Money in Playa del Carmen

jlmwee · 02-23-2007

Hi again!

So it being my first trip to Mexico and all I was hoping for a few more tips.

I really don't like carrying cash and would like to use my debit/credit card- but my bank charges $3 per atm transaction and 3% for currency exchange. Is this crazy? Should I try exchanging more and stashing it somewhere safe?

Also, are there Chase ATMs in Playa?

And lastly, if I do do the ATM route- what is a sufficent amount of pesos to take out for a day? No shopping, just hanging by the beach, eating and whatnot.

Thanks so much!!

Luv2Dance · 02-23-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlmwee

Hi again!

So it being my first trip to Mexico and all I was hoping for a few more tips.

I really don't like carrying cash and would like to use my debit/credit card- but my bank charges $3 per atm transaction and 3% for currency exchange. Is this crazy? Should I try exchanging more and stashing it somewhere safe?

Also, are there Chase ATMs in Playa?

And lastly, if I do do the ATM route- what is a sufficent amount of pesos to take out for a day? No shopping, just hanging by the beach, eating and whatnot.

Thanks so much!!

There is a section at the top of the screen that says "search". Type in ATMs and you will find lots of threads in regard to that subject. You will find tons of information.

Tommygurl · 02-23-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlmwee

Hi again!

So it being my first trip to Mexico and all I was hoping for a few more tips.

I really don't like carrying cash and would like to use my debit/credit card- but my bank charges $3 per atm transaction and 3% for currency exchange. Is this crazy? Should I try exchanging more and stashing it somewhere safe?

Also, are there Chase ATMs in Playa?

And lastly, if I do do the ATM route- what is a sufficent amount of pesos to take out for a day? No shopping, just hanging by the beach, eating and whatnot.

Thanks so much!!

We usually take our cash down & leave most in the safe.....just taking out what we need for the day.

Use the ATM to get pesos out...If you want to avoid transaction fees just take out a big amount on the first day & leave the rest in the safe. We go through at least 1000 pesos a day but thats just us. (approx 100usd)

palmtreegirl · 02-23-2007

Using the ATM 's have not been a problem for us even with the $3 fee and the service charge. We would both take out around $300 every few days and it was well worth the fees rather than toting around a bunch of cash for the whole week.

Tommygurl · 02-23-2007

and really 3% is not that bad......$30 on a thousand is minor!

Luv2Dance · 02-23-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommygurl

and really 3% is not that bad......$30 on a thousand is minor!

So true. Easier to use ATMs if you are afraid to carry too much cash around.

Sol · 02-23-2007

Bank of America has a deal with Scotiabank so when BofA customers use their ATM cards at Scotia, they do not get charged for withdrawing money. There is an international fee of 1.00 US so it is not so bad. You might call Chase to see if they do something along the same lines.

Bren · 02-23-2007

We always take pesos with us that we get here at home and then if we need more go to the ATM. Most hotels condo's AI all have safe's in the rooms so put your money in there and just take out what you need. We also go threw about $100 per day.

Luv2Dance · 02-23-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bren

We always take pesos with us that we get here at home and then if we need more go to the ATM. Most hotels condo's AI all have safe's in the rooms so put your money in there and just take out what you need. We also go threw about $100 per day.

Yep. That's about what we spend too as a couple.

La Page42 · 02-23-2007

Why dont you bring a Few hundred in cash and then charge the rest of the trip fee's on a Credit Card and then pay it off when you get your statement. This is what my wife and I and a few of my friends always do. To be honest with you, we always get a better exchange rate with using our credit cards. The Credit Card companies use the exchange rate of the day they get the statment from the seller. i know its usually a nickle here and nickle there but, it beats worring about losing or misplacing cash. Plus with the CC if you lose it your covered. If you lose cash your Sh!t out of luck.

Jimontheriver · 02-23-2007

ATMs are the way to go. We bring some cash and always try to keep some US$ for our trip home. ATM fees are very cheap or none at all and you get the best exchange rate. I always take some travelers checks for a backup then use them to pay off my balance at the hotel. It is much easyier to get ripped off using credit cards (many times after you are gone). When in Playa I just carry a money clip and leave my wallet in our safe.

Bluespicker · 02-23-2007

Another vote for ATM's. We get the max whenever we feel we need it and put what we don't need in the safe. Ask your bank if your cash card will work in Playa.......they should be able to tell you.

FrankT · 02-23-2007

I have been going the ATM route for several years and find it works best for me. I have a max daily limit on my card that allows me to withdraw 3000 peso's per day if I need to. This limit gives me some protection if somehow my card were compromised and is far more than I have ever needed in one day. My bank fees are $1 us per transaction so I withdraw my daily limit every few days. I do carry a credit card down with me, buy it ends up in the wall safe 99% of the time. I also bring a couple hundered US down to use till I get to the ATM in town and for cab rides home in the states etc.

I like the ATM route because I know exactly how much I have spent while in Playa. Any leftover Peso's I just keep in a plastic Zip Lock till my next trip.

As for how much YOU need per day, that depends on YOU. My wife and I have averaged $100 per day on our trips to Playa over the last 3 years. That's food, drinks, beach clubs, tours, scuba, airport transfers, etc. including cabs to and from the airport in the states. Basically everything but lodging and airfare.

