What is best in Playa del Carmen ? Credit card or Traveler cheques

[denisea]

Originally Posted by jx2

I have yet to find a cambio that doesn't accept travelers checks. They work just fine. We split our spending money between cash and travelers checks.

We've had several instances over the years where cambios have refused to cash travelers checks. As a result we stopped using them. We travel with cash, debit card and credit card.

[Mexivoof]

Personally we just take cash for every day purchases and charge anything major (warning, less and less rataurants are accepting credit cards).
Since you are in Germany I assume there are many places to exchange money (it is darn difficult in the US) so I'd just take Pesos; put them in your money belt until you can get them in the hotel safe, and put what you can afford to lose in your wallet each day.

[DavidB]

Originally Posted by jx2

I have yet to find a cambio that doesn't accept travelers checks. They work just fine. We split our spending money between cash and travelers checks.

Thats what we do too. Have only had a problem once cashing travelers checks. We went to the main bank and the problem was solved. Last year we took almost all cash. Paid for the hotel when we arrived. We use the credit card for some major items. (Hotel in Tulum, Jewelry) Just change a few hundred every other day. We did get an atm card for the first time last year but didn't use it in Playa.

[chgofd68]

Pesos are the way to go, if you get an ATM card you get the actual exchange rate, if you use the U.S. dollar for purchases you lose a little in the exchange, have fun

[Nerak936]

Originally Posted by jx2

I have yet to find a cambio that doesn't accept travelers checks. They work just fine. We split our spending money between cash and travelers checks.

Me too. I think David had a problem with his Visa travelers cheques at one or two cambios, but I've never had a problem with American Express travelers cheques. I have more of a distrust of relying on the ATMs.

[mexigirl]

I always take travelers checks. And on a trip in 2006, I was very glad I did. I lost my wallet in a taxi along with my credit and ATM cards. Luckily I had travelers checks and my passport back at the condo. After cancelling my cards, my trip went on as planned and I had plenty of money. I have found that the change booths can be very particular about your signature matching the original. But, I have found a booth on fifth avenue (I forget the cross street, I think it's by the Haagen Dazs on 6th?) that never gives me any trouble. Good luck!

[MartyC]

We always take US cash and the old ATM card. The US cash we exchange at the Cambrio and you know the rest.

[Rissask]

Why would a Canadian take US cash to Mexico? *mystified*

We use ATMs to get pesos, that's it. Never had a problem, while we have had troubles with traveler's checks, long waits to cash them, signatures not matching, etc.

[FrankRN]

I agree with all who said just bring your ATM card. You can get a few PESOS at the Cancun airport to get you started. Then, use the ATM's in town. You can also easily locate ATM's in places like Cozumel, Tulum, XCARET, Xel-Ha and so forth. During the last day or so of the trip, we are careful to only withdraw what we will need so as not to have excess when leaving.
We bring about $50 USD with us for pocket change. The rest we get locally in Pesos. The exchange rates are better, you don't have to bother with the cambrio's, it is extremely convenient. We have had problems in the past exchanging travellers checks ... though have not tried in the last 3 years. My wife and I each have one with a $500 daily limit so we can get all we need.
KISS -- Keep It Simple Silly --

.

We do bring a credit card in case of emergency or problem with the debit card ... though we have never had such an emergency.

[FrankRN]

Originally Posted by Rissask

Why would a Canadian take US cash to Mexico? *mystified*

We use Canadian money to start our fireplace. You can buy lots of it with US Dollars!

.

[Georgi]

i wish we had ATM cards but i am from Germany we do not have ATM
so will hope i can do the most with my credit cards and i will use cash what i exchange here in germany

greetings from germany

georgi


Saturday in Playa del carmen for 3 weeks

[jx2]

Originally Posted by denisea

We've had several instances over the years where cambios have refused to cash travelers checks. As a result we stopped using them. We travel with cash, debit card and credit card.

I guess we are just lucky then. We generally plan ahead and get extra cash prior to heading off the beaten path for a day or three. We have only used cambios on or near 5th(maybe that's the key?). We have never had so much as a funny look as long as you have your passport and sometimes only a drivers license is needed. I think most cambios are now requesting a passport for ID purposes.

P.S. It sure is nice seeing you post a little more Denisea

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Georgi

i wish we had ATM cards but i am from Germany we do not have ATM

Perhaps it may be a good idea for you to get an ATM (Geldautomat) Card and PIN before you leave? I'm sure you'll use it in when you are back in Germany.

[abachechi]

Originally Posted by Rissask

Why would a Canadian take US cash to Mexico? *mystified*

We use ATMs to get pesos, that's it. Never had a problem, while we have had troubles with traveler's checks, long waits to cash them, signatures not matching, etc.

So, I know you're in Canada, but my ATM card has a Plus/Pulse logo on it(it is a credit union issued ATM card and does not have a Visa or Mastercard symbol) I sometimes have trouble using it in the US, have you or anybody else successfully used an ATM card with this type of logo on it?
(I'd like to avoid travelers cheques or bringing in a huge wad of cash[credit card advance isn't too appealing either])

[Georgi]

aha ATM card is a Geldautomaten Card okay we have this in germany too but when i use this in a foreign country its expensive !