So with nothing really going in Austin I decided go back to Guanajuato, Mexico to see some friends. I left at 4am for the 8 hour bus ride south to the border town of Matamoros but with no passport. Last year a friend went to Mexico with no passport and just a drivers licence and it was not a problem but the law has now changed. When I got into Mexico I found out that I could only go 20 km into the country because I had no passport. I decided to just hangout in Matamoros and take a bus home the next day. I have not had the greatest experiences in the city of Matamoros. Last time in Matamoros I was pick pocketed, had my wallet stolen and stayed in what I now think might of been a $14 dollar a night run down hooker motel. This time I got a much better hotel and took a long afternoon nap there after having a nice lunch by the plaza. Later that night I went out looking for a bar to get a drink of which it would be harder for me to obtain in the USA. I wandered around the city for a little bit looking for a gringo friendly bar until I was stopped by el policía. el policía grabbed my arm and kept repeating the words drugs drugs. He then pushed me against a wall and said he wanted to search me. I put my hands up against the wall but before I did I took my wallet out becuase I thought that me might want to steal some money. I was patted down and felt him digging in my pockets. He then saw my wallet in my hand and grabbed it from me and said he was going to look for drugs in it. He turned around quickly and pulled all the cash out of it. I yelled at him that I wanted my wallet back. When I got the wallet back from him half my money was gone. The only english he said well was " you must of left the money back at your hotel"
128 comments:
hmmmm interesting
sucks.....
Why would you go to Mexico without a passport? Not the point of the story, but still....
typical of any border town. no shocker here
WOW...You should have kicked him in his junk, and let the state department work out your release....
You got off easy. You could have been put in jail, and still had your money taken.
i wish he would have decapitated you.
Seriously, this happens way too often. My sister was with us (a group of 4 guys) when we were walking back to our hotel. POlicia stopped us and even though we weren't drunk, wanted to take us to their station. I noticed that they were trying to separate us: Me and my buddies to one car and my sister to another. I pulled out my wallet and just gave the police (there was 4 of them) whatever i had. And i kept telling them i wasn't leaving without my sister in the same car as me. They finally gave up and left with my money ($120). I WILL NEVER GO TO MEXICO AGAIN. I love the people, but HATE the police - you can't trust them at all.
That's not really any big surprise in 3rd world countries. I had a similar situation in Mexico. I got pulled over while driving. The cop said I had run a red light. I had not, the light turned yellow when I was in the intersection. They pulled me over and immediately took possession of my license. Then they said I could have it back for $50 USD. I didn't have enough in my pocket, so they told me to follow them to the bank. They cleared out a spot in the front of the bank so I could go get them their $50.
I live in Arizona and you hear about that ALL the time. Flippin' third world country down there.
that's why you gotta take the police out at the knees, get your stuff and make a move for the border fast. besides, it's mexico, you think they will be able to find the guy after they find a body some day or two later. :)
How did you know he was a policeman? It's very strange to find one policeman walking around at night; they usually ride in police cars, in pairs.
Se me hace que te chamaquearon.
maybe that will be my new hobby. taking out mexican police at the knees.
hey i live in austin. FTMP (fuck the mexican police)
But... but... but... these are our FRIENDS!!!
Seriously, the border towns as well as the rest of Mexico are lawless.
Corruption is rampant in the society as a cultural trait. Use common sense... about the only places you are safe from death by thugs or harrassment by corrupt police are the resorts. Anywhere else you are just a stupid American that can't speak spanish begging to have your skull caved in and your money taken... as well as your dignity and possibly your sister and her virginity.
"...when in rome, do as the romans do...."
Here's some advice: Stay out of that country!
There is no reason in the world why anyone would risk going to that disgusting place.
Bad choices of places to go to in Mexico I must say, having been to Tijuana, Rosarito, and Ensenada I have not had trouble with the local policia or the federales.
Basically don't look like you are doing anything stupid and they won't bother you.
".....Anywhere else you are just a stupid American that can't speak spanish begging to have your skull caved in and your money taken... as well as your dignity and possibly your sister and her virginity...."
I guess I should start caving in the skull of every Mexican in America that can't speak English. Only sounds fair.
There is a reason why illegal immigration is a problem in America...
Thats fuggin bullshit. I would have stuffed the cash in my crotch right in front of him and handed him the empty wallet. I don't care who you are you ain't touching my crotch unless I want you to! I might have gone to jail but there would one dead
policeman that would not have my cash!
Had the same thing happen to me in Cabo, however, after they took the cash out of my wallet I was told they found drugs and was told the only way not to goto jail was to have them follow me to the nearest ATM and withdraw the max for the day. All in all cost me about $800 to not goto jail for not doing anything.
Why would you ever want to go to a 3rd world run down piece of shit country such as mexico? America is better. (except for LA county since the mexicans have already invaded and turned it into mexico city #2)
Wow! To think that I was going to go to Mexico and drink there water!
I'm sure stuff like that happens but not as much as others make out to be.
My experience with Mexico up until last year was Puerto Viarta and Chihuahua (when I was a kid 20 years ago).
