Place to convert to pesos

[Gary Bailey]

Thanks for your advice. I know that I should get an ATM card. I use my credit card on everything to get frequent flyer miles. I will do it for this trip.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by Gary Bailey

Thanks for your advice. I know that I should get an ATM card. I use my credit card on everything to get frequent flyer miles. I will do it for this trip.

You will use your credit card or you will get an ATM card?
You know you can use credit card in ATMs, right? Mostly.
Credit cards are not accepted everywhere down here

[Big Fish]

Also, keep in mind you are in a tourist area no different than it would be in any other part of the world, there are crooks - Keep your credit card in sight at all times...That is to say don't let waiters/sales people disappear with it. I make a habit of watching it getting swiped in the proper machine and handed back to me...Been defrauded once so I rarely pull out the credit card and stick with pesos from the ATM...As has been said many times on the forum, the exchange rate is the best and it is convenient. Just got back from Playa yesterday and was taking $10,000 pesos out at a time from Scotia bank 5th av (the posted maximum refers to the local policy, usually the limit on your card is the limit from back home converted to pesos)...Sometimes the machines seem to limit large withdrawals if they are low on big bills, regardless I have had great luck with this...All in - including service charges I was getting 10.2 pesos per canadian $ at the ATM as verified on line with my bank account vs the best posted rate at the cambios of 9.8...On $1000 cdn thats $40 more beer money for me!!!!

[FrankRN]

Originally Posted by Gary Bailey

I don't have an ATM card.

I guess there is someone left without an ATM card! Are you the one who is always in front of me in the grocery store who wants to write a check?

There are cambrio's (changing houses) everywhere. You can also go into most any bank. But you'll get a better deal (mostly) using an ATM card.

Also, not everyone accepts credit cards ... so you'll need to have some cash on hand.

[JimmyMN]

I'd still bring a wad of cash as a backup!!

You just never know about things electronic... especially in a foreign country.

Jimmy

[Gary Bailey]

I never write a check at the store. I like to use my frequent flyer credit card to get free flights.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by Gary Bailey

I never write a check at the store. I like to use my frequent flyer credit card to get free flights.

Gary...we understand that you love your frequent flier credit card...
but you may have problems using a credit card down here...

[Susie Q Roo]

Originally Posted by Gary Bailey

I never write a check at the store. I like to use my frequent flyer credit card to get free flights.

Gary, when I lived in the states, before I moved here 4 years ago, I too was addicted to putting absolutely EVERYTHING on my credit card to earn FF miles. Unfortunately, I had to change that habit when I moved down here. For one, very few places (usually only "corporate" type establishments) take credit cards here at all. A couple that I often shop at take them, but charge an extra % to use them - Sam's, Costco, and now City Club. So I didn't want to increase my costs by using them in those places. And then my CC company began charging international fees for currency conversation, which really made it cost prohibitive to use them. I canceled one of my cards because it was ridiculous to be paying annual fees and not be able to use them. I kept the other to use when I make purchases in the states and, when I visit, use it almost exclusively for all my purchases there, even the drive-thru at Wendy's!

Since that time, though, I have found a CC company that offers no annual fees, FF miles, and no international fees as well, so I use it when I shop here at Walmart, Mega, Soriana, and a few other places. I'm glad I have one for here and one for there now, but it's rare that I put more than a couple hundred dollars on it in a month's time, so it's scarcely worth it in terms of earning FF miles.

I do, however, visit the ATM on a regular basis and pay for most things (gas included) with cash. I doubt you will find many options for using your credit card on your trip... sorry!

[FrankRN]

Originally Posted by Gary Bailey

I never write a check at the store. I like to use my frequent flyer credit card to get free flights.

Sorry ... I was just joshing. Don't worry, after a while you'll get used to me. Sort of like the itch from poison ivy ... except that goes away.

[Gary Bailey]

I am getting an ATM card tomorrow. I will also bring cash.

[Annabelle]

my debit card is also a credit card and has the Visa logo and earns me FF miles..........the best of all worlds. I notify my bank when I'm traveling and they give me a number to call if I have any problems at all. When I'm in Mexico, they give me a number to call specifically from Mexico. And I always carry a backup creditcard. Banks decline usage too often for too many different reason to not have a 2nd card to use. These cards enable you to get cash for those places that don't accept CC. It's just that simple.................