USD vs. Pesos vs. Travelers checks vs. CC - Page 2

DnJ · 02-07-2008

yeah, yeah! From this forum I'm equipped with a lot of info. Now if I could just wake up and be fluent in Spanish all would be good.

**ryberg** · 02-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dianita

I found that the Cambio's wouldn't cash my travelers cheques in the last few months and I had to stand in line at the bank, late in the day on Friday is the worst time. I used the ATM for the most part and the travelers cheques as a "back up".

Yep. I reported on that situation right here about a week ago, in fact.

Prolly best to steer clear of the traveller's cheques route for the nones, at least.

(Now duck as that sort of remark always tends to bring out the traveller's cheques loyalists in force.

)

Steve

cook4me · 02-10-2008

I've always taken TC's and have never had a problem until last June when the cambios started charging a fee to cash them - I think it was like 10 pesos per $100 usd - no big deal - but at some cambios this was not disclosed - so remember to ask first.

mouse · 02-10-2008

travellers cheques...antiquated...nuff said

KSSIL · 02-11-2008

We always use the ATM's the only way to go for us. The problem we ran in to last year is that shops never had change for any of the bigger bills in pesos. We were actually turned away from a store when my mother in law tried to buy a t-shirt and did not have any bills smaller than a 500 peso bill. We felt like we won the lottery when we went to Tulum and used the ATM at the ruins and got 2000 pesos in 50 peso bills

Carole · 02-11-2008

On our trip to playa to furnish our condo I went to the trouble of getting travelers checks. What a waste of time that was. Banks will only cash a couple hundred dollars at a time after waiting in LONG LONG lines. I will never do it again. I took most of them home with me and used them to pay off my charge bill.
Carole

kirbyfan · 02-11-2008

This is one of the great things about forums like this!

We were planning on bringing a grand in travellers checks as that is what we have done EVERY other time and never had a problem. I hate relying on just cards so I will just bring an assload of cash i guess....We have always stayed at the Colibri and used the safe there in our room with no problems, anyone have any concerns that my cash wouldnt be safe in it??

Phil in Ottawa · 02-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirbyfan

anyone have any concerns that my cash wouldnt be safe in it??

I don't think you'll have any problems.

But, to be on the safe side, I don't think I'd be advertising on the internet the fact that you are bringing "an assload of cash" along with where you are staying (Colibri) and when you will be there (your countdown tells me you'll be there in 4 days) and that you will be keeping all that cash in the safe.

Better safe than sorry, as you never know who is reading these forums.

Jimontheriver · 02-11-2008

"But, to be on the safe side, I don't think I'd be advertising on the internet the fact that you are bringing "an assload of cash" along with where you are staying (Colibri) and when you will be there (your countdown tells me you'll be there in 4 days) and that you will be keeping all that cash in the safe."

My thoughts exactly.

I believe you do need some cash + an ATM car. I always keep some cash ahead. What would you do if the town lost power for an extended time?

kirbyfan · 02-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimontheriver

"But, to be on the safe side, I don't think I'd be advertising on the internet the fact that you are bringing "an assload of cash" along with where you are staying (Colibri) and when you will be there (your countdown tells me you'll be there in 4 days) and that you will be keeping all that cash in the safe."

My thoughts exactly.

I believe you do need some cash + an ATM car. I always keep some cash ahead. What would you do if the town lost power for an extended time?

Guess I will just bring my ATM to be safe now that I think about it.

kirbyfan · 02-11-2008

If i get mugged in Playa Jim and Phil are the first ones you guys should tell the police to question!

Phil in Ottawa · 02-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirbyfan

If i get mugged in Playa Jim and Phil are the first ones you guys should tell the police to question!

I'll deny everything and blame it all on Jim

rob mackay · 02-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by DnJ

Not adverse to new techonology per se, just have never used them, no particular reason other than we already have more "cards" etc than we can keep track of. I know they can be awfully convenient, but the reverse is where a couple of friends needed a couple of bucks and couldn't get to a working machine. Something about having tangible cash in hand when needed.