Puerto Viarta kicks ass. We took the bus everywhere, ditched the damned tourist traps and walked around old town. I dug it.
Then, on a cruise last year, we stopped in Cozumel and I also walked across into TJ when visiting family in San Diego who swore up and down that it used to be a fun place to hang out.
I have not been to Mexico since and don't really care to.
you ask them to take you to the local judge. most will back down at that point (at least in TJ they do) better yet, dont take your wallet, or at least keep your money in a money belt, sock or anywhere else.. leave them a token five or ten spot thats it.
this is a nightly ritual in TJ when coming back across the border.
the cops sit there waiting for you at the taxi drop off point.
bastages
It easier to talk tough when it's not you in a strange country with no witnesses or help other then la policia, who happens to be scamming you. This happens all the time in Mexico. Whether you are in Tijuana, Ensenada, or Cabo. At least in TJ, you can contact the Sindacatura which really does fight crooked cops. You might not get your money back, but that guy won't be a cop anymore.
I just posted that last comment and I'm with the Mexicano Polica!
Come down to Mexico I'm so lonely, I need some senoritas to put in the back of my car.
Hey! I only want to show them my burrito grande!
I don't want to go to Mexico no more more more...
dirty mexicans
Im mnexican, and I live in Monterry, I know, is too dangerous, we are a third cuntry citizens but...
Apartir de aquí continuo hablando en español, es verdad que la inseguridad esta en un caos en México y no por eso todos en este país estamos mal, he conocido experiencias en Madrid, en Miami, San Antonio, Boston, Quebec, etc...
La inseeguridad es mundial, pero es verdad que debemos hacer algo en contra de esto, pero eso es otra situación, quiero pedir una disculpa por este incidente a nombre de México a esta persona que sufrió este tipo de situaciones en manos de gente que no debería de andar libre y muchomenos portando unaplaca de policia, por otro lado la gente que se dedica a criticar a México por este tipo de incidentes debería de voltear a sus zonas y asus países que TODOS tenemos la culpa de que esto se genere sin poner un alto, no solo el que vende la droga esta mal, sino el que la consume, no solo que el que roba esta mal sino el que lo incubre, así que piensen un poco mas en sus comentarios...
I hope you can translate this comment, i wanted wrote it in spanish bc i need learn english for my carrier, i hope the people learn spanish just for culture... tnx
Just thank goodness that you weren't a Canadian and from Woodbridge, Ontario. Otherwise you probably would've ended up beaten to death and the Policia would've simply wrote it off as an accidental falling down the stairs.
Well.
I think what "Ivan" said is actually quite intelligent when you translate it. It is very unfortunate but you have to understand all the shitty differences.
I've had many friends that were Spanish and it's often harder for them to BE successful because of the deep dark hole their brothers, sisters, cousins, etcs are in. I've lost many intelligent Mexican friends because of their families influence on negative actions and more.
New Orleans has cops just as bad.
Except maybe they beat you less in Mexico
I was stopped in Tijauana 2 months ago with my wife and 2 friends. The police lied and said I was speeding. He then told me it was a $150 ticket and I had to go to the station. I argued that I didnt have the money, I only had $20. He said that I was to follow him and to hand him the money underneath my drivers license when we stopped. We pulled around a corner and I handed him a folded up $5. He took it and pocketed it.
Here the problem. Mexico is corrupt. They need to get a handle on it or lose their tourism, period.
Here's a tip. If a Mexico cop pulls you over and shakes your hand as he comes to the window, know that he's corrupt. When he asks for the money, tear a $10 or $20 in a 60/40 split and fold up the shorter one so it looks like its fully there. When you get back to the states take it in to a bank and they should give you a full bill. Of course this may be illegal to tear a bill too, so either way, your screwed when you go to mexico.
If the cop gives you an issue over the torn dollar, demand he takes you to the station and talk to the supervisor. Tell him the cop tried to rob you and the proof is that the cop will have half the bill and you have the other half. Just hope they arent both corrupt.
Mexican cops suck. Just be thankful they didn't take all your money.
Americans have very little recourse when thrown in Mexican jail; even if the charges are trumped up you're better bribing someone to get off. Also, wear crappy clothes, a crappy watch and don't carry too much cash on you.
Seriously, the Mexican legal system is one of the most corrupt in the world and they don't really like Americans all that much. If they smell money they're going to try to get some of it, and the quicker you pay up the less you'll end up forking over.
The rules are different in other countries, and in most places other than America, bribes are just a part of doing business with people in power.
Dude, it's real simple. Dress like the dirtiest mex you can think of OR one of the mex police OR an American FBI agent.
Oh yeah, or never travel alone. The bigger the group the better.
Jeez Louise ! Have you and your
family been under a rock for the
last fifty years?
wow you really are an idiot. I live in Matamoros and its a great place. But taking the bus is always a bad idea and going without a passport is probably the worst decision you've ever done. There is no "gringo bar" and its not "el policia" its "la policia". Learn some damn spanish. And that guy probably wasn't a cop. Cops in Matamoros are actually good cops.
