Place to convert to pesos

Gary Bailey · 06-06-2008

I have read the posts and haven't found any recommendations on where to convert US money to pesos except at ATMs. I don't have an ATM card.

I just use a frequent flyer credit card. Is there a bank or another place that you would recommend?

Babaloo · 06-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Bailey

I have read the posts and haven't found any recommendations on where to convert US money to pesos except at ATMs. I don't have an ATM card.

I just use a frequent flyer credit card. Is there a bank or another place that you would recommend?

there are currency exchange booths all over the tourist areas and at the airport as you exit the terminal.
Dude...you need an ATM card...it's the 21st century

actran · 06-06-2008

I usually just use the hotel where we stay. Most times the exchange rate is good. The convenience can't be beat.

**Mindbender** · 06-06-2008

If you don't have an ATM card, I suggest you bring some cash and the rest in travellers cheques. Go and have a chat with your bank about them.

It's never a good idea to carry large amounts of cash with you.

absoluteAL · 06-06-2008

I have found that about 95% of the time the cambio/tienda with the best (highest) exchange rate on 5th Avenue is a place called the BIG APPLE located between Calle 20 and 22. It is a tienda on the east side of fifth run by two brothers that moved to Playa from NYC (hence the BIG APPLE

). Emillio and his bro speak great English and are very nice guys.

JEZ · 06-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mindbender

If you don't have an ATM card, I suggest you bring some cash and the rest in travellers cheques. Go and have a chat with your bank about them.

It's never a good idea to carry large amounts of cash with you.

I would not reccomend bringing Travellers checks to Playa as they are really hard to exchange. Go get an ATM card and end the problem !

**Mindbender** · 06-07-2008

Really? Hmm, I never had a problem in the past.

What's been the difficulties?

JEZ · 06-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mindbender

Really? Hmm, I never had a problem in the past.

What's been the difficulties?

Alot of banks and cambio places simply wont accept them. When I was working at La Rana, I met alot of guests who had a very hard time changing them.

**Mindbender** · 06-07-2008

That's very naughty of them. Especially the banks.

sctx · 06-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEZ

Alot of banks and cambio places simply wont accept them. When I was working at La Rana, I met alot of guests who had a very hard time changing them.

yep, this was a pain n my butt last month........ had no problem at the cambio in Akumal, but in Playa, nobody seemed to wanna accept them..... even if the Visa/Amex sticker was on the window

**Mindbender** · 06-07-2008

Actually you do get asked and hear some funny things in the banks:

'I don't know my pin number. Can I still get cash out of the ATM?'

'I asked for $100 from the ATM and it gave me $100 pesos, not USD!'

'I have the same bank in my country. I don't have any ID. Here's my credit card, please give me some cash over the till. What do you mean it may be the same bank name but this is a different country and I don't have an account here?'

'Can you change my Canadian into US, so I can use it for tips, but then I'll get change in pesos right?'

... and remember, if they speak English, it's a travelling bonus not a right.

**Heather** · 06-07-2008

Yeah, getting traveler's checks as payment for a service is a REAL DRAG. No one likes taking them here.

JEZ · 06-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heather

Yeah, getting traveler's checks as payment for a service is a REAL DRAG. No one likes taking them here.

Just for the record, we do not accept them at The Beer Bucket !

Annabelle · 06-07-2008

traveler's cheque's are holdovers of the 60's............some businesses will accept them, but not all. ATM cards are the way to go. You don't have to worry about who accepts them and who doesn't because they also enable you to withdraw cash from them daily so you don't have to bring a wad with ya or carry it around in your wallet. We went to the ATM daily or every-other-day and took out 2500 pesos (about $250) and it was way too convenient. When we made major purhases or paid for meals, all took our ATM (debit card). Join the 21st century and make your life easier................get that ATM card!!!

Sue · 06-07-2008

However, don't forget to notify your bank so that they don't think that someone stole your card and snuck off to Mexico. I had a credit card one year that I was using and I accidentally punched the wrong code in two times in a row, which shut down the use of the card for security reasons. I only had a 1-800 number for them, and it was impossible to dial from there. I don't know if the 1-800 number problem has changed at all, but I always now notify my bank and any credit card companies relevant when I'll be down there and I make sure to get a non-1-800 number in case I have to reach them.

06-06-2008	#1 (permalink)
Gary Bailey ruined Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 85	Place to convert to pesos I have read the posts and haven't found any recommendations on where to convert US money to pesos except at ATMs. I don't have an ATM card. I just use a frequent flyer credit card. Is there a bank or another place that you would recommend?

06-06-2008	#5 (permalink)
absoluteAL añejo Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Latitude 20.6274 Longitude 87.0799 Posts: 9,387	I have found that about 95% of the time the cambio/tienda with the best (highest) exchange rate on 5th Avenue is a place called the BIG APPLE located between Calle 20 and 22. It is a tienda on the east side of fifth run by two brothers that moved to Playa from NYC (hence the BIG APPLE). Emillio and his bro speak great English and are very nice guys.

06-06-2008	#3 (permalink)
actran reposado Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,492	I usually just use the hotel where we stay. Most times the exchange rate is good. The convenience can't be beat.

06-06-2008	#4 (permalink)
Mindbender Licence to kill Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Shifting Sands Posts: 5,644	If you don't have an ATM card, I suggest you bring some cash and the rest in travellers cheques. Go and have a chat with your bank about them. It's never a good idea to carry large amounts of cash with you.

06-07-2008	#7 (permalink)
Mindbender Licence to kill Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Shifting Sands Posts: 5,644	Really? Hmm, I never had a problem in the past. What's been the difficulties?

06-07-2008	#9 (permalink)
Mindbender Licence to kill Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Shifting Sands Posts: 5,644	That's very naughty of them. Especially the banks.

06-07-2008	#11 (permalink)
Mindbender Licence to kill Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Shifting Sands Posts: 5,644	Actually you do get asked and hear some funny things in the banks: 'I don't know my pin number. Can I still get cash out of the ATM?' 'I asked for $100 from the ATM and it gave me $100 pesos, not USD!' 'I have the same bank in my country. I don't have any ID. Here's my credit card, please give me some cash over the till. What do you mean it may be the same bank name but this is a different country and I don't have an account here?' 'Can you change my Canadian into US, so I can use it for tips, but then I'll get change in pesos right?' ... and remember, if they speak English, it's a travelling bonus not a right.

06-07-2008	#12 (permalink)
Heather employee of the month Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 14,588	Yeah, getting traveler's checks as payment for a service is a REAL DRAG. No one likes taking them here.

06-07-2008	#14 (permalink)
Annabelle way into it Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 242	traveler's cheque's are holdovers of the 60's............some businesses will accept them, but not all. ATM cards are the way to go. You don't have to worry about who accepts them and who doesn't because they also enable you to withdraw cash from them daily so you don't have to bring a wad with ya or carry it around in your wallet. We went to the ATM daily or every-other-day and took out 2500 pesos (about $250) and it was way too convenient. When we made major purhases or paid for meals, all took our ATM (debit card). Join the 21st century and make your life easier................get that ATM card!!!

06-07-2008	#15 (permalink)
Sue añejo Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 16,247	However, don't forget to notify your bank so that they don't think that someone stole your card and snuck off to Mexico. I had a credit card one year that I was using and I accidentally punched the wrong code in two times in a row, which shut down the use of the card for security reasons. I only had a 1-800 number for them, and it was impossible to dial from there. I don't know if the 1-800 number problem has changed at all, but I always now notify my bank and any credit card companies relevant when I'll be down there and I make sure to get a non-1-800 number in case I have to reach them.

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