Tijuana can be dangerous. In bringing a group across the border, and traveling in Mexico, the following tips may be of help to you.

1. Insurance: Be sure each of your vehicles is insured with Mexican insurance. Mexican vehicle insurance is the only insurance valid in Mexico. Insure the maximum. This may be between $10 and $15 per day, depending on the value of your vehicle. Be sure you have your vehicle registration handy. Get Mexican insurance in the USA ... Don't buy "bargain" insurance.

2. Traffic: Keep in mind when returning back to the U.S. across the San Ysidro or Otay border that you may have heavy, slow traffic. The end of a holiday weekend can be a two hour wait! Summer weekends are bad as well.

3. Fuel: You can buy gasoline in Mexico. Gas is generally poorer in quality. If you have to buy gas in Mexico, use a popular station and the most expensive grade. Remember they sell it by liters. Just tell the service man how much you want to spend. No need to tip.

4. Border: When you drive across the international border into Mexico through Otay or San Ysidro, you will have to enter through one of several small gated roadways. There will be a post to your left that will have two lights mounted on it. One a green light and the other a red light. As you drive forward, a green or red light will flash indicating whether you can go or will have to stop and clear customs. If you get the green light, keep on driving. If, however, you get the red light, that means that you have to go over toward the right and be checked by Mexican Customs and Immigration officials. Proceed carefully across the traffic to the Mexican customs area. If you are wise, you will smile and be friendly and not understand any Spanish. Do what they say. NOTE: If you are following a car or van closely through this narrow gated roadway the light will always turn red because of the weight of the two cars together. Don’t try to ignore the red light or they will come after you in a very bad mood!

5. Locking Vehicle: Be sure to lock your vehicle at all times in Mexico. Lock your windows, too. Don't leave valuables visible on seats or floor.

6. Driving and Police: In Mexico, you always drive defensively! Be alert! Don't ever assume that a "green" GO light will mean a "red" STOP light in the other direction ... or that other cars will heed it! Note that stop lights are often found ABOVE and IN THE CENTER of the intersection. Stop signs are the same color as ours but read (ALTO) and can be hidden behind cars and trees ... and be as short as 4 feet! In Tijuana the signal lights will flash the green light three times before showing the yellow light. This gives one plenty of warning before the yellow light comes on followed by the red.

   Most of the rules for driving are the same as in the USA, but the Mexicans have the right of way. Use the horn in Mexico ... that is what it is for! Buses and taxis have the right of way under all conditions! If you see an accident ... don't get involved. If a policeman is around ... going through a yellow light is the same as going through a red light! If a policeman wants to see your driver's license, don't let him see your money, too. Find it very hard to understand a policeman's "English." I have been pulled over for not using my turn signals ... use them! Compliment the officer if he does speak English.

   Mexico has a lot of police and patrol cars ... some motorcycles, too. They are a lot more honest now than they were previously ... at least they will take you to the station for the pinch! (They will keep your driver's license until you pay). Most police will try and negotiate a settlement while they talk with you by the road. If you can work them down, do it. Always drive the speed limit ... it is listed in kilometers! For a general guide to a kilometer/mile breakdown, take the kilometer speed, divide it in half and add five miles more. Mexicans may be able to speed, but you can't!

   Don't pass over a continuous white line and ALTO always means STOP! There are many one-way streets in Tijuana center as well as in Ensenada and Tecate. Watch closely. In traffic ... if you pass a policeman (on foot), and he blows his whistle ... "don't notice him!" Look like you didn't hear. (Hit and run is very serious in the USA ... not so in Mexico. A slight violation. On occasion, leaving might be to your advantage. If you can, do so.)

   If there is a major accident: Police will hold all occupants of the vehicle as witnesses. You might want all to leave except the driver. If it is possible ... I would take serious injuries and/or the dead through the nearest border crossing into the USA. You would have to drive completely through the border booth without stopping, and when our officials stop you on U.S. soil, refuse to go back into Mexico. Insist on U.S. help fast! Mexican general hospitals are bad. It is expensive and time consuming to get a dead American back into the USA.

7. Caution: Common mistakes many "Americanos" make driving in Mexico. Most of these mistakes are made because Americanos fail to use common sense!

   Remember—in Mexico one is guilty until proven innocent ... by reason of money. Here in Mexico it isn’t what you did, it’s who you did it to!