Why would you ever want to go to a 3rd world run down piece of shit country such as mexico? America is better. (except for LA county since the mexicans have already invaded and turned it into mexico city #2) Greay comment and so true, its a pretty crappy place to go. But When in trouble grab his wrist and pull out your semi, and say WHAT NOW MEXI!
so has anyone here not been robbed by police in the really dirty south?
I lived in El Paso and used to go party in Juarez. Rule of thumb was you take out 40 dollars in bribe money and stick that in your pocket. The rest you put in your sock. When the cops search you that 40 is there for them. It really sucks but it's so damm corrupt down there its almost like tipping.
I had my revenge twice on the cops. One time while they where taking my money there supervisor came out of no where and pulled me to the side and said if they asked me for money I said yes and he took both of them back with him and told me that I was free.
The second time I seen one in El Paso shopping in one of the malls! I walked up to him and said "hey your remember me!" and started yelling and cussing him out to let him know what a low POS he is.
Piece of shit mexicans. theyre good for nothing. add the fucking ricans in there as well.
20 mins after we drove over the border we, 2 cars full of college kids, were pulled over and told that we didnt stop at a stop sign that didnt exist. The cop told us that we would have to go down to the station and fill out all this paperwork and it was going to take at least four hours. The other option was to pay $200 per car and he would let us go. After some thinking we gave him the money which he sneakily grabbed and took off with. Mexicans are dirty scum of the earth. We got thrown in jail that same night and almost got into a fight with the locals in jail and stayed in jail an extra 4 hours because the police were hitting on the girls that came to bail us out but I'll save that one for the next post. Damn mexican scum of the earth. Have a nice day scum.
How do you think they earn a living? Third world people who average an IQ of 85 need to eat too (so they can make more).
And any of this is a surprise because?....
It's a corrupt country. And bush wants to make America just like it. It's called the North American Union.
Welcome to Mexifornia. Leave your valuables at the border.
I live right on the border and have been bitten by the federals a few times since highschool. You have to have your wits with you &remember that the ENTIRE Police force is corrupt. Every few years they're all actually fired from their jobs and replaced by mexican military as a means of "control". The police are widely believed to be working for the drug/alien cartels and this month the results of the investigation of all the police weapons via "proved' that those weren't involved in the some 300+ murders in that city alone (yeah right). prostitution is legal in that city and it's really the wild west... so "white man from texas" looking for some cheap fun.. you better have to watch out mexico is all kinds of "fun".
hey im mexican, in mexico the police is worse than thieves =P.
Having grown up only an hour away from Nogales I've heard many many horror stories. Be lucky all they did was take a few bucks. That's pretty much how things are run down there.
A lot of college kids have drugs planted on them and end up giving the police vehicles, jewelry, electronics, or withdawing money from a credit card just to get out.
You're best staying away from border towns if you're white unless you have a friend who is brown and speaks spanish. Like myself, it's easy for us to smooth things out.
You didn't have a passport and went to a Mexican Border town. What happened to you sounds pretty typical.
Goes to show you can never trust a mexican... not even the ones who are supposed to be "enforcing" right and wrong.
For all the people who thinks mexico and mexicans (you are talking about 100 million, including the 2nd richest person in the world) are shit, you don't know anything about this country.
there are a lot of corruption, I agree, but tell me about a place in the world that is corruption free? even America (as you call it, because America is the whole continent not your country) has a lot of corruption (election fraud, enron, to mention a few).
in mexico there are a lot of people who are actually smarter than you are (that goes for the guy who said mexicans have an IQ of 85, where does the guy who invented color tv was from, for example.), a lot of american travelers just can say piniata, tequila and fiesta (not making a general statement) that is to ignore culture. most mexican travelers (not inmigrants) speak english fluently and when they travel to the states and someone tries to fool them, they simply can't, because they are understanding what the other person says, not like the american examples i mentioned before.
Also mexicans are loved worldwide, anywhere you travel, and you are mexican, the people invites you to join them, and those people say they hate americans, because they are the most ignorant people in the world (these people are making a general statement, based on the american people they have met), because they just make trouble, also because they always stereotype people who aren't americans. (this blog is clearest example of stereotyping).
Police in mexico, is like police in anywhere else in the world, there are good, there are bad, there are very good ones. the "policia" who robbed this guy, probably wasn't even a cop, but a guy with a uniform alike and that's it. simply bad luck. BTW i'm proudly a mexican.
and for the guy who said he is from monterrey, "el policia" is the correct way to say it, in the original story is only one cop not two or more.
In México we have thieves like any other country, but the police are the true thieves.
Is a rule for me to have at least $5 (~50 pesos) hidden in my car to pay them for a fictitious infraction of transit. 50 pesos in my job is the payment for 4 hours of hard work.
I think they request much more money if you look like an american citizen.
When you are in México, enjoy but be careful of thieves, and the real thieves; "Policía and Policía de tránsito".
Finally, when you give money directly to the police probably he is "dando mordida" or giving bites. My born language is spanish, if my english is incorrect please correct, thanks.
