Szilvia GombolaGoing shopping in Mexico
June 18th 2008 23:30
No trip to San Diego would be complete without a day trip across the border to Tijuana Mexico. Thousands of people make the trip everyday to shop for cigars, leather goods, or drugs on Revolution Ave (Avenida Revolucion).
It is very easy, all you need to do is hop on the blue line trolley bus from San Diego and an hour later, you are standing on the border between the two countries. Then cross highway using the overpass, walk through the turnstiles and follow the walkway. You will get to another set of turnstiles where you can go straight ahead to get a taxi, or turn right to walk to Revolution Avenue. You can also get a bus across the border. Nobody checks your travel documents when you travel in this direction, but they will on your way back through to the US.
Beware though, if you do go shopping on Revolution Ave you will be constantly harassed by persistent shopkeepers. Some people are not bothered by it, but if you do not like it, there are some fantastic restaurants and bars where you can hide out. Alternatively, you could head away from the main streets to Calle Segunda. Here you will find an arts and crafts market and a quieter place to shop than the main streets. The prices are better too!
My friend and I decided we were going to brave Avenida Revolucion (after we had drunk a few margaritas!). I am not sure why I was shocked by the sleaziness of it but I was. There were photographers with donkeys (some painted like zebras) ready to take your picture. The shopkeepers would not leave us alone and, as I was travelling with my female friend, we had all sorts of indecent proposals, and a few marriage proposals too!
I was also shocked by how many pharmacies there were ready to sell you anything without a prescription from antibiotics, to human growth hormones. If you are planning to buy anything, be sure that it is legal in the US if you are planning to cross back over the border. US security is likely to check your bags.
We visited several jewellery shops and I managed to bargain a shopkeeper down from $US35 to $US20 on a bracelet and ring, that I have only worn once (the day I bought it) and threw it away because it was junk.
A couple of warnings if you know what you want to buy check out the US price first sometimes it costs more in Tijuana. In addition, you should always bargain they expect it and factor it into the price. If you do not like bargaining then visit one of the fixed price department stores
It is very easy, all you need to do is hop on the blue line trolley bus from San Diego and an hour later, you are standing on the border between the two countries. Then cross highway using the overpass, walk through the turnstiles and follow the walkway. You will get to another set of turnstiles where you can go straight ahead to get a taxi, or turn right to walk to Revolution Avenue. You can also get a bus across the border. Nobody checks your travel documents when you travel in this direction, but they will on your way back through to the US.
Beware though, if you do go shopping on Revolution Ave you will be constantly harassed by persistent shopkeepers. Some people are not bothered by it, but if you do not like it, there are some fantastic restaurants and bars where you can hide out. Alternatively, you could head away from the main streets to Calle Segunda. Here you will find an arts and crafts market and a quieter place to shop than the main streets. The prices are better too!
My friend and I decided we were going to brave Avenida Revolucion (after we had drunk a few margaritas!). I am not sure why I was shocked by the sleaziness of it but I was. There were photographers with donkeys (some painted like zebras) ready to take your picture. The shopkeepers would not leave us alone and, as I was travelling with my female friend, we had all sorts of indecent proposals, and a few marriage proposals too!
I was also shocked by how many pharmacies there were ready to sell you anything without a prescription from antibiotics, to human growth hormones. If you are planning to buy anything, be sure that it is legal in the US if you are planning to cross back over the border. US security is likely to check your bags.
We visited several jewellery shops and I managed to bargain a shopkeeper down from $US35 to $US20 on a bracelet and ring, that I have only worn once (the day I bought it) and threw it away because it was junk.
A couple of warnings if you know what you want to buy check out the US price first sometimes it costs more in Tijuana. In addition, you should always bargain they expect it and factor it into the price. If you do not like bargaining then visit one of the fixed price department stores
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