Currency

portoboy · 06-18-2012

Hi, We are arriving in Mexico on 1st July, was wondering if you are allowed to take pesos into the country? and us travellers cheques or is it best just to take uk sterling travellers cheques.

Thanks

Mark

**Shammy** · 06-18-2012

Get pesos. Don't bother with any kind of traveler's checks, they're not well received these days.

**Heather** · 06-18-2012

Traveller's checks are a pain and hassle here--I wouldn't use them at all. If you can, use your ATM. Make sure to alert your bank to the fact that you'll be travelling in Mexico and also try only to use ATMs that are outside banks, during normal banking hours.

You can bring pesos in, but there's no need to--you can withdraw pesos from the ATM or change your Sterling into pesos at a bank or casa de cambio.

Have a great trip!

portoboy · 06-19-2012

Thank you Shammy and Heather, we were in Mexico 4 years ago and were told by our travel company that there was a limit of pesos that you could take in so we took travellers cheques and just exchanged them at the resort.

Thank you both for the advice, probably just take a mixture of sterling and pesos.

Mark

Thor Henning · 06-21-2012

We are traveling from Norway, and we have never had any problems with credit cards. The banks in Norway don't have Pesos, so credit cards are the way to go.

**Mindbender** · 06-21-2012

Hi Mark,

Firstly, I'm British...

If there are any peso cash limits they'd be very large, far much more than a tourist would take in - they're actually after money launderers etc. As a tourist, they'll be very happy for you to bring plenty... and spend it

For general info: at least this UK travel agency didn't suggest bringing US dollars in cash, so points to them for that. Some do, and it's so dumb. Pound sterling is very strong against the peso. If you brought dollars, you'd first lose changing to them, then lose again having the dollars converted when you make a purchase in Mexico with a rate usually worse than the bank, then they'd round it up/down and give you change in pesos anyway.

Personally I'd take some pesos, my ATM card for most of what I need, and some travellers cheques if you want to cover all bases. Only use atms at the banks, not stand alone machines, and always check the machines for any dodgy attachments, and hide the entry of your pin number.
Have lots of fun, take care with the bad drivers and the sun.

Shaunna · 06-21-2012

When were were in Playa last time, I used the ATM at the resort. Are you all saying this is a no no? Should I look for a bank instead?

**Mindbender** · 06-21-2012

I don't recall any problems with ones in the hotels.

It's the stand-alone machines outside shops (for example) that you need to check carefully before using. Personally, I avoid them, even if just for the chance your card gets swallowed up you'll have to wait ages for a rep to arrive to open it. At the bank you can immediately inform the staff if there's a problem.

The other thing I do is always pay with cash, carrying enough for the day etc and leave my card in a secure place - for you the room safe. That way there's no chance of my card being skimmed.

If you do pay with your card, never let it out of your sight, ever, watch their every move. Don't be shy to do it. Mexicans are just as cautious with their own people.

JennGilla · 06-23-2012

I have friends who came to playa 2 years ago and when I asked them about converting to pesos they said there was no need as everywhere accepted US dollars. Is this still true? There advice was to take smaller denominations (i.e. $1, $5, $10) and told me that I would receive any change from my transactions in pesos.

Babaloo · 06-23-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by JennGilla

I have friends who came to playa 2 years ago and when I asked them about converting to pesos they said there was no need as everywhere accepted US dollars. Is this still true? There advice was to take smaller denominations (i.e. $1, $5, $10) and told me that I would receive any change from my transactions in pesos.

You save money using pesos

JennGilla · 06-23-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babaloo

You save money using pesos

Good to know. What about at the resorts? I'm staying at the royal. I'm referring to tipping as it's all inclusive. Also, dining out in town....credit cards? Sorry to be so needy. This is my first trip out of the states so I'm definitely ignorant on how all this world travel stuff works.

roni · 06-23-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by JennGilla

Good to know. What about at the resorts? I'm staying at the royal. I'm referring to tipping as it's all inclusive. Also, dining out in town....credit cards? Sorry to be so needy. This is my first trip out of the states so I'm definitely ignorant on how all this world travel stuff works.

Do not use credit cards while dining out or drinking out

Use pesos

Use you debit card at a bank ATM to get pesos

It may seem scary, but it is easy. There is a bank around 10th - may be 15th - and Constituyentes on the south side of Constituyentes, may be the closest to the Royal. I have used it many times with no problems.

Instructions may be in Spanish, but at some you get both Spanish and English or a choice.