I was in a group of 4 when we got robbed by 3 cops in Acapulco. We were walking along the bayfront strip and they pulled over in their car and searched us. I've heard stories like this, so i quickly took the cash out of my wallet and held it over my head. I'm 6'2". Mexicans are short. He said he wanted to see what was in my hand, so i held the cash with my thumb and opened my hand. He looked at me and I simply said "no". They did get about 30 bucks off my friend though and sped off.
Similar thing happened to me, except in Cancun. I've boycotted going to Mexico ever again.
I live in Brownsville... right across the border from Matamoros... you shouldnt be walking around alone if youre not a local.
Hell, even if you are a local you should have someone with you.
One day you all will learn that Mexico is a shady place. BTW, I am Mexican and speak great spanish but I still avoid Mexico.
dude you lame, thanks for the brilliant FYI ... try getting out more and stop bitchingg
ajajaja asi es la placa en mexico, es su sello original.
Could have been worse. They could have kidnapped you and held you for years without due process in Guantanamo. Oops. I guess that's not the Mexican police who do that.
Well its bad but at least it's not as bad as those shifty canadians!
Again I just want to reiterate that I have traveled extensively in Mexico probably having spent a year and half of my life down there in various trips some quite extended and I have never had any such bad experience. Sure I have heard tell of such but again it has never happened to me. The Mexican people are some of the friendliest most welcoming people in the world. Maybe the problem comes into play when you are a tourist and not a traveler. A traveler for one would never forget their passport nor would a traveler have their cash in a wallet they would have a concealed money belt. And spewing out hate filled generalizations about a people or a country is plain ignorant. I for one don't have problem with Mexicans either in Mexico or here in the USA.
I had the exact same thing happen to me a few years back, that's why I never went back.
Hey Amigo, la proxima vez que vengas a Mexico trae en tu pantalon un billete de 10 dlls para que se los des al 'poli' de mordida...Hasta te va decir donde puedes divertirte en la ciudad!
You so stupid. Lol. Seriously, though, I went to a lot of places in Mexico during my Senior Class Trip and absolutely loved it. Things were dirt cheap, the people were super friendly, the food was great, and most of the places were sensational, what with all the historic background and natural beauty and whatnot. The hotel in Mexico City only cost like 200 dollars for a 10 day stay.
We were warned about the corrupt policemen, though. Instead of bribing them with dollas, why not pay them with pesos? You give them 200 pesos, which in reality is like less than 20 dollars, and I'm sure they'll be on their way. They just want to see high numbers in the currency.
As a Puerto Rican, I'm proud to have a higher IQ than all you racist jerkwads. At least I can spell English properly, and it's not even my first language. I scored a perfect 800 on the English part of your stupid SATs, and could probably do many of your kids good if I was their English teacher.
Think we're good for nothing? I bet you don't say that when you're hitting on hot latinas who plain out beat your flat-assed obese women.
Poor cry baby!....You were in MEXICO not the USA...Stay home and shut the fuck up!
Be thankful he took your money..and not your ass...your life...or threw you in jail!...Don't be stupid and grow up!...If you leave the safety of your home at least be careful!...Next time bring money to "tip" the cops...Or else...
hi there, well im from H.Matamoros, and ive lived most of my life here, yes ive had some problems in the past with the local police, but i have never been treated like that ever, not even when i have been pulled over for d.w.i., its defently a shame for us the have corruption in our own police, but they way you say that it happend its kinda hard to believe, the thing here is that why would you dare to go out alone at night in a town that you bearly know?
iam prety sure that if i go to Austin, by my self and go out for a drink trying to find a mexican frendly bar, it could hapen the same to me...
sorry man, but corruption and delinquency is every where...
I have heard that the police in Mexico do rob you....I was told this by the people who have family there and visit all the time.
I'm a white American and have lived in Tecate, Mexico (a border town where the beer is made) since 1988. I've never had a problem, other than a recent ticket for not wearing my seat belt (a law that was recently passed that I didn't know about). You should have filed a complaint.
This sort of thing is normal in South America, except in the white areas, like Argentina and parts of Brazil and Ecuador. And we're letting this criminal/poor third world culture in take over the American demographic, while they bring their way of life/instincts with them?? WTF is wrong with us?
My office is 200 yards from Matamoros and I go their daily for lunch.
Basically all I have to say to you is your a fucking moron. The cartels have been having a drug war for awhile now. There are clear warnings posted at the crossing that is a bad idea for Americans to be across at night. You can get away with Garcias or a little farther in, but in general if your there at night the cops will harass you. It is common place for people from the US to buy guns and ammo and bring them across, so Americans get searched at night, period.
And the cop didn't steal your money. It was more of a fee for keeping your ass from getting knifed by the real bad guys. Those guys get paid so little. One nice dinner for you is that guys entire weeks salary. When you get stopped at a checkpoint, they are not trying to steal, they are asking you for stuff. They love food and battery's and will let you go on your merry way and sometimes escort you if you give them stuff.