It took me quite some time 15-20 ago to convince my spousal unit (that's an affectionate term) that we needed a credit card so we could secure rooms while traveling, etc.

why would you have a credit card? a bank visa is alot lower interest and excepted everywhere? you can also get line of credits attached to them, you can even build a house on a visa card....my interest is 7.75......credit cads went the way of the stone axe also....

have fun however

user 6507 · 02-12-2008

Get an ATM card. Had 5 different places snicker at me today when I tried to cash an American Express cheque. Now I'll have to dump then all on Chadrui, Walmart and Sams!

SugarLaced · 02-13-2008

Call me dumb, but what is the difference in an ATM card and a Debit (EBT) card?? Is there a card when using the ATM in Mexico? If I were to use my Debit card at an ATM that was NOT my bank, there would be fee.

02-11-2008	#21 (permalink)
Carole toe in water Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 59	travelers checks On our trip to playa to furnish our condo I went to the trouble of getting travelers checks. What a waste of time that was. Banks will only cash a couple hundred dollars at a time after waiting in LONG LONG lines. I will never do it again. I took most of them home with me and used them to pay off my charge bill. Carole

02-11-2008	#24 (permalink)
Jimontheriver añejo Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Illinois on the Mississippi Posts: 2,121	"But, to be on the safe side, I don't think I'd be advertising on the internet the fact that you are bringing "an assload of cash" along with where you are staying (Colibri) and when you will be there (your countdown tells me you'll be there in 4 days) and that you will be keeping all that cash in the safe." My thoughts exactly. I believe you do need some cash + an ATM car. I always keep some cash ahead. What would you do if the town lost power for an extended time? Last edited by Jimontheriver; 02-11-2008 at 12:10 PM..

02-07-2008	#16 (permalink)
DnJ toe in water Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 42	yeah, yeah! From this forum I'm equipped with a lot of info. Now if I could just wake up and be fluent in Spanish all would be good.

02-10-2008	#18 (permalink)
cook4me ruined Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: texas Posts: 99	I've always taken TC's and have never had a problem until last June when the cambios started charging a fee to cash them - I think it was like 10 pesos per $100 usd - no big deal - but at some cambios this was not disclosed - so remember to ask first.

02-10-2008	#19 (permalink)
mouse beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: White Rock, B.C. Posts: 469	travellers cheques...antiquated...nuff said

02-11-2008	#20 (permalink)
KSSIL way into it Join Date: May 2004 Location: Rock Island, IL Posts: 207	We always use the ATM's the only way to go for us. The problem we ran in to last year is that shops never had change for any of the bigger bills in pesos. We were actually turned away from a store when my mother in law tried to buy a t-shirt and did not have any bills smaller than a 500 peso bill. We felt like we won the lottery when we went to Tulum and used the ATM at the ruins and got 2000 pesos in 50 peso bills

02-11-2008	#22 (permalink)
kirbyfan back again, again Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 9,455	This is one of the great things about forums like this! We were planning on bringing a grand in travellers checks as that is what we have done EVERY other time and never had a problem. I hate relying on just cards so I will just bring an assload of cash i guess....We have always stayed at the Colibri and used the safe there in our room with no problems, anyone have any concerns that my cash wouldnt be safe in it??

02-11-2008	#26 (permalink)
kirbyfan back again, again Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 9,455	If i get mugged in Playa Jim and Phil are the first ones you guys should tell the police to question!

02-12-2008	#29 (permalink)
user 6507 banned Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: gone Posts: 10,448	Get an ATM card. Had 5 different places snicker at me today when I tried to cash an American Express cheque. Now I'll have to dump then all on Chadrui, Walmart and Sams!

02-13-2008	#30 (permalink)
SugarLaced very sparkly Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 27	Call me dumb, but what is the difference in an ATM card and a Debit (EBT) card?? Is there a card when using the ATM in Mexico? If I were to use my Debit card at an ATM that was NOT my bank, there would be fee.

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