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Money in Mexico


cruisenurse1
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Hello

We are going on the Carnival Splendor in June to Cabo, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta. What do you recommend we use as currency in port and why? I am the organizer of a family trip and I want to be prepared. Thank you in advance for reply.

 

Cruisenurse 1

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Pesos is the best way to pay. Either exchange them at home or use an ATM in one of the ports. In general US$ will be often accepted, but not always at a great rate. If you bring US$ bring bills like 1,5 or 10 and expect change in Pesos.

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For a port stop, just take a lot of small USD $1 & $5 is the easiest way. I assume you aren't buying priceless art work or a car so bothering with a Mexican ATM just to save a few pennies on using pesos isn't worth the trouble and you will loose any advantage in the exchange rate and fees. Plus risk getting your ATM card hacked.

 

It's a good idea to know the exchange rate as some places will only show the price in pesos so you will need to do the conversion in your head to make sure you don't get ripped or give to much USD to get back pesos. Also, I usually split up my "stash" between a few different pockets and or DW so as not to be pulling out a huge roll of $1.00 and attract attention.

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The exchange rate given by the shops and restaurants is anywhere from 1.5c to 3c off the official bank rate. PV Walmart uses 0.5c off the official Bank rate.

One cruise Mom, Sis and I didn’t have enough Pesos. We figured we lost $5-$6US visiting 4 Mexican ports.

We used Pesos for food carts and other small businesses. Sometimes it does pay to ask for the cost in both currencies.

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I would use credit card or pesos, for the simple reason no business in my area accepts pesos, why would I expect one in Mexico to accept dollars? Will be in Europe in 3 weeks, am not expecting any business to accept dollars.

 

Donot use your creditcard unless for large amounts in reliable stores. Cash is king in many mexican ports. Often creditcards will have an extra surcharge. Places like Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo will often donot have problems with US$ but again often with a bad exchange rate and change will be in Pesos. In other ports/cities dollars might be a problem.

Indeed in Europe hardly anybody will accept dollars, but there creditcards are more accepted.

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Hello

We are going on the Carnival Splendor in June to Cabo, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta. What do you recommend we use as currency in port and why? I am the organizer of a family trip and I want to be prepared. Thank you in advance for reply.

 

Cruisenurse 1

Those of us the vacation regularly and for longer periods in Mexico will tell you that cash is king and Peos will get you the best overall price/value for your $'s. For cruisers, in "Mexico" for roughly 3 days, do what is most convenient for you. ATM's spit out Pesos so you don't have to buy Pesos at home.

Why . . . USD's are readily accepted in cruise ports and established businesses will offer a resonable exchange rate; however, taxis, the bus, beach vendors and flea market merchants often charge what the market will pay. (City taxis in Vallarta are regulate with established rates in pesos. What you pay in dollars is not regulated.) Merchants in the US pay the CC company a fee on each transaction, in Mexico most merchants automatically add that fee to the price you pay.

 

So . . . The typical cruise ship passenger should use whatever currency that is most convenient. Know that they do not accept US coins and any change you get will be Pesos.

 

Enjoy!

 

Sent from my SM-T700 using Forums mobile app

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  • 3 weeks later...

Do you bring larger bills and then change them out to smaller bills in the casino? I see people complaining about fees and rates but carrying a large amount of small bills sounds like it would be an issue as well?

 

I have not used pesos before can someone post a quick conversion. ( I realize rates change daily )

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Google will give you conversion rates.

It's 19.something pesos to the USA dollar at the moment.

For USA money the largest bills we ever travel with are 20s. We also bring 1s and 5s. I keep the small bills and DH keeps the large ones.

We get have pesos because we are in Mexico at least once a year and we live near the border. I agree that I'd only use my credit card for large purchases.

IF you pay with USA $$s you will get change in pesos.

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Do you bring larger bills and then change them out to smaller bills in the casino? I see people complaining about fees and rates but carrying a large amount of small bills sounds like it would be an issue as well?

 

I have not used pesos before can someone post a quick conversion. ( I realize rates change daily )

Depending on how long I am traveling I generally get $30-50 in ones prior to a cruise for Mexico or the Caribbean. When I go for a full week to PV I always get some Pesos as I am likely to use them more frequently .

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This may sound silly but this vacation I am not traveling with someone who would normally be the watcher of the stuff while we would be in the water. How do you keep you stuff safe while swimming in the beaches? Are your sail cards water proof? Do you wear your lanyard if you go to the pool? Sorry if this is a silly question.

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This may sound silly but this vacation I am not traveling with someone who would normally be the watcher of the stuff while we would be in the water. How do you keep you stuff safe while swimming in the beaches? Are your sail cards water proof? Do you wear your lanyard if you go to the pool? Sorry if this is a silly question.

 

It is actually a very good question. My answer applies to beaches all over the world (not just in Mexico). Do not leave unattended valuables on any beach. The odds are you will be lucky and all will be fine. But there is also a chance that you will have a "bad day" and somebody will relieve you of your valuables. So what to do?

 

I have a special waist pack (fanny pack) that has a waterproof (to over 100 meters deep) bag that safely holds my cash and credit cards. There are many different waterproof containers that you can find on the internet (Amazon always has quite a few options). They even have special waterproof packs for cell phones that allow you to use them in the water.

 

Hank

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I have a special waist pack (fanny pack) that has a waterproof (to over 100 meters deep) bag that safely holds my cash and credit cards. There are many different waterproof containers that you can find on the internet (Amazon always has quite a few options). They even have special waterproof packs for cell phones that allow you to use them in the water.

 

Hank

 

Picked up one of these at my local sports store today. For extra insurance I will put my phone in a zip lock before putting it in here. I was also thinking of getting some of those little moisture packs that you see in pill bottles. Not for water so much as heat sweat. http://www.geckobrands.com/products/device-cases/phone-mp3/waterproof-submerge-or-float-iphone-mobile-phone-d

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Picked up one of these at my local sports store today. For extra insurance I will put my phone in a zip lock before putting it in here. I was also thinking of getting some of those little moisture packs that you see in pill bottles. Not for water so much as heat sweat. http://www.geckobrands.com/products/device-cases/phone-mp3/waterproof-submerge-or-float-iphone-mobile-phone-d

 

I will admit to never having put my cell phone in a so-called waterproof container to take in the water. But on a visit to Bonaire, last December, we met two couples that had their iPhones in special waterproof bags designed for phones. These are specialty clear bags intended for phones and can also be used to taking underwater photos. I am not comfortable enough with my waterproof waist pack to put a phone in that bag. There have been a couple of times when I failed to properly seal the waterproof bag and a small amount of water got inside (only dampening some cash). Phone bags like the JOTO amd mPOW get pretty decent reviews. Personally we prefer to keep most of our valuables (often including our phones) locked up in our cabin safe...if we are going to the beach.

 

Hank

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