Frank

traci · 02-23-2007

We take some cash to exchange, then use the ATM's when we need to

Nerak936 · 02-23-2007

We always bring 50% in travelers cheques and 50% in US dollars and then exchange them wherever we find an exchange booth. Why make yourself go looking for an ATM when there are exchange booths EVERYWHERE?? And I prefer to use a credit card/ATM as little as possible in Mexico. God knows it's risky enough in the States to use them these days (never know when some store's records are gonna be hacked), so why not play it safe and do travelers cheques?!!

02-23-2007	#1 (permalink)
jlmwee sandflea Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 8	Money in Playa del Carmen Hi again! So it being my first trip to Mexico and all I was hoping for a few more tips. I really don't like carrying cash and would like to use my debit/credit card- but my bank charges $3 per atm transaction and 3% for currency exchange. Is this crazy? Should I try exchanging more and stashing it somewhere safe? Also, are there Chase ATMs in Playa? And lastly, if I do do the ATM route- what is a sufficent amount of pesos to take out for a day? No shopping, just hanging by the beach, eating and whatnot. Thanks so much!!

02-23-2007	#11 (permalink)
Jimontheriver life=playa Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Illinois on the Mississippi Posts: 861	ATMs are the way to go. We bring some cash and always try to keep some US$ for our trip home. ATM fees are very cheap or none at all and you get the best exchange rate. I always take some travelers checks for a backup then use them to pay off my balance at the hotel. It is much easyier to get ripped off using credit cards (many times after you are gone). When in Playa I just carry a money clip and leave my wallet in our safe. Last edited by Jimontheriver; 02-23-2007 at 12:24 PM.

02-23-2007	#13 (permalink)
FrankT beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mendota Heights, MN Posts: 356	I have been going the ATM route for several years and find it works best for me. I have a max daily limit on my card that allows me to withdraw 3000 peso's per day if I need to. This limit gives me some protection if somehow my card were compromised and is far more than I have ever needed in one day. My bank fees are $1 us per transaction so I withdraw my daily limit every few days. I do carry a credit card down with me, buy it ends up in the wall safe 99% of the time. I also bring a couple hundered US down to use till I get to the ATM in town and for cab rides home in the states etc. I like the ATM route because I know exactly how much I have spent while in Playa. Any leftover Peso's I just keep in a plastic Zip Lock till my next trip. As for how much YOU need per day, that depends on YOU. My wife and I have averaged $100 per day on our trips to Playa over the last 3 years. That's food, drinks, beach clubs, tours, scuba, airport transfers, etc. including cabs to and from the airport in the states. Basically everything but lodging and airfare. Frank Last edited by FrankT; 02-23-2007 at 05:52 PM.

02-23-2007	#4 (permalink)
palmtreegirl beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 253	Using the ATM 's have not been a problem for us even with the $3 fee and the service charge. We would both take out around $300 every few days and it was well worth the fees rather than toting around a bunch of cash for the whole week.

02-23-2007	#5 (permalink)
Tommygurl crab killer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: I am Canadian!! Posts: 14,291	and really 3% is not that bad......$30 on a thousand is minor!

02-23-2007	#7 (permalink)
Sol Chupacabras Whisperer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Gem State Posts: 10,449	Bank of America has a deal with Scotiabank so when BofA customers use their ATM cards at Scotia, they do not get charged for withdrawing money. There is an international fee of 1.00 US so it is not so bad. You might call Chase to see if they do something along the same lines.

02-23-2007	#8 (permalink)
Bren life=playa Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Beautiful BC Canada Posts: 921	We always take pesos with us that we get here at home and then if we need more go to the ATM. Most hotels condo's AI all have safe's in the rooms so put your money in there and just take out what you need. We also go threw about $100 per day.

02-23-2007	#10 (permalink)
La Page42 into ruins Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago il Posts: 63	Why dont you bring a Few hundred in cash and then charge the rest of the trip fee's on a Credit Card and then pay it off when you get your statement. This is what my wife and I and a few of my friends always do. To be honest with you, we always get a better exchange rate with using our credit cards. The Credit Card companies use the exchange rate of the day they get the statment from the seller. i know its usually a nickle here and nickle there but, it beats worring about losing or misplacing cash. Plus with the CC if you lose it your covered. If you lose cash your Sh!t out of luck.

02-23-2007	#12 (permalink)
Bluespicker añejo Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rural Mankato,Minnesota Posts: 2,606	Another vote for ATM's. We get the max whenever we feel we need it and put what we don't need in the safe. Ask your bank if your cash card will work in Playa.......they should be able to tell you.

02-23-2007	#14 (permalink)
traci añejo Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Spring Texas Posts: 2,449	We take some cash to exchange, then use the ATM's when we need to

02-23-2007	#15 (permalink)
Nerak936 Cat-Lovin Nerak Bead Lady Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 18,635	We always bring 50% in travelers cheques and 50% in US dollars and then exchange them wherever we find an exchange booth. Why make yourself go looking for an ATM when there are exchange booths EVERYWHERE?? And I prefer to use a credit card/ATM as little as possible in Mexico. God knows it's risky enough in the States to use them these days (never know when some store's records are gonna be hacked), so why not play it safe and do travelers cheques?!!

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