Do some research on where your going, and allways talk to the locals on the US side, they will tell you whats up.
unfortunately, that is so common i all the border cities, as far from i know, im mexican, im from matamoros and i right now live in nuevo laredo, so i can tell u, theres a lot of corrupt cops, somes are even criminals, but not everything is the same, the are places, and people goods.
but dont worry that behavior is not only with the turist,is the same with the same mexicans, sometimes when, we go out to take a few drinks , a corrupt cops suddenly appears from nowhere and try to steel our money.
i give u an apologize in name of the god side of mexico
Note: sorry for mi bad ortography
Here i watch the pussification of america, aint you suppossed to be leaders of the world and cant handle a fourth rank police officer in Mexico, i am sure mommy didnt let you go out on the street much , hu?
im not even reading it, the mexican government is very corrupt
Lets see...
"Corruption is rampant in the society as a cultural trait. Use common sense..."
"im not even reading it, the mexican government is very corrupt "
These comments reflect the typical stereotypes and the ignorance of the people that just repeat them.
Have you been to all of Mexico? how do ya know that the government is corrupt? because some REALLY rich guy in CNN or FOX says so?
Corruption is something that happens everywhere, I mean look at the US government for God's sake!! also, you live in Austin... you know about all the lobbying, money that gets passed under the table to buy polititians, Tom Delay's corrupt ass, the inmense fortune of the Bush family coming from businesses that always went bankrupt but made them money, Halliburton, etc, etc... you need more?
And don't get me started on the Austin PD... they have a monthly quota for traffic tickets, remember? that seems like a pretty honest system to operate isn't it?
Grow up, cough up the money for a passport and USE IT. It's been 2 years since they started saying YOU MUST HAVE A PASSPORT TO ENTER THE US.
Take time to look at all the crap that goes around here and THEN bash other countries.
P.D. I live in Austin too... and been to Mexico a lot also so I know the place.
Finally, please realize that border towns are shitty on both sides of the border.
Im mexican, and i will tell you something, mexican police sucks, is not the same as USA's police, in mexico being a policeman pays only enough to bring food to your family and that's it... so most of the times you have to corrupt them to get the job done, or they molest you to get easy money, from people easy to molest, sutch as "a gringo walking alone in a border", by the way, borders in mexico are extremely dangerous, even for mexicans, you should not have been alone wandering around at night, would you be alone wandering around in the getto? or in a place you know to be dangerous?, i bet my ass you wouldnt.
One thing i can tell you, when you come to mexico, if you venture here again, dont be confident, and try to learn the language at least a bit, also try not to wear fancy clothes if you'll be wandering, try not to have much money on your wallet, your wallet should be on your front pockets, and recognize the looks of people, that can save you lots of trouble.
I live in monterrey mexico, you should come here, its a great industrial city with plenty of culture, and many atracctions.
By the way, you should use these tips when ever you go to another country, not only in mexico people get robbed, just use common sense and dont be too confident.
TO ALL MEXICAN HATERS:
FUCK YOU ALL ignorant assholes, fuckin retarded rednecks, the only thing disgusting here is your rotten lives.
I was in tijuana 2 weeks ago and the same cops searched us 3 times throughout the night and the last time the took my last $20
maybe the lesson is not to be a American in Mexico you dumb rednecks
If your country was not so bad, millions of you would not illegally cross our border in the United States.
If we had it our way each and every illegal alien in the United States would be gathered and shot, then exported back to Mexico.
Those of you living in the United States legally who did not enter illegally are more than welcome in MY country as far as I am concered, as long as you pay every tax that I do, have a job and as long as you are not on welfare just because you 're too lazy to work to support fifteen Mexicans in one household, driving one car.
And for those if you that think Americans should learn Spanish. Get the fuck out. You are in the United States. If I moved to Mexico I would have to learn Spanish, because that is common sense obviously. If you can't learn to speak English, quit complaining when the guy at Taco Bell doesn't understand what you want to order, or get the fuck out of this country.
¡Viva la mordida!
"One thing i can tell you, when you come to mexico, if you venture here again, dont be confident, and try to learn the language at least a bit"
This learn the language thing when coming to mexico...does this work both ways? I mean people coming to the US, should they maybe learn some english?
thats nothing. when we were driving cross the border we had four police cars pulling us over. they said they were searching for drugs and were going to lock us up unless we give them money.
Gringo...
I grew up in South Texas and went to Matamorros during my high school years. It can be shady don there. Go with a big group of friends. I just got back from Playa del Carmen (near Cancun) and it was awesome down there. It was wierd using an ATM and having a guard with a shotgun stand outside protecting me, but I didn't get robbed. If you go with someone that speaks spanish, you will be fine. If not, good luck.
Dude, you were scammed, probably the so called police followed you since you got off the bus.
And too all you dimwit gringos, countries Americans visit most in the world is Canada and Mexico.
And for the amount of people traveling to it you do not hear a lot of stories like this.
Your best bet is to refresh that Spanish you learned in school.
wow, thats a very bad experience in mexico.Im mexican and I must say some couple of things for the people that dont know very well the country.
First; try to learn a couple of words so when a mexican cop tries to get some money from you, you will have a way to "defend" you wallet.
Second; when a cop says to you that if you give him a bribe you will go to jail or you have to go to the station to fill some papers, those things arent true, they are only excuses to scare you so you give them a bribe. Actually is very difficult to be in jail jaja.