   1. Don't stop at accidents. Don't get involved. Not even to look!

   2. Don't pick up hitch-hikers ... even little kids!

   3. Don’t visit or drive into areas in which you are not familiar.

   4. Don't leave a wallet, purse, or money in plain sight in your car, even while driving.

   5. Don't leave a new and/or expensive car alone in Mexico ... especially outside the city.

   6. Don't drive without reputable Mexican insurance. Don’t drive alone.

   7. Don't drive without your driver's license in Mexico. Expensive fine!

   8. Don't drive at night unless you have to. Have good lights. If you have an emergency and have to stop at night, be sure to pull way over to the right and have bright red lights flashing or flares. Rear end accidents are too common in Mexico. Be extra alert and defensive. At night, always drive with a friend in the car ... at least two of you!

   9. Be alert! Watch the street side and parked cars. People often walk in or near the streets. On occasion, they are drugged or drunk. Most Mexicans will be wearing darker colors and will be hard to see, particularly at night.

   10. I would suggest that every group have more than one vehicle while driving in Mexico ... and that you drive with at least two persons to each vehicle. (A group with only one vehicle is really stuck when it goes out!). Don't plan to telephone for help ... it is very hard to get a call out or through. C.B.'s are great! Baja Green Tourist trucks are great ... really willing to help out!

   11. Wear your seat belt while driving in Mexico. It is against the law to drive without using your seat belt.

   12. Drive slowly, cautiously, and defensively while in Mexico. Watch and be alert when others pass you on a country road ... especially when they pass you going around a blind curve.

   13. In the case of a minor accident ... work something out quickly with the other driver ... Bargain! But do it quickly! Pay off in cash. Never let anyone see all your money. It’s best to drive with portions of your money in several different pockets. The driver in the accident doesn't want to get involved with the police any more than you do. (That's when it is nice to be driving an old car and not looking too wealthy!)

   14. Girls ... never flirt with guys in other cars ... Night or day!

   15. Never give anyone a ride across the border no matter what his story. If you know him, you might take him to the border and have him walk across on his own and then pick him up on the other side.

   16. Never take a package or suitcase across the border that someone has given you, unless you know the person well and have seen the contents. Nice people are still in prison for doing something dumb like this. Might be good to look over your car or van before leaving our location.

   The above are just some simple suggestions. They may not work in all occasions ... much depends on the situation and other factors. I have found most Mexicans warm and helpful ... when you need them. In fact, more helpful than "Americanos" are! Don't fear driving!

8. Visas: Visas or Tourist permits are needed only if you are going south on the mainland. You can obtain these at the Mexican Consulate or Mexican Tourist Bureau. You will need only a proof of citizenship. In the case of minors going deep into Mexico, be sure to have their Tourist Permit and a document showing they are a citizen of the USA and two letters written and signed by their parents (both parents) giving their permission for you (by name) to have their child in Mexico during a stated amount of time with you or your group for the purpose of TOURING (always touring). These two letters must each be dated, signed and notarized here in the USA.

9. Money: The peso is the currency in Mexico. About 10 pesos to a dollar. (6/01) You can get dollars changed into pesos in Tijuana. Don’t use big bills in Mexico! Use $1, $5 and $10’s.

10. Food and Drink: "What is safe to eat in Mexico?" ... a question I am always asked. If you haven't been to Mexico much, I would advise you to bring your own food and drink. Always bring your own water. If you are daring ... and Mexican food is delicious ... you can generally eat anything that has been cooked. Stay clear of any food that is raw, onions or radishes, etc. Tortas are so good, but unless you are used to them ... hold off! Tacos, in most cases are good (don't eat pork in any form!) Don't buy from a pushcart vender ... could be a problem there. Ice cream, popsicles, and milk are risky unless they are pasteurized. Punch drinks or raw fruit or vegetable drinks are dynamite, too. (does this mean "dynamite" as in OK, good to drink? or "Dynamite" as in NOT a good thing to try?) Water ... NO!!! Hot coffee, real hot tea, or standard brand of "cola" are all OK to drink. But don't let them put dirty ice in your drink ... or you are back to square one! Carbonation does NOT kill germs! (Mexican hot chocolate is good also).

11. Mexican Trots (Diarrhea): The best way to prevent diarrhea is to load up on yogurt a week or two before you enter Mexico. (Eat "true" yogurt each day for the preceding week.) If you get diarrhea ... Pepto Bismo seems to be the best way to treat it. Lomital will control it temporarily.

