gas transaction will start with one attendant then switch to another. Maybe only one guy that was comfortable
with the ripoff. I have to say.... they are good. This seems to be a pretty common scam around La Paz and San Jose., its been going on for yrs.
OH... also wear your seatbelt. We have been pulled over for no seatbelt 2x. Both times threatened with a ticket. Both times ended up with just a
warning. Both times we were wearing a seatbelt. Honestly, we have run across very few issues driving down. We have been assisted by the federaly
when in need, Had many pleasant conversations. People are friendly. Have fun, its a very enjoyable trip if you take your time and enjoy the
experience. Flat our beautiful drive in the fall if it has been wet and the desert is green and in bloom. As everyone says.. dont drive at night.
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