Third; no all the mexican cities here are so corrupt and foreign-haters, I actually live in cancun, and honestly, cops here are more touristic-information people rather than cops for tourists. Here, there is like a culture of service for the tourits and many times whe the cops saw tourits(most commonly the ones from USA) makes stupid things like jump from top of buildings, swim in cocodrile lagoons or having sex on the beach they "hacerse pendejos" and dont say nothing to them.
Finally, I must say that mexico is a great country, we are very friendly with everybody, if you get a little of information before tripping here you would enjoy it a lot, there are lots of cultural-historical places in all the country.
Nonsense on needing passport to be in Mexico at this time. I am by road 876 miles from the Pharr bridge with a 180 day tourist permit, and my car is here legally. I did it all with a driver's license and birth certificate, and of course the car title...
Next January, by land, one will need a passport to cross the border into the US. Starting last January, one needed it to cross by air. Note that requirement is the US requirement to return, not a Mexico requirement to be in Mexico.
There is some really bad information on here.
It is true the worst part of Mexico is along the border. When we cross we use the restrooms in the immigration building, then we drive until we are on the cuota far from Reynosa, and have had no real problem in Mexico. I have been traveling here since 1983, and expect to spend 8 or 9 months here this calendar year.
As far as hanging out in the red light district of Matamoros, yeah, that might be a bad idea.
One of the safest places for North Americans to visit at the border is south of Westlaco, which is a ways west of Brownsville. Called Nuevo Progreso, it is designed and policed for compleat idiots, like many of you. One parks on the US side a couple dollars all day, and I have never heard of car thefts though I suppose it is possible.
The bridge there has a covered walkway, and the town is right there at the bridge.
I am sure it won't suit most of you, because it has no visible redlight district. You want sin and slime, your chances of getting mistreated go way up. You want a quiet, nice place to shop for typical stuff like blankets, clothes, vanilla, souvenirs; eat a good meal at a restaurant; drink modest quantities of alcholic beverages, Nuevo Progreso is the place to go.
Typo: Weslaco, not Westlaco. I know better.
as a former resident of mexico city, all i have to say is "should have been more careful." I now live in Canada, which is WAY safer than even the US is, and its just a fact of life that its less safe in poorer countries. If people want to go down there and not feel so unsafe, they should lobby their governments to help Mexico develop, instead of just abusing it for cheap labour and low-cost vacations. I have had some risky encounters there, but it all just goes to the need to be more street smart.
I live in El Paso and learned a lot from partying in Juarez and traveling into Mexico. Mex Police are way underpayed which is still no excuse. Always hide your big $ bills and keep small amounts in your pockets. For instance, keep $5 in ones in your wallet and $3 in your front pocket. I've had the "policia" ask me for $200 payment and i end up giving them $12 for a friend that was wasted and driving. i was drunk also but spoke nicer to the "policia". If they start threatning to take you downtown if you don't pay the fine, first offer to pay the "fine" with him. If he insist that he wants more money, then agree to go with him to the jail. He will back down or take you, in which case the judge will release you.You don't go directly to jail, he will take you to the judge first and he hears your story. That's only if you're not fucking up, and you know what i mean. a friend was caught urinating on the side of the streets and they wanted $, my friend said no and he went in front of a judge and the judge released him. They informed us later that there can be a fine, in which case you pay and no problem, and it's not a huge fine. I've only had problems with moving violations, no one ever accused me of having drugs. Learning a little spanish helped also. And true, after we gave a Policia $20, because we were late going to the airport in Juarez and my friend was going 90 mph at about 5 am. He gave us the best place to go to in Acapulco, and pretty much told us to tell the next cop, if by chance we got stopped again, that "transito #1234" had already stopped us. Mexico ain't that bad if you use your common sense...
fuck mexico and it's corruption. you faggots need to realize that even though we may be corrupt politically here in america, at least we don't get fucking robbed and flagrantly harassed by the police like in dirty skank ass mexico. and don't even try to make shit up. mexico sucks, deal with it. or end your life. please.
FWIW, cops in the USA steal money every day too, they just do it with a bit more bureaucratic paperwork. Google for "civil forfeiture abuse" and read all about it.
im really sorry for that, that shit happens all the time here (I live in Mexico) i think we have the worst cops worldwide, but it's not that bad, you all see the "ugly mexico" in the frontier cities, but you've gotta accept it's a really nice country with nice people, we just really have a bad government but we just have to deal with it, that kind of things just makes tourists like you never wanna come again and i'm very sorry dude..
HEY WHERE R U
IHAVE A [PASSPORT LETS TAKE BUS RIDES
Im sorry to say but that doesn't sound like a mexican cop. I am not going to lie, they do steal but they dont do it that obvious and in public. Probably some pedestrian dressed like a cop. I was also robbed from a "cop" but apperently it wasn't a cop....im sorry to hear that, however.
ust 1 thing, FUCK YOU ALL US RACIST MOTHER FUCKERS, racism is a way to be afraid, so you r a bunch of fucking chickens (excepting just a few persons who are not, but just a few) If u have any complain, we can discuss it fuckers, alexxzz2007@msn.com Have a good day over there in Trashland, i mean U.S. Cya.