    Best thing for diarrhea, I have found, is: Take one clove of garlic, mash or cut it up. Swallow it down with hot black tea. Do this in the evening before you go to bed. In the morning you will generally feel fine, however you may lose your friends.

12. Bathrooms and Toilets: This often presents a problem when you are traveling into another country. Here are some tips. Be sure to go to the bathroom in Mexico before you leave for our worksite. In Mexico there may be a charge for use of a toilet ... usually it is a small reasonable amount. Across the border ... they do not place toilet paper in the toilet! PAPER ... ALWAYS BRING YOUR OWN! ... or SORRY!!!! They won’t have any! I make it a policy never to flush a toilet in Mexico. Let someone else do that ... chances are it does not work! If you have to go to the bathroom somewhere in the city or off the road, get (buy or whatever) a newspaper. Take one of the thinner sections. Fold it over and tear a 6 or 7" inch hole in the center. Then when you are ready to sit down, open your paper "seat cover", center the hold, sit on the paper! Alas, no crabs! REMEMBER ... BE SMART ... carry some toilet paper or Kleenex with you (on your person) when you travel south.

13. Taking Supplies Across: Taking quantity supplies and food across into Mexico can be a little tricky. Border guards don't like you taking large quantities of supplies ... and quantities of food ... across. Pack stuff spread out. Cover with old clothing, etc. Never say you are going to "feed the poor" with it. Mexican Customs does not want food, used blankets, used shoes and used clothing coming across that could end up in the swap-meets. If you have a lot of new stuff you might like to bend, scratch or tear the packaging of each item so they can see that it couldn't be resold. Never take a large load of anything across the border without having formal permission. Furniture or appliances are special "no-nos." Remember, when considering taking any stoves for an orphanage ... that they use a different gas system (butane). You can get a paper clearance for transporting stuff across, but this takes time, hassle ... Yet, you might want to take this route.

14. Firecrackers and Switchblades: Are a real "NO-NO!!" (Junior high kids love to bring these back over the border from Mexico, and they get caught most of the time). Fruits are a little risky ... check and see what fruit you can bring back north over the border with you. Sorry ... no mangos, citrus or avocados! Oh, yes ... NO BIRDS OR EGGS OR PARROTS!

15. Communication: I would suggest to any group that they use inexpensive portable walki talkies for communication. It is worth the effort.

16. Your Car: Keep your car locked ... Watch for the meters in Tijuana and Ensenada. Nickels or pesos can be used. Sometimes you can get a boy to watch your vehicle and meter ... Do pay the kid a quarter, though. (At least he is trying to earn a living).

17. Beggars: A lot of them in the big city ... Give them something! (It is Scriptural!)

18. Camping: Don't camp in isolated areas. Don't camp alone. Watch camping along the beaches ... could be a bummer. In pay areas, there seems to be little trouble as long as you pay. Normally no fireworks on the beach. First see if it is permissible. If so ... it might be OK.

19. Bargains: You can get some bargains in Mexico. In the winter, during the middle of the week. Bargain ... work them down. They like this! (Don't plan to bargain in a department store ... fixed prices). Remember, in most cases in life, you get what you pay for (need I say more?) A vendor will never sell you anything unless he gets a profit! Rings and jewelry have a high mark-up ... especially when sold on the street. (In most cases, worth very little ... look great until the first rain!)

20. Culture Mistakes!: We all make cultural mistakes when we travel overseas. The point is to make as few as possible. In Mexico, always shake a hand if it is offered. You can make points by offering your hand ... and Smile! Smile! Smile! You can't go wrong, unless of course you are attending a funeral.

    Bargaining and hassling over prices is to be expected in most tourist areas ... but please don't bargain down to blood. Don't be tight! You have more than he/she will ever have!

    Give to beggars ... They aren't getting rich. A little tip. A gift of candy or gum will go a long way.

    There are many reasons we are known as the "Ugly Americans!" Don’t be one of them.

NOTE: Don't ever knock or blow your horn to the rhythm of "shave and a haircut six bits" (Dot ... da da da ... dot dot!) This is the equivalent of saying to another, "go have sex with your mother!" Don't use the word STUPID or STUPIDO. This is also seen as very bad ... and seen as crude!

If you want more information on tips on travel pull up this great website, TIPS ON TRAVEL IN MEXICO.

I hope you have a great trip!