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

[Rissask]

Frank darlin' You DO know our dollar is over 90 US cents right now right? And expected to be par before long. I think the low Canadian dollar jokes can stop anytime now.

Originally Posted by abachechi

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])

I also bank at a credit union, and it is not a Visa or Mastercard debit card. Mine has 3 symbols on the back, 'Interac', 'AccuLink', and 'Cirrus'. Typically we try to use Scotiabank ATMs, but have also used Banamex, etc., no problemos.

[Joana]

Originally Posted by Michael

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.

Chirping in here- I guess with ATM in general what everyone means is Mastercard and Visa and such?
If so- I have pmd with Georgi and told him to use those........ATM is just not a common term here, language barrier in full effect.

[abachechi]

Yeah! Thanks so much, I think mine has a Cirrus logo on it too. Maybe I'll talk to the bank too, see what they say. Either way I'm sure I'll still have my credit card and some extra cash just in case!

[Joana]

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.

Had a case of non-matching signature as well, thus opting for Master and Visa plus cash when down in a bit.

[abachechi]

Originally Posted by Joana

Chirping in here- I guess with ATM in general what everyone means is Mastercard and Visa and such?

Yeah, mostly I think... Here in the US though, some ATM cards don't have that Visa or Mastercard logo on them.(like mine!) I think anything with Visa or Mastercard will do fine though becuase you can usually use it as credit or debit, to pull cash from an ATM, etc.

[Rissask]

Chirping in here- I guess with ATM in general what everyone means is Mastercard and Visa and such?

Here an 'ATM card' is a debit card, that you use to withdraw funds from your bank account, either savings or checking....not a credit card, the funds are taken out immediately....stands for 'automated teller machine'. Yes, you can also use a credit card to get funds from automated teller mcahine, but that is credit, not real cash, you know what I mean?

[Michael]

Originally Posted by 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 !

Our experience with our bank is that the Geldautomaten is the cheapest way to get pesos. So long as you get your cash in large amounts (perhaps one or two only for your vacation). We get a great exchange rate and pay only as small transaction fee. Our fees vary by country, Mexico is not that expensive and as I mentioned we keep the number of transactions to a minimum.

[Mexivoof]

Originally Posted by Rissask

Frank darlin' You DO know our dollar is over 90 US cents right now right? And expected to be par before long. I think the low Canadian dollar jokes can stop anytime now.

I was wondering how long it would take for someone to jump on that

[jx2]

Originally Posted by 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 !

That is one great reason we use travelers checks.

Most cambio exchange rates vary only pennies, so you may get 50 cents to a dollar less per 100 dollar transaction. To me this is not a big concern when on vacation spending thousands. Some transaction fees on credit cards charge a percentage and therefore are not the best way to get cash imho( some 2-5%).

[chgofd68]

My ATM card is a debit card for my bank accounts. It also works like a Visa Card, but also has pulse, cirrus, star and a few other logos. I was in Playa in March and June and withdrew money from the ATM machine at the big bank on 12th(I think) next to the VW van taco cart, just west of 5th and I was never charged a transaction fee by that bank or mine. Check with your bank and see what they suggest.

[Rissask]

We are charged more to get traveler's checks than to use our ATM cards. I believe it is a fee of $1.20 to withdraw in Mexico (usually we get 5000 pesos per withdrawal.) Plus the exchange rate is better.

Maybe it depends on the bank. *shrug*

[jx2]

Originally Posted by Rissask

We are charged more to get traveler's checks than to use our ATM cards. I believe it is a fee of $1.20 to withdraw in Mexico (usually we get 5000 pesos per withdrawal.) Plus the exchange rate is better.

Maybe it depends on the bank. *shrug*

So may scenarios. and they are all right, depending on your situation. Our bank issues free travelers checks. I also believe you may have a little better immediate recourse if you loose travelers checks vs. loosing a credit card. Maybe not, and i hope i dont ever have to find out.

[denisea]

Originally Posted by jx2

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

Perhaps. I think it really depends on the cambio. We've had problems with ones both on 5th and off 5th. We didn't get any funny looks. Just flat out refusals. Saying they don't take travelers checks even though their signs out front stated that they did. And one of the cambio was one that we'd been using for a week straight that suddenly wouldn't cash them. We've had other instances where the cambios will only change a small denomination ($50 - $100 USD). In all instances we had our passports with us. Never had a problem due to signatures and we typically use dual signature travelers checks. Years ago we never had a problem at all... it's only been in the past 3 years or so that we started running into difficulties. If we carry them at all now, it's more for an emergency back up... which we've had to use before when Squish's ATM and credit card were both shut down one trip. Having the traveler's checks allowed us to front her enough money to enjoy the rest of her vacation.

And thanks for the nice comment... I finally have both the time and mindset again to rejoin the playa.info community in a more active fashion. It's nice to be welcomed back by so many of my RFFs.

[MartyC]

Originally Posted by FrankRN

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

.

Have you checked the currency markets lately. We are heading for a Canuck buck that is par with the greenback, the way it should be!

[MartyC]

Originally Posted by Joana

Chirping in here- I guess with ATM in general what everyone means is Mastercard and Visa and such?
If so- I have pmd with Georgi and told him to use those........ATM is just not a common term here, language barrier in full effect.

By ATM card we are referring to a debit card issued by our bank or credit union. It is different from a credit card as you are accessing your own money. Very common in North America, but apparently not so common in Europe.