My cab driver didn't know where the Hotel Ticuan was, and I thought the entrance was on Rev. We finally found it. It is between Rev and Constitution, but the access is only from 8th street, opposite the police station.

The hotel is very nice, much better than VZ where I used to stay. As nice as the Grand in many ways. Has a Modern, big shower with monster flow, coffee in room, safe, small A/C, nice restaurant and bar in lobby as well as business center and small gift store. Free Wifi in the room, which I'm using now. Its a ways from the Zona, but worth it for some folks, IMHO. I paid with a Visa logo B of A debit card, and the exchange rate was very close to the bank rate I found on the internet 12.85 v 12.94. The restaurant food has been good so far, and Sanborn's is in the next block. Room service is available. There is a supermarket about a block away on Constitution "Soriana", with liquor. No problem bringing a guest to the room, even if she was dressed kinda sexy

Many of the places I used to enjoy have closed since my last trip about 2 years ago. Madonnas has reopened with a nice remodel. I'm a daytime person, and on a weekday, things were extra dead. At Madonnas, three dancers sat together talking and didn't approach. Finally a male staffer brought one to the table. After one $10 ladies drink, and a lot of stick shifting and boobie playing, I got a $20 2/1 booth dance. A lot more of what I got at the table. No stage dancing while I was there because of a computer problem ??? I'll check back. Pressure for ladies drinks, but not too bad. A little warm in the club.

P & B is what it is, only worse. I couldn't shake the barkers, and a lady one took me upstairs. I told her many times all I wanted to do was drink a beer and watch the ladies strip. She stood in front of me blocking my view of the stage almost the whole time, while she and a dancer tried to sell me dances and get me to buy $10 drinks. It didn't really matter that my view was blocked, because the dancers on stage don't strip anymore ! They must be desparate, they got up to 4 songs for $20 for a private dance. A strip club where the strippers don't strip ?

Across the street from P & B, and upstairs midblock, is a newer place Table Dances. One wall is windows facing Rev, which is interesting in the daytime because it is very light inside, and you can see the chicas much more clearly than in a dark club. There were 2 girls working and one sitting there pouting about something. The 2 dancing were attractive but not stunning. One did a lot of stick shifting trying to get me to buy a $20 dance 1 song. I enjoyed her sales pitch and gave her a small tip, but declined her dance. Dancer drinks $10 were offered but not pushed too much. I'd go back.

Caesar's restaurant is being remodeled and may open soon, but I don't think it will have a strip club.

The great restaurant across from the old Mexico Lindo bar is boarded up.

Right around the corner (9th and Revo) is Vittorio's. Decent Italian. Sorianno's just does not do it for me. Ricardo's is a similar style with Better food, and open 24 hrs.. I have rolled into Ricardo's at 3:30 or so several times. I also seem to bump into other monger/puta groups also stopping for a bite before hitting the hotel.

If you do not mind a cab ride, Los Arcos is a nice place to eat.

You did not hit the zona? Revo is very dead. Amnesia and Madonnas are open again, but they are not real busy, even on a Friday night. ANd they are totally dead in the day.

Take a taxi to Hong Kong, it has the best action in the day. Strip type shows, espuma shows, and lots of girls. But HK can be a bit much. Bar Tropical is across the street from one of the HK doors. It is much lower key. Girls are hit or miss, but I have found some real gems in there. Las Chevalas is similar, and right next door to HK.

culo is a culo

As long as it is before 8pm (closing time), go into the Baja Duty free store and buy yourself a bottle of whatever you like. If your buying booze at the Sonria, unless its mexican booze your wasting money.

I'm a vodka drinker, and the 'handle' (1.75l) of Absolut at the duty free is $18. My local liquor store here that same bottle is probably $32....USA Costco about $28. In mexico it is probably about $40.

When you buy your booze (or cigarettes) you will pay at the counter for it, and they will keep it in a bag. You then go to the parking lot, and hop in a van where they give you your product, then drive you across the freeway to the passenger drop off area, right at the first gate. Get out of van, and walk 100 yards on flat land and your in. No ramps, no taxi's, no bus....

But if you don't drink, or don't smoke, I guess one wouldn't need to bring in a bottle of whatever. My chica's dad LOVES Bucannon's, so I always make it a point to get him a bottle.

But I *THINK* your only supposed to import one bottle of booze and one carton of cigs, but I don't know who would enforce this once across...maybe the marines as I have been stopped and checked by them in the past.

If you go down the street a little from Sonria, same side of street you will see a bank 'Santandor', they are sister bank of BofA.... When you used your card at the Ticuan you will soon see a 'foriegn currency charge' or something similar on your next statement....I think it is a percentage of your charge. Keep your BofA card use to a minimum because of that. What I do is pay first night, or make reservations on phone but only pre-pay ONE night at Ticuan. upon arrival, take a stroll to the Santanador and use your BofA card and get pesos.....NO ATM fees and your exchange rate will be very good, and then go back to Ticuan and pay for however many nights more your staying.

And ask that they program your room card for ALL nights. I HATE that every day my card doesn't work, and I have to go get it re-programmed.

Enjoy your stay.