Just 1 thing, FUCK YOU ALL US RACIST MOTHER FUCKERS, racism is a way to be afraid, so you r a bunch of fucking chickens (excepting just a few persons who are not, but just a few) If u have any complain, we can discuss it fuckers, alexxzz2007@msn.com Have a good day over there in Trashland, i mean U.S. Cya.
wow... I'm sorry... I'm mexican, from a border city: Mexicali... I think it's safer in here because it's not a tourist place... I don't know why... it's just a little more than 120F in the summers everyday... lol... But still, the corruption it's the same... take care... I know you people come here to drink (not everyone.. ok??)... but you don't imagine how vulnerable you are..!! and you were about to go to a bar alone!!... noo don't do that!! =S
Hey Americans... let me tell you something, if get robbed or whatever happened to you in Mexico, it only happens to you, just for being "gringo", you have it written on your face "American Idiot", if you cant deal with it, dont go to Mexico, gringo!
Why Just L.A.? Whyu not to invade the whole U.S.? So it becomes Mexico #2 and they stop whining and get used to it, cultureless fucking gringos, eat my shit! any complaint alexxzz2007@msn.com ;) Have a nice day over there in shitland GRINGOS!
Man..thats a fucked up story! but mexico isnt that fucked up. You just have to know how to go with the flow and learn some spanish..simple shit! Ive gotten stopped by police in mexico and i always end up getting away with it its called smooth talking.. lol! but it also helps to know people with power in mex haha..oh and btw Usa is about as corrupt as mexico they just know how to hide their corruption better. So for all u fuckers that are gonna talk shit about me being anti-american! I AM AMERICAN! pero tambien se hablar espanol haha bueno pues solo hay q tener cuidado es todo!
When will mexicans learn to stop blaming everyong else and work to fix their corrupt ass country. I would be embarrassed to say I am Mexican yet you dimwits rep your nationality with pride. Your country sucks so bad 20 million mexicans come to the US to work for damn near nothing... fing peasants. The entire mexican economy relies on money sent back from illegals in theUS and tourism. Just because i can point out what a shitty country mexico is does not mean i am a redneck. In fact, the poor reputation Americans get is from rednecks i.e. the south who vote republican merely based on religious matters. I in fact am a CA resident and know that Mexico sucks ass and you shouldnt defend yourself. Admit you are a failed nation and an embarrassment to all who come from there. Thanks!
i've been living in MX over 10 YRS now,i travel regularly ,in the past couple of YRS i get stopped by either TRANSITO or police,demanding my DL,OK so i show it to them,they tell me the only way i can get it back is to pay them [20 to 100 dollars},well what to?? you end up paying the FUCK.my solution for this is i went to a top quality copier& made 10 copies of my license give to him & tell him to give me a ticket & i'll meet at the station,this has worked for me so far,good luck driving in MX,they have saying in spanish,YOUR ONLY GUILTY IF YOU GET CAUGHT,...................
As a Mexican, I feel quite embarrassed about this. But yes, this does happen quite allot NEAR the border.
Go to Puerto Escondido, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa, Valle de Bravo, Playa del Carmen or Palenque. You'll have a RAD time and won't get into trouble. Stay far away from Tijuana, other border towns and funky suburbs (Iztapalapa) in Mexico City. Trust me... Mexico is a very cool place to vacation in. Don't go to the resorts, go camping on the beach in Puerto Escondido or have some magic mushrooms (with caution) in Chiapas. You'll get a taste of real Mexico.
Sorry about your money by the way. I really hate the level of corruption in my country.
Fucking Mexicans breed like rats....They come here illegally, pop out a kid here and Americans have to pay for their sorry asses. On top of it they can stay in the country now, cuz the kid, being born here is a US citizen.
What did you expect? Mexico is full of Mexicans.
I intended on vacationing in Cancun next month, but after reading about how corrupt even the police are in that city, I'll spend my money and time elsewhere. I refuse to support such a corrupt country, where my life can be in danger and my property stolen by the ones who are suppose to protect innocent people from criminals. The police ARE the criminals. Fuck Mexico.
So you were ready to head to Cancun and because you read one blog, you have decided to stay home. I feel really sorry for you. You won't have a chance to experience the wonderful qualities of Mexico. Quite a few people gave some great pointers.
1. Border towns can be hairy
2. Don't drink too much and make an ass of yourself
3. Learn at least a little spanish
4. Don't do anything illegal
5. Use a lot of common sense
Do all of that and you will have a great time. I have been all over Mexico for the last 15 years. Our last trip included our 4 year old and 1 year old and about 700 miles of driving over the course of 10 days. We hit small towns, large towns, resort towns, etc. We have spent time with some amazing people (Mexicans and other travelers). Those relationships and memories live with me each and every day. In over twenty trips to Mexico, I have been stopped a total of 3 times. Once at a drug checkpoint in Chiapas, once somewhere south of Mexico City and once in Tulum. Paid $20 during the stop south of Mexico City. On the return trip past the same place we were stopped 5 days later, the same cop pulled us over, came up to the car and laughed when he recognized us. Said sorry and offered a coke to each of us. We declined and he sent us on our way.