SpringLove71 · 06-25-2012

So are you guys saying I shouldn't be bothered with traveler's checks? I always hear that it's safer to use them than cash...that their just the same. I usually bring about $1100 with me to play with and I just worry about losing it. At least with traveler's checks if I lose them I can replace them.

snappysammy · 06-25-2012

it has become increasingly difficult to cash TC's

SpringLove71 · 06-26-2012

Wow! Travelers Checks have always been pushed as safe and easy to use. Good to know though!

06-18-2012	#1 (permalink)
portoboy toe in water Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 42	Currency Hi, We are arriving in Mexico on 1st July, was wondering if you are allowed to take pesos into the country? and us travellers cheques or is it best just to take uk sterling travellers cheques. Thanks Mark

06-18-2012	#2 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 17,502	Get pesos. Don't bother with any kind of traveler's checks, they're not well received these days.

06-18-2012	#3 (permalink)
Heather employee of the month Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 14,600	Traveller's checks are a pain and hassle here--I wouldn't use them at all. If you can, use your ATM. Make sure to alert your bank to the fact that you'll be travelling in Mexico and also try only to use ATMs that are outside banks, during normal banking hours. You can bring pesos in, but there's no need to--you can withdraw pesos from the ATM or change your Sterling into pesos at a bank or casa de cambio. Have a great trip!

06-19-2012	#4 (permalink)
portoboy toe in water Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 42	Thank you Shammy and Heather, we were in Mexico 4 years ago and were told by our travel company that there was a limit of pesos that you could take in so we took travellers cheques and just exchanged them at the resort. Thank you both for the advice, probably just take a mixture of sterling and pesos. Mark

06-21-2012	#5 (permalink)
Thor Henning añejo Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Drammen, Norway Posts: 4,135	We are traveling from Norway, and we have never had any problems with credit cards. The banks in Norway don't have Pesos, so credit cards are the way to go.

06-21-2012	#6 (permalink)
Mindbender Licence to kill Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Shifting Sands Posts: 5,644	Hi Mark, Firstly, I'm British... If there are any peso cash limits they'd be very large, far much more than a tourist would take in - they're actually after money launderers etc. As a tourist, they'll be very happy for you to bring plenty... and spend it For general info: at least this UK travel agency didn't suggest bringing US dollars in cash, so points to them for that. Some do, and it's so dumb. Pound sterling is very strong against the peso. If you brought dollars, you'd first lose changing to them, then lose again having the dollars converted when you make a purchase in Mexico with a rate usually worse than the bank, then they'd round it up/down and give you change in pesos anyway. Personally I'd take some pesos, my ATM card for most of what I need, and some travellers cheques if you want to cover all bases. Only use atms at the banks, not stand alone machines, and always check the machines for any dodgy attachments, and hide the entry of your pin number. Have lots of fun, take care with the bad drivers and the sun.

06-21-2012	#7 (permalink)
Shaunna way into it Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Mustang/Yukon, OK Posts: 109	When were were in Playa last time, I used the ATM at the resort. Are you all saying this is a no no? Should I look for a bank instead?

06-21-2012	#8 (permalink)
Mindbender Licence to kill Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Shifting Sands Posts: 5,644	I don't recall any problems with ones in the hotels. It's the stand-alone machines outside shops (for example) that you need to check carefully before using. Personally, I avoid them, even if just for the chance your card gets swallowed up you'll have to wait ages for a rep to arrive to open it. At the bank you can immediately inform the staff if there's a problem. The other thing I do is always pay with cash, carrying enough for the day etc and leave my card in a secure place - for you the room safe. That way there's no chance of my card being skimmed. If you do pay with your card, never let it out of your sight, ever, watch their every move. Don't be shy to do it. Mexicans are just as cautious with their own people.

06-23-2012	#9 (permalink)
JennGilla lost on fifth Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 10	I have friends who came to playa 2 years ago and when I asked them about converting to pesos they said there was no need as everywhere accepted US dollars. Is this still true? There advice was to take smaller denominations (i.e. $1, $5, $10) and told me that I would receive any change from my transactions in pesos.

06-25-2012	#13 (permalink)
SpringLove71 way into it Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 187	So are you guys saying I shouldn't be bothered with traveler's checks? I always hear that it's safer to use them than cash...that their just the same. I usually bring about $1100 with me to play with and I just worry about losing it. At least with traveler's checks if I lose them I can replace them.

06-25-2012	#14 (permalink)
snappysammy añejo Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 12,291	it has become increasingly difficult to cash TC's

register to remove these adverts

06-26-2012	#15 (permalink)
SpringLove71 way into it Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 187	Wow! Travelers Checks have always been pushed as safe and easy to use. Good to know though!