What do you think speeding fines are for in the US? They are just another way to collect money and redistribute it to the local government. The way I see it, I would rather pay the money directly to an officer so he can take it home and feed his family instead of the courts. He would be lucky to see a fraction of the fine by the time it trickled down to him.
Just an FYI for the posters that think that illegals don't pay taxes. MANY of them do because they use fake social security numbers and DO pay into the system. The difference is that they can't file taxes and get a refund. Easy money for the US gov.
Ok first off I am an American born and raised. All of this nonsense about mexicans and welfare and not paying taxes is just ignorant. Most mexicans can NOT collect welfare because they do NOT have a valid social security number..Taxes: they are actually paying more taxes than us Citizens because they do not file their taxes yearly but yet are paying into OUR systems. You are calling them lazy and saying they collect welfare...be happy they are here doing all the hard manual labor jobs that our lazy american asses dont want to do. All these posts started out as a story of what happened in MEXICO not here so why did it turn racist?? Just learn to be a bit more careful and if you dont like mexicans dont go to mexico I think that is your best bet. Like if you hate africans dont go to africa...sound about right?? I myself have been to Mexico several times and been pulled over quite often and had to give bribes a few times and also have gotten away quite a bit so I cant really be bitter. I have never been to Mexico and stayed less than 2 months at a time and have never had anything traumatic happen to me so I think some of these people were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I went to Tijuana. Going out we were stoped by the police. I had a small knife. The guy with me had cards that he had taught karate to police departments. The police let us go, because of it. Because I was going to jail. That would be nice sitting in Mexican jail. If you are there late at night they can fuck with you. It would not be a good place to get drunk and fuck up.
We have not done shit for the Mexicans. Our companies go there and try to pay shit wages. If they went there and paid decent wages it would help them, but that defeats the purpose they go there to begin with.
Just found this site after having the same happen to me.
I was at a ATM machine, bunch of cops came over hassled me saying ¨baracho baracho. Then they took my wallet, then locked me up for the night.
In the morning I startes screaming until a judge came to the cell. She said if I said anything I would be put in jail longer, but then she let me go minus all the cash in my wallet.
I am finding out this persons name. She had blondish hair, young, worked at the public police station.
I was not allowed to ask any questions, and not given any paperwork. When I asked for paper, they threatened to put me back in jail.
I had 3 beers.
is there any fine looking women down there that are wearing cutoff shorts with no panties on looking for a good time, I am going this week end and would like to get some while I am down there.
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Im so sorry for all of you that have a such a black hole in your heart. Mexicans are no different then you and I. There is corruption and the goverment is working on it. They are firing every officer in a town one town at a time and there is a number you can call for corruption at anytime 24 hrs a day if you are stoped pick up the phone and ask the officer his name and badge number. I was robbed of everything i owned this last week including two trucks 3 dogs and enuf stuff to live really nice in mexico for a long time. No I am not mexican but I am married to a man that is. He cant be here so I am being forced to go there. No I do not blame the Mexicans for being robbed becouse it was just 4 men with pistols that took the trucks it was not mexico! As far as the people there they helped me get back to the USA to get my paper work back and I will go there once agien. I want to you just think about one thing and the ansewer will shock you if you are truth full with your self. If you had no job, had sold everything you own and no one to help you what would you do to make sure your familey had food to eat? its not just the mexicans that is the problem this is becoming a world wide issue and it will not be long till we Americans are in the same sitation fighting for our famileys to survive. If your mexican and reading this we dont all think your bad there are just a few that voice there belifes with out knowing the facts god bless everyone and may peace feel your hearts
Mexico is a system of pay offs and rip offs . Either you don't pay some one off or some one will rip you off .
Especially a gringo who doesn't speak the native lingo . Your best bet would've been to offer the first cop you see a small gift for his little one's at home and try to make small talk with them about what a great city he has and how broke you are . That always worked for me in Nuevo Laredo those cops loved us ...
this is weird.
I had a nearly identical experience in Oaxaca (clearly not a border town, so that makes no difference). Two police stopped me from their car while I was walking alone at night, insisting they needed to search me for drugs. They got out and took everything out of my pockets, told me they needed to look in my wallet for drugs and knives. Then handed me back my wallet after removing most of the cash. I went in the next day to the municipal police headquarters to file a complaint, and they gave me all sorts of run-around bullshit about maybe it being transit police, state police, or state transit police instead of muni police. They supposedly had a photo album of all the police, but gave me more run-around bullshit about having to request it from another office and that it would take several days, blah blah blah. A friend of mine gave me the e-mail addresses of the police chief and two newspaper reporters in Oaxaca, so I wrote to them explaining everything that happened, and I heard later from that friend (who works in the government) that a reporter did in fact come in to interview the police chief regarding my e-mail, but I never heard from the reporters nor saw anything in their papers, so maybe the chief just paid them off not to report my case? Fucking corrupt pieces of shit. It's sad because Mexico has such better things to offer, but this shit makes you feel totally insecure while being there.
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